I keep hearing that “he doesn’t represent the Christian faith,” but he does. So does Rick Warren with his bigoted stance against gay rights. So does James Dobson with his views on women needing to be subservient to men. So do Rob Bell and Brian McLaren and Shane Claiborne and other, more progressive Christians you’ve probably never heard of. They all have their own opinions and people who don’t like them all say they don’t represent Christianity.
Even though they all do.
Anyway, some Christians (and conservative commentators) are speaking out against Robertson and it’s nice to hear them doing it. Check out what they’re saying:
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Christian author Don Miller:
… I’m reminded of a similar comment made in a debate on CNN, in which yet another religious figure blamed the devastation in New Orleans following Katrina on the debauchery that took place in that town. Luckily, or perhaps providentially, Tony Campolo was also on the show and pointed out that the French Quarter was fine, that it was low-income minorities who were devastated, and then asked his fellow guest point blank whether God was angry with low-income minorities. The other guest really didn’t know what to say. Any answer would have painted him a loon.
Regardless, Robertson’s comments further divide people of faith from, well, people of faith. I don’t want to debate the theological ramifications of Robertson’s comments, I only want to point out some perspectives that cause me to no longer be angry with him, and rather, to pity him…
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“Reformed Pastor” David Fischler:
He has said some amazingly bizarre and ignorant things over the years, and generally we just hope that no one is paying any attention. There are times, however, when I wish someone would yank the microphone out of his hand, gag him, and put him on a plane to one of the uninhabited Solomon Islands. Make him comfortable, but don’t ever, EVER, EVER let him near any form of broadcasting, recording, or writing equipment more sophisticated than a crayon for the rest of his life…
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Shepard Smith at FOXNews:
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Campus minister Jonathan Weyer:
… First, Pat, I would ask that you repent of your sin of presuming to know why horrible suffering happens to people. You didn’t say this in your quote, but its obvious you assume that God is punishing the Haitian people for whatever supposed deal they made. How dare you assume to know God’s will in this instance. Here is a clue, you have no freakin idea, so shut your mouth, repent of your sin publicly and stop embarrasing God and your fellow Christians. Then, do us all a favor and get off the air.
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Julie Clawson at onehandclapping:
… Pat in your twisted rewriting of history you display perfectly the juxtaposition between what Jesus actually said and what you want him to have said. You want to blame tragedy on personal sins. You take an old Haitian MYTH and read it as fact to support your cause…
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Can you find any more? Feel free to leave links in the comments.