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IntrepidIsMe
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 Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:33 pm Robertson suggests God smote Sharon |
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| Quote: |
Robertson suggests God smote Sharon
Evangelist links Israeli leader's stroke to 'dividing God's land'
(CNN) -- Television evangelist Pat Robertson suggested Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, which Robertson opposed.
"He was dividing God's land, and I would say, 'Woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the [European Union], the United Nations or the United States of America,'" Robertson told viewers of his long-running television show, "The 700 Club."
"God says, 'This land belongs to me, and you'd better leave it alone,'" he said.
Robertson's show airs on the ABC Family cable network and claims about 1 million viewers daily.
Sharon, 77, clung to life in a Jerusalem hospital Thursday after surgery to treat a severe stroke, his doctors said.
The prime minister, who withdrew Israeli settlers and troops from Gaza and parts of the West Bank last summer over heated objections from his own Likud Party, was breathing with the aid of a ventilator after doctors operated to stop the bleeding in his brain.
In Washington, President Bush offered praise for Sharon in a speech on Thursday.
"We pray for his recovery," Bush said. "He's a good man, a strong man. A man who cared deeply about the security of the Israeli people, and a man who had a vision for peace. May God bless him."
Daniel Ayalon, Israel's ambassador to the United States, compared Robertson's remarks to the overheated rhetoric of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. (Full story)
He called the comments "outrageous" and said they were not something to expect "from any of our friends."
"He is a great friend of Israel and a great friend of Prime Minister Sharon himself, so I am very surprised," Ayalon told CNN.
Robertson, 75, founded the Christian Coalition and in 1988 failed in a bid for the Republican presidential nomination. He last stirred controversy in August, when he called for the assassination of Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez. (Full story)
Robertson later apologized, but still compared Chavez to Hitler and former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in the process.
The same month, the Anti-Defamation League criticized Robertson for warning that God would "bring judgment" against Israel for its withdrawal from Gaza, which it had occupied since the 1967 Mideast war.
Robertson said Thursday that Sharon was "a very likable person, and I am sad to see him in this condition."
He linked Sharon's health problems to the 1995 assassination of Israeli leader Yitzhak Rabin, who signed the Oslo peace accords that granted limited self-rule to Palestinians.
"It was a terrible thing that happened, but nevertheless, now he's dead," Robertson said.
Rabin was gunned down by a religious student opposed to the Oslo accords. The killer, Yigal Amir, admitted to the crime and was sentenced to life in prison.
Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, criticized Robertson's comments Thursday, saying the televangelist "has a political agenda for the entire world."
"He seems to think God is ready to take out any world leader who stands in the way of that agenda," Lynn said in a written statement.
"A religious leader should not be making callous political points while a man is struggling for his life," he said. "I'm appalled."
Ralph Neas, president of liberal advocacy group People for the American Way, said "it is astonishing that Pat Robertson still wields substantial influence" in the Republican Party.
"Once again, Pat Robertson leaves us speechless with his insensitivity and arrogance," Neas said in a written statement.
According to The Associated Press, Robertson spokeswoman Angell Watts said of people who criticized the comments: "What they're basically saying is, 'How dare Pat Robertson quote the Bible?'"
"This is what the word of God says," Watts told the AP. "This is nothing new to the Christian community."
Copyright 2006 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. |
Source: cnn.com
He's wacked out... and that's all there is to say, really.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:35 pm |
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Yeah, I'd have to agree.
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Some of us fall by the wayside
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And some have to live with our scars
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CJ Cregg
Commodore
Joined: 05 Oct 2002
Posts: 1254
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:36 pm |
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That guy is a total arsehole. i will feel no sympathy for him when he becomes ill
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:42 pm |
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I don't feel like you guys do about him, but in this case, yeah, this is crazy. I mean, God's retribution for "dividing the holy land?" What!?
By golly, no. Sometimes he says some crazy things...
But some of the response to this is little better. I mean, he's like the Iranian president? Far from it.
I agree with you that his statements here are just out of line, but still...
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Captain Dappet
Forum Revolutionist
Joined: 06 Feb 2002
Posts: 16756
Location: On my supersonic rocket ship.
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:04 pm |
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He's a nutcase. A raving lunatic, and I must agree what Mr. Ralph Neas said.
