Anyway, when I heard this clip, I heard the guy saying (a) he feels for the Haitians (b) we should help the Haitians (c) it’s not their fault (d) the poverty that caused them to be unable to deal with the quake is the result of the sins of their fathers, not any current Haitian, and (e) he hopes this event will cause them to repent of the sins of their ancestors. I heard not one word which blamed the quake on their selling the country to the devil. If that’s even possible, which again, is another debate entirely.

That’s not anywhere near what is being portrayed in blogs, posts, Jon Stewart rants, etc. But Pat says enough boneheaded stuff as it is. We don’t need to make things up about the guy.

When I listen to this clip I hear Pat saying that both poverty and the quake were caused by the curse. The notion that poverty caused the quake is unintelligible, isn’t it?

Of course, all his points are debatable, but I see several people here who have made points based on the idea that Pat R said that the quake itself is a curse or punishment from God, and he never said any such thing.

I think it’s a pretty important distinction.

And for the record, I am in no way defending his remarks, even as it is my observation that they are being misunderstood big time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5TE99sAbwM&feature=player_embedded

This link shows Pat making a case that since the quake was caused by a curse.

I am not trying to say that the earthquake was judgement and that it wouldn’t have happened with more “Christians” there, but should we completely ignore that possibility? Shouldn’t we pray for those who remain to turn to God and seek his mercy, perhaps even if it is from selfishly wanting freedom from some of their pain. Religion IS a crutch, but those without it aren’t strong like they assume, they are ignorant of the strength that they haven’t found, and those of us with it aren’t strong like some may claim, we are being held up. I love that about faith.
God does do things we don’t understand, but then again why should we understand it all. Everyone wants to know so much but God has called out in the past to TRUST HIM. We tend to respond to terrible things like Job’s friends at times, we think we’ve figured out how the man upstairs works, in reality, he’s not a man.
Does everyone agree that our first reaction to tragedy should be mercy, compassion and love?
When Houston TX experienced severe flooding a few years ago Pastor Osteen opened his mega church to be a shelter, welcoming all sorts of dirt and rif-raf into their new sanctuary, not without a good deal of expense and repairs needed later. Operation Blessing has been helping the poor consistently for decades, consistently offering mercy, compassion and help to the needy. We are alike you know, us who wouldn’t say what Robertson said, maybe because we’re not so sure that it’s true, and those who actually send him their money.
Okay those were my thoughts, I’m done now.