“One Punk Under God”
Jay Bakker, son of PTL Club founders Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Messner, is all over the news because of the new TV documentary series about him, “One Punk Under God” (on the Sundance Channel). CNN.com recently ran a profile about Jay and the TV series, as well as a commentary co-written by Jay and a member of his church, “What the Hell Happened to Christianity?” As far as editorials go, it’s pretty basic, but it raises some good questions.
I watched the first episode of “One Punk Under God” and quickly became engrossed in it. I was a member of the PTL Club back in the 1980’s, when I was still a closeted Pentecostal zombie, and it was sad to watch Jay tour the grounds of Heritage USA, which are now decayed and weed-strewn. I wonder why no developer has bought the land and torn down all the rotting buildings. Of course, it may be a legal issue as to who actually owns the land. Jerry Falwell and his minions ended up with the satellite network, which is now nothing more than one of dozens of “Christian” networks on digital cable. (I resent the fact that I have to subscribe to all those channels in order to get the ones I want, like National Geographic, Logo, Sundance, BBC America, etc.)
The saddest part, though, was his father Jim Bakker’s estrangement from Jay, and Jim’s unwillingness to reconcile with his son or even return Jay’s phone calls. That’s not the case, of course, with Jay’s mother, Tammy Faye, who in recent years has become a gay icon, speaking and singing at Gay Pride events and fund-raisers for HIV-related charities. (Sadly, Tammy Faye is now in a hospice with cancer.)
Jay himself has come out as a gay-affirming minister, a decision which led to a conservative foundation (unnamed in the CNN news story) pulling thousands of dollars in funding for Jay’s ministry, Revolution. Jay Bakker rode in this year’s Gay Pride parade in Atlanta, distributing Revolution stickers (I still have mine) that read, “As Christians, we’re sorry for being such self-righteous, judgmental bastards.”
If the only thing Jay Bakker accomplishes is making people aware that there are other forms of Christianity besides the homophobic version espoused by James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, and the Bush administration, then his ministry is well worth our support.
I watched the first episode of “One Punk Under God” and quickly became engrossed in it. I was a member of the PTL Club back in the 1980’s, when I was still a closeted Pentecostal zombie, and it was sad to watch Jay tour the grounds of Heritage USA, which are now decayed and weed-strewn. I wonder why no developer has bought the land and torn down all the rotting buildings. Of course, it may be a legal issue as to who actually owns the land. Jerry Falwell and his minions ended up with the satellite network, which is now nothing more than one of dozens of “Christian” networks on digital cable. (I resent the fact that I have to subscribe to all those channels in order to get the ones I want, like National Geographic, Logo, Sundance, BBC America, etc.)
The saddest part, though, was his father Jim Bakker’s estrangement from Jay, and Jim’s unwillingness to reconcile with his son or even return Jay’s phone calls. That’s not the case, of course, with Jay’s mother, Tammy Faye, who in recent years has become a gay icon, speaking and singing at Gay Pride events and fund-raisers for HIV-related charities. (Sadly, Tammy Faye is now in a hospice with cancer.)
Jay himself has come out as a gay-affirming minister, a decision which led to a conservative foundation (unnamed in the CNN news story) pulling thousands of dollars in funding for Jay’s ministry, Revolution. Jay Bakker rode in this year’s Gay Pride parade in Atlanta, distributing Revolution stickers (I still have mine) that read, “As Christians, we’re sorry for being such self-righteous, judgmental bastards.”
If the only thing Jay Bakker accomplishes is making people aware that there are other forms of Christianity besides the homophobic version espoused by James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, and the Bush administration, then his ministry is well worth our support.
Cross-posted at the Gay Spirituality & Culture Blog
posted by Darrell Grizzle | 11:22 AM
3 Comments:
Yay for Jay! Sorry to hear about Tammy Faye.
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http://yogaluca.blogspot.com/2006/12/
top-5-favorite-holiday-song
Being born and raised just up the road from Heritage USA we used to tour the grounds in their prime. The Bakkers were always a courious site to see. They used to have a home on Lake Wylie and we used to joke when on the lake about seeing Jim Bakker walking his ducks on the water.
Jay should be embraced by all those who can't seem to find what they are looking for in a church. Jay offers hope without judgement and his message is fresh and alive. It's sad to hear of Tammy's cancer taking its toll on her body. She should be around to continue her own message of inclusion for all in Christ. I wish her well and even though our beliefs are different as to what is beyond this world, I know she is in the arms of love right now and hope she feels the comfort of the many, many prayers said on her behalf.
I've read through several of Jay's articles in Christian publications and browsed one of his books. He's a quality guy and is doing great things. It's great to see the ministry he's been doing.
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