God and Haiti
'PACT WITH THE DEVIL': Conservative televangelist Pat Robertson on Wednesday blamed the earthquake in Haiti on a "pact with the devil" purportedly entered into by the Haitian people in a bid to defeat French colonizers in the early 19th century. "True story," Robertson said. "And the devils said, 'OK, it's a deal.' Ever since, they have ben cursed by one thing after another." Taken from The Chicago Tribune.
I know that I'm not the best Christian or that I by any means have all the answers when it comes to God/Jesus/religion etc. I've only recently started trying to go to church regularly and even join a small group to really get involved but I do know ONE THING. People like Pat Robertson and the late Jerry Farwell are everything that is wrong and sad about the Christian faith. To take a international tragedy such as the devastation in Haiti due to the earthquake and use it as at best a ratings boost and at worst an opportunity to spread lies and fear is beyond evil.
Now I know everytime a tragedy happens this idiot has to come out with an explanation as to why we "deserve" it. September 11th- Homosexuals/Gay Marriage, Hurricane Katrina- Abortion, Haitian Earthquake- Deal with the Devil. And I'm not even surprised that Roberston would say something like this but it disgusts, saddens and angers me. Whats worst is that there are people who actually agree with what this crazy person is saying. Others think that all Christians are crazy fundies like Robertson. Can't say that I blame them because there are just not enough people saying that this man is NOT a authentic representation of a Christ-follower. Now I know that this is an awful thing to think but one of my first thoughts when I heard about Robertson's comments was "Thank God he's old. He'll be dead soon and will never be able to say ignorant shit like this anymore." I also think its hilarious that instead of even attempting to backtrack and take back what he said the statement from Robertson's people says ""f you watch the entire video segment, Dr. Robertson's compassion for the people of Haiti is clear. He called for prayer for them. His humanitarian arm has been working to help thousands of people in Haiti over the last year, and they are currently launching a major relief and recovery effort to help the victims of this disaster." So its okay for him to tell them that they deserved the earthquake because he wants to help them now? Personally I think he should pair his humanitarian arm with a closed mouth and everyone would be much happier.
For Christmas, Faith and Jeff gave me the book Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. I'm only a few chapters into it but one passage struck me as very appropriate:
"I say all this because the other side of what Shirley MacLaine was doing on that beach isn't funny. From God's perspective, looking down at this squeaky voice going off about how she is God is pretty funny, but the other side, the side that knows how very large God is, how He has no end, gives me a start something terrible. And I wonder what it sounded like to God when Jerry Falwell went on television and said the reason the twin towers were hit by those planes was because there were homosexuals in the building. I wonder what kind of annoying squeak that was in God's ear. I don't think a person who makes statements like that fears God. I don't think people like this respect God when He says to love your brother, love your enemy, turn the other cheek, don't judge lest you be judged, be patient, be kind, hold your tongue and give every effort to keep the bonds of peace. Sometimes, honestly, I feel that squeaky-wheel Christian leadership can be as wrong about God as Shirley MacLaine. I don't think they actually fear Him or think He means what He says."
For right now I think I'll ignore the hate and ignorant filled Christians and stick to the words of Jesus:
"Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV)
I know that I'm not the best Christian or that I by any means have all the answers when it comes to God/Jesus/religion etc. I've only recently started trying to go to church regularly and even join a small group to really get involved but I do know ONE THING. People like Pat Robertson and the late Jerry Farwell are everything that is wrong and sad about the Christian faith. To take a international tragedy such as the devastation in Haiti due to the earthquake and use it as at best a ratings boost and at worst an opportunity to spread lies and fear is beyond evil.
Now I know everytime a tragedy happens this idiot has to come out with an explanation as to why we "deserve" it. September 11th- Homosexuals/Gay Marriage, Hurricane Katrina- Abortion, Haitian Earthquake- Deal with the Devil. And I'm not even surprised that Roberston would say something like this but it disgusts, saddens and angers me. Whats worst is that there are people who actually agree with what this crazy person is saying. Others think that all Christians are crazy fundies like Robertson. Can't say that I blame them because there are just not enough people saying that this man is NOT a authentic representation of a Christ-follower. Now I know that this is an awful thing to think but one of my first thoughts when I heard about Robertson's comments was "Thank God he's old. He'll be dead soon and will never be able to say ignorant shit like this anymore." I also think its hilarious that instead of even attempting to backtrack and take back what he said the statement from Robertson's people says ""f you watch the entire video segment, Dr. Robertson's compassion for the people of Haiti is clear. He called for prayer for them. His humanitarian arm has been working to help thousands of people in Haiti over the last year, and they are currently launching a major relief and recovery effort to help the victims of this disaster." So its okay for him to tell them that they deserved the earthquake because he wants to help them now? Personally I think he should pair his humanitarian arm with a closed mouth and everyone would be much happier.
For Christmas, Faith and Jeff gave me the book Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. I'm only a few chapters into it but one passage struck me as very appropriate:
"I say all this because the other side of what Shirley MacLaine was doing on that beach isn't funny. From God's perspective, looking down at this squeaky voice going off about how she is God is pretty funny, but the other side, the side that knows how very large God is, how He has no end, gives me a start something terrible. And I wonder what it sounded like to God when Jerry Falwell went on television and said the reason the twin towers were hit by those planes was because there were homosexuals in the building. I wonder what kind of annoying squeak that was in God's ear. I don't think a person who makes statements like that fears God. I don't think people like this respect God when He says to love your brother, love your enemy, turn the other cheek, don't judge lest you be judged, be patient, be kind, hold your tongue and give every effort to keep the bonds of peace. Sometimes, honestly, I feel that squeaky-wheel Christian leadership can be as wrong about God as Shirley MacLaine. I don't think they actually fear Him or think He means what He says."
For right now I think I'll ignore the hate and ignorant filled Christians and stick to the words of Jesus:
"Jesus replied, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV)