Disrespecting the Dead - Pat Robertson on Haiti
77And you know, Kristi, something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon the third, or whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, we will serve you if you will get us free from the French. True story. And so, the devil said, okay it's a deal. And they kicked the French out.
~Pat Robertson, on the Christian Broadcasting Network's The 700 Club - 13 Jan 2010
Around 5:00 pm EST on the 12th of January, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck about ten miles off the coast of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince--home of some two million people. Conservative casualty estimates are in the tens of thousands. It's more likely that hundreds of thousands have died as virtually every building of more than two stories did not survive. The UN Headquarters collapsed and more than 100 humanitarian aid workers (who were there to deal with the abject poverty) have likely perished. This is one of the world's greatest tragedies.
In 1993 I was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba on a humanitarian mission to provide food , clothing, and medical care for "immigrants" from Haiti. Things had become so incredibly terrible in their country that people were tying themselves into boats that were filled to standing room only. They stood in these overcrowded conditions for days until rescued by US or Cuban forces. There were no bathrooms on these boats, no beds. They were so desperate that they were willing to endure unbelievable hardships and risks (many died from the dehydration or were sunk in storms) to escape the horrors that had overwhelmed their homeland.
The lack of education, the superstition, and the absence of a medical care system that these people suffered was evident and horrifying to me. Not only does Haiti have one of the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the world, many of them had been forced into a geophagic diet, with men, women, and children eating anywhere from one to three meals a day consisting of "cookies" made from vegetable shorting, salt, and a yellow clay rich in calcium that is trucked in from Haiti's central plateau that are dried under the hot Caribbean sun. As a skinny kid from Texas, I could not imagine the level of poverty they had endured from birth. I'm not sure anyone in America has ever been as poor as these folks.
A Haitian boy from the slums of Gonaives, Haiti called "Bor Kanal" --Before the earthquake
Pat Robertson - Haitians bought the earthquake--aka let them eat dirt
While the capital of the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere was still in flames. While people were still trapped under rubble--who may or may not make it out alive. Before a single plane with aid from the Red Cross had landed. Before the first hospital could be reopened--Pat Robertson reassures us that the filthy brown people brought this on themselves. This is not the work of plate tectonics or some other sciency nonsense. This is not even a natural disaster. No, this is a supernatural disaster, and is, in fact, the work of the Devil and his Haitian helpers.
Is he implying that black people couldn't possibly throw off their white shackles without aid from Satan himself? That some verbal contract exists, that somehow every person in Haiti voted to ally themselves with the Devil generations ago and that their entire lineage is now cursed? That the Catholicism practiced in the Dominican Republic is somehow superior to the Catholicism practiced in Haiti? Maybe he's saying that good Christians are slaves without the sense to seek freedom? When did Pat Robertson lose his reverence? His basic compassion and decency?
How
could anyone be this callous, this cold, and this crass and call themselves a clergyman. much less a Christian? The bodies aren't even cold, for God's sake!
Please donate to these charities year round:
- Hope for Haiti - 4 star rated by charitynavigator.org
A 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the Haitian people, particularly children, through education, nutrition, and healthcare. Overhead of less than 5 cents per dollar. - Haitian Health Foundation - 4 star rated by charitynavigator.org
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of the poor, the sick, and the infirm & to break the bonds of poverty, which tie so many Haitians to a life of great deprivation. Overhead of less than 9 cents per donated dollar. - Home - Danita's Children - 4 star rated by charitynavigator.org
Danita's Children in Haiti has 75 orphans in the Hope for Haiti Children's Center. Runs a school w/over 500 students and a feeding program serving over 17k meals/month. Overhead (with facilities) of less than 16 cents per donated dollar. - Lambi Fund of Haiti - 4 star rated by charitynavigator.org
The Lambi Fund provides financial resources, training & technical assistance to peasant-led community organizations that promote the social & economic empowerment of the Haitian people. Overhead (w/materials) of less than 15 cents per donated - Monica Rafiq is fundraising for Disasters Emergency Committee - JustGiving
Monica asked for my help to fundraise for her half-Marathon. The Disasters Emergency Committee is an umbrella group comprised of 13 charities (including the British Red Cross), specifically purposed to administer humanitarian aid in times of crisis.
For more info on Pat Robertson's lunacy
- Robertson's "true story": Haiti "swore a pact to the devil" to get "free from the French" and "ever
From the January 13 edition of Christian Broadcasting Network's The 700 Club...
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Jim, I'm deeply impressed with your stories about Haitians. I had no idea they are so poor. And now the earthquake had destroyed their last hope. Maybe something good is going to come out of this(kinda ironic) ...sometimes when natural disaster happens, the country gets international attention. I got through some earthquakes myself, back in my country and, thanks god, I got to live.
That guy, Robertson, is a dangerous ignorant.
