Great post! Many years ago, I heard the story that Pat Robertson told, and my thought is, so what? It doesn’t disqualify the people of Haiti from receiving God’s grace through Jesus. I weep for what has happened this week. I am encouraged at the outpouring of support. And I look with hope to what God in store for this nation.

“…could it be that a nation whose president did officially dedicate his country to the devil has passively initiated this wave of curses and devastation?”
Could you clarify when and how the president actually did this?

The problems Haiti has have nothing to do with Voodoo. Since its beginning as a free nation the country has been plagued with debt started by the French who demanded that Haiti pay them for losing it as a colony. Plus they have had dictatorships imposed on them from outside forces. Haiti never got a fair shot.
While I believe there is evil in the world I don’t for one minute believe that people can make pacts with the Devil. Only the truly gullible believe that someone can actually sign a contract with Satan.
So let’s not blame Haiti’s problems on their religion shall we. Let’s put the blame where it really belongs.

First point: its not called ‘Vodooism’, its Vodoo,Vodou or Vodoun.
Second point: Your ignorance about the subject is profound and offensive. If you’re going to deliver such a criticism about a religion it would behoove you to actually learn about it, and to learn about it in a fair way and not through the distorted lens of Evangelical Christianity. You’re just as bad as Robertson. You’re guilty of the same shallow thinking that can’t see that Haiti’s historical and current problems are the result of complex, economic, sociological and historical reasons. I guess its so much easier and more satisfying for you to blame all those problems on something as simplistic as, ‘haitians have no hope because they’re stuck in a backward, despairing Vodoo religion.’
Third point: The majority of Haitians are Christian.

Well said Kauko! Well said!!!
If I were to follow the line of “reasoning” of this article, I would end up too far from Pat Robertson. The truth is that I could apply this same line of reasoning to the history of this nation and its love affair with brutal slavery of Africans, genocide of indigenous people, continued discrimination of both, of women, low-income folks, the list goes on…Let “him” who is without sin throw the first stone.
How convenient that we so often use scriptures and our “holier than thou” attitude to reinforce our own conclusions, beliefs, and assumptions.
I find that in the end, it is always best to look in the mirror first…Judge not lest you be judged….

I think that it is a bit unfair to say that voodooism is on the side of the devil. Voodooism is another religion. Who is to say that the Sri Lankans made a pact with the devil for being Buddhists?
It is not a bad thing to be religious, but all religions are equally legitimate. Saying that your own religion is better than another religion is bigoted and unfair. It would be just as true for a Haitian to say that 9/11 happened because we had forsaken voodoo.
This dangerous “my religion is the best” thinking is the cause of most wars throughout history, including the one in Iraq.

CORRECTION:
Well said Kauko! Well said!!!
If I were to follow the line of “reasoning” of this article, I would end up [not] too far from Pat Robertson. The truth is that I could apply this same line of reasoning to the history of this nation and its love affair with [the] brutal slavery of Africans, genocide of indigenous people, continued discrimination of both, of women, low-income folks, the list goes on…Let “him” who is without sin throw the first stone.
Unfortunately, there is still a strong sentiment to de-nig-rate anything African–her history, spirituality, people, etc. It is still difficult for many to accept the fact that these enslaved Africans in Haiti rose up over 200 years ago, against formidable odds, and successfully, righteously, TOOK BACK FREEDOM! (We should applaud and celebrate their spirit as our own).
How convenient that we so often use scriptures and our “holier than thou” attitude to reinforce our own conclusions, beliefs, assumptions, and continue to clutch onto fear.
I find that in the end, it is always best to look in the mirror first…Judge not lest you be judged….

This column is just as bad as Pat Robertson’s words.
If all Evangelicals are like this, it’s time to start slamming the doors when people like you come to my doorstep!

I too believe in the devil. And demonic possession. Look at Pat Robertson. Must be possessed by the devil. How else can you explain a man who claims by his faith, that since he is born of the Spirit, he now has “the mind of Christ”.
If he really did have the mind of Christ and not the devil he would understand tectonic plates and how earthquakes happen BECAUSE where you ARE, ie- under a shifting plate, NOT because you made a pact with the devil.
out,
don
http://spiritnewsdaily.com

Voodoo, even the perception of such, is bad, but unfettered free enterprise where the little is trampled upon, deserving everything he doesn’t get, leaving the huddled masses to clean up the mess left behind is okay, even in gold & diamond mining in Liberia, because Jesus was a neo-con, uber-capitalist?

I am from the Caribbean. Yes! Pat Robertson was partially right.
Listen UP – voodooism is a religion, R-E-A-L, and d-E-M-O-N-I-C in nature.! Yes satan, the manipulator – deceiver, does have his (church) followers! In the Caribbean it’s voodoo. In Africa, USA and other parts of the Universe it’s called by other names. Talk to your Africian friends. In Jesus name, Lord Deliver us from the evil ones. Amen!