I don't think I've found myself agreeing to anything that Robertson ever has said. I'm no fan of Ariel Sharon, but he's struggling for his life, and I hardly think it's neccessary, even if he does believe that it's true, to say that his health is brought on by divine interference.
I, like CJ Cregg, will not hold any sympathy for this crazy man when he eventually falls ill.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:11 pm |
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As I said before, I will concede to you that it is horribly wrong to have said what Robertson says. Sometimes he's just so out there...
But yeah, I mean, when a man's holding on for your life, you don't say' that God's trying to get in the way--especially when all this man is doing (Sharone) is trying to make peace in the Middle East.
I hope he pulls out alright, even though things are looking grim. And for Robertson to say this is just...there's just something wrong about this...But yeah, his comments here--waaaay out of line.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Founder
Dominion Leader
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Posts: 12755
Location: Gamma Quadrant
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:43 pm |
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What a terrible comment for him to say.
I agree with the old Chavez comment, but certainly not this one.
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Jeff Miller
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 22 Nov 2001
Posts: 23947
Location: Mental Ward for the Mentaly Unstable 6th floor, Saint John's 1615 Delaware Longview Washington 98632
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 9:26 pm |
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Just currious I'm not a religous person but I've heard of a word called Smite is it the same as Smote? or are they different?
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Link, the Hero of Time
Vice Admiral
Joined: 15 Sep 2001
Posts: 5581
Location: Kokori Forest, Hyrule
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 9:36 pm |
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What a nutcase.
Why does this guy still have a show?
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 9:46 pm |
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Because it features, beyond the news segments, many religious things about churches and things like that. Watch his show once, to see the format, and notice that although he says some extreme things, it's still fine that he has a show. I mean, if you're saying he should be fired for this, I'm sure you think Churchill should be fired from his teaching job, as well as other people like him who speak their opinions even more radically than this man.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Link, the Hero of Time
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Location: Kokori Forest, Hyrule
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 9:56 pm |
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I've watched the show before. Robertson, while a good speaker, lets politics influence what he says leading good things into a politically motivated schpeel which is not what people want to hear.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 10:04 pm |
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Well, he's got 1 million watchers, which is really quite a lot. I see no reason to shut down his show. I will concede to you that he is a bit too political for a religious leader, and says some radical things sometimes, but they're not to the point where he needs to be shut down, or should be shut down. It wasn't a nice thing to say, no--I denounce it and do not condone it. But just because he says a more radical thing every couple of months does not mean that he should lose his show.
It serves more purposes than just news and commentary. It has stories of Christians and what have you, and when it comes to that, I think he sure as hell does a good job.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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IntrepidIsMe
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| Thu Jan 05, 2006 10:06 pm |
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| Jeff Miller wrote: | | Just currious I'm not a religous person but I've heard of a word called Smite is it the same as Smote? or are they different? |
They mean the same thing.
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"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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LightningBoy
Commodore
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1446
Location: Minnesota, U.S.A.
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| Fri Jan 06, 2006 1:24 pm |
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There was a time I liked Pat Robertson... then... he lost his mind.
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webtaz99
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| Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:40 pm |
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Robin Williams did a routine where he pretended to be God, showing off to someone how he could make Pat Robertson do anything.
Fisrt, he said "Hey- Pat! This is God. Yeah. I want you to go out and check your tires. Yes right now." - "Hehe - look at him go!"
Then he said "Hey Pat! Now I want you to run for President. Yeah, President." - "Hehe - watch this!"
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"History is made at night! Character is who you are in the dark." (Lord John Whorfin)
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TrekkieMage
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| Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:20 pm |
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That man has lost it. He says these horrible things and then considers himself to be a good Christian. That's just sick. These quotes stick out to me:
| Rev. Barry Lynn wrote: | | "A religious leader should not be making callous political points while a man is struggling for his life," he said. "I'm appalled." |
| Ralph Neas wrote: | | "Once again, Pat Robertson leaves us speechless with his insensitivity and arrogance," Neas said in a written statement. |
| Angell Watts wrote: | | "What they're basically saying is, 'How dare Pat Robertson quote the Bible?'" |
^ o.O Where was that written in the Bible? I'll admit I don't know the Bible all the way through, but I'm pretty sure that's not in there...
