Pat Robertson: 'Pact with the devil' brought on the devastating Haitian earthquake

Just like Jerry Falwell, this bozo can’t help exploit a tragedy to exalt himself.

Yes, this was disappointing, although I was rather expecting it. Of course, the article suggests that he is speaking for all of us, which is grievous. I believe he’d do more if he got himself down there and helped, rather than pontificating on the why’s and wherefore’s. I’d love to see that. People are suffering. They don’t need others to add to the problem…they need some who will constructively contribute to a solution.

I am hoping that he just made a stupid, bone-headed comment off the cuff, and that he’s got the decency to apologize and make a significant donation to Haiti relief efforts on his show today.

But I’m not holding my breath.

I’ve been to Haiti, there is a lot of voodoo and the practice of witch doctors there, but a recent article in the USAToday, I believe, quoted an expert in Haitian history at some college in Florida who said the the idea that someone dedicated Haiti to Satan is just a legend.

[Jonathan Charles] I’ve been to Haiti, there is a lot of voodoo and the practice of witch doctors there, but a recent article in the USAToday, I believe, quoted an expert in Haitian history at some college in Florida who said the the idea that someone dedicated Haiti to Satan is just a legend.

Yes, this is the claim of the piece above - that this story is a myth, which doesn’t do much for Mr. Robertson’s credibility (or those associated with him…which, unfortunately in the eyes of some…is us). I scratched my head a bit at the “Haitians are Christians” comment at the Salon link, though. :~

Sometimes things happen because we live on a cursed earth. It isn’t necessary or prudent to try to ascertain and declare a reason for every natural disaster or car wreck or plane crash or terminal illness. To be fair, I think we may do this kind of thing mentally when we see tragic stories of accidents or brutality to distance ourselves from the disaster and come up with reasons why it couldn’t/won’t happen to us. If you can blame the victim for their situation, then theoretically you can avoid it. It isn’t the same as not walking under ladders, but it is superstitious nevertheless.

But- I dare say most of us have the sense not to verbalize these thoughts, and it’s too bad that Mr. Robertson not only doesn’t have the sense not to speak such things out loud, but he chooses to do so into a microphone for an international audience. Oy vey.

According to http://www.nationmaster.com/red/country/ha-haiti/rel-religion&all=1] these stats , Haiti is largely (80%) Roman Catholic, with a sizeable helping of JW and 7th Day. These stats also offer this comment: “Roughly half of the population also practices voodoo.” None of this should surprise anyone who looks at the historical foundation of the country.

Really, when you trace the roots of each, which nation is more deplorable for its current sinful state—Haiti or the US? Just saying.

A major earthquake could be related to the fact that Haiti sits on the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault Zone. And if the New Madrid Fault Zone ever decides to shake its booty, then the Mississippi Valley is in for a RIDE.

[URL=http://www.riverfronttimes.com/1999-12-15/news/on-shaky-ground/1] St. Louis News[/URL] -
The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) anticipates that a 6.7 shock would significantly damage more than 32,000 buildings in eastern Missouri. Many buildings would totally or partially collapse. Some houses could shift on their foundations. Towers and chimneys would fall. The estimated damage represents 6 percent of the total number of structures in the affected area and would be comparable to the 1994 quake in Northridge, Calif., which killed 57 people, injured 1,500 and caused $15 billion in property damage.

In contrast to California, however, the consequences here could be more far-reaching because faults in the Mississippi Valley are buried under sedimentary deposits up to a mile deep. These conditions allow seismic waves to travel as much as 20 times farther than they do in California. As a result, a moderate New Madrid quake would shake a seven-state region — Missouri, Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Indiana — like a bowl of jelly.

So- who will Mr. Robertson blame if/when a biggie hits Missouri?

Actually, from a couple things I read yesterday, this was predicted back in 2008 by scientists, based on research concerning the Fault mentioned above, and including that the quake would have Port au Prince suffering the largest impact.

Haiti is very religious. Religious slogans, Bible verses and Bible verse references are EVERYWHERE (tap-taps, businesses, even lottery booths). I remember a lottery booth with the name of God “El Shaddai” on it. But the religion is very superficial. The reason the people practice voo-doo is because they fear the devil, they believe sacrifices will ward off what evil he might do, in other words, to ward off bad luck. The reason God is invoked in many ways is to try to bring good luck. The people are very superstitious.

BTW: Pat Robertson is still a boob.

Unfortunately, the outside world thinks these kind of inflammatory figures have alot of sway in evangelicalism when they don’t. I don’t know any pastor who holds the statements/teaching of a Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell over that of a John Piper or John Stott. But, sadly, these guys are/were the “face” of evangelicalism.

Here’s Pat Robertson’s Top Ten courtesy of The History Bluff:

[URL=http://www.thehistorybluff.com/?p=2667] http://www.thehistorybluff.com/?p=2667[/URL]