Pat Robertson On The International Terrorist Watch List?

[ShadowTklr]

ShadowTklr
TMF National Press


Today’s religious zealot terrorists commit murder from a religious platform. They seek destruction as a means of coping with those people or groups who differ from their lifestyle, or who violate their interpretation of the world.

Television evangelist, inciter, and overall Mullet-head Pat Robertson seems to be a potential perfect fit as one such crazy. In a recent example of just how stupid this man can be, Roberston said Monday, on “The 700 Club,” “You know, I don’t know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he [Chavez] thinks we’re trying to assassinate him, I think we really ought to go ahead and do it. It’s a whole lot cheaper than starting a war…and I don’t think any oil shipments will stop.”

Robertson’s comments were aimed at Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez regarding Chavez’ charge that the U.S. is supporting efforts to have him assassinated. Although the U.S. denies such allegations, it is noted that the U.S. has given money to Venezuelan groups opposed to Chavez, and administration officials have accused him of using Venezuela’s oil to undermine democracy in Latin America. Robertson’s comments may have been uttered due to his frustration with Chavez’ threat to cease oil exports to the U.S. Venezuela exports about 1.3 million barrels of oil a day to the U.S.

Like a Tourettes Syndrome victim, Robertson’s seeming inability to control his stupid outbursts was evident immediately following the 9/11 attack, when he said in 2001, “We have insulted God at the highest level of our government…Why does this happen? It is happening because God Almighty is lifting his protection from us. We lie naked before these terrorists.”

In light of this recent Robertson-ism, where Robertson also said “We have the ability to take him [Chavez] out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability,” even the Pentagon is distancing itself from this loon. “Our department doesn’t do that kind of thing.” Said Donald Rumsfeld, at a Pentagon news conference. “It’s against the law. He’s [Robertson] a private citizen. Private citizens say all kinds of things all the time.” Er…okay, Donald.

The difference with this private citizen is that he is deliberately inciting people to violence, and doing it from a religious platform. This man is espousing assassination in the same breath as he preaches the word of the gospel.

From my point of view, this action by Robertson, who despite his certifiable stupidity, still has influence in Religion and politics. The truly misled, who comprise the nearly 2.5 million members of the 700 Club are still eagerly sending money to this clown, bolstering his annual operating expenses to nearly $30 Million.

In light of Robertson’s reach to 90 million homes through the Christian Broadcasting network, and his obvious influence in religion and politics, this man should most certainly be placed on the Terrorist Watch List. He is a threat, and should be considered a potential National security risk. He has the means, the motive, the insanity, and the money to launch a covert operation that could potentially place the U.S. in a heated confrontation with Venezuela, should he decide to supersede the policies of the U.S.

What do you think?

[stdave]

I think Pat Roberston is no better than the Moslem fanatics for inciting hate and in fact his latest outburst will only cause more people around the world to hate America.

[jim66e]

I don't like any sort of fanatic, so I would agree that he should not be ignored. However, since he does not appear to have an anti-United States focus in his fanatism, I feel there are much bigger and more troublesome fish out there.

[jim66e]

I think Pat Roberston is no better than the Moslem fanatics for inciting hate and in fact his latest outburst will only cause more people around the world to hate America.

I would think it depends on the maturity of the rest of the world. When I see a Bin Laden video I don't hate Saudi Arabia more. If the people of the world are able to make mature rational decisions then they should focus on the person, not generalize to the nation they are from.

[drew70]

Ahh, viciously attacking religious leaders, are we? How sporting. Let's just forget that as a private citizen Robertson is free to advocate whatever government action he deems equitable. Let's instead smear him and take great leaps of logic in doing so! :rolleyes:

Since the author of this angry, politically biased tripe is clearly not a fan of the 700 Club, one has to wonder why he bothers to watch it, unless it's to find fodder to fuel his anti-Christian rage. Dude, if you don't like or agree with what is said on the 700 Club, do what I do. Change the channel to reruns of MacGyver. :blaugh:

[theshire]

Look, folks, it’s simple. You can’t have Robertson be a figurehead for the conservative movement when he’s talking about dikes or fags or evil liberals or feminists or whatever the fuck he feels like denouncing this week, and then distance yourself from him when he says something as stupid as this. For the record, I’d love to see Chavez assassinated. The issue here is not in the accuracy of what he’s said, it’s in the timing and the manner in which he says it.

