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Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 17258 United States 01/15/2006 01:52 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? Robertson: reckless to his critics but a visionary to his adherents By Steven G. Vegh The Virginian-Pilot Tucson, Arizona | Published: 01.15.2006
NORFOLK, Va. — Pat Robertson fires off controversial statements with a regularity that seems downright reckless, not only to a big chunk of the public but also to an increasing number of evangelical leaders who say the Christian broadcaster doesn't speak for them.
Yet to those who share Robertson's conservative and "charismatic" Christian beliefs, his comments are less a sign of arrogance than of modern-day prophecy and a vivid sense that Bible-based forecasts are playing out in modern times.
"I think his views originate in his theology," said Vinson Synan, dean of the divinity school at Regent University, which Robertson founded. Synan called Robertson "evangelical with a charismatic emphasis."
"He prophesizes. He speaks in tongues," said Synan, an expert on charismatics, citing two of the most defining beliefs of charismatic Christianity. In addition, "Pat literally believes in the Old Testament testimony about Israel" and how it is linked to current events and the future "end times," he said.
Robertson found himself in hot water earlier this month when he suggested that God punished Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with a stroke for ceding Israeli-controlled land to the Palestinians.
Robertson spoke while hosting "The 700 Club," a television show produced in Virginia Beach, Va., at the Christian Broadcasting Network, which he also founded.
"I would say, woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course," said Robertson, who sought to back up his prognostication by citing the Old Testament prophet Joel.
The remarks elicited criticism from many evangelicals and Israel's cancellation of Robertson's involvement in a Christian tourist center proposed by the Israeli government for Galilee.
"I am both stunned and appalled that Pat Robertson would claim to know the mind of God concerning whether particular events … were the judgments of God," Richard Land, a Southern Baptist leader, said. Land is president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, and his criticism was echoed by other evangelical leaders.
Founder of Christian Coalition
On Wednesday, Robertson sent a letter of apology to Sharon's son, Omri, and asked for Israelis' forgiveness for his remarks. However, Robertson's earlier pronouncement against "dividing God's land" was boilerplate doctrine for conservative Christians like him, Synan said.
"His view is basically a theological view of the Old Testament and the prophecy that the 'Promised Land' was promised to the 'chosen people,' and it's theirs throughout history," Synan said, referring to Israel and the Jews.
Robertson helped engineer conservative Christians' rise to political power in the 1990s. He founded the Christian Coalition, a political action group, after running unsuccessfully for president in 1988.
Robertson originally was ordained a Baptist minister but is no longer officially affiliated with a denomination. He is part of the "evangelical" community that encompasses a wide diversity of denominations and movements. All emphasize evangelization, or spreading the Christian Gospel.
Charismatics like Robertson are spread out among many Christian denominations. They share an emotive worship style and belief that divine wonders described in the New Testament, such as instantaneous healing and prophecy, are still performed today. Their views overlap with those espoused by members of Pentecostal denominations such as the Assemblies of God.
Sharing "God-given insights"
Among the traditions at the Christian Broadcasting Network and Regent is a New Year's chapel service at which Robertson shares "God-given insights" about future events. A Regent news release last year said Robertson revealed "messages from God" he received in a prayer retreat. The predictions included a lower threat of terrorism in 2005.
"The focus is more on revelation of what someone like Pat thinks is true rather than how it's going to impact things," J. Nelson Happy, a former dean of Regent's law school, said in an interview last year. "People around him may have to clean up after him because of the way these statements are taken, but I never found those statements were ever insincere, and, in Pat's view, were right."
Theology aside, "a lot of the opinions Pat Robertson holds would definitely put him outside the fold of evangelical Christianity," said Ted Olsen, a news producer for Christianity Today magazine who monitors evangelicals.
Many conservative Christians were infuriated in 2001 when Robertson said on CNN that he supported China's policy of limiting families to one child.
