credit: Marvin Ady, via TwitPic
Like many, we are following the tragic developing story in earthquake ravaged Haiti closely.
In this time of sadness and desperate need, there are some some bright stories to be found.
Most notable is the incredible outpouring of support coming from compassionate people around the world to help those suffering in Haiti.
Everyday people like us are trying to make a difference in all sorts of ways, including donating over $10 million via text messages! Possible even more exciting? France is pushing to help Haiti quickly cancel their $78 billion in debt, and have already canceled over $6 billion since the tragedy struck.
Super cool, right? Nations are working together to send Haiti as much help as possible.
Pat Robertson plays the devil
But not all is good. (In)Famous evangelical preacher Pat Robertson doesn’t seem to be helping things much.
This is especially frustrating to hear, as Robertson’s remarks could encourage people not to donate to a situation that is desperately in need right now.
Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh decided to use the vast human tragedy in Haiti to score cheap political points:
“We’ve already donated to Haiti, it’s called the U.S. income tax.”
And he took this cynical swipe at the Obama administration
“Everything this president sees is a political opportunity, including Haiti, and he will use it to burnish his credentials with minorities in this country and around the world, and to accuse Republicans of having no compassion.”
Many thought Limbaugh reached a new low with these comments. We at Usdemocrazy disagree.
We fully expect him and others in the mudslinging world of politics to reach lower depths as the 2010 mid term elections near in November.
I’m not surprised by the political comments by Limbaugh because everything about politics seems to be “when can we make the opposition look bad”. But I’m shocked and appalled by Robertson’s comments…I always disliked Pat Robertson and the 700Club but at that point, I wanted to just renounce my Christianity. I hate when people like that make all Christians look bad ’cause people like that are usually the most outspoken ones, unfortunately. I can’t see how someone of sound mind would think that now is a good time to discuss who has what religious label and how that would make a difference at all. The Bible says to “love thy neighbor”, not “love only your Christian neighbors”. Jesus taught us to love and help unconditionally and not judge each other, for that’s God’s job.
I wish I could start a petition to get the 700Club and Pat Robertson taken off air permanently.
yes I agree with you, also in addition to your comment,
I think Pat Robertson’s remark is not helpful to those Americans who are in Haiti now, and ofcourse the earthquake is a sign of God’s punishment, but as good samaritans, we should ask forgiveness from our past sins and to understand that this so called life is a gift, we should take care of it, and help the people of Haiti, so it does not matter at all what he is saying, because people of the States have their own problems to worry about anyway.
I think Rush Limbaugh secretly works for the Democrats. Because, really, all Rush does when he opens is mouth is make the Right look bad. It’s like Rush Limbaugh wakes up every morning, looks in the mirror, and joyfully says, “well… who can I piss off today? Oh, I know…” and then he reaches for his special medicine.
This is absurd. Christians like Pat Robertson make my sick. It disgusts me. I am proud to call myelf a Christ Follower, but I am ashamed to hear and read about things like this. As Christians…( even more or less as people regardless of religion)….we should be reaching out to help these people in a terrible time of need. Regardless of political/ religious drama these people have been hit with a terrible natural disaster. They need help…they should be helped. It is not our place to judge who is being punished by God for the sins that they have done. This is terrible. Outrages like this are what skew the perception of Christians everywhere. This is why many people will associate Christians with hypocrisy, ignorance, hate and judgement. It is a slap in the face. In a way I am venting, but also i think that what i have to say needs to be heard…or read. As a Christians, we have no place to judge those for their own sins, but to love them in spite of what they have done. This is the way that Jesus loved the world and he is who Christians are meant to strive to be like. I also would like to point out that the first Christians were called Christians because they were trying to live as their Christ lived. They were “Christ-like” or “little Christ’s”. It frustrates me to no end to read about things like what Pat Robertson had said about these people in need. The one that he calls his Savior was the same man who showed love to those who were shunned by the public, befriended those who were the most hated. He cared about, and loved them because that is what they deserved. So, for Christians to stand around and proclaim their faith thru hatred and unkindness is absurd and morally wrong…but then again whose morals are we trying to up hold anyways?
Thanks you guys for adding your perspective, I’m glad this post didn’t come off anti-Christianity because I didn’t mean for it to at all. It’s just so frustrating that, at the time when we need to pull together the most, people are always there to split us up and break us down. But Haiti is getting tons of help, and the loss of so many people will be devastating but hopefully we can make SOME good out of the situation by helping as much as possible.
What I didn’t add to this post and should’ve – http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_FrontPagePanel
of course, a link to donate. Thanks you guys for your wonderful comments.