In a shining example of how some people walk the fine line between tasteless and just freakin' stupid, Pat Robertson has opened his mouth and blamed yesterday's earthquake on -- you guessed it -- the Haitian people. Why? Because, he says, they "swore a pact to the Devil," in exchange for ol' Satan freeing them from the control of the French. So it's pretty clear that in Pat Robertson's mind, they've brought this on themselves.
I hope that if Pat Robertson ever loses his home and family in a natural disaster that people are more charitable towards him than he has been towards the people of Haiti.
If you'd like to read about how you can help quake victims, I've got some info posted in the previous blog entry: How to Help Haiti.
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I hope that if Pat Robertson ever loses his home and family in a natural disaster that people are more charitable towards him than he has been towards the people of Haiti.
If you'd like to read about how you can help quake victims, I've got some info posted in the previous blog entry: How to Help Haiti.
Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!
Pat Robertson is complicit in the fiscal gang rape of the nation of Zaire. Mobutu paid his friend in mining and timber concessions in Shaba province for his services as Mobutu’s shill with Reagan and Bush. At the same time, he didn’t utter a peep as the Zairian people were reduced to living on less than a dollar a day. He has no business talking about evil or devil or anything else. He ought to just STFU
I say deport him. Haiti sounds like the place to send him, but I doubt they’d want him.
I saw the Pat Robertson video about Haiti & I was shocked that he can be so insensitive. I just hope that in other lifetimes, that if I ever get like that, that the God/Goddess/All helps me see the err of my ways. I want to grow spiritually not live as a slave to a religious perspective that has no soul. What a shame.
Can we consider this proof that prolonged exposure to “The 700 Club” causes brain damage?
Maybe we could get it taken off the air, or at least a warning label applied between segments, in the interest of public health.
I wasn’t aware Christians even believed in “curses.” Pat Robertson’s past quotes speak pretty strongly to his delirium. With as long as he has been this way, it’s unfortunate that he likely will not learn from his misguided views of reality. Obviously his religion has failed him. Perhaps he’d be better off listening to someone else do the preaching, that actually knows his religion. Maybe he’d be able to figure out where he went wrong.
I hope the Haitians get quick help and are able to recover from this. For those doing donations, be sure to cautious of scams. Robertson isn’t the only despicable one that comes out for a disaster.
Dear Christian God-Please save us from those who follow you. I’m sure you are a loving God, but your followers spit epithets of derision at the others of your creation-their supposed brothers and sisters in You! Keep them far from us, as they keep you far from their hearts, yet speak of you as if they know you! Your son, Jesus, said the first commandment was to love one another as you would yourself. Just not seeing that now. Open their eyes to the ‘Jesus’ that is in all wo/mankind~the words they speak of derision/hatred they speak to You. Why would they do that to a God they claim to love and worship?
Save us, O Christian God, from your followers. So mote it be!
“You’ve done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At long last, have you left no sense of decency?”
Earthquake caused by wrath of God? What took so long?
Insult the Gods; wrath of Gods – That was the Greek Gods way.
Tasteless is the only word that comes to mind. Nobody ever has asked for a natural disaster. Nor did anyone make a pact with the devil he does not exsit.
As much as I believe Pat Robertson to be a complete nut-job, we cannot accurately state that he is uncharitable toward the people of Haiti. Operation Blessing and CBN will move huge volumes of relief material to the people of Haiti to ease the suffering that is going on there now. Granted he has an ulterior motive – “saving” the people of Haiti – but the relief is a blessing no matter the motive.
Pat should really learn to think before he speaks. His show isn’t scripted, so whatever you hear come out of his mouth is what he’s thinking at the time. That, obviously, isn’t always a good thing.
I blogged about this yesterday on my myspace, too. Yes, at least they are going to send massive aid and technically with no strings attached. I mean, obviously they want to “save” the people but it won’t be a condition for getting a bottle of water. Just really sad that he has to be so juvenile about it to throw insane blame around. And wow this does wonders for conversion. Like the hate filled Chick tracks, does he really think that showing his god to be so spiteful that he would do this to descendants and innocents 200 years after the fact would make people welcome him or his god? Yes, some will from fear but is that really any way to make a true convert?
