The Jimmy Swaggart Syndrome

One of my neologisms The Reverend Swaggart riveted the world with his public confession that he had sinned.  The photographs and personal testimony were undeniable -- he had led the life he so feverishly castigated in his ministry. Jimmy Swaggart was a minister in the Assemblies of God church -- an institution with worldwide headquarters in my home town, Springfield, MO.  I went to school with Assemblies of God minister's and missionary's children (including Wes Ashcroft, brother of Attorney General John Ashcroft), so I knew at an early age that hypocrisy was a staple of organized religion. 12-stepper An excellent example is my high school graduating class 25th reunion. (I was the only Gay person in sight.) But one man who was there had rejected attending previous reunions on religious grounds because alcohol was served. But here he was at our 25th having gone through a 12-step program for his own alcoholism. I take pride in my upbringing so near these scions of religious faith as well as surviving the Bible Belt and its homophobia. Here's a link to excellent coverage of religious issues and Gay people. Survived religious saving I survived a secret "saving" by Assemblies of God college students when I was 8 or 9 after they had recruited neighborhood kids for a weekly art and recreation gathering. These events included secret religious indoctrination and "saving from our sins" without my parent's consent. Why did my "saving" have to be secret? I guess we'd call this child abuse today. Schools everywhere, but where's enlightenment? Also near my childhood home were Baptist Bible College (attended by Jerry Falwell, et. al.), Evangel College, Central Bible College (attended by the Assemblies of God missionaries and ministers)  while the state college, now Southwest Missouri State University, was across town. At Hillcrest High School, I was Editor-in-Chief of the Hillcrest Herald, the school newspaper, and the only Gay kid I've ever found from there. It was a high school teacher that I must credit for my own enlightenment. From William Wetzel I learned about American History before the white man, and of Benjamin Franklin's many illegitimate children. Bill Wetzel stands much taller to me than the church-going administrators who forced him out. I have found it very enlightening to look at those who accuse in the light of Jimmy Swaggart. What about me? I guess this could mean that in my later years I will become an oppressive hypocrite. Normally, I'm tolerant of everything except intolerance. I'm a very emotionally strong person -- the only thing I can't resist is temptation. At Bowerman Elementary School, I was also editor of the school newspaper in sixth grade.

If at least some of those who strenuously accuse turn out to be the bigger sinner -- Consider these people for diagnosis: Trent Lott In a 1998 interview compared homosexuals to alcoholics.and other addicts, but let's not forget his dissembling about that racist organization. AND -- let's not forget he was a college cheerleader. Tom DeLay Ethically challenged without doubt. Pat Robertson Who profited on the millennium-hysteria bottled water? And, whom did he sell The Family Channel to? Jerry Falwell If you can, imagine the Teletubbie outfit he wears in his bedroom. Don't forget http://www.fallwell.com/ Ken Starr Imagine what stains are on his own clothes. Dr. Laura Does her pedophilia fixation put her children in danger at home? And, save us from those topless photos! John Ashcroft The Justice Department becomes a musical -- Footloose ! Dancing is NOT a crime. Check out http://www.johnashcroftsucks.com/ Fred Phelps Not even worth mentioning, except he had an impact on my life. Consider these people diagnosed: Roy M. Cohn Citizen Cohn, The Life and Times of Roy Cohn, by  Nicholas Von Hoffman (New York, Bantam Books, 1988) J. Edgar Hoover The memory of his long-term relationship with Clive Tolson survives him. Jim Bakker 1987 Televangelist Jim Bakker caught in sex and financial scandals.    Smarter People: Newt Gingrich He resigned before the Republican do-gooders outed his own adultery. He was too smart to accuse. Andrew Sullivan Unlike other conservative Gay Men, he's come out, apparently before he's accused. Read his "me-zine."

Updated 1-19-2002

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