Maybe Pat Robertson never had reverence, compassion and decency Jim. It maybe that he is using his religion for fame, power, and wealth. He has always sounded boisterous, and yes extremely ignorant. I don’t pay any attention to him. As for Haiti, It is actually the other way around. The Haitians succeeded in throwing the devil (the French) off their back. They were lead by one of their own a black Haitian and his name is Toussaint. The French are known to be one of the most cruel and exacting enslavers and colonizers. Going through such enslavement not only deprives you basic human right, it also breaks your spirit and psychic. It leaves you with a deep sense of inferiority and confusion. It takes decades if not centuries to recover. But the Haitians were brave enough to rise up against such inhumane conditions. But then soon after The US interfered and took over the economic power of Haiti by taking over the banks the French left. Then they started interfering politically and placing puppet governments. Little economic, educational or health improvements have been made by the US as evidenced by abject poverty that is prevalent there. And US dominance continues today as recently evidenced when they removed a democratically elected Arrested. Who before the US and its European allies interfered had an economic agenda that was to lead Haiti out of such dire poverty. But the US forced Aristide to accept IMF and World Bank programs instead. This lead him into corruption and he lost the support of his people. Then the US was able to easily and physically remove him from office and put a puppet in his place.
Petra & cameciob (and everyone else to whom the following may apply): Thank you for reading my Hub and commenting. This may very well be one of the worst natural disasters in history (body counts may hit up to a half a million people according to Haitian officials on the ground--and the survivors need help NOW).
Please donate ANYTHING you can during the relief efforts and almost as (or perhaps more) importantly, don't forget that these people under normal conditions live in such abject poverty that thinking about it gives me nightmares (and no, I did not trust myself to sleep last night...I suffer from mild Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome from working in the terminally ill camp during Operation Able Manner and have lost a lot of sleep over the past 17 years).
Petra: I am setting my sights on Mr Robertson, rest assured I have yet to scratch the surface of this monster. I recall the story of Jesus taking a whip to the moneylenders every time I hear his name. he's fraud and charlatan of the highest order.
cameciob: I am going to write more about this. I'm trying to work up the courage to write more about what I did and saw during Operation Able Manner as well as some other related Hubs. If nothing else, it will hopefully get the charities more exposure. I know everyone is sending money to the big charities, but I find them so wasteful (which is why I list the overhead). Danita's Children has the largest overhead of those listed, but they are running a school, homes for orphans (and there will be a lot more orphans now), and running food operations, so the increased overhead is reasonable. Also, they are about 5 times as efficient in their fund-raising efforts compared to the American Red Cross (which spends about 20 cents of every dollar raised on advertising and fundraisers--not including all the other overhead).
A fraud and a charlatan indeed. People do not "deserve" earthquakes; the universe is not run on the mechanics of karma. What a bigot.
lelanew55: I was being sarcastic when I implied that Pat Robertson ever had reverence, compassion, or decency.
I'm going to assume you mean the 2004 GOP/World Bank/Inter-American Development Bank-backed second coup against Aristide & not the military coup instigated in 1991 (which led to Operations "Safe Harbor," "Able Manner," & "GITMO").
Aristide wouldn't bow to the banks, telecoms, or power (oil, coal, & gas) companies, nor would he participate in their privatization (selling of state-owned monopoly power plants and phone service) & economic austerity measures (ie laying off thousands of workers to ensure not profits, but *higher* profits). For that the Bush Administration (with support from France & Canada) sent in a strike force of US Marines who, according to Aristide, "kidnapped" him & took him into exile in South Africa. Hundreds of Fanmi Lavalas (roughly translated: Waterfall Family--referring to the biblical flood) still remain in prisons without charge. When asked by reporter Naomi Kline during research for her July 2005 article for "The Nation" entitled "6/7: the massacre of the poor that the world ignored," what had caused the falling out with Washington & other foreign powers which led to his removal & exile, he offered three explanations: "Privatisation, privatisation and privatisation."
avangend: Thanks for your comment, I think you made your points as well as I, or anyone else, could.
Jim - Thank You! I think (hope) this has been the final straw for his pathetic excuse for commentary. It's a sad day for the US when we have to own up to his "citizenship". Sadder still is that the TV media is so callous that they continue to give him airtime for the shock value and viewship. Go get 'em tiger!
There are so many "wasteful" charties out there and so many I personally never give to unless they are local or personal. But there are alternatives! International donations were just a bit harder to figure out. Finally I did find one several years ago that allows me to donate with peace. I wish you the best of luck and look forward to your hubs on the subject.
Thanks Rope.
Sadly, Robertson founded CBN and "The 700 Club" so his job there is secure. If people would STOP watching this whack-job, STOP listening to his monstrous lies, and BOYCOTT his advertisers...oh who are we kidding, that would mean that the "invisible hand of the market" was able to do anything more than rob the poor to pay the rich.
