Robertson suggests God smote Sharon

[clarityat3am]

Robertson suggests God smote Sharon
Evangelist links Israeli leader's stroke to 'dividing God's land'

(CNN) -- Television evangelist Pat Robertson suggested Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, which Robertson opposed.

"He was dividing God's land, and I would say, 'Woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the [European Union], the United Nations or the United States of America,'" Robertson told viewers of his long-running television show, "The 700 Club."

"God says, 'This land belongs to me, and you'd better leave it alone,'" he said.

Robertson's show airs on the ABC Family cable network and claims about 1 million viewers daily.

Sharon, 77, clung to life in a Jerusalem hospital Thursday after surgery to treat a severe stroke, his doctors said.

The prime minister, who withdrew Israeli settlers and troops from Gaza and parts of the West Bank last summer over heated objections from his own Likud Party, was breathing with the aid of a ventilator after doctors operated to stop the bleeding in his brain.

In Washington, President Bush offered praise for Sharon in a speech on Thursday.

"We pray for his recovery," Bush said. "He's a good man, a strong man. A man who cared deeply about the security of the Israeli people, and a man who had a vision for peace. May God bless him."

Daniel Ayalon, Israel's ambassador to the United States, compared Robertson's remarks to the overheated rhetoric of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. (Full story)

He called the comments "outrageous" and said they were not something to expect "from any of our friends."

"He is a great friend of Israel and a great friend of Prime Minister Sharon himself, so I am very surprised," Ayalon told CNN.

Robertson, 75, founded the Christian Coalition and in 1988 failed in a bid for the Republican presidential nomination. He last stirred controversy in August, when he called for the assassination of Venezuela's president, Hugo Chavez. (Full story)

Robertson later apologized, but still compared Chavez to Hitler and former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein in the process.

The same month, the Anti-Defamation League criticized Robertson for warning that God would "bring judgment" against Israel for its withdrawal from Gaza, which it had occupied since the 1967 Mideast war.

Robertson said Thursday that Sharon was "a very likable person, and I am sad to see him in this condition."

He linked Sharon's health problems to the 1995 assassination of Israeli leader Yitzhak Rabin, who signed the Oslo peace accords that granted limited self-rule to Palestinians.

"It was a terrible thing that happened, but nevertheless, now he's dead," Robertson said.

Rabin was gunned down by a religious student opposed to the Oslo accords. The killer, Yigal Amir, admitted to the crime and was sentenced to life in prison.

Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, criticized Robertson's comments Thursday, saying the televangelist "has a political agenda for the entire world."

"He seems to think God is ready to take out any world leader who stands in the way of that agenda," Lynn said in a written statement.

"A religious leader should not be making callous political points while a man is struggling for his life," he said. "I'm appalled."

Ralph Neas, president of liberal advocacy group People for the American Way, said "it is astonishing that Pat Robertson still wields substantial influence" in the Republican Party.

"Once again, Pat Robertson leaves us speechless with his insensitivity and arrogance," Neas said in a written statement.

According to The Associated Press, Robertson spokeswoman Angell Watts said of people who criticized the comments: "What they're basically saying is, 'How dare Pat Robertson quote the Bible?'"

"This is what the word of God says," Watts told the AP. "This is nothing new to the Christian community."

Copyright 2006 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.

 

[U2democrat]

Open mouth...insert foot.

He's laughing all the way to the bank.



ETA: It disturbs me that both Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson are from Virginia

 

[Moonlit_Angel]

ETA: It disturbs me that both Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson are from Virginia

. You poor thing.

I'd like to think that God's up there telling Robertson to get a life.

Angela

 

[nbcrusader]

This was discussed in the Sharon thread.

Why is this even news?

Is society so hungry for theological speculation that we feast on Pat Robertson statements?

Or do they parade the clown around for more attention to their news sources?

 

[BVS]

This was discussed in the Sharon thread.

Why is this even news?

Is society so hungry for theological speculation that we feast on Pat Robertson statements?

Or do they parade the clown around for more attention to their news sources?

It's news because regardless of what you or I may say or think, he has A LOT of followers.

 

[financeguy]

Should we have a separate sub-forum just for posting the Pat Robertson quote of the day?

 

[nbcrusader]

It's news because regardless of what you or I may say or think, he has A LOT of followers.

I'm not sure why CNN would extend the pipeline for the benefit of his followers.

 

[Irvine511]

I'm not sure why CNN would extend the pipeline for the benefit of his followers.

i think it's because the liberal media hates christians.

 

[BVS]

I'm not sure why CNN would extend the pipeline for the benefit of his followers.

The same reason, quotes from Muslim leaders constantly make headlines...

 

[nbcrusader]

So, we're back to "parade the clown around for more attention to their news sources".

I guess if we silence all the loonies, we won't watch anymore news.

 

[the rockin edge]

This was discussed in the Sharon thread.

Why is this even news?

Is society so hungry for theological speculation that we feast on Pat Robertson statements?

Or do they parade the clown around for more attention to their news sources?

so do you agree or disagree with the robertson statement?

 

[VertigoGal]

I'm pretty sure he disagrees tre....just making the point that we don't need to make a big deal every time this clinically insane idiot condemns someone

 

[martha]

So, we're back to "parade the clown around for more attention to their news sources".

I guess if we silence all the loonies, we won't watch anymore news.

If only he would shut up, but your president thinks his opinions matter a great deal.

 

[the rockin edge]

I'm pretty sure he disagrees tre....just making the point that we don't need to make a big deal every time this clinically insane idiot condemns someone

ah ok

i just wish he would shut up so no one could make a big deal out of it

 

[VertigoGal]

If only he would shut up, but your president thinks his opinions matter a great deal.

we're assassinating chavez?!

 

[DrTeeth]

I'm pretty sure he disagrees tre....just making the point that we don't need to make a big deal every time this clinically insane idiot condemns someone

I agree with this, and I would like to extend the courtesy to that nutjob of an Iranian president.

 

[BVS]

So, we're back to "parade the clown around for more attention to their news sources".

Or we are exposing the clowns for who they are...

 

[martha]

we're assassinating chavez?!

Who knows, but W consulted this asshole for Supreme Court nominations, so Patty has the president's attention.

 

[nbcrusader]

Who knows, but W consulted this asshole for Supreme Court nominations, so Patty has the president's attention.

Consulted before selecting a nominee???

 

[indra]

ETA: It disturbs me that both Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson are from Virginia

Lots of loons are from Ohio too. So I feel your pain.

 

[indra]

Should we have a separate sub-forum just for posting the Pat Robertson quote of the day?

Perhaps we can have the Loon sub-forum for all the comments from nutjobs of all stripes. Sadly, it would fill quickly.

 

[VertigoGal]

Who knows, but W consulted this asshole for Supreme Court nominations, so Patty has the president's attention.

All politicians, left and right, have to appeal to the centrist majority while keeping their extremist crazy fringe base happy. The President may shake hands with him or something, but I doubt most things he says are considered seriously.

 

[verte76]

Someone stick a sock in this guy's mouth.

 

[Golightly Grrl]

Someone stick a sock in this guy's mouth.

I know. He's such an assmuppet!!!

 

[martha]

but I doubt most things he says are considered seriously.

We all wish that, don't we.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

from about.com

The 10 Stupidest Things Pat Robertson Ever Said


10) "Over 100 years, I think the gradual erosion of the consensus that’s held our country together is probably more serious than a few bearded terrorists who fly into buildings." –Pat Robertson, on the dangers of judicial activism

9) "Lord, give us righteous judges who will not try to legislate and dominate this society. Take control, Lord! We ask for additional vacancies on the court." –Pat Robertson

8) "Just like what Nazi Germany did to the Jews, so liberal America is now doing to the evangelical Christians. It's no different. It is the same thing. It is happening all over again.
It is the Democratic Congress, the liberal-based media and the homosexuals who want to destroy the Christians. Wholesale abuse and discrimination and the worst bigotry directed toward any group in America today. More terrible than anything suffered by any minority in history." –Pat Robertson

7) "I would warn Orlando that you're right in the way of some serious hurricanes, and I don't think I'd be waving those flags in God's face if I were you, This is not a message of hate -- this is a message of redemption. But a condition like this will bring about the destruction of your nation. It'll bring about terrorist bombs; it'll bring earthquakes, tornadoes, and possibly a meteor." –Pat Robertson, on "gay days" at Disneyworld

6) "(T)he feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women. It is about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." –Pat Robertson

5) "I know this is painful for the ladies to hear, but if you get married, you have accepted the headship of a man, your husband. Christ is the head of the household and the husband is the head of the wife, and that's the way it is, period." –Pat Robertson

4) "I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: If there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected him from your city. And don't wonder why he hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I'm not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that's the case, don't ask for his help because he might not be there." --Pat Robertson, after the city of Dover, Pennsylvania voted to boot the current school board, which instituted an intelligent design policy that led to a federal trial

