Open Letter to Pat Robertson on the Haitian Earthquake

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Mr. Robertson,

Is it not a true temptation to comment on everything, especially when one has a platform and a listening audience?

It is human nature to attempt an explanation for everything, even when a reasoned, intelligent explanation is not readily available.

Mr. Robertson, you should publicly apologize for and retract your comments on the cause of the Haitian earthquake. Even if your assessment is correct --and it is not-- you are not showing the love and compassion of God by suggesting those who live in Haiti now are responsible for whatever "pacts with the devil" may have been made hundreds of years ago.

When Jesus saw the people of his earthly time and place in chaos and confusion, his response was compassion. From Matthew 9:35, 36: "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

No, Mr. Robertson, you are not Jesus. As you have publicly stated you are one of his followers, you should attempt to imitate his attitudes and behaviors.

Mr. Robertson, please apologize for your dishonesty. You do not believe the people of Haiti are enduring this catastrophe because of what you say happened in their history. If you believed this, you would not live --or even spend one night-- in the state of Virginia. Look at the historical horror associated with the place now known as Virginia, a place where the physical and cultural genocide of Native people began and a place where the horrors of African slavery took root in the New World. Surely you do not expect "something to happen" to the people who live in Virginia in 2010 because of the clear and open pact with evil that defined so much of the colonial and early national history of this country.

Finally, Mr. Robertson, apologize for speaking in yet another voice that makes the case that Christians are self-righteous, self-important, superiority driven hypocrites who have no care for others, no concern for those not a part of their group.

Break the pact with evil, kill pride, and admit: "I was wrong."

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