Chavez has repeatedly made public statements in the past accusing the US of trying to overthrow him. He does this primarily to increase his stature among his people; if the eeeeevil US is trying to overthrow him, well, that just makes him all the more important, doesn’t it? For the record, I have no doubt that the CIA is indeed involved in trying to overthrow him, and I have no problem with that. But they’ve got full deniability thus far, and that’s the way the game is played. So now Robertson comes along, runs his fucking mouth, and we’ve got an international incident on our hands. We’re currently involved in a difficult war, which the world’s lefties have accused as being motivated by US imperialism and an unquenchable thirst for oil. So what does Robertson do? He says that we should assassinate Chavez, because it’s cheaper than starting another war, and not to worry, because he doubts the oil will stop flowing. If Pat thinks Chavez was a danger to US national security beforehand, he sure as hell is a bigger one now.

What kind of a moron is this asshole? Seriously, if anyone needs to be assassinated it’s Robertson. The man is pure scum. And whether or not the social conservatives want to admit it, this man is their leader. You know the criticism I’ve had for years about the failure of the world Islamic community to do enough to denounce terrorism? Well, I have exactly the same criticism for the Christian right in America. If you fail to keep your braying jackass locked up in the pen where he belongs, then you deserve all the scorn that gets heaped upon you and your beliefs that result from it.

[Candlewicke]

...Roberston said Monday...“You know, I don’t know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he [Chavez] thinks we’re trying to assassinate him, I think we really ought to go ahead and do it. It’s a whole lot cheaper than starting a war…and I don’t think any oil shipments will stop.”

...Robertson also said “We have the ability to take him [Chavez] out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability.”

Incredible. :disgust: He's one of the main reasons people think of the christian right as hateful hypocritical fanatics.

True christians should be screaming in protest, writing letters to the network and newspapers, and boycotting this maniac if they care at all about how their gentle, loving spiritual beliefs are perceived by the rest of the world.

Candlewicke

[drew70]

First, I think Robertson's role as "political leader" is being greatly exaggerated. He holds no office and is little more than a religious talk show host. I think it's pretty clear from the above posts where the "hateful hypocritical" fanaticism lies.

[isabeau]

ii remember pat robertson saying after 911 that we deserved this attack because of our immoral way of living, gays and the like. wow some christian huh???? and yes he is very powerful because talking heads like larry king, bill o reilly (the perv) and others insist on having him on to air his beliefs to the country. he is a danger to us imho and should be shut up in some way. also, and dont take this the wrong way, but his soft way of talking gets on my last nerve. his smile is fake, and his views wayyy off base. just my opinion

isabeau :dropatear

[Oddjob0226]

Pat Robertson is "only" a talk show host and has very little power. Any criticism towards him is hateful and anti-religious!

Or, try these on for size:

Bill Mahr is only a comedian.

Rush Limbaugh is only a talk show host.

Bill O'Reilly is only a talk show host (or whatever that show is)

Jeannine Garafolo is only an actress.

Michael Moore is only a film maker with an opinion.

Barbara Streisand and Linda Rondstadt are only singers.

Tucker Carlson is only a talk show host.

Al Franken is only a talk show host.

Anne Coulter and Peggy Noonan are only writers and lecturers.

But if one of them opens their mouth about one issue, people on the other side of the issue ( famous people and the unfamous, common people alike) in seething anger want them deported. I'm sure there are some troublesome athletes out there, too, but I can't think of any at the moment.

None of the above hold public office. But are they without power? Should any of then be accorded the "only" preface? Because, between you and me, if Pat Robertson's "only" is supposed to put me and him within the same "we're all just folks" ratio, I'd like to have that scale checked at the Cat tracter-trailer weigh station just off the highway (not this exit, the next one). Tom Crusie goes on about Scientology and Madonna speaks on Khaballah - why, they're crazy! Robertson gets a little nuts in the very thing he represents and dedicated his life to - oh, just ignore him, he's harmless. Pat's an "only" like Liberance was "spirited".

