Pat Robertson blames the earthquake on Haiti's "pact with the Devil." How 'bout we blame it on tectonic plates shifting under the earth? Why must natural phenomenon have a spiritual meaning?? Isn't the greater spiritual meaning found in the fact that rich western countries have exploited and oppressed countries like Haiti for centuries through slavery, colonization, and corporate injustice?
ABC's News version of Pat Robinson's words this time:
On the Christian Broadcasting Network’s “700 Club” today, after a lengthy interview with a missionary who talked about helping the victims earthquake in Haiti, Rev. Pat Robertson had some interesting thoughts as to why the earthquake struck the impoverished nation:
"And you know, Kristi, something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. They were under the heel of the French, uh, you know Napoleon the 3rd and whatever, and they got together and swore a pact to the Devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French.' True story. And so the Devil said, 'Okay, it's a deal.’ And, uh, they kicked the French out, you know, with Haitians revolted and got themselves free. But ever since they have been cursed by, by one thing after another, desperately poor.
Pat Robinson's words are despicable, but not surprising: his resume is full of disturbing, un-Christian statements. I'm not going to waste time discussing the content of his statement seriously.
It is important to note that many people see Pat Robinson representing Christian thought and practice. That is really disturbing to me. Christians should not remain silent and let hateful speech and thought stand as Christanity.
The other quick point I wish to make is emphasising Diana Butler Bass' real point:
"How 'bout we blame it on tectonic plates shifting under the earth? Why must natural phenomenon have a spiritual meaning??"
She's so right here: science is the authority when it comes to things like earthquakes and hurricanes.
Butler Bass then points out the underlying spiritual question concerning Haiti :
"Isn't the greater spiritual meaning found in the fact that rich western countries have exploited and oppressed countries like Haiti for centuries through slavery, colonization, and corporate injustice?"
It is a question we must take seriously: not only in acknowledgement, but also is moving forward as to what should be done.
1 comment:
I think this is the time and place to sit back and think, there but for the grace of god, go I. Perhaps it is a calling for us, who have so much, to give...to those who have so little. It's a time for those us of who call ourselves Christians, to do what we are called to do.
Actually, I'm not a christian, I'm a lapsed lutheran. But whether we are christian, atheist, Jewish, Muslim, wiccan, presbyterian, catholic or cajun...we can show our compassion and our love.
Pat Robertson really ruined it for the christians. Color me Wiccan.
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