Right on! RIGHT ON!!! To Richard, Kauko, Ken, Don and Brett in Oregon too!!!!! For speaking the facts!!! The truth!
I pose this question to STEVEN WALDMAN — Editor-in-Chief President and Co-Founder of Beliefnet, I read that you Mr. Waldman oversees the editorial strategy for Beliefnet, and write a daily blog about faith, politics and culture; Why are you assisting in perpetuating the spread of this malicious lie about Haiti? Have they not suffered enough?
Although you may not have personally authorized this article to be published, when it’s all said and done I hold you personally responsible for the contents therein!!
Since News Corp’s Fox Entertainment Group purchased Beliefnet, as part of its Internet expansion and a way to distribute its content in 2007, would it be a fair assessment for me to say that you Steven Waldman and the Fox Group are a bunch of racist, klu klux klan, confederate flag carrying news media outlet group that HATES President Obama because he is of African descent, blacks, Afrikaans, and African-Americans! Thus Beliefnet’s rational for allowing such a vicious article to even be published?
No!!! No indeed not, of course not Steven.
When I hear that Haiti is under a curse because of a pack with the devil this sounds ludicrous to me and too many other Africans, Afrikaans and African-Americans. This garbage is more offensive to me, my Brothers and Sisters of Afrikaan, African descent and to my Ancestors than the scenario that I posed above about you and the Fox Group using Beliefnet as a vehicle to spread malevolent, racist, lies and pure hated about people of Afrikaan and African descent.
Steven Waldman and the writers of Beliefnet message boards, newsletters, blogs and social networks it is reported that this site attracts more than 3.1 million visitors monthly and has 7.6 subscribers! You have an obligation to me (as I am a subscriber) your visitors and subscribers to operate with integrity and to use Beliefnet as a vehicle to tell the truth and present the facts about Haiti! Not perpetuate superstition and blatant lies!
Even in this atrocious article The Half-Truth in Pat Robertson’s Oral Dysentery the writer never reported where this statement originated from: “…could it be that a nation whose president did officially dedicate his country to the devil has passively initiated this wave of curses and devastation?” I find it no small oversite that the writer of this piece of filth, name was omitted. If this ghost writer for Beliefnet is going to report this rubbish as a fact and an authority on this topic, show proof with factual data that supports that the president actually declared this. And even if this statement by Haiti’s president could be proven as factual, lets take a closer look at “WHY” the president might have made such a statement shall we.
White men justified their heinous acts of enslaving Africans/Afrikaans under the disguise that biblically speaking we/Africans were the descendants of Ham whom God cursed and made his skin black.
The President of Haiti, after seeing and hearing about firsthand accounts of the monstrous, inhumane ways in which Afrikaan/African men, women and children were handled by caucasians all in the name of Christianity!!! May have made a pack with the devil. The president’s thoughts and mindset probably went a bit like the following:
Wow! Look at what this white man’s (caucasian) bible teaches them to do to other human beings! Look at what this white man says his Christian bible has taught him about good and evil, god and the devil! If this is what their Christianity! This white man’s god has to offer me and my people! I’m better off making a pack with what this white man calls the devil!!! To try and “SAVE” my Afrikaan/African people from this caucasian man’s persecution, his god and his enslavement!!! Surely, the devil will be more merciful to me and my people than this white man’s god! His Christianity!!!
Now, if there ever was a pack made with the devil the scenario that I just painted above is more towards the factual truth as to how the pack came about!
So in the future when we speak of this pack with the devil, lets reference the historical facts as to “WHY THE NEED MAY HAVE ARISEN FOR A PACK WITH THE DEVIL” in the first place!!! Will you do that for me and many other readers of African and Afrikaan descent, Beliefnet writers? We may very well be a large pool of your loyal, dedicated daily readers and subscribers Beliefnet!!! And as you can see by the tenacity of our brothers and sisters in Haiti! We are a force to be reckoned with. Just as we as a people have managed to survive under bleak circumstances thus these 200 plus years, we as a people will unite and continue to hold our heads high with pride. We will overcome the challenges that lay ahead and the lies told about our history.
Print the truth about Haiti’s past and anticipated future!!
If you are not going to be a part of the solution!!! Don’t be a part of the problem!
In parting Mr. Waldman, I am fully aware of the right to freedom of speech, just as I am aware that there is a time and place! A season for everything, and this was neither the time nor season for such a ghastly article.
Sistah Solider

I would like to respond to Sista Soldier: I respect and admire you for overcoming centuries of oppression. I understand as well as I can. However, I do not understand how you can say the “Caucasian’s” god has caused those problems, at least not in these days. admittedly, racism is till alive in the USA; however it is no longer the normal state of mind. Racism can run both ways, and I feel that you have made racist comments toward my race, of Caucasian. I think the actions of Pat Robertson are clearly insensitive, racist, judgmental and full of hate. I have voiced that to him too.
The author of the above article is inaccurate and inappropriate in my thinking.
I love everyone regardless of their race, financial status, age, size; some, like Pat Roberston and george Bush are very hard to love, and I still have some work to do with that issue. Please do not think that all Caucasians are racist. I would welcome you into my home as quickly as I would my own brother. I pray that Haiti recovers and comes out better than before, without all the difficulties and hardships they have faced for many years. I appreciate your comments, your honesty. I just want to assure you that many whites, myself included, love black and white equally. God bless you.

I do believe that if there is voodo taking place in this country, it is quite possible that the devil has taken over, and yes, maybe God has punished them. There is a wrathful God people. Just look around at the evil and see. Do you think God is going to let this kind of devil worship continue in the land. Look at all the earthquakes. In my opinion, people need to open up their minds to Christ. Without him, we are all doomed.

It seems to me, that most of these posts have not yet committed themselves to Gos. There is no evil in God. There is only Truth and Love. If you see this event as Godly wrath, you probably don’t know God at all. Consider this: God allows the creation to proceed along the path he has established. Changes in the creation are implicit in the design. God is not at war with humanity, He has declared peace with the sending of his Son. Time and circumstances of the creation will always be allowed. Our job, is to do what is necessary to glorify God, when we do that, we are serving our purpose. All creatures of this earth are God’s, he does not wish for any to perish. We have been given the gift of choice. He tells us he has put before us life and death. Choose life!
When disaster befalls our brothers and sisters, we are commanded to help one another. Not to blame one another. All of us need to remember there is only one race on this planet, the human race. Help your brothers.

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Larry – Your post was the only one I felt even remotely close to. I agree with everything you said. I am so tired of the analyzing and critizing. I will admit I used to be a Pat R. listener till I heard him glorify the former Prez like he was a god, just to have that Prez lead us into a horrible legacy of war when everyones hearts were on their sleeve after 9/11. After that, I never listened to him again, except maybe once to hear his critcism of the new Prez. I think he has serious issues, Mr Pat R. Do I believe that evil walks the earth? Yes – more now than at anytime in history. Am I sick of the fearmongers. Definitely.. Do I hold my Hope in God? Definitely..Choice is his gift to us, we are not robots. So chose to help or be self righteous but you cant be both, right? Thanks Larry.
Get a program, you speak the Truth.

Larry and Bonnie…thank you both. My belief is that GOD IS LOVE. Therefore no evil can come from him/her/it. But I do not believe that an entire country is punished, nor do I believe that individuals are punished, except what we do to ourselves. And I agree, can’t the judgments and the hate stop. A lot of people blame Obama for everything that has happened since the day he took office. I have asked all the haters to please pray for him, rather than judge him with such hate. but it is not up to me to change anyone’s heart but my own.

God is Love…..Love is Kind.

Either your imaginary friend in the sky is all powerful and all knowing or he isn’t.
Loving, what a joke.
He allowed the suffering of innocents.
He could have stopped the earthquake, or not caused it.
What could the dead and injured possibly have done to deserve this.
if he cared and love humans, he would prevent or not cause suffering.
Either he is imaginary, or he is powerless, or evil, hateful, and spiteful.
You pick.

Hey, Pete, that is pretty narrow-minded. God is imaginary, of course… and since he is imagined in powerless, evil, hateful, spiteful minds, he is all of those too… AT THE SAME TIME!
Seriously, though, belief in anything supernatural, when raised in civilization and given more reasonable options, is retarded, even if it is good intentioned.
To take a tragedy like this and use it, not only to promote absurd superstition, but to project ignorant, fearful hatred of other cultures, based on that superstition, is so low that I can’t really understand it.
People like Pat Robertson and Mark Herringshaw need to kill themselves publicly. Fat chance, considering how terrified they are of their eternal reward. pffft

A long time ago the human race chose to follow its own system knowing good and evil, thereby leaving God out. It is written how God has intervened at times to correct and witness the misguided ways we chose. The stubborness of human hearts ultimately would lead to the destruction of all life on earth. At no time in history has the means been available save now with the discovery of nuclear energy and creation of weapons capable of such destruction. This information is not new. This is foolishness to the unbeliever.
To any fool out there who believes these weapons will not be used then you do not understand human history.
It is also written how humankind can never achieve peace because our hearts are corrupted by selfish desires and war is part of our nature. Grasping and gain are seen as attributes of success and each nation, family, person has had this goal. This is the way of this world. Evident in the tumultous times in which we live.
The earthquake and devastation in Haiti is only a small and tragic part of the long chain of events throughout our short human history. Earthquakes, tsunamis, threats of pandemic disease, wars, all have been written to increase in frequency in the coming times. Again, foolishness to the unbeliever, but reality none the less.
Hope lies in Christ, the resurection! Our part is to care for the afflicted, comfort those who mourn, lift up those who have fallen. Yes, God could have intervened at anytime in any event we view as catastrophic whether on a mass scale or in our personal lives. Sometimes He does, some times He doesn’t. Go ask Job for an answer. Again, foolishness to the unbeliever.
So God does allow evil things to happen. Here is the test of the believers faith. It is written that these things work together for our good. Here is the test for the unbeliever, good or evil you may walk, that is your reward in this life. Some look for gain in tragedy, whether it be monetary or prestige. They’ll have their reward too.
I now go to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling.

WHen are yor morons going to grow up and realise there is no god? It’s a myth .. a story .. grow up morons