Both 'sides' are trying to have to both ways. Again. Both using the same tactics, same wagging finger. Just at different ends of the tennis court.


But this! -

?We have the ability to take him [Chavez] out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability.?

No we don't, and that's pretty much common knowledge. When has ANY Green Beret / Rainbow 6 / Mystery Men / Starship Troopers group that "we have" ever successfully tried anything like that, let alone succeeded? Castro outlasting Kennedy, Khomenni outlasting Carter, Mao outlasting Nixon and Hussein outlasting Bush #1 are pretty big clues to that. Heck, even the Nazis could round up millions of their own citizens openly and kill them but Hitler's own coworkers couldn't do much more than trash his boardroom when the time came to go into "take him out" mode. People, in general, aren't really all that good at the covert Rambo stuff. Or maybe Robertson's hoping....expecting ... demanding... these days you can't tell...... invisible angels from the ionosphere to swoop down, wearing fedoras and chewing on matchsticks, and take Chavez out, Newark-style.

[Krokus]

I consider guys like robertson to be more of a threat to america than osama bin laden.


But hey! by all means, let him continue to say things like that, he will just continue to push people away from christianity. '



talk about people who know nothing about their own so called "faith"


I'll live my life as a loving, caring person, and if all the shit in the bible turns out to be true, and "God" decides I am to be punished to eternal damnation for it, then "God" isn't worth my time. If thats the case, im better than "God". Whats funny is, if all that shit does turn out to be true (in the bible) ....pat will be out of luck. I can't think of a bigger hypocrit (outside of rush limbaugh)



..money in the bank, mr robertson. Fuck you and your kind. And to think, my mom actually supported this guy :xlime: no relative of mine...

[theshire]

Knowing the way the media is going to spin every single thing he says, then it’s incumbent on him to pick and choose his words carefully. For a guy who nobody gives a damn what he says, he sure seems to have an effect when he says something.

[Cosmo_ac]

Ahh, viciously attacking religious leaders, are we? How sporting. Let's just forget that as a private citizen Robertson is free to advocate whatever government action he deems equitable. Let's instead smear him and take great leaps of logic in doing so!

So, you feel it's propper for a christian leader to preach assaination?

[MrMacphisto]

Look, folks, it’s simple. You can’t have Robertson be a figurehead for the conservative movement when he’s talking about dikes or fags or evil liberals or feminists or whatever the fuck he feels like denouncing this week, and then distance yourself from him when he says something as stupid as this. For the record, I’d love to see Chavez assassinated. The issue here is not in the accuracy of what he’s said, it’s in the timing and the manner in which he says it.

Chavez has repeatedly made public statements in the past accusing the US of trying to overthrow him. He does this primarily to increase his stature among his people; if the eeeeevil US is trying to overthrow him, well, that just makes him all the more important, doesn’t it? For the record, I have no doubt that the CIA is indeed involved in trying to overthrow him, and I have no problem with that. But they’ve got full deniability thus far, and that’s the way the game is played. So now Robertson comes along, runs his fucking mouth, and we’ve got an international incident on our hands. We’re currently involved in a difficult war, which the world’s lefties have accused as being motivated by US imperialism and an unquenchable thirst for oil. So what does Robertson do? He says that we should assassinate Chavez, because it’s cheaper than starting another war, and not to worry, because he doubts the oil will stop flowing. If Pat thinks Chavez was a danger to US national security beforehand, he sure as hell is a bigger one now.

At least we agree on one thing... Pat Robertson runs his fucking mouth way too much.

What kind of a moron is this asshole? Seriously, if anyone needs to be assassinated it’s Robertson. The man is pure scum. And whether or not the social conservatives want to admit it, this man is their leader. You know the criticism I’ve had for years about the failure of the world Islamic community to do enough to denounce terrorism? Well, I have exactly the same criticism for the Christian right in America. If you fail to keep your braying jackass locked up in the pen where he belongs, then you deserve all the scorn that gets heaped upon you and your beliefs that result from it.

Ok... there are two things we agree on. The second thing being this entire paragraph.