And out of the 1 million viewers, and I really am curious about this, how many of them are there just to see what crazy thing he's going to say next or mock him?
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lex
Lieutenant Commander
Joined: 23 Dec 2004
Posts: 226
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| Fri Jan 06, 2006 9:35 pm |
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| Jeff Miller wrote: | | Just currious I'm not a religous person but I've heard of a word called Smite is it the same as Smote? or are they different? |
The verb is "to smite." I smite, you smite, he or she smites, etc. "Smote" is the past tense.
As for Robertson's comments: they display a clear lack of basic human compassion and of kindness, not to mention an arrogance and self-righteousness that is the very antithesis of the true Christian message.
But I agree with RM that this is no basis for cancellation of Robertson's show - of course it isn't! The man's entitled to his opinion, and to express it. He's not overtly inciting people to break the law, or to violence, or slandering anyone. For crying out loud, if being offensive was sufficient justification for being banned from the airwaves, 3/4 of the talk show hosts (especially Maury Povitch ... ugh!) would be goners! 
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
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| Sat Jan 07, 2006 6:01 pm |
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Do I still think he's a good, kind, and decent man? Yes, I do. This only makes me a bit disliking of him. I mean, he says some radical things every once and a while, but so does everyone. This was horribly wrong for him to say, and I don't know quite why he said it, but it doesn't necessarily make him a bad person.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Republican_Man
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| Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:16 pm |
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From the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN, which Robertson's show broadcasts off of):
| Quote: | Robertson Spokesperson Addresses Comments Made by Pat Robertson Regarding Ariel Sharon
CBN.com � VIRGINIA BEACH, VA., January 5, 2006�Pat Robertson expresses his deep sadness over Ariel Sharon�s life threatening stroke and concern for Israel�s future security.
On The 700 Club broadcast this morning Robertson said he has met with Sharon at significant times and considers him a friend. Robertson, an ordained minister and bible teacher, has been a life long supporter of Israel and has continually expressed grave concern over dividing the land of Israel. Robertson pointed to the book of Joel in the Old Testament to show a biblical perspective of God�s view of Israel and efforts made from people who try to divide God�s land:
�In the book of Joel, the prophet Joel makes it very clear that God has �enmity against those who divide My land.� God considers this land to be His. When you read the Bible, He said this is my land. For any Prime Minister of Israel who decides he will carve it up and give it away, God said, �No, this is Mine.�
According to his spokesperson, Angell Watts, Robertson is simply reminding his viewers what the Bible has to say about efforts made to divide the land of Israel.
She also expressed Dr. Robertson�s outrage at People for the American Way, who have a clear left-wing political agenda and who, on an ongoing basis, lift his comments out of context and widely circulate them in an attempt to discredit him.
http://www.cbn.com/about/pressrelease_ArielSharonPR.asp |
Well, lookee here 
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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IntrepidIsMe
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| Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:19 pm |
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As if anybody didn't see that coming. Honestly.
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"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:25 pm |
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I have to agree with Aaron. That's like Walmart saying the Planet of the Apes/Martin Luther King Jr thing was a "glitch". This is damage control, and nothing more.
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Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with our scars
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
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| Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:31 pm |
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It doesn't necessarily mean it's not genuine damage control.
Again, I still disagree with what Robertson said, and think he was wrong in saying what he said. Anyone who supports Israel to such an extent as to not give a damn about peace there is just crazy.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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CJ Cregg
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IntrepidIsMe
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| Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:33 pm |
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This has kind of reached the "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me" stage. How many times can you say that your comments were taken "out of perspective" and apologize for what you've said, before you just lose credibility? Robertson is way past that point, in my opinion.
Last edited by IntrepidIsMe on Mon Jan 09, 2006 9:18 pm; edited 1 time in total
-------signature-------
"Nelly, I am Heathcliff! He's always, always in my mind: not as a pleasure, any more than I am always a pleasure to myself, but as my own being."
-Wuthering Heights
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
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| Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:39 pm |
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I can't deny that he's lost credibility when it comes to political issues over the years. He definitely has. But beyond that, when it comes right down to religion, I still think he's maintained most of his credibility.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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