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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Top US pastor sacked amid sex row | Top US pastor sacked amid sex row |
| (about 13 hours later) | |
| One of the US's most influential evangelical preachers has been dismissed by his church for what it called "sexually immoral conduct". | One of the US's most influential evangelical preachers has been dismissed by his church for what it called "sexually immoral conduct". |
| The Reverend Ted Haggard, a vocal opponent of gay marriage, on Friday admitted buying drugs and having a massage from a gay masseur. | The Reverend Ted Haggard, a vocal opponent of gay marriage, on Friday admitted buying drugs and having a massage from a gay masseur. |
| But he denied using the methamphetamine or having sex with the man. | But he denied using the methamphetamine or having sex with the man. |
| The New Life Church said its inquiries and his public statements proved Pastor Haggard had committed immoral conduct. | The New Life Church said its inquiries and his public statements proved Pastor Haggard had committed immoral conduct. |
| It has been decided that "the most positive and productive direction for our church is his dismissal and removal," the Colorado-based church said in a statement on its website. | It has been decided that "the most positive and productive direction for our church is his dismissal and removal," the Colorado-based church said in a statement on its website. |
| 'Pastor Ted' | 'Pastor Ted' |
| Mr Haggard, who on Thursday stepped down as the head of the 30m-strong National Association of Evangelicals, said he bought methamphetamine but "never used it". | Mr Haggard, who on Thursday stepped down as the head of the 30m-strong National Association of Evangelicals, said he bought methamphetamine but "never used it". |
| Fall-out of pastor's fall | Fall-out of pastor's fall |
| The issue is being played out against the backdrop of a vote in Colorado and seven other US states on Tuesday on whether to ban same-sex marriages. | The issue is being played out against the backdrop of a vote in Colorado and seven other US states on Tuesday on whether to ban same-sex marriages. |
| Mr Haggard, 50, has been a vocal opponent of the unions. | Mr Haggard, 50, has been a vocal opponent of the unions. |
| Denver man Mike Jones, 49, told a radio show he had been paid to have sex with Mr Haggard nearly every month over the past three years. | Denver man Mike Jones, 49, told a radio show he had been paid to have sex with Mr Haggard nearly every month over the past three years. |
| Mr Haggard said he had not had sex with Mr Jones but did receive a massage after being referred to him by a Denver hotel. | Mr Haggard said he had not had sex with Mr Jones but did receive a massage after being referred to him by a Denver hotel. |
| Mr Haggard, who is also known as "Pastor Ted" and has five children, has close contacts with the White House. | Mr Haggard, who is also known as "Pastor Ted" and has five children, has close contacts with the White House. |