Nicole Greenfield: In an attempt to bring some kind of normalcy to Ted Haggard’s fall, Beliefnet has put together a “Gallery of Fallen Religious Leaders” — photos and profiles of twelve others who have “engaged in behavior contradictory to their teachings.” To try and show that such offenses can happen in any religion or congregation, the list includes representatives from across the spectrum: Jews, Muslims, Hindus, a Buddhist, and, of course, some Catholics. It also considers three other evangelical Christians — two of whom were also involved in sex scandals (with women) — in order to play down the shock value of Haggard’s situation.

But Haggard and New Life are different and shouldn’t become part of a generalized list with others kind of, sort of like them. Some of the reasons for this should be obvious, others aren’t so clear. Although a well-intentioned effort on Beliefnet‘s part to help its readers understand and situate the scandal, “The Gallery” ultimately writes Haggard into a glorified storybook of “fallen leaders.” The ever-growing group is presented not as cause for concern or reason for self-examination, but rather as a tribute (think: “fallen heroes”) to men that became victims of the societal evils they had once preached against. Depsite its objective, what the “Gallery of Fallen Religious Leaders” creates in the end is a safe discursive space for more scandals, more victims, and more fallen leaders.

Nicole Greenfield is managing editor of The Revealer.