Does this man not have children? At his age, I blame the family when Dad continues to make a public fool of himself. He’s been a bit off for decades, but recently his connection with reality has grown more and more tenuous.
I’m not necessarily defending him, as saying those words in such a public forum regardless of context, is dangerous and irresponsible.
But I also believe that all sides of the story should be considered as the media does love to twist and take comments out of context to make their story.
http://www.cbn.com/about/pressrelease_patrobertson_haiti.aspx makes an attempt to defend Pat’s words and explain their side of things.
Again, I am in no way defending such a horrible comment but I think all sides should be considered before jumping down someone’s throat.
He didn’t mean it? Why would anyone mention history over 200 years old about a supposed pact with the devil and a curse while talking about a 7.0 earthquake if he didn’t MEAN it?
Can we say “Back peddle”?
The blog Get Religion, about religion and journalism, has a pretty good post on the legend Robertson abused in his remarks. Also read the first few comments, as one comment contains a good explanation of what had really happened, from outside the Christian point of view.
When I hear Pat Robertson and his ilk vent terribly unchristian comments, I half-way wish his deity would intervene and shut him up as a clear demonstration of the wrongness of his belief. This solution, however, is problematic. Such a show of divine force would provide the concrete evidence needed to prove that Christianity is based on an obviously real entity, allowing Christians to persecute any religion that wasn’t able to cough up a divine manifestation. So it’s probably best that deities don’t openly express themselves. I am reminded, when I’m feeling spiteful, of Mark Twain’s War Prayer.
Isn’t it time for Pat Robertson to retire or something?
Yeah talk about no class, last I heard about the Chrstian teaching was, “Judge not less you be judged.” I believe I also heard it said that Haiti is primary a Christian/Catholic population.
Hmmmm…..not very chritian-like of him, eh?
Or, is it.
Just something we can only speculate on.
Maybe it’s time for him to either retire, or to have writers put a script up on a monitor for him to read…because obviously fanatacism has retarded his mentality.
Old saying…”Be sure that the brain is in gear before engaging the mouth.”
What about the blog post of the other day – Freedom of speech even (or especially) when we disagree? He does have every right to say what he believes and he truly believes these things. Like the rhetoric “they” use against “us”, we will never change his mind especially by calling him names and calling for him to retire or whatever. Plus he is a very canny man and knows exactly how to get peoples’ attention. Just look at all the energies this one little blog here has generated.
Oh, you’re absolutely correct. As vile as I find Pat Robertson, he’s got as much right as anyone to speak his mind. America is one of the few countries where you are legally guaranteed the right to show everyone what an asshat you are.
patti
LMAO yes and we have all availed ourselves of that right every so often eh?
I think Alyssa Milano (yes, Phoebe from Charmed) said it best on Twitter. Her tweet: “Dear Pat Robertson, You’re a douche. Sincerely, Alyssa Milano” I think that pretty much summed up alot of the public’s opinion.
I got this in an e-mail and thought I’d share –
SATAN TO PAT ROBERTSON: YOU’RE DOING GREAT WORK, PAT, BUT…
Dear Pat Robertson,
I know that you know that all press is good press, so I appreciate the
shout-out. And you make God look like a big mean bully who kicks people when
they are down, so I’m all over that action. But when you say that Haiti has
made a pact with me, it is totally humiliating. I may be evil incarnate, but
I’m no welcher.
The way you put it, making a deal with me leaves folks desperate and
impoverished. Sure, in the afterlife, but when I strike bargains with
people, they first get something here on earth — glamour, beauty, talent,
wealth, fame, glory, a golden fiddle. Those Haitians have nothing, and I
mean nothing. And that was before the earthquake. Haven’t you seen
“Crossroads” ? Or “Damn Yankees”? If I had a thing going with Haiti, there’d
be lots of banks, skyscrapers, SUVs, exclusive night clubs, Botox — that
kind of thing. An 80 percent poverty rate is so not my style. Nothing
against it — I’m just saying: Not how I roll.
