The Irresponsibility of Pat Robertson
Just when I thought all was well with the world we live in, I end up reading this absolutely bizarre news about Pat Robertson making some totally irresponsible remarks on Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela.
I wish I could find the right words to express my annoyance with Robertson but I cannot. He must have crossed all lines of decency when he used the kind of language one would usually associate with terrorists like Osama and his merry men. If he was any other person it wouldn't have bothered me so much but the trouble is, the man happens to be a church 'leader'. There are certain expectations we have from people in ministry and remarks like the one he made is certainly not one of them.
Well, if Robertson doesn't like Chavez and his politics, that's fine with me. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and that's the democratic way. However, if one believes that certain politics are ungodly and contrary to the scriptures, then, there are some definite Christian ways in which we can respond. Prayer and fasting and 'loving the enemy' are some of the ways in which Christ expects us to act.
But Robertson believes that Chavez must be assassinated and that, to me, sounds like a very ungodly response. It's the kind of irresponsible statement that has potential of demeaning the gospel message and turning Christianity into a laughing stock. If a church leader finds sense in this kind of killer-argument, then, how on earth are we different from people like Osama? Hasn't Robertson stooped to the same insane ideology that is creating havoc in this world?
According to the news report, apparently, this is not the first time that Robertson has spoken out of turn. To quote the report, "In October 2003, he suggested that the State Department be blown up with a nuclear device. He has also said that feminism encourages women to "kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."
I hope good sense prevails and Robertson apologises for talking like this and decides to weigh his words carefully next time. Until then, we must continue to pray that church 'leaders' would constantly endeavour to season their statements with love, grace and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
I wish I could find the right words to express my annoyance with Robertson but I cannot. He must have crossed all lines of decency when he used the kind of language one would usually associate with terrorists like Osama and his merry men. If he was any other person it wouldn't have bothered me so much but the trouble is, the man happens to be a church 'leader'. There are certain expectations we have from people in ministry and remarks like the one he made is certainly not one of them.
Well, if Robertson doesn't like Chavez and his politics, that's fine with me. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and that's the democratic way. However, if one believes that certain politics are ungodly and contrary to the scriptures, then, there are some definite Christian ways in which we can respond. Prayer and fasting and 'loving the enemy' are some of the ways in which Christ expects us to act.
But Robertson believes that Chavez must be assassinated and that, to me, sounds like a very ungodly response. It's the kind of irresponsible statement that has potential of demeaning the gospel message and turning Christianity into a laughing stock. If a church leader finds sense in this kind of killer-argument, then, how on earth are we different from people like Osama? Hasn't Robertson stooped to the same insane ideology that is creating havoc in this world?
According to the news report, apparently, this is not the first time that Robertson has spoken out of turn. To quote the report, "In October 2003, he suggested that the State Department be blown up with a nuclear device. He has also said that feminism encourages women to "kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."
I hope good sense prevails and Robertson apologises for talking like this and decides to weigh his words carefully next time. Until then, we must continue to pray that church 'leaders' would constantly endeavour to season their statements with love, grace and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
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