[MrMacphisto]

First, I think Robertson's role as "political leader" is being greatly exaggerated. He holds no office and is little more than a religious talk show host. I think it's pretty clear from the above posts where the "hateful hypocritical" fanaticism lies.

Drew, that seems rather odd of you to talk about yourself like that.

[MrMacphisto]

ii remember pat robertson saying after 911 that we deserved this attack because of our immoral way of living, gays and the like. wow some christian huh???? and yes he is very powerful because talking heads like larry king, bill o reilly (the perv) and others insist on having him on to air his beliefs to the country. he is a danger to us imho and should be shut up in some way. also, and dont take this the wrong way, but his soft way of talking gets on my last nerve. his smile is fake, and his views wayyy off base. just my opinion

isabeau :dropatear

Well, as much as I despise Robertson, Hannity, Coulter, and other assholes like them, I can't support any form of censorship.... Besides, the more these bastards actually speak out, the more moderates will likely steer away from the religious right. If anything, we should encourage Robertson to speak out more, because it's likely to weaken the religious right eventually.

[drew70]

So, you feel it's propper for a christian leader to preach assaination?No, I don't.

[isabeau]

Well, as much as I despise Robertson, Hannity, Coulter, and other assholes like them, I can't support any form of censorship.... Besides, the more these bastards actually speak out, the more moderates will likely steer away from the religious right. If anything, we should encourage Robertson to speak out more, because it's likely to weaken the religious right eventually.


of course i am against censorship as well. i just wish the press didnt have him on so much, then people wouldnt have to hear his , in my opinion, warped views on God and religion and the like. he is free to say what he wants, as is anyone in this country however i feel there is a time and place. and especially right after 911 was not the time or place for him to preach on the downfall of the morality of the american people

isabeau <<<<----

[Knox The Hatter]

"Now, we all know just what the Popular Conception of Jesus would've thought of such a miserable old bastard as Pat Robertson, after all, he told the likes of him off many times in the Gospels; his kind in those days were known as 'Pharissees' and 'Sadducees'. Today, the Pharissees tell us what to do, how to live our lives; they demonize those of us who have differing views or lifestyles; they ask us to make donations so that they could fight the evil of Liberals and Homosexuals and Free Thinkers and People Who Refuse To Eat Pork and anyone brazen enough to root for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Pharissees threaten us with not being in the Grace of Jesus if we don't get our ducks in a row. You can't make this up."

This and more...

In
THE KNOX BOX!

No supervision...

[asutickler]

Pat Robertson vs. Hugo Chavez = Asshole on asshole violence.


Also, for the record, Kim Jong Il is waaaaaaaaaaaay more deserving of a bullet to the back of the head.

[CaptainQuantum]

I remember reading a book by Pat Robertson maybe about 10 years ago (don't ask me why), and there was a part where he talks about a time he was in Seattle. I think he said he woke up in his hotel room, and started having thought like "what's the point of going on? everyone is against me", etc. Then he remembered he was in Seattle, the suicide capitol of the world. So he figured a demon was trying to get him to commit suicide. So he said "demon I cast you out!" And he didn't feel depressed anymore.

When he has said stuff like that we deserved 9/11 or that we should assassinate whatshisface, maybe instead of a suicide demon, it's a dumbass demon, that gets him to say dumbass things that he has to apologize for later! :firedevil Cast that demon out, Pat! Just a thought.

[CaptainQuantum]

I think Pat's getting visited by the dumbass demon again here.

[ShadowTklr]

I think Pat's getting visited by the dumbass demon again here.


Captain, that's TWICE you've cracked me up! ( see previous post) I'm sure that freudian slip speaks volumes about his attitude toward most of us. LOL! :jester:

[kis123]

Pat Robertson is not a political figure and never held a political office.

THANK GOD FOR THAT!!

However, Pat Robertson is a huge force in the Christian right. They have enough problems as it is-he didn't need to do this.

It's not the first time he's said something stupid, but this probably ranks the highest. He's embarrassed our country, and his fellow followers. Chavez and other dictators are having a good laugh at American's expense and are probably even sending him a group thank you card for the free publicity.

