I don't write a lot about Pat Robertson because, honestly, I think he's more than a bit touched in the head these days (and not a good touch, at that). But his currently maunderings on the recent tornadoes and the death and destruction they brought with them require at least some comment.
In short, Pat Robertson blamed the victims twice over by saying:
1. It was their fault for living in a tornado zone. (Which I guess means that we should remove most of the Midwest's population. Also, folks who live in hurricane zones, earthquake zones, fire zones, meteor zones, crime zones, etc.)
2. It was their fault for not praying hard enough to avert the tornadoes. "If enough people were praying He would’ve intervened, you could pray, Jesus stilled the storm, you can still storms."
My comment: disgusting.
Also: if folks at CBN really do love Christianity, they'll get Pat off the air ASAP before he damages the faith further. #ddtb
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Pat Robertson Says People could have Stopped Deadly Tornadoes through Prayer | rightwingwatch.org
Pat Robertson, who earlier called tornadoes a sign of the End Times, was asked today on the 700 Club about the tornadoes that have ravaged parts the country and killed at least twelve people.
Robertson's been 'off the reservation' for many years, now imo. Between him and the defunct Jim Baaker, I'm not sure who has been worse in using religion as a money grab.
Anytime there's a natural disaster (Haiti earthquake, Japanese tsunami, midwest tornadoes) his first response is that it's either the wrath of God or the victim's fault.
His second response is, usually, "Now, if you want to donate to the 700 Club…."
Television "evangelists", for the most part, have been the downfall of organized religion for a very long time.
Every time I hear about a disaster like this, I wonder if Robertson is going to blame the victims. I didn’t think he would this time, because the midwest is not a hotbed of vice. I see he has progressed to “if a disaster happens, you must not be godly enough.”
As for not building where tornadoes are apt to occur, some type of natural disaster is apt to occur in any locale. We would not be able to live anywhere (except, perhaps, deserts far from fault lines – wait – meteorites!) if we based our decision on the possibility on the possibility of natural disasters.
The man is clearly a… what’s the word, Dave?
Dolt?
Sadly, I’d say, these days, “addled” (to be polite).
Well, certainly he's been in it for a money grab, and to advance an agenda. But his pronouncements have become more and more incoherent and "scandalous" over the past decade or so. This particular instance just stood out.