Posted on 07/25/2007 6:25:09 AM PDT by paudio
By the time Tammy Faye Messner died Friday, the outspoken, fake-eyelash-donning 65-year-old had gone from Christian televangelist to reviled woman to gay icon. How did Messner become a gay icon?
With fabulousness and honesty. Tammy Faye's religious background made her an unlikely object for this kind of adulation, but in many ways she had the classic profile of a gay icon. Like many others, she became celebrated for her perseverance. She fell from grace (and lost much of her money) when it was discovered that her husband, Jim Bakker, had cheated on her and swindled their followers out of $158 million. But Tammy Faye talked openly about her pain on TV and stood by her man after his conviction, singing at a press conference, "On Christ the solid rock I stand/ All other ground is sinking sand." Her refusal to change her unique style—runny mascara, gawdy jewelry, and all—also made her icon-worthy.
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
What a wonderful post.
Such a shame we tend to feel other church members are shaking fingers at us for not being good enough. But, it is true.
They are wrong in that attitude but I think a lot of it is just human nature. They have been dedicated Christians for a while and have probably worked their hearts out for the Church. So, when others not so dedicated are in the midst, the need to show how worthy they are surfaces. It all comes down to when they work, they want appreciation - even though our works do not get us to heaven.
I was divorced and for a long time the church was not set up to handle the divorced people.
Also, I’ve run across instances in my life where I could not go to the church for help (moral support) because of the fear of how people would react to the situation. But, that can’t be helped. I’m just not willing to take the chance that they would act in a way that would not hurt me. But, I can sure go to Jesus with it and I did. I could not have made it through those times without that support. And, that “going through those times with Jesus” have made me come to a closer bond with Him.
So, I can say for sure that God does comfort the grieving, that Jesus walks with us through the bad times. (Of course not phyically walking with us but the feeling of being with me was surely there).
So true. Most of all, we have to be open to Him. We'll never see Him if we close our eyes.
Both events were very moving. I couldn't help but think that God was speaking to me directly.
Years ago... I used to watch Jimmy Swaggart.... and I learned tons about forgiveness from his teachings. When he fell....there were people who left the church, disillusioned and heart-broken. One of my friends snidely asked what I thought about all those he hurt by his actions...and the first thought that came to me was, "If they walked away from God because Jimmy Swaggart fell, they had their eyes on the wrong man anyway".
Jesus spoke about the weeds and the wheat. I think people who fall away because of clerical misdeeds are just looking for an excuse to stay away from "organized religion." What that really boils down to is pride --being their own god. I mean, if Jesus, God Himself, could submit Himself to two humans for most of His life (Mary and Joseph), how can we be unwilling to submit ourselves to earthly authority?
You could have at least included a less gaudy picture of a gay person. I just lost my lunch.
Well... I will agree to a point. There are some who put so much of themselves into a person (or ministry).....they just fall apart. That's when our job is to minister to them... showing them a more excellent way.....in teaching how to keep their eyes on God and not man. So...IMHO...I believe it may be more ignorance of the Word... rather than an intentional excuse to stay out of church. :)
God bless her for showing compassion to all. She is beloved by gay bloggers like Perez and dlisted. I thought it ironic that she received more compassion from gay bloggers than many here on FR.
Thank you. The church I attended made regular visits to AIDS patients- and others who were sick too. There was no preaching, no judgment- just offers of support, compassion, and always an offer to say a prayer with them.
She reminds me of my Dad's sister.."Crazy Aunt Dot". Loveable, flashy ... with a crazy sense of humor. She meant well, had a good heart and was utterly harmless. :)
I remember after I became a Christian ...how zealous I was... to a point I did/said some pretty stupid stuff. I call them my "Lucy" moments. I lamented to my best friend who said...."You know.... God probably looks down...shakes His head and says..."Here those girls go again!" *chuckle* I think she might be right. :)
If I am mystified by gaudy floozies, I am doubly mystified by the guys that like them!
Very true. I had alot of forgiving to do as things went along.... because harboring anger only hurt me...not them.
And, that “going through those times with Jesus” have made me come to a closer bond with Him. So, I can say for sure that God does comfort the grieving, that Jesus walks with us through the bad times
Absolutely! :)
Hint: Look for Adam’s apples.
Oh, you’d be wrong. She knew she was long before due to her ministering to them. I am so glad that Tammy Faye has gone on to the Lord. She was was suffering so badly.
She was, wasn’t she? Count me surprised as well. I also caught some of that - I had tuned in because of her and I think she came across well. I think she had class.
My thinking as well. I put my faith in the spiritual, and take everything in the natural with a grain of salt. But I don’t allow hypocrites to keep me from church or from worship.
Indeed!
Just like being told that there are extra 'scriptures' that have been revealed and we must obey them!
You should have built up an immunity after those other two faces!
I guess I could have given you Rosie; but then you'd not been any good for supper either!
Klaus Nomi bump...
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