What bothers me about this? No one in the Christian community has asked for his head on a plate for this. I wonder if Rev Jesse Jackson or Rev Al Sharpton made these comments, what the response would have been? I was there when Jackson screwed up during one of his presidential campaigns about his comments about Jews-absolutely killed any asperations for political office of any kind. Sharpton has made some dumb comments too-both of them were raked over the coals. Where's the big outcry when Robertson opens his mouth on national and international television......Oh yeah, Christian televsion forgot that part....and calls for the ASSASSINATION of a world leader? Is he crazy? Alzheimers? Or is he just plain stupid? You make the call folks!!!!

Some things really are better left unsaid.

Yeah Captain Q, he does need to cast out that dumba** demon along with the stupid mother ______ demon as well!

[isabeau]

once again kis we are in total agreement. i'm beginning to develop quite a liking for you. and i will also put another two cents worth in by saying that al sharpton isnt a danger i dont think, unlike pat robertson. i always liked al and thought what he said made sense. but pat on the other hand. hah

isabeau

[Haltickling]

Pat Robertson vs. Hugo Chavez = Asshole on asshole violence.


Also, for the record, Kim Jong Il is waaaaaaaaaaaay more deserving of a bullet to the back of the head.
It doesn't happen very frequently that we agree on something, asu, but I'm 100% on your side here!

[asutickler]

It doesn't happen very frequently that we agree on something, asu, but I'm 100% on your side here!


LOL! Hey, it has to happen once in a while! :D

[kis123]

once again kis we are in total agreement. i'm beginning to develop quite a liking for you. and i will also put another two cents worth in by saying that al sharpton isnt a danger i dont think, unlike pat robertson. i always liked al and thought what he said made sense. but pat on the other hand. hah

isabeau

The last black man that was considered a "danger" was killed in "68." Everyone else blows a lot of smoke, gets a lot of money, and affects change 0%! No worries with those two "leaders"!

But, Mr Robertson......that's another story! He should be ashamed of himself, but he probably isn't! :wow:

[Ticklish9's]

Ahh, viciously attacking religious leaders, are we? How sporting. Let's just forget that as a private citizen Robertson is free to advocate whatever government action he deems equitable. Let's instead smear him and take great leaps of logic in doing so! :rolleyes:

Since the author of this angry, politically biased tripe is clearly not a fan of the 700 Club, one has to wonder why he bothers to watch it, unless it's to find fodder to fuel his anti-Christian rage. Dude, if you don't like or agree with what is said on the 700 Club, do what I do. Change the channel to reruns of MacGyver. :blaugh:


Except that there's some important differences. Robertson, unlike your average citizen, is using his "bully pulpit" to expound his political views to a captive audience (admittedly, it's a largely self-inflicted captivity). When he continues to use that measure of power to inspire followers to violence, that's the very definition of terrorism - and the very sort of action America has, in recent years, gone to war to stop. Just because he happens to have a different flavour of fanaticism to top his destructive ways doesn't make him immune to justice. In the interest of consistency, Robertson must either change his ways or be brought to justice. Muslim imam's have been chased down and jailed by the United States for similar statements. To ignore Robertson is to say that the imam's simply picked the wrong side, wounding once again the already incredibly maimed animal that is what's left of United States international integrity.

Further, as a Christian I find it difficult to condone his actions. Maybe he's got a different version, but my bible says "thou shalt not kill."

[ShadowTklr]

Except that there's some important differences. Robertson, unlike your average citizen, is using his "bully pulpit" to expound his political views to a captive audience (admittedly, it's a largely self-inflicted captivity). When he continues to use that measure of power to inspire followers to violence, that's the very definition of terrorism - and the very sort of action America has, in recent years, gone to war to stop. Just because he happens to have a different flavour of fanaticism to top his destructive ways doesn't make him immune to justice. In the interest of consistency, Robertson must either change his ways or be brought to justice. Muslim imam's have been chased down and jailed by the United States for similar statements. To ignore Robertson is to say that the imam's simply picked the wrong side, wounding once again the already incredibly maimed animal that is what's left of United States international integrity.

Further, as a Christian I find it difficult to condone his actions. Maybe he's got a different version, but my bible says "thou shalt not kill."

