Pat's Perplexing Points Puts him in a Pickle

Recent comments made by Pat Robertson have caused a tremendous furor. The founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and media-described “televangelist” said on his 700 Club program that the United States should take advantage of any opportunity to asassinate Venezuela President Hugo Chavez. Robertson’s remarks have been met with a flood of outrage from conservatives and liberals alike, and a distancing by some religious leaders.

In case you are unfamiliar with Hugo Chavez, he is the “elected” leader of Venezuela, and as Robertson describes would become "a launching pad for communist infiltration and Muslim extremism."

Robertson is right of course. Chavez is a despot that has spewed anti-American venom for a long time and Pat Robertson only voiced something that many of us have thought on many occasions. Let’s face it, how many voices in media made the comment that instead of going to war with Saddam Hussein, we should just send in a spec-op team and “take him out”. As a matter of fact, I said that on several occasions and many national talk radio figures said the same.

Isn’t it strange that when Rush or Sean or Mike to says it is a rallying cry, but the second a Christian leader says it, it becomes deplorable and despicable, no matter what the context of the remarks are. I have experienced this same result in my own small way. Anyone else can say something like “Drinking and driving can kill” and it will either be practically ignored or taken as a remark from a concerned citizen. If I said the same thing, a thousand different interpretations come forth from a thousand different peoples. I would called intolerant, prudish, a fanatic and a party-pooper, and that’s just from the Christians.

I agree that the fact of sending an ops-team to Venezuela and whacking a government leader is not the right thing to do, and after thinking about it, I am sure that Pat Robertson wishes he had held back or stated his comment differently. But why is there is double standard when it comes to the speech of Christian public figures as opposed to others? What Robertson said was wrong and he should be focusing on the gospel instead of rubbing out someone. Even though he should have the right to say what he did, he should have been more responsible with his wording. He should also be willing to stand by what he said even after rethinking his intent.

With that said, we all must watch our words, and Pat should retract his comments or at least rethink his position, and repent if needed. We need men like Pat Robertson.