Pat Robertson and Feminism

This was just too funny to pass up.

Mr. Robertson has quite a reputation for saying the most absurd things. Just imagine that Wikipedia has an entire article devoted to his outspoken opinions. (see: Pat Robertson controversies)

While it is easy to dismiss this gentleman as a crackpot, one has to remember the viewership of Robertson's television programs, especially The 700 Club of which he is one of the hosts. According to Wikipedia, CBN Broadcasts currently reach over 100 nations in dozens of languages, and are viewed by more than 360 million people each year. It's not so much that Pat likes to utter crazy s**t, it's that there is a significant audience who are listening to this crazy s**t and judging from the number of votes for the Tea Party and the far right in general, there is a significant number of believers just as loony as Mr. Tunes himself.

Sorry, if I seem a tad deprecating, it's just that Bible-thumping holier than thou judge, jury, and executioners get me riled up. I have seen clips of Robertson spouting off about this, that, and the other thing and his female co-host Terry Meeuwsen smiles tightly as if she is suppressing the urge to lean over and beat the man senseless with her copy of the gospel. Well, that's my interpretation. Ms. Meeuwsen could merely be deferring to the superior man as any good Christian woman should dutifully do.

Wikiquote: Pat Robertson

"The feminist agenda is not about equal rights for women. It is about a socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." —1992 Iowa fundraising letter opposing a state equal-rights amendment ("Equal Rights Initiative in Iowa Attacked", Washington Post, 23 August 1992); it is sometimes claimed that this statement appeared in Robertson's 1992 GOP convention speech, but this is not the case.

[Planned Parenthood] "is teaching kids to fornicate, teaching people to have adultery, every kind of bestiality, homosexuality, lesbianism – everything that the Bible condemns." (The 700 Club, variously dated as 9 Apr. 1991 or 14 Jan. 1991).

Presbyterians are the spirit of the Antichrist. -The Best Democracy Money Can Buy, p. 239

"You say you're supposed to be nice to the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians and the Methodists and this, that, and the other thing. Nonsense, I don't have to be nice to the spirit of the Antichrist." — Pat Robertson, The 700 Club, January 14, 1991

Final Word
I find Robertson's use of the word "Antichrist" to be a telling one. By labeling anybody, any group as the Antichrist, you essentially give yourself carte blanche to fight them in any manner possible. You are not killing people; you are killing the Antichrist and isn't clearing the way for the Lord's return justification to do anything?

Yes, I can laugh at Robertson every time he opens his mouth. However, I do need to give pause and think about the people who are listening to him. Now I'm no longer laughing.


References

Wikipedia: Pat Robertson
Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson (born March 22, 1930) is an American media mogul, executive chairman, and a former Southern Baptist minister, who generally supports conservative Christian ideals. He presently serves as Chancellor of Regent University and Chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network.

Wikipedia: The 700 Club
The 700 Club is the flagship television program of the Christian Broadcasting Network, airing in syndication throughout the United States and available worldwide on CBN.com. Airing each weekday, the news magazine program features live guests, daily news, contemporary music, testimonies, and Christian ministry.

In production since 1966, it is one of the longest-running television programs in broadcast history. It is currently hosted by Pat Robertson, Gordon P. Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen and Wendy Griffith. Since 2010, health reasons have prevented Pat Robertson from hosting on a regular basis. As of 2013, he only hosts when able (4 times a week); Gordon P. Robertson is a regular host.

Wikipedia: Christian Broadcasting Network
The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) is a Christian television network in the United States founded by televangelist Pat Robertson [in 1961]. Its headquarters and main studios are in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Wikipedia: Pat Robertson controversies
The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) is a Christian television network in the United States founded by televangelist Pat Robertson [in 1961]. Its headquarters and main studios are in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Straight Dope: Why is the "700 Club" called that?
[The Christian Broadcasting Network] was founded in January of 1960 and broadcast its first program October 1, 1961. The network refused commercial advertisements, so by the fall of 1963, CBN conducted its first telethon to raise funds to keep the station alive. Pat Robertson, CBN's founder, told his viewers that a "club" of 700 contributors, each giving $10 a month, would allow CBN to meet its expenses.

2014-04-16

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