The Uproar Among Television Preachers

I am distressed by the amount of media attention given Jim Bakker over a situation we encounter on TV a dozen or more times daily and is accepted as “normal.” So what is all the fuss about? Because Jim behaved “normally” for a change?

He is not divine, nor has he ever claimed to be--only forgiven, like the rest of us. I can forgive a slip of human frailty in an over-stressed time of his life, when his despair was almost more than he could bear.

What I find hard to forgive is the deliberate barbaric vitriolic attacks of Jimmy Swaggart on Jim and PTL in the media. He has exhibited a black heart, green eyes and a venomous tongue toward a fellow brother who is already hurting. This is not Christian behavior.

Jimmy Swaggart has, in his arrogance, set himself up as judge and jury of all other ministries and presumably, the only access to God’s ear. God is so busy telling him who to zap that he doesn’t have much time to give “messages” to anyone else.

I am angry that he has injured a brother, brought shame and reproach to his denomination and let down all those who have been faithful to support him.

Jimmy has shown his true colors, and they are not attractive. He has lost all credibility as a Christian by his savagery, and I certainly would think more than twice about supporting this man. My money can be put to better use elsewhere.

J. BANTA

Hesperia