It always amuses me when people use hateful speech to declare that somebody else is being hateful. It's even more amusing when a preacher uses hateful language to accuse a fellow preacher of being hateful. I'll let the two ministers of the Gospel of love settle their little tiff, (a faith-based duel perhaps?) but I am concerned with the demonization that's going on here.
I know very little about Haiti and even less about the supposed curse Robertson claims it is living under, but a quick google search turned up this wonk-ish article which seems to at least validate the fact that Robertson didn't make up the story and that there really was some kind of ceremony that invoked the help of a deity other than the Judeo-Christian one.
From there it's a matter of personal opinion -- Robertson thinks Satan's power was asked for while historians like Thylefors have a perhaps more benign interpretation.
After defending Tiger Woods and Brit Hume recently, I'm just about out of defend-the-unpopular-guy cards, but I think it's a healthy thing that, unlike clergymen in some countries whose opinions are expressed privately inside the confines of a religious building, far away from open public discourse, our clerics air their opinions in public and subject themselves to the scrutiny of all Americans. When they do so they deserve to be met with reasoned opinions and not ad hominem attacks.
Robertson may be guilty of bad timing, for, just as one wouldn't come upon the scene of an overturned car with a bleeding person inside and spend precious time wondering aloud about whether alcohol consumption or texting was the cause, the kind of historic/religious analyses he engaged in is probably best conducted only after precious lives are rescued and bodies are buried.
In any event, speech deemed offensive is, as always, best answered not by trying to shut people up or shame them into silence with nasty personal attacks, but by answering with more speech of the reasoned and persuasive kind.
Follow Mark Joseph on Twitter: www.twitter.com/markmjm
Michael Rowe: The Never-Ending Horror of Pat Robertson
2. Robertson did not say that the earthquake was a result of this curse, or was God's fault. Instead, Robertson attributed Haiti's grinding poverty to this compact with Satan. Jesus himself said that the thief comes only to "steal and kill and destroy."
3. Robertson said he hopes this crisis will lead many in Haiti to turn to God, and that we need to pray to that end.
4. Robertson said that the unimaginable suffering of the Haitians should prompt us to come their aid.
Which one of these statements, exactly, can any believer in the Judeo-Christian tradition challenge? Secularists, and even many conservative commentators, appear to have falsely criticized Robertson for things he did not say, while paying little or no attention to things he actually did say. I'm sticking with Pat on this one.
I am always amazed when people get all worked up when some religious figure spouts something that is simply recounting the traditions of his religion. Here in New England in the 17th century, ministers preached that King Phillips war was a judgment upon the country. This is the same kind of thing.
It's America, and so in a way, I suppose you're right, Mark. He's free to make his hate-filled commentaries, just as you are free to defend him for making them. And since it's America, I'm free to point out to him and whoever else may be reading that I think he and his hate-filled comments are borderline sociopathic.
So....God bless America, I guess? (that was tongue in cheek.)
And swine like Pat Robertson, or Rush Limbaugh, and the rest of the talk radio ilk, love to say deplorable things to boost their ratings, and line their pocketbooks, all while shrieking about how their First Amendment rights are being trampled when they are rightly called out for their remarks. And their wingnut fans will echo their First Amendment cries.
Except, the First Amendment doesn't do what they seem to think it does. It prevents the Government from restricting your speech. It does not, nor should it ever, protect you from the consequences of exercising your right to speak your mind. It certainly does not disallow other people from calling you out as a bigoted, subhuman hyena, capitalizing on an immense tragedy to push your political agenda when you rush to the airwaves to do so.
As for the authors call to reasoned debate? Have you seen the rights version of debate? Call your opponent the devil, a muslim, a terrorist, a socialist, hitler, or whatever, and then stick your fingers in your ears, and yell 'NYAHNYAHNYAH' until they go away. There's no reasoning with these people, there's no room for debate in their world view. I'd get farther debating bed time with my 7 year old son.
Considering that all gods and demons and devils are figments of people's imagination, there is no room for discussion of whether the Haitians brought this suffering and destruction upon themselves--ever.
There is room for disaster relief, and room for aid in bringing these people into the 21st century. No room at all for talk about pacts with the devil.
Pat Robertson and others of his ilk make billions $$$ off of superstition fools. We should never base ANY government decisions on silly superstitions. Why do the majority in this supposedly advanced country still believe in the voodoo?
http://www.inminds.co.uk/tsunami.html
So before we claim that Haiti is a beacon of light for the whole world as the Hatian Ambassodor would like us all to believe. There are an estimated 300,000 child slaves in Haiti according to UNICEF. This staggering statistic is discussed in E. Benjamin Skinner's "A Crime So Monstrous," a new book about the enormous and often underreported problem of modern day slavery.
Religion controls the masses, allowing those who control religion to gain power and treasure and enslave people to their will.
Maybe old Pat is getting so many nasty attacks because he is just a selfish, bigoted and nasty person. The author of this article just sounds incredibly gullible- and truly unkind if he somehow believes that the people of Haiti can in any way be blamed for this terrible natural disaster.
I am not an Evangelical Christian but a Freethinker who uses science and common sense to form a reasonable judgment/explanation, I hope. I interpret Pat Roberson’s view that Haitians way in the past made a pact with the devil for freedom and now God murders innocent Haitians and other Non-Haitians totally ludicrous and demented. When God loves you, God loves you. Make God mad and God just murders you is the explanation I get from Pat Robertson.
Pat Robertson and other Evangelical Christians believe, not think, the earth is around six thousand years old. If anyone can show me the word DINOSAUR in the bible, I will believe everything you believe in about your God. Dinosaurs were big, very big, surely someone must have seen at least one six thousand years ago. My point is not to be funny or stupid because that is exactly what I think of Pat Robertson every time he opens his mouth and the press reports it.
My thoughts and monetary donations, I don’t pray, are with the Haitians and everyone in this world who suffers through these tragedies. Thank You rescue workers for the people you find and the lives you save, your efforts are immeasurable.
More, what does it say about anyone who can truly think this is God's work?