How is it that so many people follow this Twat Robertson?

Go to http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/7027/quotes.html for more of his inspirational elucidations.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Though I agree with the authors call to investigate, I doubt anything will become of this. Remember DeLay, Rove, etc...the list goes on and on and they do nothing. Sad, but true.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Seriously, those of us outside looking in are thoroughly confused how cases such as this (and as the original poster said, with Rove and others) can just be overlooked. We all know (as do many of you) that your government is severely corrupt. That's apparent to anyone with two grey cells to rub together. What's boggling is how the American people can let them get away with so much when they had the previous president prosecuted for a blowjob.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

His allegiances lie with hatred and greed. I see he supports murder. And now I see his true allegiance lies with corporate amerika. He wants a socialist murdered so corporate amerika can sacrifice the Venzuelan masses to his gods.

Spat Murderson has lost any connection he has with Jesus if he ever had any. I think Jesus would be somewhat pleased with Chavez. Chavez does not condone violence and he has done alot to help the underpriviledged. Two things Jesus surely would have done. I can not imagine anything Murderson is doing Jesus would do.

I hope Spat will be prosecuted and jailed. He is another disgrace to our country and obviously can not understand the new testament.

Viva Hugo Chavez! It's good to see a leader try to raise the standard of living of his country's people.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Pat Robertson has issued what can be considered a religious fatwa. Some idiot like Eric Rudolf will take heed and make an attempt on Mr. Chavous life, and the Bush adminstration will disavow any knowledge...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I KNEW HE WAS A FUCKING IDIOT. IF THIS PIECE OF DOGSHIT IS A CHRISTIAN, I AM FRANK SINATRA. I OFTEN WONDER IF JESUS EVER WISHES HE COULD RE CHOOSE HIS TEAM. WITH PEOPLE LIKE THIS IDIOT, ROBERTSON, REPRESENTING THE RIGHT WING 'CHRISTIANS' I DON'T THINK THEY ARE LONG FOR THE SPOTLIGHT. CAN'T EVEN THE DUMBEST PERSON SEE THAT THIS MAN IS A RIDICULOUS FRAUD, WITH ONLY A TAWDRY POLITICAL AGENDA, AND NOT MUCH OF A RELIGIOUS ONE. PAT ROBERTSON WOULDN'T KNOW JESUS IF HE MET THE MESSIAH ON THE STREET. HOW BANKRUPT THE UNITED STATES HAS BECOME WITH A MORON REPRESENTING THE COUNTRY AND THIS ASSHOLE REPRESENTING CHRISTIANITY, AMERICA'S PRIMARY RELIGION. YOGI, TUCSON BADBOY000@GMAIL.COM

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Since Venezuela has stood up to the bully USA, it is also being a becon of democracy in South America, which is a frightening and unacceptable prospect for the American government which has had so much control over this area.
They won't like the prospect of other Latin American countries following suite, as the USA Corporations will lose out on their " Slave Labor " and cheap products.
What Venezuela is showing these other countries is that they don't have to participate in the US " free trade " which ginds them into poverty.
Also, China has made a substantial oil contract with Venezuela and has offered monetary assistance, taking away the grip like hold of the US controled IMF & world bank over these countries.
So,....other than assassination, we are more likely to see US, CIA & corporate paid rebels emerging in venezuela to disrupt the country, as they have repeatedly done in the past in this and other countries.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

So this is the power of Christ, is it? Christians who want to convert me to their life style tell me that if I invite Christ in, I will be filled with the love of the Holy Spirit whose power will transform my life and make me a better person. Yeah, right. I see how being a Christian changes lives. Why in hell would I want to sign up with this miserably failed ethical system? Clearly, these people have nothing to do with the actual metaphysical power if any that underlies reality. If this Jesus really existed, would he tolerate this kind of dookie in his name?

The Right Reverend Robertson is a piece of pig excrement, and people like him, Jerry hatemonger Falwell and much of the American government from the Commander-in-Chimp down to the ass clown Santorum, all noisy Christians, say more to me about the so-called power of Jesus than everything else combined possibly could.

Oh, yeah, I know, none of these are true Christians, whatever those are. These people are the true Christians. They speak for the church. Anyway, I don’t hear any of the churches denouncing them. Nor do I hear my Christian acquaintances disavowing them. All of this is apparently all right with the entire institution of Christianity, but not with me.

