White House Political Religious Advisor and Church Leader Resigns in Gay Sex Scandal

The Rev. Ted Haggard, who until Thursday was President of the National Association of Evangelicals, has apparently admitted to some of the claims made by Mike Jones, a bodybuilder and personal trainer based in Denver, Colorado.

Jones claimed Wednesday on a Colorado radio talk show that he'd had a sexual affair with a prominent pastor, but did not give names at the time. Jones and Haggard were later identified by a Denver TV news station.

Rev. Haggard, a graduate of Oral Roberts University, at first denied the charges, telling the station on Wednesday night that he'd "never had a gay relationship with anybody, and I'm steady with my wife. I'm faithful to my wife."

With scrutiny intensifying, on Thursday Haggard resigned from the evangelical association and took paid leave as senior pastor of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs. He said in a statement that he could "not continue to minister under the cloud created by the accusations" and was stepping down to let the church conduct its own investigation. The statement did not include a denial of Jones' allegations.

This supports the continuing evidence that those who are most outspoken in demonizing behaviors are wrestling with their own demons. I am only surprised it is this mega-church leader and not another from California whose books and pamphlets make the case good Christians must stamp out homosexuality with the harshest measures because if it becomes acceptable a majority of men will switch to that delicious but forbidden gay sex. Say what? Ask the men you know if they would find gay sex more appealing.

In Haggard's case, it was his own demons, literally. He taught his church group to believe demons cause gay sex cravings. So the White House loses another political advisor in a way they don't appreciate before an election. Haggard had a weekly call to the White House as part of their religious political network. Update - a senior pastor says Haggard admitting to some accusations.

Tags: White House advisor, Rev. Ted Haggard, Evangelicals, closeted gays, gay sex scandal, election, 2006, demons