Preacher Pat Robertson "blames victims" of natural tragedy
January 14, 2010
An Atheist public policy group tonight charged that politically influential televangelist Pat Robertson made insensitive, inaccurate and "downright foolish" remarks when he stated that Haiti was "cursed" because it made a "pact" with Satan.
Robertson, a patriarch of the religious right and host of the "700 Club" television program, added that the impoverished nation has been "cursed by one thing after another' following a "pact with the devil."
A devastating 7.0 earthquake has just ravaged the island country, and early estimate say that perhaps as many as 100,000 people have been killed."
"Once again Pat Robertson has chosen to exploit natural events, including this latest tragedy, and 'blame the victims' so he can stump for his peculiar, authoritarian brand of Christianity," said Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists. Robertson is a cruel sadist quite apparently interested only in money power and attention -- and willing to say anything to get it. What about the religious people who were killed or are suffering from this devastating earthquake?" asked Buckner. "What about the children? Did they cut a deal with the devil?"
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that Robertson has an odd penchant for bestowing prophetic and religious significance for weather and other natural occurrences. "This guy has claimed to have 'prayed' storms away, and said that hurricanes like Katrina were literally the wrath of God," said Silverman. "And this is the guy who has had full access to the White House under the two Bush presidencies, and wants to direct the course of American politics."
Buckner expressed hope that people everywhere from Atheists and Humanists to religious believers, will join together to reach out to the suffering people of Haiti with emergency assistance and long-term economic aid.
Robertson, a patriarch of the religious right and host of the "700 Club" television program, added that the impoverished nation has been "cursed by one thing after another' following a "pact with the devil."
A devastating 7.0 earthquake has just ravaged the island country, and early estimate say that perhaps as many as 100,000 people have been killed."
"Once again Pat Robertson has chosen to exploit natural events, including this latest tragedy, and 'blame the victims' so he can stump for his peculiar, authoritarian brand of Christianity," said Dr. Ed Buckner, President of American Atheists. Robertson is a cruel sadist quite apparently interested only in money power and attention -- and willing to say anything to get it. What about the religious people who were killed or are suffering from this devastating earthquake?" asked Buckner. "What about the children? Did they cut a deal with the devil?"
Dave Silverman, Communications Director for American Atheists, said that Robertson has an odd penchant for bestowing prophetic and religious significance for weather and other natural occurrences. "This guy has claimed to have 'prayed' storms away, and said that hurricanes like Katrina were literally the wrath of God," said Silverman. "And this is the guy who has had full access to the White House under the two Bush presidencies, and wants to direct the course of American politics."
Buckner expressed hope that people everywhere from Atheists and Humanists to religious believers, will join together to reach out to the suffering people of Haiti with emergency assistance and long-term economic aid.
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