On Reverend Pat Part 2

"He wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat." --William Shakespeare, "Much Ado about Nothing", Act 1 scene 1

(sigh)

Once again, Pat Robertson has opened his yap when he should have kept it shut.

I'm sorry. That makes me sound as if I am advocating censorship. I am not. Maybe I should re-phrase that. Let me put it this way:

Pat Robertson should perhaps consider the implications of what irresponsible and intolerant statements can instill in people who can not think for themselves and realize that what he is saying represents a very narrow minded viewpoint not shared by the majority of free thinkers in America and elsewhere.



Fundamentally, he is correct in part of his statement. Israel is Gods land. God designated that land for His chosen people, the Jews. He really doesn't want it to be divided. God has, in the past, inflicted people with illnesses and infirmities and yes, even death, to those who disobey Him.

All of these facts are found within the pages of the Holy Bible, which we Christians believe is God's Word.

But it is irresponsible, to say the least, of the "Reverend" Robertson to make any statement that indicates he believes that God is punishing Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for dividing God's land, contrary to God's wishes.

That, actually, may be true, but Robertson doesn't speak for God.

How can I be so sure?

Remember when he proclaimed God wanted him to be President? Did he become President?

See what I mean?

Believe me, if God wanted him to become President, Robertson would become President, in spite of lack of votes and lack of support from any political party.

And if God wanted anyone to announce that He is punishing Ariel Sharon for dividing the land, He would certainly choose a better, more authoritive spokesman.

Dang! Now I am presuming to speak for God. Call this my humble opinion.

Here is more of my humble opinion:

I never liked Pat Robertson. I think he's a phony. I think the only God he really worships is the almighty Dollar. I think he does more to set back real fundamental Christianity (in the true sense of the word) than anything atheists can do.

I think my opinion of him was sealed several years ago when I saw him praying on his TV program. He closed his eyes tightly, as if making sure that his audience would know, without a doubt, that he wasn't peeking. Then he said something like, "Somewhere in America, right this very moment, someone is being healed of a serious back ailment".

I thought, "What audacity! How does this guy presume to speak for God? How the H*** does he know what's happening somewhere in America? Anywhere in America? What a phony!"

If he is a Christian, he has allowed himself to become corrupted by the self gratification of the spotlight to the point that one can no longer tell, by his actions, that he is or ever was a Christian. He has become drunk with the power that well meaning but naive Christian people have bestowed upon him.

I believe there are levels in Hell. I don't think there is Biblical evidence of that belief, but humor me on this one. I think there is a special place for people like Pat Robertson there.

A level directly proportional to the number of people he has misled and conned.

If he isn't a Christian. Anyone can be saved. Anyone.

I cannot and will not say whether he is or isn't a Christian. I can only say he doesn't convince me by his words or deeds.

I heard a comedian on TV tell this anecdote once:

A couple of Jehovah's Witnesses were trying to convince me to join their flock. They said, "Don't you want to go to Heaven?" I said, "Well, not if people like you are there!"

I kind of feel the same way about Pat Robertson.