Friday, November 27, 2009

Jim Bakker is Baaaak...


You remember him. He and Tammy Faye of the tears and streaked makeup, hawking "partnerships" in their "club" at their "Christian" amusement park in South Carolina. They had their own TV network, The PTL Network. There there was the air conditioned doghouse for their dog, and expensive clothes and travel and the usual televangelist excesses for Jim and Tammy. They took millions from thousands.

Then it all fell apart when it was found that Jim had a girlfriend besides Tammy Faye and had stolen millions from his organization. Jim served time in Federal prison, his last years only about 30 miles inland from the coastal island where we lived at the time. Sadly, Tammy Faye was taken by cancer only a few years ago. She had remarried, as has Jim.

But Jim still lives and has not lost his con artist style. I caught him as I was channel surfing this morning. He was dressed in a red blazer and sweater, with a necklace around his neck. There he was surrounded by his smiling admirers, who were leaning on his every word. Today he was hawking cheap jewelry in return for a "love gift." For a "gift" of $200 you could get a heart shaped cubic zirconium studded locket with, as Jim put it, Jesus inside.

Bakker is now based at the mecca for some aging boomers, Branson, Mo. Just the place to rake in the bucks. Reach them through The Jim Bakker Show at Morningside Church, then lure them in to catch the show, when they come to Branson to see their aged idols, still trying to make a buck on stage. He will also sell you some "survival food." Presumably, this is to get you through the coming Obama apocalypse. The is also news of the "end times." and another club to join.

Membership in the David's Army Builder's Club will bring you some CD's and messages from "Pastor" Jim, a sterling silver "plated" cross, your name in the "Hall of Faith," reserved seating at special events, and the annual banquet with Jim and Lori. Sound familiar? This is a perfect example of how prison time does not rehabilitate. Apparently, Jim spent his time planning his next con, with poor, gullible believers as his mark. You go Jim. If they give you all their hard earned money, you deserve it. After all, it isn't as if they weren't warned.

8 comments:

Doug B said...

I wrote about this very thing today on my blog. The gullibility level of some people is astounding. Bakker is probably like so many preachers/hucksters - it's all he knows how to do.

Diane J Standiford said...

No freakin' way! Holy dumb!

Anonymous said...

You need to read how they are treating precious people of God out there before you get involved in Jim Bakker and all he has to offer. They do NOT practice what they preach out there.
It is under Betty Boop Blog

You should all readthis blog before getting sucked in by Jim Bakker Ministry. This precious couple were treated horrible!
It is under Betty Boop Blog

http://phillyflash.wordpress.com/2009/03/20/jim-and-lori-bakker-the-dogs-have-returned-to-their-vomit-by-boyd-miller/

Anonymous said...

I've been checking Jim outtr on his new show lately. If only I could afford a "Lori Locket", nothing could be more precious than zirconium blessed by Jim Bakker. But alas, my dog must eat first. Perhaps the best one is the "survival buckets". Mr.Bakker claims we're all going to potentially starve, according to his extensive knowledge of scripture. King David said he had never seen God's children begging for bread.

Jim's Bible must be missing that page.

Anonymous said...

My poor and I mean "poor" parents with an adult mentally disabled child fell for the PTL trick. Shame on Jim Bakker! I have written to him several times to return the $1,000 , but to no avail. My brother could sure use those dollars now that his mom and dad are gone. Sisters are caring for him now. How Christian is that?

Anonymous said...

Suvival food makes more sense than a secret rapture - especially when we learn that Joseph way back in the Old Testament stored up such food for the promised lean years that lay ahead. On the other hand, the secret pretrib rapture was invented in 1830 by "fringe" Brits. Don't believe me? Just Google "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty," "Pretrib Rapture Diehards" and "Pretrib Rapture - Hidden Facts." And "Pretrib Rapture Secrecy" will blow you away too. (How did so many pretrib raptures get in here?)
Tommy

Anonymous said...

How about this study to a possible pre-trib "catching away". Look at Enoch and Noah. Enoch walked with GOD and escaped the flood by GOD taking him. Noah obeyed GOD by building an ark went through the flood. Enoch(Church)=Rapture Noah(Israel)=Live Through. Something to ponder...

Gibby said...

Jim Bakker says he's using "love gift" money to feed the poor. However, these love gifts require the poor and elderly vulnerable folks mesmerized by his nonsense doom and gloom to pay for buckets of dried stuff and the renowned plastic water pitcher.

I asked his ministry to send "buckets" to our food pantry in Forestville, NY. Response from "Megan" was I should be more "humble" when approaching my local markets etc. for food. Where does all this $ he claims to receive go? To fund his 24/7 internet cam and condo? I asked for an accounting of his non-for-profit statements. NO ANSWER. What a surprise!