My friend, I agree with you 110%!!!! Robertson is an arrogant, mindless idiot who has only one purpose - money!!!!. He has said and done so much that is offensive, but his followers swear he speaks for Christ. This guy speaks for money and power alone.
His show is a farce. His psuedo-news CBN News is a farce. He should not be allowed to have air time on any channel at all because the man lies through his teeth and I notice the ways he tries to make his pronouncements "comical" with that snide face he puts on, as if he knows he is lying, and he is daring anyone to catch him. He appears so cock sure of his snotty replies that he must be laughing all the way to the bank!!!
Arrogance, pure arrogance. But I am afraid that no one will drop him unless he gets caught in a Jimmy Bakker moment, or so other kind of scandal. There are fools born every minute, and charlatans like Robertson know how to play them, rob them and leave them happy and thankful for having been mentally raped.
Send help to Haiti - NOW!
Chef Jeff
Thanks Chef Jeff, again, nothing you said needs a drop of addition.
Ahhh but Jim and Chef - no one's job is 100% secure. Yes, he founded those but advertisers can pull away and the business head down the tubes. He's going to spew his venom once too often and while it won't be a Bakker moment, it may well be an Oral Roberts moment. Thanks for letting me vent...
Rope, We can only hope it is soon! Yesterday is not soon enough for this clown Robertson. And to think there are people who hang on his every word! Is Hell big enough for idiots like that? If not, there's Cleveland! LOL!!! (sorry Cleveland people. Old joke!)
Cheers!
Chef Jeff
Not much I need to say Jim. You and Chef have got it covered.
Robertson is a certifiable psychopath.
CWB, It's more than just myself and Chef Jeff that contributed, but thanks, and yes, he's a loon.
I know, I know! I don't visit HP that much anymore so when I do I'm usually trying to play catch-up. Gimme a f-ing break! LOL!
NO! There will be no breaks you! The only breaks allowed are breaks from reality. lol
Robertson and others like him give Christians a bad name. And yes, there are lots of Christians who listen to this dude who 'claims' to hear from God on such subjects-they've been deceived by Robertson.
Christ said, "My sheep hear MY voice"-not Pat Robertson's voice.
Especially since he surrendered his ministerial authority in 1987. Since September of that year, Mr Robertson has no accreditation from any church, anywhere in the world.
Oh, and I think Pat Robertson gives humanity, not just Christianity, a bad name. His blatant disregard for election laws is troubling (his Christian Coalition was fined for its illegal activities concerning the 1990, 1992 and 1994) as is his stated goal of removing the barriers between church and state. His involvement with state sponsored terrorism and advocation of assassination is despicable. He had financial ties to former presidents Charles Taylor (Liberian for whom the US is offering a $2M reward due to "crimes against humanity" and for harboring al-Qaeda operatives) & Mobutu Sese Seko (Zaire), both men are accused of systemic human rights violations. His use of Operation Blessing International planes (a "charity") to ferry equipment used to mine "blood diamonds" in Zaire is unconscionable. The use of the planes, according to the VA Atty Generals office "willfully induced contributions from the public through the use of misleading statements..." to fund illegal activities. Republican Virginia Attorney General Mark Earley, who received $35,000 in campaign contributions from Robertson, declined to prosecute.
Well. I see writing a Hub about the Reverend Robertson was un-necessary. I have to say that the Reverend's rather cold and smug rhetoric is self serving and not very helpful to a soul. I saw his comment on TV and still can't figure out what he mean't, beyond the concept that the whole Island of Haiti had a pact with the devil. Funny, but I saw a few ruined churches there. Why weren't they spared?
Actually, Chris, I am not done with Mr Robertson (again, he has not been a reverend since 1987) and am working on additional research which will illuminate some of his more degenerate activities. My point being, write about him, expose him for the hateful monster he is. While his words are sick at times, his actions, his business dealings, are despicable.
Read Scripture. That is Truth. The Word of God. The enemy, Satin or Devil comes to steal, kill, destroy. He is tricky and clever. He is not in the Lake of Fire, YET. God wants no one to perish. That is why he sent his son Jesus to die a brutal death. Jesus was whipped. Jesus NEVER whipped anyone. (referring to sentence above) God is the Light.
He turned over tables in the temple, yes he was angry the money men were trying to earn in the Lords house of worship and prayer.
Read scripture and what it has to say about earthquakes in various places and famine. Revelation 7:1
Christianity is a personal relationship with Christ.
Religion is man made doctrine of Gods Word.
He who cast the first STONE should take the speck from his own eye first. I need to listen to Pat's statement. Maybe there is truth to what he says. I do not believe he mentioned color. Does not sound 'untrue' if you know the word of God.
In His Name. Jesus is the only way guys. He is the way, truth and Life. May Haiti come to know the Christ, the true savior. The son of God. The man that died a brutal death so we could be forgiven our sins and live life in eternity with him.
