Eye of the Camel

I once had to housesit for friends and in return was granted access to a vast array of channels on cable TV. Being particularly bored one night, I channel hopped and came across a multitude of religious programmes. Usually they were only viewed on clip shows extracting the proverbial out of them. On these comedy shows we were also introduced to reality TV shows, Jerry Springer's oeuvre and sadistic Japanese game shows. Oh how we laughed, but then we became engulfed ourselves with this lowest common denominator type of programme.

Fundamentalist Religious shows have, thankfully, yet to make it to mainstream, terrestrial channels. In the US though they are widespread and are now infiltrating our airwaves via Mr. Murdoch's handiwork.

I was reminded of these manipulative money grabbers by the death this week of Tammy Bakker/Lavalley/Messner. Although she was never convicted of any crime, she clearly reaped what her jailed husband had sewn. And to paraphrase Wilde, to marry one fraudulent man may be unfortunate, but to wed two is carelessness.

Whilst tales of gold-plated bath taps and air conditioned dog kennels may well be apocryphal, it still begs the question as to how people can be so gullible when it comes to televangelists.

Of course, if anyone wants to join the Eric The Fisher of Men (and Women) Sect, and send copious amounts of cash, then do not let me put you off.

Now that both Bakker and Barbara Cartland have gone, shares in cosmetics companies are sure to fall.

And it’s taken you so long to find out you were wrong

When you thought it held everything.

You used to think that it was so easy,

You used to say that it was so easy

But you’re tryin’, you’re tryin’ now.

Another year and then you’d be happy

Just one more year and then you’d be happy

But you’re cryin’, you’re cryin’ now.

Baker Street : Gerry Rafferty