Soulforce Asks You to Write a Letter of Encouragement to Pastor Ted Haggard

Ted HaggardIn response to the news that Rev. Ted Haggard has been dismissed by New Life Church and resigned as President of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), Soulforce has urged the gay community to respond compassionately.

We acknowledge that many in our community feel legitimate anger toward Haggard and the NAE for their history of religion-based bigotry.

However, Haggard has now been referred to the same “spiritual restoration” therapy that has threatened the mental and spiritual wellbeing of so many gay men and lesbians.

Don’t let the voices of spiritual violence and intolerance be the only voices that he hears in this time of personal, familial, and professional crisis.

We urge you to write to Ted Haggard in a spirit of empathy and welcoming. Let him know that there are alternatives to ex-gay therapy, and that LGBT people can live loving, honest, and purposeful lives.

Ted HaggardIn your letter, you may want to share some of your personal experiences:

  • If you identify as a person of faith.
  • If you have a family, children, and/or a loving faith community.
  • If you have struggled to reconcile faith and sexual orientation.
  • If you have survived ex-gay programs or reparative therapies.
  • If you will pray for Haggard, his family

Let Ted Haggard know that God loves LGBT people and calls us to live our lives with openness and dignity.

You can type your letter in the window below. You may also attach a picture of yourself, your religious community, or your family.

Soulforce will print and individually mail all letters written in a spirit of compassion and nonviolence.

You may find it helpful to first read Haggard's letter to his congregation at New Life Church [pdf].

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Your Letter of Encouragement to Ted Haggard

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Soulforce values your trust. Soulforce will not disclose your street address or email address when sending your letter. Additionally, Soulforce will not share your email address with other organizations without your permission.