I wanted to start this off by saying, as a kind of professional courtesy, I generally don't want or like to publicly criticize other ministers or clergy.
Ah, who am I trying to kid? Only myself.
Many wiser heads than mine have commented on Pat Robertson's outrageous statements regarding the cause and effect of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. But that's not going to stop me from adding my two cents. Of course, it reminds me of when Jerry Falwell, may he rest in wisdom and peace, blamed 9-11 on God smiting Teh Gays (to which a dear friend of mine replied, then his aim wasn't very good, because he missed the West Village entirely).
I wonder at the hate behind such comments. I wonder at the ignorance. I wonder why this guy continues to get viewers and money-- oh, wait I just figured it out: because he is a wonderful spokesperson for those who share those prejudices. I wonder how he reads the New Testament and finds THAT Jesus, that fictional hater he thinks agrees with him on all the pure crap that emanates from his mouth.
So here's what I believe. The devastation in Haiti can be traced back to:
~ corrupt rulers who stole the people's money and did not insist on building codes being created or enforced...
~ the shifting of techtonic plates which may or may not be related to ongoing global weather patterns related to climate change...
God smiting Haiti? Hitting the already impoverished country over the head with a cosmic 2" X 4" so that they would "turn to Jesus"? Not a chance. Not the God of Jesus. Not a chance.
7 comments:
I am always amazed at the hubris of those who think they know the will of God.
Someone needs to put Pat in the balloon. He is capitalizing on peoples fears. Not good.
I am amazed that his stupidity and hatred seems to be a bottomless pit... much like the one I think he lives in as he erects the stumbling blocks for others!
Joe, I agree-- even as I realize my own comments in this post (in many posts) sounds as if I believe I personally know the same. So... prayers for me, too, that I might have a little humility.
On God smiting the Haitians, though, I feel pretty confident.
This reminds me of when York Minster was struck by lightning in the 1980s, and some people said it was because David Jenkins had been consecrated bishop there a few days earlier. Again, if God was aiming for Jenkins, bad shot. And strangely enough, these people failed to mention that the Keswick Convention (evangelical Christian gathering) was also struck by lightning that year ...
You'll enjoy this, I think. I did! ;-)
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/01/the_devil_writes_pat_robertson.html?sc=fb&cc=fp
I feel pretty confident about your opinion of God's will in regard to Haiti too. It is more based on the kind of person Jesus was than Robertson's is.
Post a Comment