Well said,Ticklish. This is one of those obvious observations that the person you responded to, rarely, if ever acknowledges. I've sat back for a while just to see what kind of feedback I would get on this story, and I have to say that it appears everyone gets it, save for one. Thanks for making sense.

[jim66e]

I have to say that it appears everyone gets it, save for one.

By which you mean everyone but one agrees with you.

[ShadowTklr]

By which you mean everyone but one agrees with you.


Nope. By which I mean most people are reasonable in their ability to recognize a hypocrite when they see one. Please defend his statement now, so you can make an example of yourself as well. This asshole [Robertson] needs all the company he can find. LOL

[Strider]

Robertson's a buffoon.

Chavez is a thug,but he threatens nobody but his own people.If something could conclusively tie him to the FARC or the El Alto crowd in Bolivia then I'd change my opinion on that,but at the moment such accusations are just hearsay.

[drew70]

By which you mean everyone but one agrees with you.Look, I agree it was not a smart thing to say, and I agree that it is not a Christian thing to say. But look where he's saying it. The 700 Club for God's sake. So what I disagree with (bordering on scorn, I'll admit) is the high pedestal on which you guys are placing Robertson, like he's some kind of mainstream evangelical leader of everybody who votes Republican. I'm sorry, but that's a ludicrous exaggeration. Robertson represents a rather extreme section of Christianity that used to go by the labels of "Pentacostal" and/or "Charismatic." I don't know what they're called now days. They believe in the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" which manifests itself in a Christian by speaking in "Tongues." Heh. I remember once asking a Pentacostal why the "Tongues" I overhear them praying in sound like gibberish, instead of, say Japanese or Swahili. He said it's because it's a "spiritual" language, not an earthly language. Very lofty answer, but it never explained why everybody's "Tongue" seemed to include the word "Shondala."

Regardless, my point is that I don't see mainstream Christianity taking this guy seriously. Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Seventh-Day Adventists, and even them there "Whiskey-palians" want nothing to do with Robertson. They never did and still don't. He's fringe. Yes, he's got a "Christian" talk show that's popular with the fringe, but that does not make him the dangerous political leader you guys seem so hysterical about. Everybody in this thread agrees Robertson is a buffoon. Well relax, because most of mainstream Christianity agrees with you.

[ShadowTklr]

I don't think there are any hysterics here, Drew. Its just a discussion about how people feel regarding his stupidity. You are right, I believe, when you say that Robertson is a fringe. I think he's more of a cult leader wannabe, than a christian anything. And regardless of your views on this guy as a political influence, you have to bear in mind that money is the ultimate influence, and Robertson gets plenty of money. He then uses that money to influence people through his tv program, membership literature, political contributions, and personal political involvement. Yeah, he's a little more influencial than you give him credit.

The bottom line is that he says and does these things from the position of a religious leader, and by your own admission, that behavior is worthy of scorn. So, its scorn you're seeing, not hysterics.

[drew70]

Well, he certainly has influenced you and the rest of the folks in this thread, which I guess includes me too. It just seems funny. To me it's like regarding Oral Roberts or Robert Tilton as the leader of the US conservative movement. I've noticed that the democratic left is always trying to marry conservative thinking with religion. Howard Dean, prime example. New2u does it constantly, and now it's being done here although with more subtlety.

[kis123]

Look, I agree it was not a smart thing to say, and I agree that it is not a Christian thing to say. But look where he's saying it. The 700 Club for God's sake. So what I disagree with (bordering on scorn, I'll admit) is the high pedestal on which you guys are placing Robertson, like he's some kind of mainstream evangelical leader of everybody who votes Republican. I'm sorry, but that's a ludicrous exaggeration. Robertson represents a rather extreme section of Christianity that used to go by the labels of "Pentacostal" and/or "Charismatic." I don't know what they're called now days. They believe in the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" which manifests itself in a Christian by speaking in "Tongues." Heh. I remember once asking a Pentacostal why the "Tongues" I overhear them praying in sound like gibberish, instead of, say Japanese or Swahili. He said it's because it's a "spiritual" language, not an earthly language. Very lofty answer, but it never explained why everybody's "Tongue" seemed to include the word "Shondala."

