From the Guardian:
Ted Haggard, mega-church founder felled by sex scandal, returns to pulpit
“Ted Haggard is back and about to start preaching again. Haggard, once America’s leading evangelical pastor, who was brought down and removed from his own mega-church after admitting to a gay sex scandal, has set up a new ministry and will hold the first service in his new church today.
(snip)
Now Haggard says he wants gays and bisexuals to come to his new church, whose first few meetings will be held in the garden of his suburban home. “St James church is for anyone, and I do mean anyone… If you are straight, gay or bisexual, I want to walk through the scriptures with you,” Haggard told a press conference last week to announce his church.
Haggard’s view of homosexuality – and his own actions – appear bound to annoy almost everybody. Many gay rights activists are offended by his view that his actions were caused by child abuse and that it is possible to receive counselling for having same-sex sexual feelings. On the other hand, many evangelicals are still outraged at his past conduct, and will be equally furious at his openly reaching out to gays, whom they believe are sinning with their sexuality.”
Well Haggard certainly annoys me. I can’t imagine people joining his church now. But on the other hand I could never see why they followed him in the first place.
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From Literary Lotus:
Book Review: Some Girls: Former harem girl tells all
“It may be impossible to pick up Jillian Lauren’s new book and not do the proverbial double take: Is this really a true story? Some Girls: My Life in a Harem is indeed a true-life memoir—corroborated with photographs and documents—detailing eighteen months Lauren resided in the harem of Prince Jefri Bolkiah (the Sultan of Brunei’s youngest brother) between age eighteen and twenty.
(snip)
Lauren was one of the first Westerners to access the Prince’s (they call him Robin) hedonistic playroom, and the intricacies of this ancient but enduring practice are enthralling. Each night, Lauren and a roomful of women of all ages and nationalities await Robin’s arrival, are asked to sing karaoke, retire to a bedroom, or sit next to him in the favored chair. One of the book’s most fascinating facets is the fierce and complex competition to stay on top and win the spot of Robin’s fourth wife. “The parties were a petri dish,” Lauren explains, “ideal conditions to breed fierce intimacies and fiercer resentments,” which was perhaps what the bored Robin loved most. Despite struggling with weight and self-esteem, Lauren becomes a star student of harem etiquette and strategy, quickly becoming one of Robin’s favorite girlfriends, instantly drunk on the position’s power, jewels and cash.”
This looks like an interesting read.
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From Bound Not Gagged:
“If it happens in Vegas…it’s still illegal” FUNDRAISING DEADLINE June 18
“Are you ready to take Las Vegas by storm with edgy public performance art that they can’t get with a buffet or vacation package in the casinos? Are you ready to tell American tourists on the Vegas strip that indeed, prostitution contrary to popular belief in Las Vegas and in most of the U.S is still illegal? That is the theme of our groundbreaking public performance which will take place on Thursday, July 29 from 8-10pm.
(snip)
The arts and entertainment committee of Desiree Alliance 2010 is using KICKSTARTER to raise all of our funding for artists and entertainers included in the conference and all the week’s happenings which include scheduled performances during the conference, the public performance, the closing party and more!”
Posted by Vixen in News