The comment seemed to condone abortion, which is anathema to most evangelicals and Robertson's anti-abortion stance. |
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Anonymous Coward User ID: 51564 United States 01/15/2006 01:54 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? He's certainly a nut case, but he's not dangerous. He'd like to be, but he isn't, since he has no influence with anyone but insignificant losers. |
ORBY
User ID: 59841 United Kingdom 01/15/2006 01:56 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? one voice Singing in the darkness all it takes is one voice For the lord is my shepherd I shall not want |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 62347 United States 01/15/2006 01:56 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? He's completely bonkers. Good thing he was never elected President. We'd be in an even worse situation than we're already in, and it would have been a lot sooner. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 2003 United States 01/15/2006 01:58 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? Doesn't take a huge brain to see that Pat is a seriously deranged man. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 60425 Canada 01/15/2006 01:59 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? nwo tool |
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Emperor Kenton
User ID: 13357 United States 01/15/2006 02:01 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 2882 United States 01/15/2006 02:07 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? whack job |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 32305 United States 01/15/2006 02:09 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? NUR CASE....BUT THEN THAT'S ME. |
human User ID: 1861 United States 01/15/2006 02:14 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? first I would laugh at him...then spit in his face |
Queen of Clubs
User ID: 63267 Canada 01/15/2006 02:50 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? Politics and religion don't mix. Robertson is the proof. |
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Anonymous Coward User ID: 16339 United States 01/15/2006 02:53 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? He is a religous zealot with a microphone & nothing more.
What makes him dangerous is that people & the media give him the time of day. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 63268 United States 01/15/2006 03:00 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? Robertson illustrates why having the retirement age be 65 was a good idea. Time for that demetia addled oldie to retire to the pasture, the rocking chair, etc. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 43505 United States 01/15/2006 04:01 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? read the story of Balaam in the Bible: Balaam gave a wonderful prophecy of the coming Messiah, but he also tried to use his gift to receive money/wealth this is frowned upon by the giver of the gift: 2Pet.2 [15] Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; Jude.1 [11] Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. Rev.2 [14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. here is the story: [ link to www.hti.umich.edu] |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 43368 United States 01/15/2006 04:31 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? Look at his richmans house and see for yourself
doesn't reflect humility at all
know them by their fruits and he worships an office in the WH over God |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 60087 United States 01/15/2006 04:51 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? wackjob |
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Anonymous Coward User ID: 63293 United States 01/15/2006 04:51 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? I wonder if Bush and Robertson have dinner together and talk about their close relationship with God and how they themselves tie into their version of the 'end times', and how it's being played-out now???
scary thought. |
Black Jim
User ID: 47065 United States 01/15/2006 04:55 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? Robertson is a crazed waterhead who can't think clearly at low tide.
Just watch that strange shaped head jiggle like a waterballoon. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 9237 United States 01/15/2006 04:56 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? a dangerous nut case and ignorant |
Agent 00
User ID: 63296 Brazil 01/15/2006 05:03 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? Nut case yes, but with diamond mines and happy_bunnyerations, a very rich and influential nut case. Christian, not. |
DoubleNuked nli User ID: 29635 United States 01/15/2006 05:06 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? |
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Black Jim
User ID: 47065 United States 01/15/2006 05:10 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? One day the police are gonna catch him whacking off in the back of Chuck E. Cheese.Then its off to the state hospital. |
Boldylocks
User ID: 63303 United States 01/15/2006 05:14 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? I think he has good intentions and THINKS he's speaking on God's behalf-- but the pathway to Hell is laid with good intentions. Not even God shoves religious theories in people's faces like that. Actually, God is probably shaking His head at ol'e Pat, but with free will, humans get to stick their feet in thier mouths and learn the hard way. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 49043 Canada 01/15/2006 05:25 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? How can you call someone"Blessed" when they advocate the killing of other people.He use to be very respected --now i think he says things to get attention---and thats what he is getting. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 43505 United States 01/15/2006 07:06 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? when people worship mammon they go crazy |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 62952 United States 01/15/2006 07:09 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"?
Dangerous? Hardly... Shyster that knows how to make jis mindless minions give him all their spare cash? Definately... Not bad work if you can get it...Mostly indoors, and no heavy lifting... |
TruthTeller
User ID: 26602 United States 01/15/2006 07:16 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Is Pat Robertson a "Dangerous Nut Case" or a "Blessed Pastor Speaking The Truth"? Ever since I read Pat Robertson's book "The New World" order I have realized how full of crap he really is. His intolerance and disdain for other beliefs systems other than his own is appalling. |
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