Regardless, my point is that I don't see mainstream Christianity taking this guy seriously. Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Seventh-Day Adventists, and even them there "Whiskey-palians" want nothing to do with Robertson. They never did and still don't. He's fringe. Yes, he's got a "Christian" talk show that's popular with the fringe, but that does not make him the dangerous political leader you guys seem so hysterical about. Everybody in this thread agrees Robertson is a buffoon. Well relax, because most of mainstream Christianity agrees with you.

As a former Charasmatic, he has or will never represent me, my views, or beliefs! He is in this one on his own. You'll have a fraction of stupid people who will back him up, but Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker still have faithful followers too, and you know how they messed up.

[ShadowTklr]

Well, he certainly has influenced you and the rest of the folks in this thread, which I guess includes me too. It just seems funny. To me it's like regarding Oral Roberts or Robert Tilton as the leader of the US conservative movement. I've noticed that the democratic left is always trying to marry conservative thinking with religion. Howard Dean, prime example. New2u does it constantly, and now it's being done here although with more subtlety.

I think your take on what you're reading is reverse. It appears that the fringe knuckleheads of religion are usually conservative extremists. I don't think that should be used as a blanket condemnation for all conservatives, but the two have been married forever. No one needed to even introduce them, let alone marry them. If you think about it, you'll be hard pressed to come up with a single example of a liberal who was also a fringe religious zealot. Religious fanatics are about suppression, NOT expression, so it stands to reason that you'll find more religious nuts much more given to extreme conservatism, as opposed to liberal thinking.

By the way, I don't think either of us really gives Robertson too much credit for being a world leader, but he does have a captive religious audience, and when he abuses his self appointed position as a religious leader as a way to promote bigotry, hatred, and in this case, murder, its at least noteworthy.

[MrMacphisto]

Look, I agree it was not a smart thing to say, and I agree that it is not a Christian thing to say. But look where he's saying it. The 700 Club for God's sake. So what I disagree with (bordering on scorn, I'll admit) is the high pedestal on which you guys are placing Robertson, like he's some kind of mainstream evangelical leader of everybody who votes Republican. I'm sorry, but that's a ludicrous exaggeration. Robertson represents a rather extreme section of Christianity that used to go by the labels of "Pentacostal" and/or "Charismatic." I don't know what they're called now days. They believe in the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" which manifests itself in a Christian by speaking in "Tongues." Heh. I remember once asking a Pentacostal why the "Tongues" I overhear them praying in sound like gibberish, instead of, say Japanese or Swahili. He said it's because it's a "spiritual" language, not an earthly language. Very lofty answer, but it never explained why everybody's "Tongue" seemed to include the word "Shondala."

Regardless, my point is that I don't see mainstream Christianity taking this guy seriously. Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans, Seventh-Day Adventists, and even them there "Whiskey-palians" want nothing to do with Robertson. They never did and still don't. He's fringe. Yes, he's got a "Christian" talk show that's popular with the fringe, but that does not make him the dangerous political leader you guys seem so hysterical about. Everybody in this thread agrees Robertson is a buffoon. Well relax, because most of mainstream Christianity agrees with you.

I agree to a point, but you would be surprised at how many Christians in my area like Robertson. Then again, North Carolina does seem to have an exceptionally high number of idiots.

[drew70]

I agree to a point, but you would be surprised at how many Christians in my area like Robertson. Then again, North Carolina does seem to have an exceptionally high number of idiots.I don't mind surprises. Please feel free to tell me how many Christians in your area like Robertson. Not that I doubt you, but knowing your aversion to religion in general and Christianity in particular, I'm forced to wonder how you would even know. Do you see a lot of Pat Robertson T-shirts?

[MrMacphisto]

Simple Drew: I work with a lot of ultra-religious conservatives. The warehouse I work at is a weird mix of rural rednecks that enjoy political discussion (which usually consists of me vs. all of them) and immigrants who can barely speak English. It's quite odd.... But yeah, some of them have mentioned their liking of Pat. Remember, I live in the Bible Belt. I'd assume Robertson is a lot less popular up in Maryland, and for good reason.