Word: bakkers
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...linked in the public mind not by any connection between their diverse dubious deeds but by the fact that each in his or her own way has somehow seemed to betray the public trust: Oliver North, Robert McFarlane, Michael Deaver, Ivan Boesky, Gary Hart, Clayton Lonetree, Jim and Tammy Bakker, maybe Edwin Meese, perhaps even the President. Their transgressions -- some grievous and some petty -- run the gamut of human failings, from weakness of will to moral laxity to hypocrisy to uncontrolled avarice. But taken collectively, the heedless lack of restraint in their behavior reveals something disturbing about the national character...
...moral fiber of America itself stands revealed." Just as the Iran-contra hearings began as a road-show Watergate, it is easy to find other 20th century parallels to today's eviscerated ethics. As New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan puts it, "If you want to read about Tammy Bakker, read Sinclair Lewis. If you want to read about insider trading, read Ida Tarbell...
Senator Hart, too, sought to deflect responsibility, first claiming that his only mistake was not realizing that his meetings with Donna Rice could be "misconstrued," then blaming the media for the mess he was in. Even Jim Bakker, who by profession alone should have an intimate acquaintance with the theological concept of sin, resisted simply confessing his dalliance with Jessica Hahn. Instead, Bakker insisted that his troubles were all part of a "diabolical plot" by rival preachers...
...Raymond Carlson, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, said "many people" were willing to confront Bakker and Dortch with their charges but the accused clergymen declined to participate in the investigation. "There is a very large file on this," said Carlson. "Other evidence could be used," but the officials "felt this was sufficient." Church observers noted that adultery alone justified defrocking. The homosexual charge may have been put on the record so that Bakker would have to respond to it if he ever sought to regain ministerial credentials. Under Assemblies bylaws, a minister ousted for adultery can apply...
Dortch briefly succeeded Bakker as PTL president and host of its TV show until he was forced out last month. Dortch was found guilty of failing to notify church leaders of Bakker's misconduct and of subsequent deceit (the two men arranged hush-money payments of $265,000 to Hahn and her advisers). Dortch's downfall after 33 years in the ministry was especially awkward. He had been the Illinois superintendent for the denomination and had served 14 years on the very body that ordered his defrocking. Bakker and Dortch, who had no immediate response to the action, have...