It is a choice. Know Jesus, Know Peace there IS ONE WAY TO Heaven (JOHN 3:16) THROUGH Jesus Christ. I hope the ones that passed were 'born again' they will be with Jesus. Jesus. I know where I go when I pass on. No one is except for a disaster happening in their life today.
No Jesus, No peace.
Know Jesus, Know Peace.
In Love and in His name, Jesus. + + +
Interesting to see this hub...I just posted a Hub on why I never believed in him nor follow him...apparently I am not the only one...
With all of the hate speech that spews out of Pat Robertson's mouth, I actually think it was him that made the deal with the devil.
Skye2day: I am not much of a biblical scholar, but even I know that Jesus took a whip to the moneychangers, depending on which version of the Bible you use, it will be referred to as a scourge or whip interchangeably:
John 2:15 ~ "And when he had made a scourge (ie a whip) of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;"
I did not cast the first stone, I returned fire.
Regarding you comment: "I need to listen to Pat's statement." The link is above and you could have watched it at anytime. Next time, please familiarize with an incident before you try to defend someone involved.
Ghost Whisper 77: I read your Hub on Robertson, good job.
myhouseisbigger: Actually, Ghost's Hub seems to say that exactly.
It's appalling that anyone could imply that the Haitian people brought this on themselves. Earthquakes are a force of nature, caused by movements in the tectonic plates.
If this guy is truly a man of God, he should be organising some help for these poor people or going over there himself to give aid.
The Haitian people have suffered enough from natural disasters and bad government without this latest tragedy and this guy should remember to feel grateful that he was born where he was and not in Port-au-Prince to a life of grinding poverty, fear and hunger.
CMHypno: we are of one mind on this issue, thanks for your comment.
perhaps pat was thinking out loud but... maybe this tragedy was a sign to the world that if you practice voodoo, child protection, kidnap (Haiti, the hijacking capital of the world)etc. this will happen from his wrath. did we forget what happened in new Orleans (aka voodoo ville?)take a look at my hub about this "nonsense" i am talking about its called the beginning of world war3.
-yeah yeah
Thanks so much for hub. Total agreement!
yeah yeah's profile, is here:
http://hubpages.com/profile/yeah+yeah --though why mario didn't sign in is beyond me.
Regardless, the comment is full of factual errors.
First of all, Voudoun, according to it's practitioners, is a form of Roman Catholicism, and they worship the same Holy trinity as the rest of Christianity.
Second, child protection is normally seen as a good thing by everyone but pedophiles and other child abusers. "It is kinda odd that" you are criticizing the practice.
Third, the kidnapping capital of the world is Mexico City, followed closely by...Phoenix, Arizona. Haiti is not the Hijacking capital of the world.
Fourth, I read your Hub. You said : "it is kinda odd that the two regions that were both primarily African (New Orleans and Haiti) had been subjected to such catastrophic woes. And it is also kinda odd that both practice voodoo. Perhaps pat [sic] Robertson isn’t as crazy as thought to be"
You are a racist and a religious bigot. Your statement is ridiculous because if God caused this because he hated Africans, he'd have probably made an earthquake in I dunno...maybe Africa! Your insane musing is the same as saying "it is kinda odd that Hitler primarily killed Jews during the Holocaust, and it is kinda odd that they were all from Europe, maybe Hitler isn’t as crazy as thought to be."
Thanks dashingclaire.
P Robertson is a bigoted scum bag and an enemy both of God and our country. He should be jailed for thievery, inciting unconstitutionality, and hate crimes. If he were sent to Guantanamo Bay, he could keep a good eye on Haiti from afar.
It's amazing how when people say these things that they dont think about the consequences. As ignorant as he may have come off i think Rush Limbaugh was the worse one and Olbermann did a great job of handling both of them. I live here in Florida and there are a TON of Haitians. They are hurting really bad now, i just hope they find healing after this tradgedy.
MagicStarER : Thanks for your comment, and don't forget providing aid to terrorists.
Red_Dragon : Thanks as well. We are in total agreement that both of them are scum--Rush is still running off at the mouth--which means cruel-hearted people are finding enjoyment in his call to let people suffer and die. Makes me sick.
What's sad is that even on a HUb forum the Haitians were dissed and those who want to help were called bleeding hearts. I guess I am bleeding heart, then, because my wife and I contributed money to help out. We will do so again.
When a brother or sister is in need, and I have the means to do something to help out, I do it rather than find excuses (like "voodoo") to keep my money from acting like a tool in the great machine of humanity.
Shame on those who ignore the plight of their fellow human beings! Would that one day you are in need and someone who could help fails to lift a finger! Now that is a wish I have for those who fail to see the suffering of others and who fail to comfort those in need! Let it be like burning coals upon your heads!!!
OK, enough hell and damnation for the moment.
