Pat Robertson, an iconic figure in conservative US Christianity, has died at the age of 93. He was a former Marine, and he unsuccessfully tried running for president in 1988. Despite his religious and political conservatism, he was an environmentalist, and he also advocated for the legalization of marijuana because he thought it ridiculous that young men would be sent to prison to become hardened criminals simply because they'd been in possession of a little weed. Robertson founded countless charitable organizations, and his net worth at death was around $100 million. I personally find it hard to see past the "conservative Christian" label (such Christians are not my favorite people), but whether Robertson is now sitting in glory or roasting on a spit is up to whatever Almighty Judge there might be.
I recall not liking him, but that was back in the days before I took off my liberal blinders. Still, a so-called "man of God" having 100 million dollars that could have been used to help those in need seems inconsistent with Christian beliefs.
ReplyDeleteThe commenters at Instapundit are almost universally negative about him. I was surprised: I thought there'd be more conservative-Christian defenders of his legacy.
ReplyDeleteDude espoused some pretty horrible ideas, like saying that Haiti was destroyed by earthquakes because its people had made a pact with the devil. I never could figure out how a man who claimed to love God so much could hate so many of His children.
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten about that Haiti thing, but yes.
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