Lafayette, Indiana, Monday

Tammy Messner died this week of cancer. While young people may not remember her, she galvanized the nation in the 1980’s when she was known as Tammy Faye Bakker, wife of famous televangelist Jim Bakker. They were early pioneers of televised Christianity and raised millions of dollars from viewers and donors for their efforts to spread Christianity through the media. Theiur ministry and television program, called PTL (as in Praise the Lord) were roundly criticized foe their message that equated Christian faith with earthly prosperity. They lived a lavish lifestyle in a mansion and opened an opulent theme park that brought even more attention.

It all came crashing down after it was revealed that Jim was having a long term affair with his secretary that ruined PTL’s credibility and dried up their donations. Jim went to prison for financial improprieties and Tammy divorced him. While they were on top she became a subject of jokes for her layers of makeup and her penchant for breaking down in tears. With her mascara streaming down her cheeks she looked like a racoon as she told sob stories of how the Lord was working in the lives of their donors.

The sad saga of Jim & Tammy and the PTL soap opera was among the first notorious cases of scandal among the wealthy, faith-assured television preachers who promised the good life to the believers and givers and suggested suffering and damnation for the apostates. When these sanctimonious empires were exposed with sexual and financial corruption, there was no small amount of glee among these who felt judged by them.
It is all a reminder that arrogance of power comes in all forms, including religion, and is a reminder of the words in the Gospel. “judge not lest you be judged.”

In her last years Tammy Faye Messner exuded a greater humility about herself and the role of Christianity than many of her brothers and sisters in the ministry. She famously embraced the gay and lesbian community - a hot button item among her former evangelical peers. After the debacle, she was broken and spoke with warm awareness in her last interviews. And ironically in her terminal illness - with all the pain and suffering - she did not weep in public. Her mascara remained intact. She died with grace.

As for so many others with judgement on their tongue, deliver us from the self righteous.

And rest in peace, Tammy Faye