You’re doing great work, Pat, and I don’t want to clip your wings — just,
come on, you’re making me look bad. And not the good kind of bad. Keep
blaming God. That’s working. But leave me out of it, please. Or we may need
to renegotiate your own contract.
Best,
Satan
– Lily Coyle, Minneapolis – via the Star Tribune
First, blaxraven (24) OUTSTANDING!!! Hahaha! That was great!
Second, anyone ever stop to think what would happen to a minority religion (Paganism, Islam, Judaism or any other) or a member of a minority religion if we said something along these lines?? Honestly, it is frightening don’t you think?
Third, wouldn’t it be nice if everyone could practive what they preach? Having a Christian childhood, I’m quite certain judging others is a no-no….
Wow, ok so Pat Robertson should be allowed the opportunity to say what he wanted to say, to deny him that right IMO would be hypocritical.
But that video clip and news article was painful to read/watch. Seriously, at such a bad time for the people of Haiti, that was probably one of the least helpful things to say. For shame, really. It just feels like he’s kicking them while they’re down and broken, that’s not fair.
Blessings and Toodles
How old is Pat Robertson now? Could it be that he has the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s? Just a question…….
Yes, Mr. Robinson does have that right to make comments of that nature, but we also have that same right to make comments on his comments, so long as we don’t slander him.
That being said…..Mr. Robinson, are you naturally this insane or did you take classes for this?
Oops, my bad…..Misspelled his name…..should be Robertson, not Robinson……I sowry.
I think this Robertson person is a complete insensitive idiot for saying what he said, but I have complete confidence that when he is judged on his entire life, word and deed, God will be more than a little pissed off with how Robertson has been misrepresenting God’s opinion and fellow Christians. God’ll get him, I’ve no doubt about that!
As an aside; Jessy, you really think Islam and Judaism are minority faiths? There’s a reason they’re part of the “big 3″ major religions of the entire world…
Oh sure, because Haitians have been livin’ large since Europe discovered the island. Really wondering if some people EVER stop to think.
Somehow this doesn’t surprise me…what an ass
Could not believe my ears yesterday when I turned on the Tube and found good ol’ Robertson beggin’ for money for, of all things, the People of Haiti! The money, he said, would help them rebuild their nation as god wants it to be built. (Whatever that means, ya I know.) The money was going to others around the world, too. Okay, like who! I’m boggled that anyone would fall for this line.
Oof! I, too, wonder if he isn’t going senile. Loved the post from “satan”. …and I have to wonder if Pat doesn’t bother to look past the old stereotype of “Haiti = Voodoo”. Ya know, Brazil offered to build Haiti a new Voudoun cemetery. That would prove it according to folks like good ole’ Pat.
Honestly, folks, he’s from a fear-based religion. They’re afraid of *everything* and *anything*, even a new flavor of pop is “of the devil” because of their fear. Doesn’t have a damn thing to do with the teachings of Jesus, people like Pat Robertson are omni-phobes! …and if begging aid for Haiti wasn’t a back-peddle, I’ll eat my familiar…. well, she might eat me first in sheer disgust….
Pat Robert$on is all about money.I heard he co-ownes or ownes diamond mines in Africa.I can’t stand T.V evangelists,look at their tract record. They look all look like a bunch of crying greedy bastards,if you don’t think so call them and ask them for help-you won’t get it.
What a crock! (or is that crook?) For someone who is so widely listened too, as if he really has a direct phone line to “GOD” to say something this uncharitable is beyond reason.
Haiti is 80% Roman Catholic. (Catholicism went well with Voodoo) I hope the “Pope” gives this fellow a good taking too.
It’s hard to believe people actually take what this man says so seriously, but unfortunately for too many they do.
May the Goddess bless the less fortunate. I can’t see a Pagan saying something like Mr Robertson did.
My boyfriend is what you might call Christian (he’s a church is for holidays kind of guy) and when I told him this he said “Yeah… Robertson’s one of them… whatchacallem? People other Christians pretend not to know.”
‘Ol Pat is a moron. Even the Christians are ashamed of him. I think he must have some serious organic brain damage going on there. Can’t believe people still let him on TV, much less off the locked ward at the local mental hospital.
Pat Robertson is causing hate and discontent, maybe he will go to his hell.