The Lost Shepherd

Thank you, duke613...you are absolutely right.
And yes, Jessicarabbit, that is very odd. Born an Evangelical but can't accept the FACT that people are born homosexual. Statements like that really make me question the intelligience level of the right wing theocrats.
Of course, hypocrisy is a 'learned' trait. And Evangelicals have perfected it.

Don't be surprised if he makes a come-back as a minister.

The money is far too good, the proof of what you claim non-existent, and the sheeple way too many to count...

What Ted, and others, seem to forget was that he wasn't told to "Go to hell." He was told to submit to the leadership and authority of others, as is a biblical model. He was given a plan and a purpose for healing and restoration. He was given financial resources. Ted is the one who balked at that because, apparently, he knows best. If he truly cared for his congregation, and he trusted the biblical principles of the overseers--which he set up--he would have submitted and allowed God to work in HIS time to restore Ted and heal the congregation which he hurt so badly. I think his actions speak for themselves.

I think that it interesting that he says that he was born an evangelical, but homosexuality is a learned behavior.

It is comments like these that shows that many people still do not understand homosexuality and what "being gay" really is. Education is the key and cannot be stressed enough to combat ignorance such as the above comment. People are indeed born gay. There is absolutely no choice involved. None. Being gay means there is zero attraction to the opposite gender. In fact it would feel completely unnatural to be with the opposite gender, because that is the way their brain is hardwired. Most all gay people know since they were small children. I was brought up in a loving Christian home and I knew I was gay since I was 6 or 7 years old. I didn't know what "gay " meant or even heard of the word. I didn't even know anything about sex but I knew.

A percentage of the human population has always be born gay since the begiining of time...and always will be. An even larger percentage of humans are naturally bisexual. The only thing that has changed in recent decades is that gay people have had the courage to stand up and fight for their equal rights and the rights for future generations of gay kids that are born every day. They are fighting for their ability to have a future. They are fighting to educate people

Go away Haggard. I am tired of hearing about all your wows. Quit your whining and stop making excuses for what you are. You had it all. A job that garnered loads of tax-free money from people from all walks of life which bought you a beautiful $700k home in Colorado Springs and supported a life-style unbecoming a 'person of faith'. You are the poster child for why I don't "believe". Religions have become the curtain that allows entities to steal (albeit nicely) money from unsuspecting people searching for their "god". The money is tax free, churches don't pay property taxes, yet the leaders speak politics from the pulpit -- a conflict of interest, don't you think?! I could care less what your sexual preferences are. You are an adult, what you do in your bedroom is your business. I don???t read the articles written about you, but I???m still blasted by media headlines ??? SO GO AWAY HAGGARD. Your life should be your personal business ??? you are making a foolish joke out of yourself. I???m sure there must some scripture that says that is a sin.

I think it's interesting that he says that he was born an evangelical, but heterosexuality is a learned behavior.

A percentage of the human population has always be born gay since the begiining of time...and always will be. An even larger percentage of humans are naturally bisexual. The only thing that has changed in recent decades is that gay people have had the courage to stand up and fight for their equal rights and the rights for future generations of gay kids that are born every day. They are fighting for their ability to have a future. They are fighting to educate people as well.

Gay people are your sons, daughters, close friends, co-workers, aunts, uncles, cousins.....they are your police officers, fire fighters, accountants, secretarys, cooks, mailpersons, etc......some even do your hair! They are not alien or separate from yourselves they are part of your families and friends.

As far as homosexuality in the animal world, you again show ignorance on the subject: " Homosexuality has been observed in more than 1,500 species, and the phenomenon has been well described for 500 of them," said Petter Bockman, project coordinator of the exhibition. "

" Almost a quarter of black swan families are parented by homosexual couples. Male couples sometimes mate with a female just to have a baby. Once she lays the egg, they chase her away, hatch the egg, and raise a family on their own"

Believe in God, not a church. Live your life by listening to God, not manipulation of a pastor for your 10%. Judge not. Judge not. Judge not. It is my hope that someone will soon receive a revelation from God to reach out to the GLBT community to make them understand that they have been chased away from their rightful place as members of God's flock. Churches have become centers of condemnation, judgment and separation, rather than places of worship where all sinners are welcome. I feel compassion for Ted, as he is only part way through his journey in acceptance of himself as the man God created him to be. If more Christians imitated Jesus instead of those who condemned him to death, the world would be a better place.

I don't mind so much if the Christians eat each other alive,
as long as they leave the rest of us alone...

And BTW, apologies for the tangent or the tone. (I thought the attack-post was to me, I could be wrong.) I like to remain civil, I think recent arguments I've had aggravated me. This article isn't about nature vs. nurture, or even homosexuality.

But I do wonder if people can agree, that if a person sticks to their convictions, even in the face of derision, it can be admirable? Not even about religious people -- people in general. (I have had a generally dim view of religion, but not the people specifically.)

This is what generally happens with people try to impose their religious morality on others by legislating it into civil law -- caught with their literal pants down. There would be no need for churches if there were no sinners.

It is fascinating to watch what some claim to be doctrine, when it is nothing more than dogma.

A higher power exists -- can't prove who, what or even it is interactive at this time -- but considering the time of human existence, and the things we as a species have done in it's name, it certainly isn't the wrathful god of the "literalist" right wing or we would be ashes!

Um, WRONG. A few species that have the rare same-sex relationships do NOT mean it is 'normal'. Animals and people share aberrations, such as OCD, too. And they eat their young, but that's beside the point .I am not religious, as it so happens. I just really dislike when science is twisted to an agenda without question. I HAVE researched it. There is a correlation between twins that we have inclinations, but those are MODIFIED BY ENVIRONMENT. It is not 100% 'born a certain way'. An inconvenient fact, I am sure. And Anecdote does not make proof, if it did, we have proven ghosts exist. We can argue this until we turn blue, and I'm pretty sure neither of us will be convinced. When science has shown the exact mechanism by which I like blondes, you like high heeled shoes, and people are attracted to the traits that make up 'gender', then it will be truly settled.

"Um, WRONG AND FALSE. Try googling same sex animal relationships. You'll find that scientists have found that many animals have sex with the same sex, and in fact some kinds of dolphins regularly pair with the same gender, and only get with the other gender to have sex - that is, to create children. Oh, and two other thoughts: if you want to be 'biblical', then only gay SEX is prohibited - not cohabitation. It's quite possible for two men to live together, care and love each other, and never have gay sex. That would be totally kosher according to Leviticus. And lastly, if you want to lash out at gays for having gay sex, then I'm afraid I'd like to buy your daughter, and if I see you wearing polyester I'll have to , hmm.., I forget if it's stoning or burning at the stake. Well, I'm sure my pastor can clue me in on that. Oh, and next time your son screams no at you, you'll need to stone him. I remember that one pretty well. And working on Saturdays - well, we'll just have to talk about that. Quote one, quote them all!

Hello......Please read the rest of my post, I was agreeing with you. You are 100% correct. Thanks for the post.

Isn't that all he was to begin with, a good salesman?