Ted Haggard Starting New Church: Gay People Welcome, Gay Marriages Not So Much
by Jillian Rayfield
Rev. Ted Haggard gave a press conference today to make a "big announcement" about his career path.
And what an announcement it was! Outside of his home in Colorado Springs, with his family by his side, Haggard revealed...that he's starting a new church.
Haggard said that many may be believe he's "not qualified" to be a pastor again, but he thinks that "because of what we've been through" he's "qualified to help other people in need."
Haggard, of course, is referring to 2006, when he admitted to a homosexual affair amid allegations of drug use. He was founder and leader of the evangelical New Life Church at the time, but was excommunicated following the revelations.
He said that his new church -- St. James Church in Colorado Springs -- will welcome everyone, including those who are "gay, straight, bi, tall, short, whether you're an addict, a recovering addict, or you have an addict in your family."
"Democrats are are welcome, Republicans are welcome, independents are welcome," Haggard added.
Referring to the scandal as "the crash," Haggard noted that since it happened, "I don't judge people anymore."
However, he did emphasize that there will be no gay marriages performed in his church, because "God's ideal plan for a marriage is the union of a man and a woman." Haggard added that it's also "God's ideal that all of us have our weight under control," but that doesn't always happen.
"I don't want to be a political activist," Haggard said. "I want to help people."
