Jay Bakker as featured in the Sundance Channel original series, “One Punk Under God.” He’s the son of Tammy Faye Messner and Jim Bakker. Photo: Jeremy Simmons, courtesy of Sundance Channel.
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By JACK E. JETT
Friday, December 22, 2006
As an aged punk rocker, I am so thankful that I have lived long enough to see the fusion of Christianity and punk rock come to fruition—and in the form of evangelistic royalty: Jay Bakker. As the son of former Praise The Lord (PTL) evangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, he is the Prince William of TV Evangelist. Of course, trouble arrived in the form of Jessica Hahn, and when the Bakkers tried to make Christianity a time share project through Heritage USA. After that, Jim Bakker went to jail and Jerry Falwell scavenged the PTL remains.
When his Dad went to jail, Jay did what any normal 14 year old guy would do, he got drunk. The problem was that he stayed that way for years to come. Now, a handsome tattooed stud puppet, Jay Bakker has come out as a gay-friendly, punk-rocking, Jesus-loving man who has started a revolution with Revolution, a church that welcomes all. And all is televised in the Sundance TV reality series “One Punk Under God,” produced by the same fearless folks who brought us “The Eyes of Tammy Faye.”
The Revolution church is having some financial issues, the show is fantastic, yet Tammy Faye Messner is very ill. My favorite person on the series is Amanda, Jay’s super-right-on and ultra-cool wife.
Is the world ready for another Bakker? At least we know this one won’t blame the gays for Hurricane Katrina. Below is my chat with Preacher Prince Bakker.
First of all, how fun was that slide at Heritage Park and did you get to ride it over and over without having to wait in line?
I never rode the big slide because it was scary. I rode the rapids all the time, and my dad made me wait in line.
What are your thoughts on evangelicals being forced out of the closet?
It’s unfortunate that it’s even an issue.
Can you feel all the love that is going toward your mom, not only from the gay community but from the world?
Yeah, when I talk to people they always send thoughts and prayers to my mom and that really means a lot.
After seeing “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” I realized that Jerry Falwell was an even bigger shit than I thought. What are your thoughts on him and his clone James Dobson?
It’s sad that they seem to make God so exclusive—that only the “good” boys and girls get to experience His approval.
How did you feel about all the attention you received at the height of the PTL? You were a little teen star.
I was a chubby, insecure preteen who would rather spend time playing with GI Joe than being on TV.
And it was all taken away suddenly; how was that?
Very scary for an 11 year old to lose his house, the school he went to and all his friend. It took me a long time to recover from that.
Will we be seeing your sister on your new TV show?
Just for a few seconds. But she’s a big supporter of me. She’s been living with my mom and acting as her primary care giver. She’s amazing.
Why are you having such a financial struggle with your church Revolution?
We’ve lost most of our support since I came out as a gay-affirming pastor.
Why is it necessary for religion to be organized?
People want to feel safe. I’ve always called Revolution “Unorganized Religion”
Why are so many evangelicals anti-gay?
There are probably a lot of Christian Evangelicals who would are supportive of the gay community. But unfortunately it’s the mean ones who yell the loudest.
Did a specific event or person change your views on homosexuality?
I’ve had a lot of gay and lesbian friends and my mom was always supportive of the gay community. That made me look into it deeper, and my conclusion is that it’s not a sin. The major catalyst was when I was invited to speak at Open Door Church, a gay affirming church with a gay pastor. My heart went out to these Christians who felt disenfranchised by the church. That’s when I decided I couldn’t be silent and needed to take a stand on the issue.
Do you think it is possible to pray the gay away?
I think God can do anything, but that’s highly unlikely because I don’t think being gay is a sin.
“One Punk Under God” airs 9 p.m., Wed., on the Sundance Channel, sundancechannel.com/onepunk. Jack E. Jett can be viewed on World of Wonder at jack-e-jett.wowtv.tv
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