Haitians react to televangelist Pat Robertson's 'devil pact' remarks

[KeiichiRX7]

pirates of pensants

[qzar9999]

Originally Posted by KeiichiRX7

and people ask what harm religious belief can bring. robertson is the very modern example of an overzealous self-righteous lunatic.

Fixed it for ya. I call myself Christian and I don't think I'm even on the same PLANET as Pat Robertson. It wouldn't exactly be fair to judge all believers by his insensitive loudmouthed antics.

I wonder what Robertson would say if somebody were to mention to him that comments like he makes aren't very Christ-like. Or for that matter if someone just said, "Judge not, lest ye be judged."

[Clickme]

qzar brings up a good point. I look at things like this and shake my head. It really is sad that the message of compassion, unconditional love, and acceptance of one's fellow man is lost on someone of such standing.

[Lat]

Originally Posted by KeiichiRX7

and people ask what harm letting bigots. robertson is the very modern example of a leap back in the civil rights movement.

While not being Christan myself, hell going to a christain faith school (Mostly down to it being the only good school in my area) turned me into a solid agnostic. I'd say that Robertson being a massive dick isn't really because of what he believes it's more about how he uses that belief. He could have said it was god testing Haiti to prove it's faith, satan being a general dick or say it was god's will and we're not meant to understand it.

But instead he made up a story because he's a bigot. And just a generally all around bad human being.

[LOD]

Originally Posted by Clickme

qzar brings up a good point. I look at things like this and shake my head. It really is sad that the message of compassion, unconditional love, and acceptance of one's fellow man is lost on someone of such standing.

There are way too many "Christians" that have forgotten what Christ stood for.....

[KeiichiRX7]

Ah yes, he'd be an asshat even without christianity, but his views are solidly grounded in the bible, and lemme ask ya would anyone listen to this guy if he wasn't spouting shit supported by the same holy text that 80% of america draws thier belief system from. Sorry but the "no true christian" arguement won't hold water, at least not till enough pissed off christians call in to the 700 club to say they want his ass off the air.

And i never said that ALL believers were like that. Don't strawman me. He's sincere in his belief and its pretty much the only internally consistant view i've been able to sort out based on the content of the bible. My biggest arguement has been even in other threads that religion, specificly organized religion because it is self perpetuating, is the root cause of this sort of distorted world view. And as evidenced by the fact that he's still on TV (ie has viewers, draws ratings and doesnt get enough complaints on a regular basis to get him replaced) some people fucking agree with this old coot.

[Rachel Bronwyn]

There's no question Pat Robertson is one of those assholes who would do and say horrible things regardless of their beliefs. He's not an example of a lovely human being who is blinded by faith, resulting in goofy conclusions.

His beliefs are sincere though and consistent with the Bible. The "No true Scotsman" argument won't fly. The Bible is self-contradictory. One can't adhere to it without contradicting certain parts. You can chose to emphasise the importance of the Jesus bits and condemn Pat Robertson's interpretation as un-christian. Others will condemn your interpretation as demonic, however, because you desregard so much of the Old Testement, the book that predicts the arrival of Jesus. The divine word of the very god who is/the father of Jesus.

No interpretation of the Bible is more legitimate or christian than Pat Robertson's. All interpretations are influenced by personal biases. Don't get me wrong - I'm glad for every christian I hear denounce the words of Pat Robertson and am relieved to see the number of christians who chose to make their faith one of peace. The "No true Scotsman" fallacy won't fly with me though because it's so blatantly hypocritical. If you're right, when you die you'll be in a position where god can reveal to you the truths of the Bible that our species can't agree upon. In the meantime, I recall Jesus saying something about not being judgemental.

And please, cut the strawman bullshit. It's inaccurate and doesn't permit fruitful discussion.

[JBird]

Originally Posted by vidgamer85

2010? Where were you all the other years he was being a douche? That's the same man who said that we deserved 9/11 because of all the gays and non-Christians in the country, specifically New York

Yes, 2010. Because, since it's the new year, and given the recent events of said year, he takes the cake of douchebaggery for this year. And let's not deny that he is unfamiliar to this title, pointing to your mentioning of 9/11.

[KeiichiRX7]

Originally Posted by Lat

He could have said it was god testing Haiti to prove it's faith, satan being a general dick or say it was god's will and we're not meant to understand it.

But instead he made up a story because he's a bigot. And just a generally all around bad human being.

On those 3 appologetics for the happenings in haiti:
Killing people enmasse is a pretty douchebaggish way of testing faith. Its akin to putting a gun in someones mouth, pullign the trigger and asking the guy that you could have just as easily put the gun in his mouth instead if he still believes.

Devil being an ass:
Uh isnt the christian god supposed to be omnipotent and omnibenevolent? allowing this to happen is clear demonstration that one or the other of those two statements about the christian god (presuming his existance) is false.

Gods will that we aren't meant to understand: Cop out for accepting that chance plays a role in life, and that means that sometimes bad thing shappen to good people.

[Sephie]

Originally Posted by liveordie83

There are way too many "Christians" that have forgotten what Christ stood for.....

Quote from a song "Buddha was not a Christian but Jesus would have made a good Buddhist."

[Lat]

Originally Posted by KeiichiRX7

On those 3 appologetics for the happenings in haiti:
Killing people enmasse is a pretty douchebaggish way of testing faith. Its akin to putting a gun in someones mouth, pullign the trigger and asking the guy that you could have just as easily put the gun in his mouth instead if he still believes.

Devil being an ass:
Uh isnt the christian god supposed to be omnipotent and omnibenevolent? allowing this to happen is clear demonstration that one or the other of those two statements about the christian god (presuming his existance) is false.

Gods will that we aren't meant to understand: Cop out for accepting that chance plays a role in life, and that means that sometimes bad thing shappen to good people.

I'm not saying I believe it , I know they're all really weak I wasn't arguing what I thought could have happened. It's obvious that Haiti just drew the short straw. However Roberts, as a Christian had those explanations he could have given. Hell, they're pretty much the standard for why bad things happen. That's why I said "He could have said".
I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear but I was just saying that a "run of the mill" christain would have believed that over what Pat Robertson said. He's just a loud minority that managed to get a TV slot.

[SoylentOrange]

Here's a funny letter from the opinion page of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:



Dear Pat Robertson,

I know that you know that all press is good press, so I appreciate the shout-out. And you make God look like a big mean bully who kicks people when they are down, so I'm all over that action. But when you say that Haiti has made a pact with me, it is totally humiliating. I may be evil incarnate, but I'm no welcher. The way you put it, making a deal with me leaves folks desperate and impoverished. Sure, in the afterlife, but when I strike bargains with people, they first get something here on earth -- glamour, beauty, talent, wealth, fame, glory, a golden fiddle. Those Haitians have nothing, and I mean nothing. And that was before the earthquake. Haven't you seen "Crossroads"? Or "Damn Yankees"? If I had a thing going with Haiti, there'd be lots of banks, skyscrapers, SUVs, exclusive night clubs, Botox -- that kind of thing. An 80 percent poverty rate is so not my style. Nothing against it -- I'm just saying: Not how I roll. You're doing great work, Pat, and I don't want to clip your wings -- just, come on, you're making me look bad. And not the good kind of bad. Keep blaming God. That's working. But leave me out of it, please. Or we may need to renegotiate your own contract.

Best, Satan