That’s just not the case. Haggart cannot succeed because he is in denial.

The purpose of the post is to make sense of the Haggart story in light of two competing claims. I am attempting to do that by exploring the implications of the claims in light of the gospels and the research on homosexuality.

21 Hellmut Please don’t ascribe to me things I didn’t say but which your imagination wishes I had said.

There are millions of men that live without prostitutes and methamphetamines, George. That’s not such a difficult ideal. Therefore the claim that Haggard failed because his ideals were too challenging is wrong.

It is difficult, however, to live a balanced life if one is in denial about nature. Haggard’s denial is based on the notion that he knows the will of God. Rejecting reason and observation Haggard elevates his imagination over God’s creation.

That attitude is self-destructive. We should not blame God for Haggard’s stupidity and arrogance. They are vices. Humility and authenticity are ideals.

A man that ridicules evolution and sex education is not principled. He is just backwards. Had Haggard been more reasonable then he might have gotten into less trouble.

Haggard would not have married a woman whom he can never cherish as a husband. He would not have needed to twist his mind into pretzels to pursue gay sex. Less stress would have reduced the need for illegal substances.

Of course, Haggard also might have been less wealthy and admired. Those neither validate us in the eyes of God nor are they principles, especially not if we make our living by demagoguing vulnerable minorities.

Jesus confronted the powerful. He lived among the poor, broke bread with the publicans, and associated with prostitutes. His gospel is about love.

Haggard was a businessman. Christ is a servant. Haggard is in denial. Christ gives us the truth to set us free. Haggard loathes himself. Christ loves him. Haggard persecutes those who are most like him. Christ forgives us.

One way or another, we all fall short with respect to love. Haggard’s case stands out because his repentance merely requires reason. The fact that reason appears to be out of Haggard’s reach indicates that his upbringing has crippled his identity.

Haggard does not need to reject his ideals. He needs to deal with his socialization. Humility is the key.

Unlike imagination, reason and evidence are factors beyond us. Justifying our ignorance of nature in terms of biblical literalism is a manifestation of naïve arrogance. Subjecting our opinions to the constraints of reason and evidence is a humble act.

Ignorance is neither heroic nor glorious. It’s tragic. Our ignorance does not reflect the will of God. Often, submission to reason and evidence is a precondition to healing. Engaging one’s socialization requires an effort that borders on the superhuman. May be, that’s where the atonement comes in.