Few DUers will recall this guy, Billy James Hargis

[karlrschneider]

but this is kind of an interesting obit on the guy...I met him once long long ago, at Oral Roberts' house (was installing high dollar speakers in his den at the time as my part time job for Sound Unlimited...and there's more to it all, Ronnie Roberts was a friend through high school and I was shocked when he committed suicide not long after this encounter, details available for any interested parties)

http://www.economist.com/printedition/displayStory.cfm?Story_ID=3499528

[kweerwolf]

1. Wow! That story takes me back.

I remember it vividly because the story broke at a critical juncture in my life when I was both coming out and questioning my religion. It was a story that played into both issues for me.

Thanks for sharing it. I hadn't heard of Hargis in years, but oddly enough, I did think of him a couple of weeks ago when some friends and I were discussing how conservatives Christians had switched from "red-baiting" to "gay bashing."

[Hand]

2. Yep. I remember him.

He was pretty obscure in his time--regarded by most people, accurately, as a wacko and a fraud. Those were wiser times in that respect, anyway. I can't say that the world is a poorer place without him, because it isn't. Let that be his obituary.
:nopity:

[bemildred]

3. One of a long line of hucksters and frauds.

Who can forget Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker, and the list goes on.
You can always tell by the idolatry of money.

[susu369]

4. I'm sure you know Frank Rich mentioned him in latest column

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/24/opinion/24rich.html?pagewanted=2

would like to hear more about your first-hand impression of Hargis and more details of your friend (since you asked).

Thank you.