So, the next time you think about preaching this nonsense to me or anyone like me, take a reality check. You might as well try to sell me your car while I can see it broken down on the side of the road with smoke billowing out from under its hood. Don’t look for validation by trying to drag us into your fantasy. Why do you think that we fight tooth and nail to keep this tripe out of our schools and courts? Many of us don’t want our kids to be influenced by it. Look what it has done for Pat Robertson.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

These type of people are the reason that I quit going to church.Real christians would not have supported Bush in the last election if they would have been following there bible! It says to judge them by there fruits and Bush has produced nothing but rotten fruit.Church people follow him blindly because bush is against gay marrage and abortion.This is being pushed by the likes of Robertson and they will push what ever will support Bush.This is totally against the call to worship with all your heart and mind .As a born again christian,marine corp vet ,and America I could not support these people.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

PAT ROBERTSON, JERRY FALWELL, JESSE JACKSON, ETC WHATEVER THEIR POLITICAL LEANINGS ARE PASTORS DESIRING TO BE POLITICIANS...THEIR CALLING IS FOR PASTORING, NOT POLITICAL POSTURING...
SHOULD HE PUNISHED? IN MY OPINION, THE JUDGMENT WAITING FOR HIM IS MUCH GREATER THAN ANY WE AS HUMANS CAN EVER DEEMED POSSIBLE...

IN MY VIEW, HIS 700 CLUB SHOW NEEDED MORE RATINGS AND MORE VIEWERS...TOO BAD HE DID NOT FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF REV BILLY GRAHAM ,WHO HAS DEVOTED HIS ENTIRE LIFE TO EACH MAN'S MAIN PURPOSE: 'TO SPREAD THE WORD OF JESUS CHRIST..."

S...JIM...RODRIGUEZ+++THE ECLECTICIST+++

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Judgemental Fundamentalist's like Robertson must be confronted for their lust for power, their desire for empire and their corruption, mis-use and misunderstanding of what Christ was all about.

To all Christians and every open mind out there who has had enough of neo-cons and neo-Christians leading us the way we do not want to go, the time is now to DO SOMETHING: click the video "Do Something" on

www.wearewideawake

then please do it!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Religion is now following the immoral policies of the current political administration in this country. Where is all of this going to take us? Down into complete turmoil of values and moral decadence. Bush, who is a dry drunk, with his cronies continues to set the stage for media and political morass. No one is taking any leadership in religion, goverment, academia, or families. We are in deep shit and not even trying to escape from the outhouse. We will die as a society. Where are the former presidential candidates now? In hiding like sinking rats.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I say we call for a pre-emptive strike on Robertson. Terrorists like him should not be tolerated. Are we fighting terrorism or are we just killing non-christians in the name of Jesus?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Pat Robertson, a Christian, has the audacity to call for Chavez's assassination. This is a good way for Mr. Robertson to turn up dead. But don't look to Bush, also a Christian, to denounce any of this.

Any president of one of he countries of the Americas who actually gives a crap about his people such as Daniel Ortega or Hugo Chavez becomes an enemy of my country. That is because such populist leaders actually believe that their precious resources should be shared among their own people instead of being sold to American corporate interests on the cheap.

Chavez of Venezuela is such a leader who actually wants to improve the fate of the poor of his country, and the Bush cartel (and apparently Mr. Robertson as well) is so opposed to that notion that they have unsuccessfully tried to destabilize his presidency. They have also had the unmitigated gall to call the elections that seated Mr. Chavez corrupt. Imagine that from our government.

So, when Robertson says kill Chavez, nobody with any authority is going to object, let alone prosecute him. The State department says, "inappropriate". Inappropriate is when you wear brown shoes with black pants, not when as a leader of the church you advocate murder. Maybe Mr. Robertson needs to look at one of those Ten Commandments signs the born agains in my neighborhood are always planting in their lawns to civilize us heathens.

And don't forget that Pat Robertson was in cahoots with Liberian president Charles Taylor to profit illegally from Liberian gold mines worked by abused and impoverished Liberian citizens who suffered, toiled and died so that the whore Robertson could add to his millions. What a fine man.

Makes you proud to be an American, doesn't it?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

...assuming Americans still know how to think straight. There ought to be *massive* outrage from responsible and moral Americans, and most especially Christians. All of us need to collectively speak, so the entire world hears in no uncertain terms: THIS SELF-RIGHTEOUS GASBAG DOESN'T SPEAK FOR US.

Note the distinct absence of outrage, however.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Someone (I can't remember who) put it well: Who would Jesus assassinate? As a Christian, I find Robertson's comments outrageous. Have any of these fools (Pat, Bush, Falwell, Swaggert, et. al.) ever even read the Sermon On The Mount?? Bush once said of the Taliban, "We're not fooled by their pretentions of piety". Oh yeah? Well I'm not fooled by his. And while we're at it, let's not pray for American success in Iraq, let's pray for God's will. I do not believe they're one in the same. Pray for peace.
Tom Degan
Goshen, NY

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Robertson, and the present administration are on the same page and we need to provide the linkage.
Shades of El Salvadore.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Look, Robertson was not speaking in any official gov't capacity. He can say whatever he wants. The 1st amendment applies to him too, after all.

