Infidelity, Faith, and Forgiveness
- play show:
Date: 17 February 2010
Jenny Sanford, Keeping the Faith
When governor of South Carolina Mark Sanford admitted to an extramarital affair on national television, his wife was noticeably absent from the shot. Unlike many wives of unfaithful politicians, Jenny Sanford stayed at home, praying with her friends and family. Sanford would ultimately forgive her husband...but choose to divorce him. She joins us to explain how her faith provided solace and, ultimately, helped her make the decision to leave.
Jenny Sanford, author of Staying True
Ted Haggard: The Other Side of Infidelity
Begins at 22 min 30 sec
Ted Haggard had it all: a devoted wife, five children and a thriving church with more than 10,000 members. As the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, he was the voice for 30 million Christians. It all came crashing down in 2006, when a male massage therapist accused Haggard of paying him for sex and crystal meth. He later admitted that some of the charges were true. He joined us in May of last year to tell his side of the story.
Ted Haggard, founder of New Life Church, and featured in the HBO documentary, The Trials of Ted Haggard
Gayle Haggard: 'Why I Stayed'
Begins at 32 min
Gayle Haggard has never craved the spotlight. She has always been more comfortable behind the scenes, raising her 5 children and directing her church's women's ministry. But as she writes in her new book, she realized early on that she was a private woman married to a very public man. She explains why she decided to stay married to her husband, Ted Haggard, after his 2006 betrayal.
Gayle Haggard, author of Why I Stayed: The Choices I Made in My Darkest Hour
To Forgive is Divine?
Begins at 44 min
To err may be human, but as it turns out, forgiveness is written in our evolutionary code. Scholars like Mike McCullough argue that forgiving each other helped humans to evolve. McCullough joins us to explain why humans need forgiveness, and how some of the major religions have shaped modern ideas about forgiving.
Mike McCullough, author of Beyond Revenge: The Evolution of the Forgiveness Instinct
