The SBC Gets Serious About Political Violence (and Gets Political Violence on Sirius)
In December 2005, Sirius Satellite Radio teamed up with the SBC's national broadcasting arm, FamilyNet, to bring Christian Talk exclusively on Sirius channel 159, which will carry the 700 Club with Pat Robertson six days a week. So the SBC takes Robertson seriously enough to call him down for advocating political violence, but not seriously enough to yank his Sirius leash. No, they're letting his daily broadcast roam free across the planet, as uncensored as Howard Stern. But which shock jock's message is truly dangerous? While Stern styles himself "King of All Media" and tells fart jokes, Robertson styles himself as a prophet and repeatedly calls for God to strike his political enemies. Apparently, Robertson's list of enemies includes the good citizens of Dover, Delware, and Orlando, Florida, upon whom Robertson has invited God's wrath for, respectively, insisting that science be taught in public school science classes, and celebrating Gay Pride. And who's the real media king? Robertson founded a broadcast media empire, an international network of nonprofits and business ventures (Liberian gold or blood diamonds, anyone?), a university, a law school, and a national law firm devoted to overturning the separation of church and state. Robertson cedes nothing to Stern when it comes to on-air controversy. Robertson called in a 700 Club broadcast in August 2005 for American special forces to kill Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. But that's nothing new -- Robertson has long advocated political violence. For example, he previously used his 700 Club broadcast in August 1999 to call for lifting the executive order which bans the use of assassination as an instrument of US government policy. At the same time, he called for the assassinations of North Korea's Kim Jong-il, Iraq's Saddam Hussein, and Serbia's Slobodan Miloevic. What's new is that the SBC excoriated Robertson for such bloodthirsty remarks -- and then handed him an even bigger megaphone. Listen to SBC leaders condemning Robertson's call for the assassination of Chávez. Here's SBC President Bobby Welch: "The Southern Baptist Convention does not support or endorse public statements concerning assassinations of persons, even if they are despicable despots of foreign countries, and neither do I," stated Welch in a Baptist Press story. "Everyone is aware that the United Stares has a military and government agencies to deal with our foreign threats in a forceful combative way. The Christian's responsibility is to pray for our leaders as well as the extremists around the world. Jesus Christ can save these people and change their lives."Here's Southern Baptist Seminary Dean Al Mohler: "With unmistakable clarity and an apparent lack of self-consciousness, Robertson simply called for an assassination, presumably to be undertaken by U.S. military forces in violation of U.S. law. Right on, brothers! But does the SBC really mean it, or is it just praying one thing and doing another? To find the answer, look no further than the daily program guide for Sirius's Christian Talk, which carries the 700 Club on SBC's channel 159 on Monday through Saturday. And if you're still looking for answers, then try this quiz. 1. On Thursday, January 5, 2006, which theocratic leader told a national television audience that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was a punishment from God? (A) Pat Robertson (B) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) Both of the above
2. After claiming that Sharon's stroke was divine retribution, Robertson did which of the following?
(A) Explained that he was quoting from the Old Testament Book of Joel 3. Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, has chastised Robertson, a fellow Southern Baptist, by making which of the following statements?
(A) Robertson is "way out on his own, in a leaking life raft." 4. Which of the following Protestant denominations has Robertson compared with "the spirit of the Antichrist"?
(A) Episcopalians 5. During the 700 Club broadcast on Thursday, September 13, 2001, Jerry Falwell blamed the terrorist attacks two days before on which of the following?
(A) The ACLU 6. In response to Falwell's finger-pointing about September 11, Robertson did which of the following?
(A) He immediately replied, "I totally concur." 7. In August 2005, Robertson stated on the 700 Club that Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez should be "assassinated" for what reason?
(A) Because Chávez already "thinks we're trying to assassinate him." 8. Following an international media frenzy over Robertson's nationally broadcast call for "American special forces" to "take out" Chávez, Robertson did which of the following?
(A) Falsely claimed that he never used the word "assassinate." 9. Heritage Foundation Fellow Joe Loconte has written in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that evangelical leaders should do what to Robertson?
(A) They should "marginalize Robertson and his media empire -- publicly and decisively." Gentle Reader, you undoubtedly do not need to be told that for each of the above questions, the ANSWER is "Both or all of the above." BONUS: On Thursday, January 12, 2006, Robertson sent a public apology to Sharon's son. For 50 extra points, and a chance to do a Church Lady Superior Dance, come up with a sensible theory -- other than mental illness -- on why Robertson issues so many calls for divine retribution (or denials, clarifications, or belated apologies for same) on Thursdays.
The SBC Gets Serious About Political Violence (and Gets Political Violence on Sirius) | 173 comments (173 topical, 0 hidden)
The SBC Gets Serious About Political Violence (and Gets Political Violence on Sirius) | 173 comments (173 topical, 0 hidden)
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