Chef Jeff
Watch your "bleed" pressure Chef, I need every fan I can get, lol. But I don't understand the the "anti" mentality of the "right" theses days. I swear they're acting like petulant teenagers, doing the exact opposite of whatever their family (the voting public) wants and choosing to hang out with their friends (moneyed interests) instead. When they get busted, they just say "no, you are" or hurl insults--instead of trying to sit down and communicate their wants/needs...It's freakish to the point of pathological.
I think the term you are looking for to describe people who make fun of the suffering of others and of those who want to help is "soulless." Additionally, you may include as many invectives, both before and after, as you see fit.
Excellent Hub Jim - Pat Robinson as those like him are the reason Christianity will never have a place in my life. The contradiction of those who practice the religion is the only consistant thing about it. It has always amazed me that the ones who claim Jesus their Lord and Savior are also the ones who celebrate war and the murder of women and children. To clarify a point made earlier. The devil attacks that which is good, not that which is bad. Maybe that explains this countries prosperous history.
I agree with you SOBF, both on the contradiction of some Christians and on Christian philosophy as we, and most people, understand it. The holier-than-thou attitude displayed by people like Robertson (of all people) during this crisis is disgusting.
Remember when poverty was supposed to be a virtue? And whatever happened to the virtues of sacrifice and charity? Pat Robertson seems to think the Golden Rule is "Whomever has the most gold, makes the rules." Which works well for him, since he owns a company called "Freedom Gold."
Regardless, I said *some* Christians. Christianity is no better (or worse, really) than any other religion at keeping cruel, greedy people from rising to power and manipulating the tenants of their chosen faith to harm others and justify awful behavior in the name of their god.
Well, in all fairness, because we live in an area where Christianity rules, and because Christians here are better off than some in other lands, we tend to see Christianity as THE religion that gloats on suffering and praises war in God's name.
But in other lands there are religions that also do these things. All religious leaders deny that THEIR religion is like that, but many times there is a powerful, if small, group within the larger body that makes everyone look bad. Here we have a religious Right that sees ewverything in an "Us vs. Them" light and feels itself under siege, although the latter is mostly only in their minds.
I have seen many Christians, and Muslims and Jews and others, who live their faith by their good deeds. Unfortunately, there are always the Pat Robertsons of the world to smear verbal excrement on the good works others do in spite of these parasites.
Cheers!
Chef Jeff
Chef Jeff: Amen on all counts, brother.
When a man's sole purpose is finding pure light or absolute darkness in all things, he can never accept the vibrant variations of beauty in the universe--and can therefore only see lies and half-truths of his own making.
Actually Voodoo and Santeria are syncretic faiths that blend Catholicism with African tribal beliefs. But, I know some kncklehead would suggest that this is why Haiti had it's earthquake. Let's try this for an explanation. It was a natural occurence and not a mean spirited punishment of an angry god. It was old blind nature, and not a punishment.
Jim, I mistakenly pressed 'down' rather than 'up' on your Hib!! My apologies!
Well said on your Hub. I have also seen some terrible places. Certainly, it would seem that people like Robertson (he strikes me, a Briton, as a charlatan) do not help. Neither, frankly, does any proselytising about the ridiculous merits of all this being the work of 'Satan' or 'God'. Such arguments are utter, crass rubbish. This is a natural disaster. It is a simple as that and the people need help (regardless of their colour, creed or their being not quite proper 'Christians)....
Chris and Nick:
Absolutely, natural disasters occur with regularity. Floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. don't hit the US because we are "wicked" any more than than they hit Haiti because they are. "Utter crass rubbish" and "knucklehead" seem equally appropriate descriptions of Mr Robertson, thanks to you both.
And to Nick: don't worry about. If you really want to make it up, you can always come back and rate it "up" twice (once to cancel the old one, and once to actually rate it "up") later, I think. Regardless, glad to see your comment.
Im agnostic and certainly believe in kindness and charity as much as any Christian. Is being compassionate really so hard? It's just never been that big a problem for me. But, I am a West Virginian and my upbringing consists of old fashioned Christian Charity which as stuck to my ribs. Neighbors, even the ones you argue and even dislike, are still there to be helped.Always. We West Virginians are always on board when it comes to persons in need. Judgemental persons need not apply.
Chris: I agree that it should be obvious to help people in need, but apparently it isn't to some people. I don't know how to "fix" such psychopathic behavior, so I'll continue to give money, etc. to charity. I hope everyone reading this Hub does the same.
Yep, Chris, one only needs to be good at heart to counted as good at heart. Religion dogma & tradition does make a person better or worse - if people try to do good, that is what counts. BTW, West Virginia is a beautiful place!
And Jim, my wife sent in money to one of our charities that is covering their part of the aid to Haiti. We'll send more as we get it.
Cheers!
Chef Jeff
Chef Jeff (and to whomever else it may apply):
As a member of the human race, I appreciate that your family made a donation and pledged continued support.
Thank You.
