Pat Robertson inserts foot again

[dreamflower]

Why am I not surprised?

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=3641

Cut for rant...


This man is the sort of person that non-believers can point to when they want to give Christianity a bad name. I cannot believe that he goes on year after year, opening mouth and inserting foot.

It's not the first time he has hinted that he thinks natural disasters are a judgement of some sort. His statement is not only an insult to the people in that town, but also an insult to people of other places who have just recently suffered disasters. I guess he thinks the Gulf Coast deserved to be hit by Hurricane Katrina because we had casinos; and he's been itching for a disaster to hit South Florida because he thinks them insufficiently prejudiced against gays, so he must have really gloated over Hurricane Wilma. I wonder what kind of horrible sin he thinks caused the tornadoes in Kentucky and Ohio?

And it's a real insult to those of us who happen to believe in these words: "Judge not lest ye be judged."

I suppose I shouldn't be judging him. Perhaps he just needs medical help.

Comments

[abby-normal.livejournal.com]

Perhaps he just needs medical help.

And it's a very sad thing when that's really the best thing you can say about someone like that. *pats your head* The only consolation I can offer is that people with any amount of intelligence see him for what he is and don't judge Christians as a whole through him. Personally, I have to wonder about his followers but I have to believe that even the majority of them see through him.

And another thing? People who are frustrated that their 'message' is not getting through are usually the ones who are the most strident and vicious about that message. The fact that he just keeps getting worse could be a good thing, in that his 'message' is being ignored and it pisses him off.

[mumstheword54.livejournal.com]

*facepalm*

When I read about that, I began to wonder if we wouldn't be better off in the pre-radio days, when it would take weeks for such a statement to be published abroad in newspapers (if it even made the newspapers); then people could read, laugh or shake their heads, and forget about it.

Maybe he is well-meaning, but I get really embarrassed by some of these statements (make that "most"). They're just as destructive as the anti-military publicity hounds' howlings.

There's a reason that Proverbs says: "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones," and "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

And I hope you have seen more evidence of how most U.S. Christians feel about "you casino-harboring" Gulf Coast-ees. Hugs, prayers, and as much practical help as we can send -- that's the proof of the pudding.

Concerning hurricane recovery, I want you to know we inlanders are still praying for your area, still concerned about the recovery efforts -- and very frustrated that the sensationalist media refuse to do any follow-up to keep us informed about the progress that's being made there. That's one reason I read the Biloxi "Sun-Herald" online: It does have some coverage and photos that the national media just won't carry.

Don't get discouraged, dear Dreamflower. We're pulling for you.

*hugs and S'more Brownies*

[surgicalsteel.livejournal.com]

Actually, didn't the (insert expletive of choice) actually say that Katrina was God's punishment for New Orleans? Thought I heard that somewhere... So I guess then that Wilma is God's wrath unleashed on South Florida.

[celandine-g.livejournal.com]

I agree with all of the above but consider too that his ratings have doubtess gone up because of all the free publicity. Hmmmm, perhaps there is method in his madness after all (or maybe he's just a total jerk).

[elandulin.livejournal.com]

Ugh! And we wonder why so many people are completely turned off by religion. Look at the examples being set! I have found this sort of thing profoundly embarassing and counterproductive for years.

It is easy to excuse him by way of senility and/or mental illness, but the truth is, an awful lot of supposedly professed Christians behave exactly the same way. It's quite appalling.

[shirebound]

People should always be frightened and wary of anyone who claims to be the only mouthpiece and interpreter of God's will and intentions, especially if he or she preaches without love. To think that this man once ran for President...

[dreamflower]

It is sad. And it's sad that he's allowed to get so much publicity for his strange rantings as well. They ought to be allowed to die at birth, like the abominations they are.

[dreamflower]

I usually let his (and a few other TV "evangelists" of like stripe) run off like water off a duck's back; but I saw the news of this today after looking at images of tornado damage that looked exactly like what I had seen on the drive to Pass Christian...

I'm afraid he rather pushed my buttons this morning...

I *know* how much help and prayers we are getting from *true* Christians, Lord be thanked! And I'm glad you keep up with the recovery by way of the Sun-Herald.

(((hugs back nd glomps S'mores))))

[dreamflower]

I *think* that was another (insert expletive) but all that sort of person tends to rund together in my mind...

As to Wilma, probably. He really has it in for South FL. Someone should let him know that kind of attitude ain't doing his buddies the Bushes any good...

[dreamflower]

How about *both*?!?

[dreamflower]

Oh, I know how appalling it is; normally though, I ignore the idiots, but today, well, let's just say he found my button and pushed it...

[dreamflower]

Scary, isn't it? That kind of venom, well, I just think of the things that were said about the Pharisees. Such holier-than-thou-ness.

But the truth is, hate and vengefulness are worse sins than the ones he rants about.

[pippinfan1.livejournal.com]

Oy, oy, oy! Put his foot in his mouth? I think he swallowed it whole. I, too, believe in the same words you do, and I would love to get really deep here, but I won't. I think the lady was right; I believe age--or lack of the spotlight--has finally taken its toll on the guy. Are all these disasters judgements? Not according to what I've read in Luke and Mark. Oh! I couldn't help myself! There ya go. ;-)

Pippinfan

[ansostuff.livejournal.com]

It is a very dangerous thing to say these things that he states. First of all I believe that Man are born with an inherited sin (sorry for weird english here) which means that when Adam and Eve ate that apple they changed the world forever and thus made all people born after them inherit this state of sin. We have a responsibility to use the earth to the best and when generations after generations misuse it and destroy it, things that shouldn¨t happen (like hurricanes) happen. It is not the fault of those who live in the country or because they are gay or have casinos. It is the whole race of Men who are responsible for how we treat the earth and use it. He is far of his field saying something like that. It is rude and disrespectful and I don't know what.