Haggard: I Still Struggle With Sexuality

Churchgoer says he had long relationship with anti-gay marriage preacher

(NEWSER) - Evangelical preacher Ted Haggard had a long extra-marital affair with a male parishioner before his downfall, KRDO reports. The churchgoer says the New Life Church paid him hush money after the affair several years ago. The church confirmed the accusation after learning that the man possesses a recording of a conversation between himself and Haggard in which the preacher admits the relationship is inappropriate and begs for forgiveness. More»

She believed he was 'winning the battle,' spouse tells Oprah

(NEWSER) - Ted Haggard told his wife early in their 30-year marriage that he struggled with his attraction to men, she tells Oprah in an appearance with her husband due to air today. Gayle Haggard says she was shocked by the disclosure, but believed he was "winning the battle" before a scandal involving a male prostitute led to his resignation from the New Life Church in 2006. More»

Glenn Beck calls on 1,000 religious leaders to break law

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of pastors are trying to goad the IRS into a political battle over free speech from the pulpit, the New York Times reports. Organizers of tomorrow's Pulpit Freedom Sunday are urging pastors to flout a law that prohibits tax-exempt churches and other charities from political campaigning. Sponsored by the conservative Alliance Defense Fund, the event has been promoted by Glenn Beck, who is calling on 1,000 pastors to partake. “There should be no government intrusion in the pulpit,” says one. More»

(NEWSER) - The hallelujahs are strained in US churches these days as donations plunge at the same time demand for aid is skyrocketing, reports the Wall Street Journal. Congregations across the nation are slashing budgets and even laying off staff, including pastors. Churches and synagogues usually weather downturns well, but not this time. "There has been significant tightening of budgets," said Rabbi Elliott Kleinman, spokesman for the Union for Reform Judaism, which represents some 900 congregations. "People have less money to give." More»

Data bares UK officers' foibles

(NEWSER) - Top British military officials are at risk of blackmail after three Royal Air Force hard drives containing revealing vetting details were stolen, the Daily Mail reports. Files on the drives told of “criminal investigations, drug abuse, use of prostitutes, and extra-marital affairs,” said a Ministry of Defense memo. “This data provides an excellent target list for foreign intelligence services, investigative journalists and blackmailers.” More»