Although I feel a certain restrained empathy for Tammy Faye Bakker,

I don’t believe she is innocent as some argue at a women’s forum I frequent.

I feel a certain restrained empathy for anyone suffering as she is and this story about another heartfelt but deathbed plea by Tammy Faye Bakker, is a reminder of the effects of the media on Americans.

The story notes that her and her husband’s religious evangelical empire brought in about $130 million annually and Tammy’s tearful requisitions in the name of Jesus Christ was an inspiring factor on American’s emotions and their need to “believe.”

In the 1980s the Bakker’s bullshit reached 13 million homes daily, according to this story at msnbc.msn.com. And so many people bought it, opening their wallets to her tearful pleas and for the love of Christ based in religious trust.

But what’s even more amazing to me, really, and the sadder truth is that not only are religious empires continuing to bullshit American viewers but so many other empirical institutions—with a list too long to even begin to cite—are making bank.

Some are religious but there are so many more and this is a topic I, as a woman and a blogger, think I should look into.

Here are some reactions by people who seem like they still want to believe: (here, here, and here and here but this one may be being facetious)