With estimates of 100,000 dead in Haiti, and many times that number suffering horribly in the wake of the earthquake which shook Port-au-Prince, many people ask, “why did God do this?” And Pat Robertson has what he thinks is the answer.
According to Pat Robertson, the earthquake, and all of the previous suffering, poverty and violence which has afflicted Haiti in the past, is God’s punishment for a bargain made with the devil hundreds of years ago, and Haitians’ ongoing rejection of Christianity. According to Robertson, “they got together and swore a pact to the devil, they said, we will serve you, if you get us free from the Prince, true story. And so the devil said, ‘OK, it’s a deal.’ And they kicked the French out, the Haitians revolted and got themselves free, and ever since they have been cursed by one thing after the other.”
I am intrigued by Dr. Robertson’s seeming affirmation of the devil’s power to make good on bargains independent of God, and the rejection of monotheism implicit in that affirmation, but I’ll leave that for another time — a time when bodies are not lying under rubble. Instead I would focus on the initial revulsion I felt upon reading Robertson’s words… and also on the appreciation of them which I found upon further reflection.
It’s not that I find myself either liking, or agreeing with them — in fact, I find Robertson’s approach ugly. But I began to appreciate that this was his way of dealing with the need to fit a just God into a terrible equation — his way of responding to the question so many people are asking i.e. “why, God?”
In that sense, Robertson is wrestling more with that question than other theologians, including Beliefnet.com’s Ben Witherington, whose response I find far less obnoxious, but ultimately deals with the question of “why, God?” by taking God out of the equation.
It’s not that I am completely opposed to the take-God-out response, but comparing it to Robertson’s is unfair. Defining a question out of existence is not the same as answering it.
Rather than trying to answer the question of “why, God”, I prefer to ask where can God be found in the midst of these horrible events. The “why” I leave to God, both because all of the answers are unsatisfying and because the “where” will help us so much more.
My response hinges on the words of Psalms 91, “I am with him in his troubles”. I do not need to pretend to know the mind of God as Robertson does, or avoid the question as so many others do, to believe that God is with the people of Haiti in their suffering. I do not need to understand the “why” to know that we, as human beings created in the image of God, are obligated to be with them also.
God will be found with every act of compassion, kindness and prayer that is offered to those in need at this time. I think that focusing on that will be good for us and good for Haiti, and leave the theological speculation for less pressing moments.
Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
posted January 14, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Lets pray for preacher Pat Robertson So that he can come out from such mind.
We must pray for Haitian So that they over such a massive disaster.
posted January 14, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Hands that do are better than hands that pray…
Deed over creed…
Have the PTB at Beliefnet considered matching funds donated by members of Beliefnet? There’s a Facebook Fan page for Beliefnet too, increasing the exposure.
Set up a Paypal account, direct the contributions to an organization with low overhead and convince Rupert Mordoch INC to match donations made under the Banner of Beliefnet to help the people of Haiti.
Oh, open note to Pat Robertson — the people of Haiti don’t need what passes for your contempt, blessing, or “compassion”.
posted January 14, 2010 at 5:36 pm
God is and is not. Neither is nor is not. So greater philosophers than I have said. For God to be God he must be beyond all categories of thought, beyond being and non-being, etc. I agree with the Rabbi. it is a terrible mistake to transfer our limited understanding to the transcendent knowledge of God. I think we need to help more and judge less. Thank you for such wise counsel, Rabbi.
posted January 14, 2010 at 5:45 pm
I think it’s funny that Pat would think that this would be the result of a deal made with the “Devil”. People who make those sorts of deals are supposed to be rich, have fame, plenty food, and loads of earthly goods. All of those things folks in Haiti are sorely lacking.
It’s the same mentality that drowned innocent God fearing people during the Salem witch trials.