Well, and Christians should be the most aware about their fellow man. But, often not Im afraid.
tHE NOT SO REVEREND pAT ROBERTSON HAS PUT HIMSELF IN A BAD LITE.I FIND HIM TO BE A HATE MONGER AND A SELF AGGRANDIZING SOB . HE IS ONE OF THE REASONS MANKIND FINDS THEMSELVES IN DIRE STRAITS. INSTEAD OF BEING A COMPASSIONATE LEADER HE SHOWS HIS RADICAL HATEFUL NEGATIVE -SS.
Doen't help othe Christians out much either. Makes everyone look bad.
Chris: I think most Christians are aware and compassionate towards their fellow man, but one bad apple can ruin the bunch, as they say.
GNRLTRUTH: Agreed, his views are radical, hateful, and certainly negative.
Jim: Pat Robertson is surely an extremist and I can't help but feel embarrassed that I share the same faith with a man like that. I don't watch his program, channel or anything like that but this caught my attention. However, I think that many may be looking at this in the wrong way. Pat was out of line in bringing up a "pact with the devil" during a time of such sheer devastation for Haiti, but for a man like that natural disasters don't just happen. For religious extremists, science is evil because it does not leave room for God. To disprove science and promote his own mission (turn us all into a God-fearing flock of sheep that he can shepherd), he has to find a way to justify why this happened. And thats what I think his statement really was saying, as wrong as he was, I don't think he meant that the Haitians deserved this, rather, it was a justification.
p.s. do you have the devil's number? I'd like to make a pact (haha)
I dunno, JBS11, I think he meant that they deserved it, when taken into context with other statements he's made. Statements like:
"We have a court that has essentially stuck its finger in God's eye and said we're going to legislate you out of the schools. We're going to take your commandments from off the courthouse steps in various states. We're not going to let little children read the commandments of God. We're not going to let the Bible be read, no prayer in our schools. We have insulted God at the highest levels of our government. And then we say, "Why does this happen?" Well, why it's happening is that God Almighty is lifting his protection from us."
-- Pat Robertson, explaining on his 700 Club cable TV program why America deserved the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, that occurred two days prior.
This is God's power and he sent this thing to warn us ... we needed a shock.
-- Pat Robertson, again saying that we deserved the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001
"If the widespread practice of homosexuality will bring about the destruction of your nation, if it will bring about terrorist bombs, if it'll bring about earthquakes, tornadoes and possibly a meteor, it isn't necessarily something we ought to open our arms to."
Pat Robertson, The 700 Club television program, August 6, 1998, on the occasion of the Orlando, Florida, Gay Pride Festival 1998. He also said "I would warn Orlando that you're right in the way of some serious hurricanes, and I don't think I'd be waving those flags in God's face if I were you." Which is blaming all future hurricanes on people who marched in a parade.
"I think "one man, one vote," just unrestricted democracy, would not be wise. There needs to be some kind of protection for the minority which the white people represent now, a minority, and they need and have a right to demand a protection of their rights."
-- Pat Robertson, The 700 Club television program, March 18, 1992, suggesting that South African white people's votes ought to count more than other votes because they are in the minority.
In the segment above he blames the woes of Haiti (and specifically this earthquake) on a "curse," and if you watch the video again (as I did, just to be sure) I really can't infer anything but.
And I think the number is...1-976-HOT-0666.
So what was the reason, according to Pat Robertson, for the attack on Pearl Harbor? Or the San Francisco earthquake (I believe that occurred decades before the first Gay Pride parade)? Or the Chicago fire? Oh, I know, maybe Mrs. O'Leary was going to sacrifice that cow in a voodoo ritual when it kicked over that lantern that allegedly started the fire. Yea, that must be it!
What about the Civil War? What about the New Madrid quake? What about the Pilgrims who founded Plymouth? I believe over half of them died of disease that first winter. What did they do wrong? Oh yeah, weren't they fleeing from religious intolerance?
If the French were Christians like Pat Robertson is a Christian, is it any wonder that the Haitian people sought out the devil?
I am a Christian who tries to follow Christ. Jesus spent time with tax collectors and prostitutes and those who were in need. I pray for those in Haiti and will send as much financial support as I can. And people are converted through love, not condemnation. Thank you for not judging us all by the words of "celebrity" Christians like PR.
I first heard about his comments this morning and was appalled. Though I heard there was a response letter from Satan in a newspaper. This letter explained that if Satan was involved in Haiti it would not be such a poverty filled country.
bengriston : Thanks for you comment.
I am with you in thinking Satan would take care of "his" people a little better (on earth, anyway), for the PR value if nothing else. And Pat Robertson is has appalled me for years.
I'm still trying to figure out this besieged mentality that the TV preachers exude. Who is trying to deny anyone his or her rights to believe and practice any form of religion? Just because prayer is not officially allowed in school does not mean people can't pray there - they just can't force others to either follow along or to spend school time waiting for a prayer to end.