The problem is the failure of the Bush administration to condemn the statement and distance themselves from him.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

32 Years ago, Salvador Allende, the democratically elected President of Chile, died during a coup that was alleged to have been backed by the CIA.
I hope that the Bush Adminstration does not go down the road.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

We already tried to have Chavez assassinated in 2002.

NED Targets Venezuela
Venezuel Analysis

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) -- a private nonprofit organization that is a front for the State Department and has already been implicated numerous times in the provision of money to sway elections (in Chile in 1988, Nicaragua in 1989, and Yugoslavia in 2001) -- reportedly gave $877,000 during 2001 to forces opposed to Chavez. More than $150,000 went to Carlos Ortega, leader of the corrupt Confederation of Venezuelan Workers, who worked closely with the coup's leader, Pedro Carmona Estanga. Bush administration officials had met in Washington with anti-Chavez Venezuelan generals and businessmen in the weeks preceding the soup, and Gearge W. Bush's Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Otto Reich, was reported to have been in contact with the civilian head of the junta on the day of the coup.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The last time it was the great flood, this time it will be an asteroid. Most likely T-Rex will return to rule and those of us left will make fear our constant partner. Mr. Robertson will survive long enough to serve T-Rex lunch.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

With the exception of a couple.

How do Christians either spout this kind of thing or follow people who do things that Robertson does.

He is a corporate neocon disquising himself as doing Gods work.
You can't have business enterprises in Africa with tyrants stealing the wealth of Africa and call yourself a Christian. You can't take money raised for charity and use it for your buniness and call yourself a Christian. You can't call for someones death and call yourself a Christian. You can't support neocon/free trade raping of the people for profits and call yourself a Christian.

Their own faith calls for the most utmost punishment for these kinds of actions. There are supposed to be the worst punishments of all for those who claim to lead people to God and yet lead them away. There are supposed to be special places in hell for people like Robertson, Bush, et all.

And you wonder why so many people leave the Christian faith, that Earth religions are on the rise and conversions to Islam. People like Robertson, Bush, Delay, Frist, etc.. are Christianities own worst enemy.
Especailly since Christianity isn't supposed to be at odds with anything. Not at least the way Jesus taught.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

As a canadian I was shocked that I had to see that on National and international airwaves.
There are laws in Canada against promoting hatred or hate crimes.
So I think it is only fair that Canada ask that he be extradited for trial and possible imprisonment for promoting hate,which is illegal in Canada.
The United States requested that Canadian political activist and cannabis seed seller Marc Emery be extradited for trial and possible life imprison for breaking U.S. law not canadian law.
In the same vane it is illegal to promote hate here but obviously not in the U.S.
So send him over,tit for tat ,its only fair.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It strikes me that AlterNet should be helping to organize public complaints to the FCC. Pat Robertson violated FCC regulations in advocating violence, and therefore, so did the broadcast stations that carried his program. If Janet Jackson's costume malfunction can lead to fines, this is far more serious.

In addition, I think AlterNet ought to call upon Congress to revise the rules that control our subscriptions to cable and satellite. The Christian Right opposes allowing us to choose which networks we want to receive, because they know that they will lose an important source of income. In other words, they are absolutely opposed to allowing good old competition to rule the cable and satellite offerings, preferring instead to lobby Congress for censorship of language and behavior on non-broadcast television.

Can't Alternet assist in promoting these two simple initiatives in response to the egregious behavior by Pat Robertson?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

To everyone commenting herein in all capital letters -- please stop. It's the online version of screaming and gets tiresome -- especially when what you are saying has merit.

To everyone herein who called for silencing Robertson (quoting this or that law) I may not agree with what someone says, but I'll defend to the death his/her right to say it. Saying something does NOT "do" something and when idiots speak their normal idiotic and amoral hearts it does much to expose their flaws thereby showing the merit of the opposition's view.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I think the demand that Bush personally condemn the statement is a good one, however the call for possible legal action is an overreaction. Saying that the government ought to do something is clearly not the same as threatening to do something ("He ought to do this vs. I'm going to do this"). The latter is a statement of intent to take an action, the former is an expression of a wish that someone would take an action.

Although there is no legal or moral justification for what Robertson called for, there is more to objections to Chavez that might be indiciated in the authors haigography. Chavez, although democractically elected, has swept away the checks and balances vital to any democracy in the name of his own cult of personality. The Freedom House report on his country http://www.freedomhouse.org/ research/freeworld/2005/Spain-Zimbabwe. pdf, which lists it as "Partly Free", mentions measures to pack the Supreme Court and bring local governments. Freedom House has also mentioned a climate of intimidation against the press as well as tighter regulations over the opposition media.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights' 2003 report also expressed concern about Chavez's govenment, such as the "provisional" status of Venezuelan judges (undermining their independence) and harassment of the media (incl. a law that states "Any person who offends, verbally or in writing or in any other fashion, the President of the Republic" shall be subject to 6-30 mos. imprisonment).http://www.cidh.org/ countryrep/Venezuela2003eng/ toc.htm Although the media was biased against Chavez, laws as this are a dictatorial overreach.

Human Rights Watch has also noted several areas of concern
http://www.hrw.org/doc?t=americas&c=venezu

Venezuela still ranks as one of the world's more corrupt countries http://www.transparency.org/cpi/2004/cpi2004.en.html#cpi2004. A condition enhanced by a system where much of the power and oil wealth is centered in a demagogue who uses it to reward followers and punish non-followers.

Chavez's economic "success" arguably has less to do with his policies than with the fortutious (for him) increase in the price of oil. Although he is no Castro, there's no reason to place a halo on him.
(n.b., had to put spaces in the links to get them in, copy and past to address bar and close up spaces to use them.)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Robertson and his ilk don't deserve the name of Christians. I am trying to be one, and it's really hard to not feel slimed by these angry, violent egotistical 'fallen angels' of what is really a petty good faith, if you actually follow the teachings. Love God (the Living God, source of all life), Love your neighbor, be kind, emulate little children -- does this sound like any of these weirdos?
Don't let the bad guys have it! A true Christian will ALWAYS be a left-wing liberal commie pinko in the face of hard and evil men in power. Risk your job, risk your life, risk everything for Truth, and get the devil out of your life and your head and your government. Impeach Bush and turn off your TV!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I was looking through here for what flatulence(number of the day) has to contribute to this commentary. I am just curious as to if our casino worker in Mississippi will heed the call of his messiah to travel to points south to eradicate this vermin from our midst. I, for one, will grant him diplomatic immunity if he will continue on this righteous march of sending any and all to their maker in support of righteous thought.

Given the sheer numbers of those that have the ability to reason outside of the conservative canon (no, flat, that is not a gun associated with socialism), this should keep him busy for the next, oh, two-three thousand years.

On another note, I find it curious that Pat has such a prominent forehead. Many talk of shrub as “all hat, no head” Pat appears to be “all head, no brains.”

This is just the kind of thing you would expect Karl to do; getting one of their aging pillars of thought to fall on a sword, so that the damn liberal media will shut up about Cindy Sheehan, while the shells are moved and the pea removed.

Is Pat really this stupid? Perhaps he now realizes that he is long in the tooth, will never lead his misbegotten flock to power in this country, and Karl slid a few shillings in the collection tray for the better good, or the gooder high, or ... who knows.

Maybe I’m just an idiot.

KN - Sorry flatulence, your leaders and their supporters are giving me more gas today.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

As I ponder why Pat could suddenly wax so eloquently as to get the front page all over this country of ours, I think it is of note that shrub has suddenly popped up out of the sticks talking to large numbers of families of dead soldiers and even finding one he could use to his advantage for the sake of quelling the drone from the nut in Crawford (Cindy, not Dubya).

The shells have been moved; are we going to allow another nuts shell to hide the pea for another 200 billion and the pittance of say 2000 dead children of the minions, in pursuit of oil and glory for shrub?

KN – Sorry, Cindy, you are kind of a nut, but I like you.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I, a Christian, was absolutely appalled by Robertson's statements, and by his attempts to wiggle out of responsibility for them. Jesus would not condone his words and actions, nor the words and actions of George Bush.

I also think it's appalling that more Christians haven't spoken out about this. We, of all people, should denounce such things.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

-
This despotic fascist CAN NOT be seized and stopped because he is HIDING in the Cable TV BUNDLED PACKAGE, and people keep giving Cable TV monthly money and that gives money to this fascist.

BOYCOTT Cable TV and we can Dollar-ASSASSINATE Robertson, 700 Club, ChristoFascists, and the RELIGIOUS RIGHTISTS. ! ! !

All their money came from OUR Cable TV payment that they get a chunk of -- One Billion Dollars a Year (per channel, plus or minus) -- that was ChristoFascists start 30 years ago and it still pays them corrupting boxes of murder-money today.

IT GETS WORSER and WORSEST until we DO SOMETHING, get mad as hell, get a friend and !! BOYCOTT Cable TV !! and say: 'We REFUSE the BRAIN POISON.'

ONLY OUR Cable TV SACRIFICE can CRUSH BUSHism.
-
(IF we mean to truly DO SOMETHING that changes the world, instead of talk talk talking and wringing our hands like we are helpless and clueless.)
-

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

As a person of faith (and it doesn't matter which one since I respect all faiths as well as those of no faith), I see the problem is not Christianity per se but fundamentalism -- of any faith system. Fundamentalism stresses the infallibility of the Bible (Quran, or religious tome of choice) in all matters of faith and doctrine, using those scriptures, selectively culled of course, as a literal historical record. These fundamentalists have given their respective religions a very bad rap.

I suggest that, instead of deploring how low "Christianity" has sunk, those of a Christian persuasion should take their religion back from the fundies. Loudly. Stridently.

The left long ago yielded up the words "pro-life" to a radical fringe, leaving me screaming: "who the hell isn't pro-life?" We need to stop yielding the language management to the right. They are NOT Christian by their behavior, but they have seized the word.

Before we get into (fundamentalist) religious wars worldwide, all of us, regardless of faith, need to denounce those who would create a false identity for a religion for their own selfish purposes.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Robertson is a blithering idiot, and to make casual remarks of this nature indicates early-onset Alzheimer's. The left should take a "poor foo', he's finally losing it" approach and pity him into irrelevance.
This article betrays a certain sloppiness; the rev ran for prez in 88, not 92 and jesse jackson is a rev while jesse jr. is a congressman. I wonder which one the over-excitable author is quoting?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I've been noticing that the major networks are not pursuing the Robertson story here in America... No surprise though. Corruption has sunk to a new low here in our homeland.

Since the 2000 elections we have been in a steadily swirling and increasing sinkhole, due in no small part to our own failings, fears, ignorance or what have you. Yet in no small part, our government and the religious right have cultivated repression to a new art form.

I fear for our future in this country, not because our government is corrupt, but because america's citizens fail to see where the end of the road leads in regards to capitalism and corporationism.

America is collapsing from the inside, and at the present rate, Bush won't make it out of office to cover his mistakes this time.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

It came to me from reading the article and the comments that maybe the Bible is not as much bullshit as I thought.

I started out life as a Christian because my parents were and did not question it until my Methodist Church joined with the Evangelical United Brethern in my late teens. I had no problem with that but many of the "elders" of my church did because they said that we would then have to let the "niggers" in. I was friends with several of the black kids in town and some of them were members of the EUB Church. That statement outraged me so much that I never returned to that hypocritical place.

I embarked on a study of different religions mainly by reading various "holy books" and attending several different services. I actually found many underlying principles in most of the different faiths which can be summarised generally by peace, brotherhood, taking care of each other, and love for everyone.

Over the years I have been more and more disillusioned by people like Robertson, Falwell, and Fundamentalists from other religions who preach hate, intollerance, and murder in the name of God. It has gotten so bad that in recent years I have distanced myself from all religion as just plain evil. But it seems to me that the true message in all the faiths is still the same as it always was, it is the messengers that are perverting the word.

I remember that in the Bible it is said that false prophets will arise preaching in the name of Jesus. But by their fruits you shall know them. If that does not apply to Robertson et al I do not know what does.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I would suggest that all of you go to Amazon.com and purchase a book - any book - on the writings of Dorothy Day. She was what I'm sure God had in mind when He called on people to do His work and His will. During her lifetime she was considered a dangerous radical. She was imprisoned many times and the FBI had a file on her thet exceeded 2600 pages. She founded the newspaper, The Catholic Worker and was ALWAYS consistant with her pacifist beliefs. Dorothy Day not only worked for the poor, she lived among them; Considered herself to be one of them. She died in November of 1980 an the age of 83. I'm tellin' ya, folks, this lady was AND IS the real deal! The Ultimate Christian! Buy any of her books or a biography of her. It will change your attitude on Christianity whatever it is. There is also a very good film that's available called Entertaining Angels with Moira Kelly portraying Dorothy. She not only will change your heart, she might even change your life.
Peace!
Tom Degan
Goshen, NY

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

In case you missed it, regime change violates International Law. Bush is also guilty of attempted assigination, which violates International and US Law. The only reason it is attempted, is that the intelligence used to pinpont the location of Iraq's leader's was as deficient as the intelligence used to justify the war. I'm not defending Sadam, I'm just saying was not our job to remove him.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I'm glad Robertson said what he did because now people will open their eyes and realize the person he is. NOT a Christian.

My prayers have been to expose these so-called Christians who are corrupting the faith so people will no longer listen to them. I think this action will open many eyes and hopefully dry up their funds.

And in the process true Christians will return to the truth of the bible and no longer be deceived.

God does answer prayers!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Let me get this straight, pundits say Republians won the last election because they were the party of "family values", right? Democrats and progressives lost because our positions weren't "moral" enough. So which family value does calling for an assassination fall under?
Democrats in 06 should take every opportunity to expose the political contributions of Pat and the 700 Club to right wing candidates like Santorum, Frisk, McConnel, Ishtook and their ilk. Force these politicians to either repudiate Pat Robertson and return his money or to explain why they won't.
Every few months congress gets on it's high horse about rap music and violent video games. Hollywood and the entertainment industry are constantly threatened and investigated for exercising their first amendment rights. If Robertson's comments are not held to the same moral standards by these politicians then we need to know and expose the reasons why that is so. The Bush administation's tepid response to Robertson's call to arms will likely be echoed by other candidates on the right. Let's make that a big issue.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

In Britain, they're deporting people who incite violence. Here we arrest them and throw them in Gitmo Prison ...that is, of course, if they're of Middle Eastern descent.

So along comes Pat Robertson calling for the assassination of a foreign leader, suggesting as he does that our government has the resources to do it in a nice, tidy fashion.

How many insurgents and terrorists would this action spawn?

So, what are you going to do to HIM, Mr. President and Mr. Head of Homeland Security?

Nothing, I fear. Another benchmark reached in measuring the consistency and strength of leadership in our current president and his administration.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Houses of worship are given tax-exempt status because the government assumes that their work is charitable, not political. As such, contributions to them are tax deductible, while donations to political candidates and parties are not.

Penalties for violating federal law include loss of tax-exempt status or financial penalties imposed on officials of the house of worship in question. This is more than a theoretical concern; the IRS does enforce the law in this area.

Mr. Robertson has crossed these guidlines again and again, perhaps his propaganda machine met the IRS next April 15th?

Want more info on taxing the churches?

Taxchurches.com

Churches and tax-free property

Tax-exempt status for churches an unfair subsidy

Rendering unto Caesar

Religion, Partisan Politics And Tax Exemption What Federal Law Requires – And Why

Partisan Politicking By Churches Violates Federal Tax Law

Churches to be Taxed!? from Coloradans for Fair Property Taxation

Lot's of links



Taking a License to Preach




Tax The Churches Forum

How can churches preach politics and not pay taxes?

Tax Breaks for Churches

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The bottom line here, I think, is that the vitual dearth of postings in Pat Roberton's defence is, in itself, reassuring, certainly to a great many outside the U.S., and, I suspect, to the great majority of Americans.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Religion, throughout history, has been the impetus for violence. Religion is an easy way to seperate the quick from the gullible, and makes it easier to manipulate the gullible into furthering a political agenda.

Religion, being inherently false, opens the door for many evil men that can easily control those that are susceptible to falling for the con of religion.

Without religion there is peace.

All those saying that Pat Robertson does not represent Christianity should study their history, for his calls for violence asolutely are in line with the history of the church.

Christianity has nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus. It is a scam, a con, a play on the weak minded.

Once people realize that there is no god, the world will be a much better place to live.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

If you take the word "Assassinate," and break it up it looks something like, "Ass," "Ass," "in" "Ate."

A psychiatrist might find a latent sexual predator in someone who likes to "Assassinate" other people.

The State Department called Reverend Robertsons statements "inappropriate." The reason for that may be that Robertson said that we have the ability to do this thing, Assassinate, someone. If you think about it you may see that the death squads that America loves to run, are linked to our holiest bunch of aawholes, the Christians, not all of them of course, but the leaders of these cannibal Ideologies do run them. This is also why you find their cannibal cult partners in sucking blood are the Zionists. You can take the cannibal out of the desert, but apparently you cannot take the desert out of the cannibal.

The resource starved desert fosters human predator behavior and favors genocide. This behavior is what is threatening our planet and our existence.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Yep, it was the good, church going leaders of Israel who decided 2000 years ago that a good dude walking around doing good stuff, like healing sick people, respecting children and pointing out hypocracy, anyway, a dude like that had to be nailed on a cross in public view. If a real Christian tried to talk to George Bush or Pat Robertson, the Christian would be slandered and arrested on some drug or terror charge. It's too bad people who profess to be Christians, know nothing about the teachings of Jesus Christ, but then again, I've noticed a lot of Republicans and Democrats who have no idea what their respective parties represent. Jesus is not about government and war, He's all about love and peace and respect that all people are equal in the eyes of God.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

There are millions of people who pray for and with Pat Robertson daily. He is not a joke, a twat, or any of that. He is a crazy person with millions of dollars and millions of followers.

We are drinking the kool-aid. See you in hell.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

What I don't understand is how these so called "religious" organizations are able to exist as obvious political organizations yet continue to bask in the tax exemptions of true religious organizations. Pat Robertson is to Christianity what Osama Bin Laden is to Islam, a radical religious extremist who is using influence, money and religion to spread hate and now violence.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I'm not suprised there are still quacks on the TV like this guy. Heck, yesterday I saw a guy talking about how "Harry Potter" is evil. This kind of crap may not be liked, but it is protected by the same ammendment that allows us to speak our mind writing posts. In case anyone forgot a large majority of Americans don't like what we have to say either.

I for one think this guy is not only stupid but dangerous; especially if some moron actually listens to him and believes what he says. You know, the same kind of person who believes this crack is the same kind of person who believes O'Riley or Limbagh.

Even if Limbagh thinks we should all be deported he is just a crack himself, and so is our current administration for that matter. It's just a good thing that there is an Ammendment that protects my right to say or write that.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Maybe now these "God-fearing" Christians will see exactly who they've been following for all these years, and think twice before they throw their prayers and support behind some very corrupt organizations and politicians...I say "hurray!" for Pat Robertson finally showing his true colors.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Sorry guys. I'm just accustomed to expressing things in this fashion – from Australia.

Appreciate your comments though.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Hugo Chavez, the guy that Pat Robertson wants assassinated, seems to be putting into real life action* more of Christ's teachings than Pat Robertson could ever hope to talk about doing. Maybe that's why Robertson is yelling, "Crucify him!"

*Of the top oil producing countries in the world, only one is a democracy with a president who was elected on a platform of using his nation's oil revenue to benefit the poor. The country is Venezuela. The President is Hugo Chavez. You might call him "the Anti-Bush."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Yes, it seems that "Smiling Pat" Robertson has gone a bit too far in revealing the true nature of the long history of US assassination efforts against foreign leaders who do not cooperate with US corporations....you already know the long, sad list....

I wonder if there are any such laws against the assassination of United States leaders, including JFK, RFK, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X? Perhaps we need to get our own house in order before trying to play moral or military policeman to the rest of the world?

Have a nice day, Pat! Please say Hi to Jesus for me next time you talk to "The Prince of Peace".....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The state sponsored murder of Sheik Yassin in Gaza April '03 was not only the most heinous violation of international law and moral decency that most posters are ready to lynch the Right Rev. Robertson for (there goes the 700 club-- good riddance, if you acked me). It set off the uprising in Falluja, with US bodies danlging from bridge and bloodly, cruel intractable resistance to what Ameria was trying to do over there wouldn't you? Did sopmeone say Albatross?

So where's the yelping at the Zionist Jews? Why just pick on the Likkud amen choir here? It is to be seriously considerered that Patsy baby was set up to do the jeezus thing -- He'll take any abuse, you know; perfect alter ego -- to cover the tribe's asses for shooting a paraplegic man in his wheelchair from a made in the US Apache helicopter gunship.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I am reading some extremely negative--and may I say--poorly informed comments on religion and the attitude of Christians in America toward the Pat Robertson blather. A number of churches, church organizations and Christian ministers have spoken out vehemently against Robertson and his extremist views from time to time. They've had plenty to say about his latest intemperate comment. The reason he is taken seriously at all by anyone in the mainstream is because he was once a presidential candidate and had a great deal of influence over Christian charismatics and fundamentalists. Hopefully some of his followers will see him now for what he really is. Robertson has always come out with extremist remarks, but he just went over the line this time. He's 75 years old, and maybe he's a bit senile, too. At any rate, he went way too far and probably cooked his own goose. As for many of the comments on religion, I have been reading by supposedly "liberal" people, they are also extreme and they certainly do not further your cause. I do not myself belong to any Christian organization.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I can't see how Pat Robertson can call himself a Christian minister, and then be advocating for the murder of someone. These two things conflict with each other.

Beware of some of these so-called "Preachers" - people can label themselves with whatever title they want.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Pa t Robertson is a cretin. Cretin is an 18th century corruption of the French word for Christians that were found living in the Alps. Cretin also means fool. QED

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The US government has been pressuring the Dutch government for a larger miltary presence in Aruba. Fox News, CNN ..etc, are all doing their best to cripple the Aruban economy with non-stop coverage of Natelie. It has not worked. Aruba, Cuacao are planned to be used for support in trying to topple Chavez.

The Old Reverend is just upping the rhetoric on Chavez. He would not do this without prior approval of BushCo. He also is trying to make a few bucks on some of his investments. A few moves in the right direction of certain commodities and stocks will benefit him and his buds.

The last coupe attempt by the US government on Chavez failed miserably when the coupe leaders chickened out when the poor Venezualans took to the streets. They all thought they would be lynched. They are all waiting in Miami for the next US backed coupe. The US will not try another coup unless all the lower level officiers in the Venezualan military are payed off like the upper level officers were.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Obviously, I am angered by the comments of Mr. Robertson, a so called christian man. A leading christian man purportedly a voice of Jesus Christ, in which he asks for the execution of a democratically elected president of a sovereign nation. But I am also angry on another level because of the continued view that latinos are portrayed in. Communist, drug infested, dictators which recreate the stereotype which many americans have of latinos in general. Mr. Robertson should be more than ashamed of his comments; he should be asking his god and personal savior for forgiveness of his deep seated soul of hatred toward latino people as a whole.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Alot of posters are saying that this is an issue of free speech. However free speech is not an absolute even in the United States and it shouldn't be an absolute.

If you are a mob boss and you say this guy need to be wacked you can't hide behind free speech.

Like we saw in the recent Edgar Killian trial if you are a klan leader and you tell a group of clansmen that three men "need their asses tore up", and thoes clanmen go out and kill thoes three men you again can't hide behind free speech.

If you are Osama Bin Laden and you say to 21 men go fly planes into buildings you can't say "I was just speaking my mind...1st amendment".

Finally if you are Pat Robertson and you say something on air that could encourage your viewers to break the law it isn't free speech. This doesn't mean that he broke the law but an investigation is certainly warented.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Do you all want to know why Pat Roberson, Jerry Falwell...etc don't have Telethons anymore begging for money? They have all jumped on board with a "certain" Religious group years ago to promote Israel and Zionism. Jerry loved the corporate jet given to him by the Israeli government as well as the millions given to him by American and European Zionists to alieviate the "pain" of having to beg for money every few months.

These immoral dirtbags have all sold out God, Christianity and this country, telling non-stop lies on their bought and paid for networks. They are "made men" that cannot be touched.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

To all those who are defending Robertson's right to express himself because of his so-called freedom of speech, I would like to pose a question. I know that Alternet has run a series of articles in the past about Ward Churchill. For those who may not remember, he is a Professor at the University of Colorado, and became a media magnet for his comments on 9/11, when he called the "technocrats" who worked in the WTC "little Eichmanns." The reaction to that statement was swift and severe. He was almost fired from his job, and many people (both on the right and left) felt that Churchill had no right to say what he did, despite the freedom of speech guaranteed by the American Consitution. My question then, is simple: Would those who support Robertson's ability to express himself freely be as supportive of Ward Churchill?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Why hasn't Robertson issued a retraction, on his own network, similar to the one he gave to the main stream media?

Why does he allow millions of his viewers, who watch him exclusively, to go on believing assasination in God's name is proper?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Pat Robertson is the proof that religion should be separated from politics, look at every countries who have not this separation and what they have done in history.
For those who condemn Pat Robertson but defend the religion may I remind you that if Jesus was coming back today and preaching to help the poor and to present the other cheek if someone hit you, you will be the first to say he is a communist and a dangerous guy who ask you to present the other cheek and I am sure that the US will be the first in line to nail him on the cross for a second time.
I am a atheist and I live in peace with that I am not a gullible person for dogma and I will fight dogma until my death because dogma meen not asking question and when you don't have any check and balance there is a opening for all kind deviation like we see today.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Give me a break. We don't need histrionics in the debate. Robertson may be a dispicable representation of a Christian leader (turn the other cheek and all that great moral stuff), but he is not an elected official, nor has hardly broken and "federal or international law" -- or do you think free speech should be restricted? Would you have felt the same about assassinatig Sadam in lieu of this latest war?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Thanks Deborah for an excellent article and many new words and phrases and links to come back to. You are a great teacher! And I know your organization Global Exchange, if I recall correctly, it is based out of my home town.

You know I find it ironic, as I am sure many others do, that we are waging a war on terror at the same time talking like terrorists ourselves. How much more hypocritical can you get? And the fact that is a so called 'Chrisitan' doing it makes it all the worse. Somebody shut this guy down. This is horrid. I detest televangelists.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]