3) "God considers this land to be his. You read the Bible and he says 'This is my land,' and for any prime minister of Israel who decides he is going to carve it up and give it away, God says, 'No, this is mine.' ... He was dividing God's land. And I would say, 'Woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the E.U., the United Nations, or the United States of America.' God says, 'This land belongs to me. You better leave it alone.'" --Pat Robertson, on why Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a massive stroke

2) "Maybe we need a very small nuke thrown off on Foggy Bottom to shake things up" –Pat Robertson, on nuking the State Department

1) "You know, I don't know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it. It's a whole lot cheaper than starting a war ... We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability. We don't need another $200 billion war to get rid of one, you know, strong-arm dictator. It's a whole lot easier to have some of the covert operatives do the job and then get it over with." –Pat Robertson, calling for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

I've posted this before but it bears repeating..

November 11, 2005
God Denies Links to Pat Robertson

God denied having any links to conservative Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson yesterday after He received reports that Mr. Robertson told residents of Dover, P.A., that they had rejected God by voting their school board out of office for supporting "intelligent design" and warned them of His wrath. Sources close to the Higher Being say that He is "tired" of Mr. Robertson and wants him to stop using His name.

God considering filing "cease and desist" letter

By Cole Walters

God denied having any links to conservative Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson yesterday after He received reports that Mr. Robertson told citizens of a Pennsylvania town that they had rejected Him by voting their school board out of office for supporting "intelligent design" and warned them not to be surprised if disaster struck.

Earlier this year, God received reports that Mr. Robertson had called for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Sources close to the Higher Being say that He is "tired" of Mr. Robertson and wants him to stop using His name.


Stop calling please


This is not the first time that God has apparently been displeased by remarks that Mr. Robertson has made in his telecasts. He is said to have been very unhappy about a request Mr. Robertson made to Him last year, asking that He remove three Supreme Court Justices so that they could be replaced by conservatives. Mr. Robertson suggested that God put in the minds of the three oldest judges that it might be time to retire.

"Frankly He’s a little bit tired of this guy and thinks his shtick is getting really old," says a source who works closely with the Higher Being. The source notes that God has even contacted a lawyer about sending Mr. Robertson a "cease and desist" letter, demanding that the conservative broadcaster stop using His name on the 700 Club, in speeches and in other correspondence.


This is not the first time that Mr. Robertson and the Higher Being for whom he supposedly works have fallen out. God was reportedly irritated by Mr. Robertson’s claim in 1988 that he had Divine backing in his quest for the Presidential nomination. Aids to God at the time insisted that He had yet to make a decision in that race and was decidedly queasy about backing a televangelist. "That was really the beginning of the end," says an advisor to God at the time. "He had no choice but to intervene and make sure that this guy didn’t make it past the primary."

More denunciations to come?


Some political observers are questioning, however, why God would make a public statement in response to one particular outrageous statement when it has become so commonplace in recent days for religious activists including Dr. James Dobson, Tony Perkins and Pastor Roy DeLong, to invoke His name in attacks on everything from activist judges to same-sex marriage.

No more anal sex please


But sources close to God say that this is likely only the first public appearances that He will make as He seeks to distance himself from US religious leaders. Aids to the Higher Being say that He was not a fan of either Justice Sunday I or II, calling them bad TV, and that He is tired of receiving prayers about sodomy. "He has a message for his American fans in particular," say sources close to Him. "If you're going to pray, lay off the dirty sex talk. He’s sick of hearing about it."

 

[Irvine511]

Consulted before selecting a nominee???

actually, "consutled" is such a vague word ... how about, "sought Robertson, Fallwell, and Dobson's approval of his potential SCOTUS nominee before he announced it to the nation."

 

[deep]

"He was dividing God's land, and I would say, 'Woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the [European Union], the United Nations or the United States of America,'" Robertson told viewers of his long-running television show, "The 700 Club."

"God says, 'This land belongs to me, and you'd better leave it alone,'" he said.

I guess the only way to get Sharon out of this coma

is to drive the Palestinians into the sea and for good measure take back the Sinai

 

[nbcrusader]

White House blasts Robertson's Sharon remark

WASHINGTON - The White House sharply criticized Christian broadcaster and former Republican presidential candidate Pat Robertson on Friday for suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s stroke was divine punishment for “dividing God’s land.”

“Those comments are wholly inappropriate and offensive and really don’t have a place in this or any other debate,” presidential spokesman Trent Duffy said as President Bush traveled to Chicago for a speech.

They sound really cozy to me....