I even read one rather curious comment somewhere that the Pledge of Allegience was spoken in George Washington's time with the four words "One nation under God", so why did they take that our in our times?
OK, first of all, the pledge as said today is nothing much like the priginal pledge as created a little more than 100 years ago, long after G. Washington's time. Also, the words "one nation under God" were added in the 1950's. It was added to show that we were a Christian nation unlike the Godless Commies we were all so afraid of back then.
Yes, it was a premeditated move on the part of those who used to say Lyndon Johnson was a Commie and Martin Luther King was a Commie, because they enacted or fought for civil rights for all. After all, since America was a Christian nation, created by God, anyone who tried to disturb the staus quo MUST be a Commie, one of those Godless Satanic creatures used as the boogeyman to scare all the faithful into believing whatever wierd story these TV preachers come up with.
As for Robertson's reference to "white civil rights", well, the idea of civil rights is that they apply to everybody, not just a few. So to use a civil rights platform would by necessity imply that if civil rights apply to one group, the apply to all. Curious how he then goes on to say that Gay and Lesbians should be denied basic civil rights because they are a minority.
Sometimes I believe he just opens mouth, engages voice with no rational thought behind what is said.
Other times I am certain of it!!!
Cheers!
Chef Jeff
P.S. I once wrote a song called "Give me that TV Religion!" with an opening line:
Give me that TV religion, give me that TV religion, give me that TV religion, cause it's so good for me.
It's so good for the profit margin, it's so good for the profit margin, it's so good for the profit margin, so it' good enough for me!"
I actually dedicated it to Pat Robertson.
Go figure!
Wow, dog pile on Pat Robertson! LOL
Chef Jeff : I honestly think what he says is calculated to present a certain view of reality, but perhaps I am just being paranoid, pessimistic, and cynical...as usual.
pattiski: I love the examples you brought up. I've known PR was a loon for a long time and that most Christians aren't.
Thanks for your comment.
Good hub, especially as it brought this issue to my attention. There are some "Christians" who believe that Haiti's position is solely because of evil within. However, they tend to have sympathy. It just had to be a fundamentalist who made that remark. Indeed, Christian fundamentalism or any fundamentalist notion can be quite insidious. It's interesting that the positions taken are very parochial and not remotely constructive.
Thanks SpiffyD, your comments are as accurate as they are insightful.
The natural calamity is simply alarming. The whole world is been united in this hour of need. The hub depicts the real picture of the unfortunate city. People are going through very uncomfortable phase. I hope the hub will propagate information in very conducive way and the necessary needful will be achieved.
Thanks, stephensaldana. It's pretty rough in Haiti and starting to get rougher in some areas.
Thanks for addressing what Pat Robertson had to say. In my opinion this is an example of why so many people turn their backs on their faith. In one sentence some Christian leadership is preaching to love everybody and lead them to salvation; and then in the next sentence they are condemning someone and turning up their "holy than thou" noses. Go figure! Thanks for sharing your insight!
Thanks Money Glitch, I call em like I see em, as they say.
Hello to you,
A terrible tragedy to strike a nation where already 80% were below the poverty line before this earthquake. Please help me raise money for all of us to make a difference to the people here. On March 14th 2010, I will be running 26km to raise money for the disasters relief fund. Your donation would mean so much to me and will go directly to help the people of this tiny island.
Any donation no matter how small or large is welcome and, your support for me is so gratefully received. Please help - Take a closer to help these people at http://www.justgiving.com/Monica-Rafiq - all currencies accepted and just giving take privacy very seriously.
Your support is welcome and I thankyou from the core of my heart.
best wishes Monica
Thank you, Monica Rafiq.
In today's world of fly-by-night operations and scam charities, I assure you I administered a healthy dose of skepticism before approving your post and thereby lending support to your efforts.
That being said, after some investigation (into justgiving and the DEC, which included reading 4 third-party reviews on news sites)I was pleasantly surprised to find that justgiving.com supports the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and some 2000 other charities. The DEC is an umbrella group comprised of 13 charities (such as the British Red Cross), specifically purposed to administer humanitarian aid in times of crisis. Just giving also receives "Gift Aid" through a government program on some 85% of it's collections (about £2.82 for every £10) which which it forwards to the charity in question after charging a flat Administrative fee of only 5% of the total. If the donation is not eligible for Gift Aid, then the 5% fee is taken from the original donation. In other words, if you make a donation, for every £10, there is an 85% chance that an additional £2.82 will be added (total £12.82), and out of that £0.90 will be collected by Just Giving and £11.92 will be forwarded to the charity, which in this case goes towards disaster relief for the victims of the 2010 Earthquake. If not eligible, then £9.50 goes to the charity and £0.50 is kept for administrative costs.
For anyone who would like to help, I would recommend supporting Monica's "half-a-thon" by sending money through http://www.justgiving.com/Monica-Rafiq.
A friend of mine wrote a book that I think is appropriate in this instance. "All Business Is Show Business" Mr. Robertson is playing his "part" in that role. The part of an addled dysfunctional human who believes he speaks for God.
That is a danger of which the Bible spoke. Be watchful for the false prophets. Robertson's comments were horrific and well out of line. They also were designed to keep his "flock" satisfied.
I personally have issues with all the Haiti telethons, fundraisers, etc. The liklihood for major corruption in dispersion of these funds is nearly 100%. Yet those who give will feel they "did their part".
Haiti is not lacking for world funding to get back on their feet. They are lacking the basic logistics to apply the aid they are getting effectively.
Sadly, no amount of money will fix that quickly
And Pat Robertson is an idiot.
theguru-reports : Yes, yes, and yes to everything you said.
Logistics is the key and will be the key. Exacerbating the problem is the fact that of what little infrastructure was present before the quakes hit, much has been destroyed. We need construction crews even more than tents and food down there, at this point. The relief efforts will take months to bring them back to some semblance of civilization and years to dig them out of the hole they are in.
Robertson is not an idiot, he is cold and calculating evil hiding behind a thin veil of religiosity--but more on that later.
one should read this article before assigning theories, blame or money.
canbyte - Thanks for the link and your comment.
My premise is that the 7.0 earthquake, the aftershocks, and the subsequent 6.5 earthquake have led to the deaths of over 110,000 verified casualties (double the number people America lost during the entire Vietnam War) with an estimated 200,000 total deaths. Given the fact that the earthquakes happened, I can certainly and reasonably assign blame for the devastation to the earthquakes without any further supporting information, despite the nature of the country in question exacerbating the situation.
I cannot see how anyone can follow someone like Pat Robertson when they preach of following God when God says we should treat everyone like a brother. That is not brotherly behaviour.
Thanks Mitch King, your comment is absolutely on target.
I drew close to God while doing a month on the maximum security block in county, where we sometimes went three days without being allowed out of our cells to use the phone or shower. The God Who was with me through that is not the same god that Pat Robertson believes to have punished Haiti with such a horrible disaster. The God I know cannot interfere with the reaping of what we sew, but He does NOT visit "the least of these" with calamities compounded greatly upon the calamity that is their everyday life. I guess the Christian thing to do would be to pray for Robertson, though he would probably not appreciate the act, seemingly prideful in his translation of Haiti's tragedy, unless he has since recanted. I have not updated myself on this story lately, so if he has apologized or shown remorse of any caliber besides a blow to his pride or backpedaling due to being put on the spot, disregard that (smile). I think the only blame-laying here would be with the Haitian Government’s guidelines in building code… if they even have a building code. Great hub, by the way!! Got me ranting!!
I scrolled up and read enough to gather that he has not recanted. What a shame that is. Humans make mistakes, and when one who is suppose to be a leader makes them, it is such a blow, or so it seems. WELL DONE on this hub, Jim!! Excellent!
h2oforthegaslit - thank you for commenting and rant away.
Sorry you spent time in tethers, jails suck.
What Robertson said was nuts (clinical term). Not a senior moment, not even mean-spirited, but simply delusional. Actually it was Charles-Manson-eating-Fruit-Loops CRAZY talk. Pat Robertson seems be loosing his ever-loving mind.
Though the Haitian government doesn't have building codes to speak of (they can't even afford basic services in most areas--much less enforcement of things like Building Codes), there hasn't been an earthquake there for over 200 years, as I understand it. This wasn't California, where they expect that sort of thing, not that it would have made much of a difference.
the devil offered jesus the world,jesus turned the offer down,if the haitians had made a deal with the devil,they would not be in such dire straits,because the devil holds the keys to the world.Pat Robertson has said a lot of crazy things,but still his power and influence grows,kinda makes you wonder...
bill yon - yes, Robertson's claim doesn't make a lot sense when one uses what is considered traditional Christian theology. However, Robertson preaches the 'Prosperity Gospel' which encourages amassing wealth as a virtue.
Think of it this way:
Robertson is doing God's work. He is rich beyond the dreams of most because that is God's will. The people in Haiti are poor and not Protestant, ergo they may not be doing God's work. Add to that some quaint propaganda disseminated by the French 200+ years ago, and you can say that they may be in league with the Devil. Regardless, they were poor and are dying because it is God's will, if you help them you may actually be thwarting God. It's really quite simple [smirk] when you look at it according to the Prosperity Gospel.
As usual, an informative read. i just don't understand why they still let that man speak in public.
KimS - Thanks again for your comments. He's got the money to fund a TV show, my wonder is why anyone listens.
Petra Vlah Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago
I never liked Pat Robertson and never trusted him; now I know why. He is as far from being a decent man (leave alone a Christian) as the Satan himself.
This kind of attitude gives the human race a bad name and discredits the Catholicism even more