Pat Robertson is very old, he is very soon going to find out how wrong he was, about everything. There’s no way to change a man that has such a full tank of hate. The best we can do is pray that the people who once thought this man and his hate mongering were legitimate ways of thought will now understand how ugly he truly always was…and always will be.:(
posted January 14, 2010 at 6:42 pm
Pat Robertson needs to read his bible again. In the Old Testament, Jeremiah 31, God says each person is responsible for their own sin. The pact that was made 200 years ago has nothing to do with 2010. In the book of Job God lifts his hand of grace and mercy and all heck breaks loose in the different areas of Job’s life. There are many missionaries in Haiti. If any of the missionaries are deceased i am sure Pat Robertson’s comments are a comfort to the familes of those that have dedicated their life to doing good deeds for others.
posted January 14, 2010 at 10:19 pm
What about in 1 Kings ch. 9, when “the L-rd passes by” but a great wind and earthquake also pass by, and the Tanakh makes clear that “G-d was not in” those natural disasters? It takes a Talmudic scholar, or a rabbi, to properly interpret those verses, but they were always profound to me.
posted January 14, 2010 at 10:53 pm
If you’re wondering where his comment came from. Truth about Dutty Boukman and the Haitian Slave Revolution can be found here. Pretty interesting. Voodoo Stuff.
http://doodiepants.com/2010/01/13/pat-robertson-haiti-made-pact-with-devil/
posted January 15, 2010 at 1:37 am
Is this a Haitian Holocaust?
posted January 15, 2010 at 4:24 am
When good things happen people call it luck, when bad things happen they blame GOD. God is a good and loving GOD,that wants to bless his people,If you dont beleive that then you want receive it.Everybody was created by GOD,but everybody is not GODS child,he gives us power to become sons and daughters through Jesus and the cross.God is not moved by need he is moved by faith.God was in Haiti,because he is everywhere,now wait for the Faith and miracle stories to start pouring in,and then you will see where GOD was.But we all have the same enemy he comes to steal kill and destroy his name is satan. Choose life through CHRIST JESUS,and laugh at the devil.
posted January 15, 2010 at 9:49 am
During this time that we are focusing on Haiti and the terrible disaster there let us use this moment to inform ourselves about its agonizing history and how the past and present policies of the the U.S.A. toward Haiti have contributed to make this disaster much worse than what it should have been had we treated the Haitian people in a more just manner up to this moment. This disaster did not have to be as bad as it was!
Read about the agonizing history of Haiti and how the United States has contributed to its misery in the book “An Unbroken Agony: Haiti, from Revolution to the Kidnapping of a President,” by Randall Robinson
posted January 15, 2010 at 9:59 am
Hello Brad:
I actually thought I made clear in my article that God stands with the suffering. If you will check the following post of Studdert-Kennedy’s poem which was originally part of the first post until the Fox folks decided it should be left out, you will see I entirely agree with what you are saying here. I think some answers can be given as to why, though inadequate, but more importantly the question is where God is in this situation.
Blessings,
Ben Witherington
posted January 15, 2010 at 10:39 am
God is omnipresent in the midst of the Haitian tragedy. I believe that this is a call to clear up what has long been a humanitarian tragedy in such a beautiful part of the world. I believe He wants his people to be just as enriched as their environment; hopefully, once people realize Haiti’s poverty-entrenched past, the World will want to make this small part of the world better in the longterm for having intervened in this tragedy. Let’s all work towards the goal of establishing “light” instead of cursing the “dark”.
posted January 15, 2010 at 10:39 am
God is omnipresent in the midst of the Haitian tragedy. I believe that this is a call to clear up what has long been a humanitarian tragedy in such a beautiful part of the world. I believe He wants his people to be just as enriched as their environment; hopefully, once people realize Haiti’s poverty-entrenched past, the World will want to make this small part of the world better in the longterm for having intervened in this tragedy. Let’s all work towards the goal of establishing “light” instead of cursing the “dark”.
posted January 15, 2010 at 10:42 am
I am not a great theologian nor a university-trained minister. I am simply someone who loves the Lord. I am confused, however, with the process of taking what God said to believers and applying it to people anywhere who are not believers. Made in His image is one thing, but having the privileges of sonship is another. Why would anyone want the “blessings” of Someone they’ve rejected or cast as non-existent?
Additionally, as an American whose family has served with pride for more than 300 years since post-immigration colonial days in Virginia, I am greatly offended by the contemporary mantra that the United States (and in the case of Katrina, “white” America) is responsible for all of the evils of the world in nature, man, and beast. Good stinkin’ grief, folks; have you not ever heard what I tell my children? “Good choices bring good consequences. Poor choices bring poor consequences.” Or, if you like the Bible, “obedience brings a blessing, and disobedience brings a curse”.
Y’all have a nice day.
posted January 15, 2010 at 10:54 am
A pact with the devil. Is that what they call getting involved with Charles Taylor, illegal gold mining in Liberia and funding violence in Sierra Leone? If so, Pat Robertson would know.
We Christians need to take a page out of the playbook we have been giving to the Muslims and officially and dispute when our fellow Christians in positions of power use and abuse the name of Christ.
posted January 15, 2010 at 10:55 am
Deborah,
Go to hell and roast.
Blessings,
MAX
posted January 15, 2010 at 11:10 am
I am so saddened by the tragedy of the people of Haiti and the comment made by Pat Robertson is just plain ignorant. This from a man who was part owner of a diamond mine in Africa that worked the people long and hard and paid them nearly nothing. Wonder what kind of a deal he made and with whom he made it. The people of Haiti need our compassion and our help at this time, I hope we can all dig deep to help these people many of whom are Christians and are there doing a great work. The comment made by Mr. Robertson makes me sick to my stomach. May God have mercy on the people of Haiti.
posted January 15, 2010 at 11:15 am
When I first heard Pat Robertson comments I wondered why he would say something like this. I was told by friends to read Bois Caiman (Haiti history).Dutty Boukman a vodoun priest did conduct a cermony on Aug, 1791 to free Haiti from the French. I do believe some kind of evil pact was made, but nevertheless whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Yes we need to help and pray for Haiti but we must also be concerned for their spritual needs. My prayer is that they accept Jesus and him only. Too many times they take their past voodoo culture and mix itin with Christianity. Even here in the US some of my Christian friends still mix in demonic things from our past African, Indian,Asian, and Spanish heritages.Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
posted January 15, 2010 at 11:22 am
You want science or G-d? Science says you build on a fault line and earthquakes and worse can happen.
G-d says don’t build your house on sand.
G-d has given Haiti a beautiful setting for 200 years. Except it. Be grateful unto the Lord.
Next edifice should be earthquake, hurricane proof if that is possible or move.
I AM
posted January 15, 2010 at 11:35 am
There is no devil. A personification of evil behavior or bad outcomes is childish and primary process thinking. If God is the creator of everything QED – God creates both “good” and “evil.” The name Satan is foound in the book of Job. There Satan represents a mythical prosecutor of God. The main theme is that a righteous man is afflicted with tragedy. When he complains to God – an enigmatic question is posed by God. Simply – “Were you there when I created the world?” The message I perceive is that you cannot create an all good world. With good you have to have bad. Otherwise we would live forever. Then we would all be God. He is the only Being who is immortal. To posit a devil is to deny man’s hand in his own destruction. There are natural disasters eg. storms, forest fires, earthquakes, floods, mudslides and avalanches, that have nothing to do with evil behavior. Man’s hand in evil behavior is war. Please lets get our facts in order. And as to the rantings of religious zealots – no one truly understands God. God is a mystery. The best one can do is follow the moral and ethical teachings of one’s own religion. Be kind to others, be charitable, and stop attributing bad human behavior to a mythical non- entity.
posted January 15, 2010 at 11:36 am
The comment, “as human beings created in the image of God, (we) are obligated to be with them also.” comes from WHERE in the Bible? No where that I can find. There ARE times we are called to ‘shake the dust off of our feet’ when the MESSAGE of the Gospel is rejected. Sticking around only causes US to become neutered. People who do not wish to follow Christ and have outright rejected Him, steal our time and resources from Christ our Lord. God is not in the feeding or natural disaster relief business. He is in the SAVING business! And if we are not doing HIS work HIS way, we will be judged by HIS standards of poor stewardship. All of our good intentions will be dross! I believe Pat has it right this time.
posted January 15, 2010 at 11:59 am
Heaven forbid that a natural disaster is only a natural disaster, right? If you live in a disaster-prone area, bad things WILL inevitably happen, without a touch from God or Satan. We live in the physical world, where bad things happen through nobody’s fault. Storms and quakes will happen, especially in areas that lie on or near fault lines or areas that generate major weather patterns. And in a place as poor as Haiti, a place without many quake-proof buildings, terrible things can and will happen, simply because the people do not have the means to prepare themselves for such events. Pat Robertson is delusional. Just another radical idiot who gives all Christians a bad name. Pat, as a loving Christian who follows Christ’s command to LOVE ONE ANOTHER, I am embarrassed on your behalf, as you obviously lack the brain chemistry and the personal fortitude to feel shame on your own. Instead of trying to place blame, how about HELPING the people who have suffered. Also, if you’re going to talk of pacts with Satan, look to yourself, mister. I see PLENTY of horrible dealings there.
posted January 15, 2010 at 12:20 pm
We are reading the book of Job now, in my personal website’s section called “Scriptures Of The Day” and Job make a comment that even if he had rejected the fear of God, his comforters should have simply comforted him, rather than seek a cause. Let us comfort the people of Haiti and keep our words few.
Job 6:14 To him that is ready to faint kindness is due from his friend, even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
posted January 15, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Today, Please Pray for Haiti – 100,000 at least are currently MISSING.
The main stream media is not reporting that there have been at least 40 after shock quakes that are between 4.2 and 5.9 in magnitude in Haiti since the first one of 7.0. (source: USGS) These are very large “normal” earthquakes and considered very serious all by themselves. All the inmates that were in prison in Haiti have been set free…………the buildings colapsed along with hospitals and everything else!
I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ shine brightly in all those who show up to assist and that many, many new souls find Jesus in the midst of tragedy. May the Lord send angels to make the paths of those in charge and in search assistance very clear and successful. May there be a multitude of miracles attributed to God almighty. May the people who are affected around the world and in this country be comforted and kept at peace in the arms of God. Pray, pray, pray. There would be no other sense to this madness other than to bring people to Christ….even the scriptures profess this.
Jesus will be here very soon. I believe that is why there is so much turmoil in the world; so that many people will RUN to Jesus and receive salvation before he returns to rule & reign for the Millinium.
John 3:17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
Hopefully many will run to Jesus before the *Rapture of believers. People here during the Tribulation period (between the Rapture and the second coming – this period of time is also known as the second half of Jacobs trouble) will have a much more difficult and tragic time than we are having today. More people will come to Christ at that time than have ever come to date. How exciting; but only because scripture foretells all this. The Tribulation is the 7 years of 30 day months when the seals in heaven are broken – before the second coming of Christ (Messiah). The Christians having been caught away prior will enable EVIL to ABOUND even more than it does now.
Luke 21:
9And when you hear of wars and insurrections (disturbances, disorder, and confusion), do not become alarmed and panic-stricken and terrified; for all this must take place first, but the end will not [come] immediately.
10Then He told them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. [II Chron. 15:6; Isa. 19:2.]
11There will be mighty and violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences (plagues: [c]malignant and contagious or infectious epidemic diseases which are deadly and devastating); and there will be sights of terror and great signs from heaven.
This doesn’t mean that you have time to delay. He is comforting and drawing you with fore knowledge so that you are not afraid and you will tell others what you know.
Matthew 24:14 And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end (of the age of Grace).
The end of time will come but the Earth will be “remodeled”. The world never ends. God, believe it or not, is in control of all things….When we shed our earthly body we either go the heaven (life) or to hell (death). For those of you who believe in purgotory…..there is no mention of it in the Bible. There is no such thing according to scripture…… The only choice we have according to the Bible is Heaven or Hell………and we must decide while we “breathe”. It may sound very horrible but the people of Haiti are being given a chance to repent and acquire salvation – eternal life.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live.
John 3:15 In order that everyone who believes in Him [who cleaves to Him, trusts Him, and relies on Him] may [c]not perish, but have eternal life and [actually] live forever!
John 3:16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
I have shared my faith openly and forwardly because I believe that is what I have been “called” to do. Everyone has. You may disagree with me vehemently but that will not change scripture.
It is “biblically” prophecied that the generation that was alive when Israel become a nation in May 1948 and Jerusalem becoming the capital of Israel in June 1967, WILL be the generation that experiences the second coming of Jesus Christ (Messiah). One event without the other would not have represented the second coming. Basically, if you were born in May 1948 and live a full life, Messiah will return within your lifetime. You would be 120 years old in May 2068. No man knows the day or the hour but we are commanded to know the season.
Matthew 24:33 So also when you see these signs, [m]all taken together, coming to pass, you may know [n]of a surety that He is near, at the very doors.
This is the season!
In February 2005 the Sanhedrin reconvened, after being dissolved pver 2000 years ago. They have done so with the sole purpose of rebuilding the Temple of God (the body of Pharises who ruled at the time of Jesus’ death was known as the Sanhedrin – Today, all the holy furniture is ready, the animal sacrifices are being bread including the red heifer, the priesthood is being DNA identified and also being trained according to the traditions of the Old Testament). The woman who hid Anne Frank during WWII just passed away (January 12, 2009: Miep Gies, then office secretary who risked her life by hiding Anne Frank and her family for two years, died yesterday at the age of 100. This heroic woman saved Anne and her family not once, but twice. First she gave them two additional years of life by keeping them alive in a secret annex behind an Amsterdam warehouse. Then she gave them an eternal place in our memories by preserving Anne’s now famous diary)…… and the soldiers of WWII are diminishing by the day along with the Holocaust survivors………the time is very near.
If you are reading this, you know I DO NOT WANT to go through eternity without you! I love you and want to “play” & have “fun” with you in heaven, for all of eternity. So please get ready, if you are not.
If you are ready – be steadfast and undistracted. Jesus said many false prophets and distractions would come in the last days. How easy it will be to believe anything other than the truth when you don’t know the truth. DO NOT BE DECEIVED!
2 Timothy 3:13 But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves.
1 Corinthians 6:
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,
10 Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.
Simply ask God to forgive anything you’ve ever done and to be the Lord & Savior of your life – then LISTEN & Fear not – he will lead you. Please forgive all wrongs DONE TO YOU so that you can be forgiven according to the Lord’s Prayer. Don’t forget to put on the Full Armor of God listed in Ephesians 6:11 and remember that prayer is what weaves the armor together for protection of all of the family of Saints (a saint is anyone who believe in Jesus). Very simple. Pray & Trust God.
posted January 15, 2010 at 12:33 pm
All I can say is that Pat Robertson is one sick puppy. I am embarrased for my Christian friends that this man has the gall to preach his twisted kind of Christianity to the world. G-d will deal with him in his own time. Shalom to all.
posted January 15, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Pat Robinson was not explaining why this particular event has occurred to the Haition people but more to the point why have these people suffered more than any others except maybe the Jews.
The daily scripture reading applies to this situation; G-D said “I will make a difference between MY people and Egypt – “
posted January 15, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Amazing, those who claim to know what God wants, and why certain things happen.
First, addressing the self-righteous dogmatic believers who insist that Haitians made a pact with the Devil because they have Voodoo as their ‘national religion’, look to yourselves you vipers. What sins are you perpetrating singularly and collectively that God has not punished you for. The first sin is that of ‘judging’ others and Asummarily calling voodoo a ‘devil’ religion while believing your religion is the one true revelation. There is more than ample evidence to show that you are just as wrong and delusional as those you are judging.
Just think, how many ‘Christians and innocent children died in this mess as well as many of different faiths. God really kills with a broad uncaring sword. Preposterous!!
Look to history first if you want to accuse the heathen.
When Columbus first came with his Christain shipmates to that area there were tribes of indians on those islands that your Christian believer’s summarily obliterated through murder, rape and slavery.
Then, those Christian adventurers Imported thousands of African slaves to use as the workers to completely empty the land of all the natural resources. That being done, they sailed off and left the filthy dead islands to the former slaves.
They have never recovered. Then over generations, while the Christian church continued to systematically collect vast sums of wealth from duping believer’s into guilt driven giving, through political gifts and intrigue..in order to build great monuments to their depraved version of Christ..they left this nation as well as others to live in the squalor and hopelessness of their situation.
Now, vile demon filled spiritual leaders like Pat Robertson, sit in their multi-million dollar luxurious lifestyles and DARE to make pronouncements against these poor people. SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!
Vile, ugly spirit which is not anything like God’s heart but the ravings of self-important licentious hypocrites!
And for the Armageddon hopefuls, Jesus ain’t coming back anytime soon! So get busy and help others!Just a note on this , do you really want to supplant Democracy with a theocracy?? After all it has taken to rid the world of this despotism?? Come on!!
posted January 15, 2010 at 3:38 pm
To GOD be the glory! Pray without ceasing my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus! Do not pass judgement lest you be judged! Intercessory prayer is needed right now for everyone in Haiti! And think how blessed we are because there was no tsunami in the US, Cuba or any neighboring land mass! Instead of entertaining the comments of Pat Robertson lets find ways to better help the people of Haiti rebuild!
posted January 15, 2010 at 3:58 pm
agree absolutely with Rabbi Hirschfield concerning Pat Robertson’s ugly little observation about the horror of the earthquake that just happened in Haiti and its impact on people there. What Robertson said has nothing to say about Haiti, but plenty about Robertson and his followers — all very, very bad. How could he? How could Robertson say something so hateful and stupid and untrue? How could anyone? I don’t think Robertson is crazy. I think he sold his soul to the great demons Covetousness, Pride, Power-Lust, and Avarice a long time ago, and they speak out of his willing mouth. And please quote me. There are situations concerning which nobody can say what God’s purpose was in their happening, or even if God caused it or intended anything by it. Chronic trauma inflicted on children by their caretakers is one such. So is the impact gigantic earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other great natural disasters have on people and other creatures who are injured, maimed, killed, or left bereft of loved ones by them. So are the fortunes of war as these impact innocent bystanders and helpless ones, so often dismissed as “collateral damage.” Our job in such events isn’t to judge the victims, it’s to help our neighbors who have been harmed by those events, and to help them bury their dead, rebuild their homes, and feed themselves and their children. Period.
posted January 15, 2010 at 6:38 pm
If one imagines some deity that is all knowing, all powerful, and all loving, then there is no adequate explanation for the existence of suffering and evil in the world–except, perhaps, the indifference and lack of compassion of such a deity for human beings. But that is not allowed in the god-games of religions. This, in spite of the written record of the deity’s past behaviors. The long history of slavery, racial exploitation, and the science of plate tectonics are adequate to explain the tragedy in Haiti today. Imagined deities are not helpful, only manipulative. Skip the theology and send money.
posted January 15, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Pat Robertson’s typically ghoulish comments do not strike me as evidence of him ‘wrestling’ to discern God’s role in this tragedy. As usual, he is trying to burnish what he thinks is his image of piety. He has the mind, depth of emotion and thought, and sincerity, of a crack addict with a concussion.
posted January 15, 2010 at 7:30 pm
As I understand Haitian history (based on really cursory reading), it wasn’t the devil the Haitians made a deal with, it was the French. Essentially they gave the French just about all their wealth and resources, and have never recovered from that. They might actually have been better off dealing with the devil.
posted January 15, 2010 at 9:07 pm
LET US PRAY FOR THEM AND REV. PAT ROBERTSON– NOT HATE BUT LOVE – SHALOM
posted January 15, 2010 at 9:29 pm
PLEASE don’t call Pat Robertson a ” theologian “. He’s nothing of the sort, just a divisive hatemonger who capitalizes on people’s suffering.
posted January 15, 2010 at 9:58 pm
I am amazed at the glib and cliché sayings like ‘Good choices bring good consequences blah blah..” trite sayings made for the bumper of your mini-van. Any examination of real life shows that to be more than frequently false.
I am so happy for Deborah and her 300 years of self-congratulating aristocratic arrogance. 300 years here in America..SO WHAT?? How arrogant and elitest. Meaningless..except to the other little inbred group of self-congratulatory slave owners and pious White Christian groups.
You’re right Deborah, you aren’t a theologian, and by the sound of it a rather smug self-righteous bigot.
Ya’ll have a nice day too ya’hear??
posted January 15, 2010 at 10:02 pm
I agree with you, it its not why, but rather where we can find God in times like this.
posted January 15, 2010 at 10:46 pm
It’s tragic that pastors such as Pat Robertson and others think they are speaking for G-d. Even Jesus said”suffer ye little children, come unto me.” “Judge ye not, lest you be judge. Pat Robertson’s rhetoric is inciting and dangerous! Ha Shem is compassionate and loving – not a tragic maker.
posted January 16, 2010 at 2:17 am
Remember that Jesus is a compassionate GOD and tat HE has already met each and every haitian that has passed in heaven individually!Jesus is the personnel GOD of King David & Moses.Christains are not judging the Haitians for that is ONLY up to GOD! Please pray for Haiti and do not dwell on preachers or politicians.Leave this for Jesus to judge on the day of Judgement.
posted January 16, 2010 at 4:14 am
In the Name of the Holy One of Yisrael i greet you all. i thought the the New Testiment teaches that satan cant cast out satan (Mark 3:23)? if that is the case according to Christain teachings then how could the people of Haiti make an agreement with satan to cast out the devils (French) who were oppressing and subjugating them? Pats comments over the years have consistantly reflected the hatred and racist bigetry of white supremacy.
Pat, like the French who were brutal racist slave drivers, is himself a devil. therefor the lust of his father he will do. he was a lier from the beginning and abidded not in truth (John 8:44). Let his own New Testiment bare witness against him, and may the Most High YaH bless the people of Haiti. Shalom
posted January 16, 2010 at 9:04 am
Just a thought. This awful tragedy has produced an outpouring of help from most, if not all nations of the world, regardless of political/religious/ect. beliefs. Maybe it shows that finally we really are all in this together. A mitzvot.
posted January 16, 2010 at 9:36 am
As is fitting this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend,
Rabbi Brad, being the mensch that he is, blogs about social and humanitarian issues.
Just as characteristically, his Judaism BELIEFNET colleague David Klinghoffer – who limits Judaism to ritual and thus for whom the Biblical social justice prophetic tradition is non-existent – is AWOL on this symbolic occasion.
Mr. Klinghoffer, who has long been angling for an appearance on Pat Robertson’s “700 Club,” does not believe in universal health care for Americans. So why should he be expected to support rescure efforts for “deal with the devil” Caribbean folk?
posted January 16, 2010 at 9:42 am
As is fitting this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend,
Rabbi Brad, being the mensch that he is, blogs about social and humanitarian issues.
Just as characteristically, his Judaism BELIEFNET colleague David Klinghoffer – who limits Judaism to ritual and thus for whom the Biblical social justice prophetic tradition is non-existent – is AWOL on this symbolic occasion.
Mr. Klinghoffer, who has long been angling for an appearance on Pat Robertson’s “700 Club,” does not believe in universal health care for Americans. So why should he be expected to support rescue efforts for “deal with the devil” Caribbean folk?
posted January 16, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Thanks Nasik Yisrael for your comment. I trust that God knows what he is doing if he is behind what happened or is it that we have made a decision to build on fault lines. I pray that God shows up and shows out for the people of Haiti.
posted January 22, 2010 at 11:50 am
All of the above post put Pat Robinson in his right place. As all of the souls who passed from this earth into the Kingdom of God where they will find everlasting peace and love with members of their families in what Jesus called a mansion prepared for our soul to join the chorus of angles as part of God’s plan for eternity. Those who were taken from this earth in death now live in the beauty of God’s home with all of its splendor and magnificence as they gain entrance to the “light” of the world. It is not a time for sorrow. It is a time to give thanks to a loveable God who has a plan for each of us; Those individuals from Haiti who are still living in deplorable conditios must continue to pray that they too may someday meet their family members in the Kingdom of God because they followed the will of God and accepted His plan for each of their lives.
posted January 26, 2010 at 11:36 pm
My apologies Rabbi, I first read your thoughts at the On Faith Haiti discussion and made a cheap crack about possible plagiarizing of the two rabbis’ earlier responses. It really is something that your answers are all so similar. What that something is, I’m not sure. Also, I’m pleased that you and Richard Dawkins both admit that Pat Robertson’s take is so much more direct and shows so much more integrity of belief than the average religious leader. He really is a role model of personal witness.
Are the moments less pressing now? Because I really do want to read your theological speculation on theodicy. If you could just list the best scriptural text or explanation of that problem you’ve ever read, you will have succeeded where all other believing respondents have failed.
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