Pat Robertson is reprehensible. This isn't news.
I'm sure I don't have to tell you that Robertson is a terrible person. It's abundantly clear that regardless of the circumstances, Robertson loves to say stupid, abhorrent shit. It doesn't take an overactive imagination to picture Robertson using his influence to spread hatred and bigotry- at least, I can say him saying these things doesn't really surprise me. It's disgusting, dismaying and fills my rage meter, but it doesn't surprise me. I mean, come on, it's Pat-Fucking-Robertson!
Well, that was how I felt until I read that after the tragic Haitian Earthquake, Robertson took the opportunity to blame the Earthquake on the Haitians for supposedly having a "Pact with the Devil".
Well, that was how I felt until I read that after the tragic Haitian Earthquake, Robertson took the opportunity to blame the Earthquake on the Haitians for supposedly having a "Pact with the Devil".
Pat Robertson: Vile Scum
Of course, I wasn't surprised he actually said something so offensive- but somehow, this commentary has reached a whole new level of appalling. After reading various news reports about the aftermath, stories about Wyclef Jean literally pulling bodies out of rubble, and disgesting all the photographs coming out of Haiti, I feel a need to say this: Pat Robertson is quite possibly the worst person living today.
A lot of Pundits, Celebrities and Personalities have been having their say. Most of these people are supportive and willing to help the Haitian people anyway they can. For me however, the message really hit home tonight when I saw the Haitian Ambassador speak about Robertsons contemptible remarks on the Rachel Maddow show.
Unlike Robertson, this is a man worth listening to. Joseph speaks the truth, and it's high time us spoiled Americans take time to give some thanks for the lives we lead.
The Haitians need all the help they can get. Even if you can only donate a dollar, you should- and the only charity where 100% of the proceeds go to actually helping the Haitians is available at yele.org. If you haven't donated yet, please do so as soon as possible.
As a follower of Christ, I want to say that I am equally as appalled at the things that Pat Robertson has said. Even if what he claims is true, that God sends natural disasters to punish those who "oppose" him (which I believe is not the case), it's still not up to us to point that out in a condemning way. ("Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned, forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." Luke 6:37) And even if it were, nothing Pat says is said "with great patience and careful instruction." (2 Timothy 4:2) I do want to point out that the "pact to the devil" is not a radical claim, however. Whether the actual dedication of the country to Satan ever occurred or not is widely debated, but it is believed as common knowledge to much of the world, and many Haitians themselves. Some friends of mine were missionaries in Haiti, and this belief is still propagated there. And Ambassador Raymond Joseph did not attempt to deny this claim; he simply pointed out that we are hypocrites if we utterly condemn Haiti and withhold our help for this reason.
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line is this: Christians shouldn't care whether the country is dedicated to Satan or not. It's still our job to help those in need. Jesus said, "love your neighbor as yourself." Even if we don't consider Haiti our neighbor, the book of Proverbs says: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink." (Proverbs 25:21). I think the Christian's role is pretty straightforward.