My heart has been moved by the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti, as I'm sure many of you have been moved. It is good to see the worldwide movement to send humanitarian aid to Haiti in light of their disaster. It is also good to see the Christian groups that are sending aid and supplies, like Samaritan's Purse and World Vision. What disturbs me, though, are Christians like Pat Robertson, who say the stupidest things and again put Christian's in a bad light. I was flabbergasted by Robertson's comments about Haiti. He said that in 1791, while under the oppression of the French, there was a famous slave rebellion where the Haitians swore a pact with the devil. They allegedly swore to serve the devil if they were rescued from French oppression. He insinuated that this earthquake was God's judgment for that pact by saying that ever since that time the country of Haiti has been cursed. While it is a fact that Haiti has struggled with poverty and have endured many hardships, including this devastating earthquake, their struggles are not related to a legend of a pact with the devil. They endure these hardships, like everyone on this planet, because we live in a fallen world. God's design for this world was not to be pain, death, suffering, or sadness. God designed us to have communion with Him, all the time. To live forever. To live in his presence and enjoy our life. But, Adam and Eve turned from God, disobeyed his commands, and sinned. As a direct result of that sin, we all suffer. We all die. We all endure sadness. We all struggle to find our way in this world. It didn't have to be that way, but it is because our earliest ancestors sinned and turned away from God in a deliberate act. However, that is not the end of the story. Jesus came, died for our sins, and bridged the gap between us and God. We can now rest assured that if we accept Jesus, abide in Him, and serve Him...our sins are forgiven and we will once again have eternal communion with God. No, Pat, this has nothing to do with an alleged pact with the devil. This has everything to do with the state of the world because of what we humans have ruined. What makes me sad is that atheists and non-believers will look at Pat Robertson and his comments and will continue to find reasons not to come to Christianity. I don't blame them. If Robertson is an example of what it means to be a Christian, I wouldn't want to be one either. Atheists, please know that Pat Robertson does not represent Christians. He used very poor judgment in making this statement. My prayer is that Haiti can forgive him and by extension all Christians.
4 comments:
Considering that over 80% of Haitians are Catholic, and that hymns were sung in the streets after the earthquake, I'd say that Pat Robertson's comments fall into a whole new category of ignorant. Thanks for pointing that out, though, you're right that he gives the Christian community a black eye.
I agree with you wholeheartedly! I pray for the people of Haiti, and it breaks my heart that so many are suffering. Like you said, not due to a "contract" but because we live in a fallen world. Well said, My Love! Well said!
I've heard Pat say some pretty weird things over the years, but this one is going to haunt him for the rest of his life. There are so many missionaries over there reaching people with the gospel of Christ. They suffered from the earthquake too, but they didn't make any satanic pacts. God will deal with Pat either now or when they meet in heaven, but in the meantime, I will pray for God's word to abound despite the mistakes we all make as Christians. Pat's mistakes are really visible though thanks to worldwide television signals.
On a side note: my word verification today is eMORKsud. LOL
I don't pay that much attention to these people so correct me if I am wrong but isn't Pat Robertson the boob from the 700 club? If it is the same person then like I said he is a boob (I am using my Christian vocabulary). He has said a few things over the last few years that makes me wonder if he has lost some of his marbles.
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