'Restoration' after the fall

[meegbear]

The Rev. Ted Haggard this week formally begins his long journey toward recovery from a drugs-and-gay-sex scandal that forced him to step down as one of the most influential evangelical leaders in the nation.

Haggard, 50, has turned himself over to a team of counselors who are "assessing his spiritual, emotional and mental condition," said the Rev. H.B. London, who is helping to guide Haggard through the process. London and two other pastors will then set out a rigorous "restoration plan" requiring Haggard to spend hours each week in counseling, Bible study, prayer and soul-baring talks — by phone or in person — with his mentors.

The team's first task will be to push Haggard to acknowledge any addictions and come to an honest understanding of his sexuality. "Ted is not in touch with reality," said the Rev. Mark Cowart, a friend. The mentors can confront Haggard or rebuke him forcefully; they may also ask him to submit to a polygraph test.

"Ted says he's not a homosexual," said the Rev. Mike Ware, a good friend. "The restoration team wants experts to evaluate that."

<snip>

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-haggard8dec08,0,7089766.story?coll=la-headlines-nation

[tanyev]

1. I hear Jeff Gannon is an expert.

I'm sure he'd be happy to join the team.

[terrya]

2. So, so sad. He's going the "ex-gay" route.

"Restoration". No matter what word they use, it's still the same old "they're sick and we're compassionate, caring people who want to cure it" shit.

The sad thing about this and for anyone else who wants to go down that "ex-gay" route is that you can delude yourself over and over and over and over and over again that you're "straight". But you'll always, ALWAYS have those same-sex attractions. Always.

[Tyo]

3. "I'm not a homosexual"

That says it all right there. His chances of leading a happy and fulfilling life are just about zero.

[NMMNG]

4. "Ted says he's not a homosexual"

Denial is more than just a river in Egypt. :eyes: