An Associated Press article this weekend said that Rev. Ted Haggard would begin a project of "spiritual restoration" for the next three to five years that would be "confrontational" and beginning with a "confession of sins." James Dobson of Focus on the Family (who is not a minister, he just plays one in the media) has said that he cannot be part of the team because of a lack of time.
So, Rev. Haggard, I'd like to volunteer my pastoral care services or a referral to another member of the network of the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing. Any of us would begin with working on helping you accept who you are as a sexual person and understanding that sexuality is God's life-giving and life-fulfilling gift. We would help you affirm that sexual difference is part of our blessed endowment, and to understand the "clobber texts" in the Bible about same sex relationships in the context in which they were written. We could study how other texts in the Bible affirm many forms of blessed relationships. We could look at how the teachings of some churches about homosexuality has done violence to people, including you, your family, and your congregation by asking you to deny your feelings. We could look at the criteria for moral sexual decision making.
Yes, Rev. Haggard, we sin when we abuse our sacred gift of sexuality and exploit others. But, the great promise of our traditions is love, healing, and restored relationships. We could talk about that as well.
So, consider this an offer. Unlike Dr. Dobson, I'd make the time.
Rev. Debra W. Haffner
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1 comment:
Ummm...so while you're helping Pastor Ted feel good about his homosexual desires, do you plan on addressing the fact that he committed the sin of adultery?
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