The Virginian-Pilot
©
Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson doesn't hold grudges, really loves people and is "much more moderate" than most people realize.
Who says so? Robertson does, in a CBN International video interview posted online this month at CBN.com.
"I've had terrible things said about me and many of them unfair, but they don't understand me," Robertson tells his audience. CBN International is part of Robertson's Virginia Beach-based Christian Broadcasting Network.
Much of the video rehashes Robertson's biography, including his launch of CBN in 1960 and Operation Blessing International, a humanitarian non profit, in 1978.
But Robertson, 79, also seems to be trying to set the record straight, as if he were crafting his legacy and public image, said Laura Olson, a political science scholar at Clemson University.
"I think he might also be trying to hedge against the media and historians remembering him as either an extremist or an 'old-school' Christian Right leader," Olson said.
In the 18-minute video interview, Robertson admits feeling stung by criticism, at least earlier in his career.
"Initially, I used to be terribly upset," he says. "In those days, it was very painful."
Robertson founded the Christian Coalition in 1989, and his name is synonymous with politically active religious conservatives. He often derides liberals during his commentaries on "The 700 Club," CBN's premier show.
In contrast, in the interview, Robertson says, "I'm much more moderate in my views than most people realize. And I'm also much more loving."
Robertson was scrutinized by the media in the 1990s for his for-profit diamond-prospecting venture in Zaire and gold-mining exploration in Liberia. Both countries were ruled by dictators.
"If your desire is to help the people of the country, it's necessary to work with the existing government," Robertson says in the video. He says his ventures helped local people by providing jobs, clinics and roads.
"But the press doesn't report that," he says. "They only report on the fact that I had a little muddy strip of water full up with cobras where we were trying to scrape up a few diamonds and I was in association with a pastor down there, and we didn't get anything except trouble."
In 2003, Robertson publicly defended Liberian dictator Charles Taylor, calling him a "Christian Baptist president." Taylor, who currently is facing charges of crimes against humanity, was being pressured by the United States to step down.
At the time, the Washington Post reported Robertson had a mining agreement with Taylor's government.
In the interview, Robertson says he had no business dealings with Taylor and that they'd never met.
Chris Roslan, a CBN spokesman, said the interview originally was shot for African audiences and broadcast in January. It was added to CBN.com as part of a new video library on the CBN TV site.
In an e-mail, Roslan said Robertson's record as religious leader, humanitarian, businessman, founder of a university and global organizations, was known worldwide.
"There is no 'crafting' needed," Roslan said.
But Robertson probably is retooling his image for the ages, said D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist.
"As with every public person, they want to craft a legacy that does full justice to their entire life, not just the sound bites," said Lindsay, who spoke with Robertson while writing "Faith in the Halls of Power," a study of evangelicals.
Lindsay said Robertson was concerned about being seen as parochial or having a limited constituency.
"I do think he probably is more loving than a lot of people think, when you're talking about up close," Lindsay added.
Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com
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Pat Robertson--A Good Man
Is Pat Robertson a perfect man? Certainly not. But, then again, neither are his critics. Of course, in the end, only kindess matters, and what distinguishes Pat from many of said critics is his vast reservoir of love for his fellow man. Indeed, while Pat has actually made a difference--a significant difference--in the lives of countless thousands of poor, sick and disfigured people all around the world through his various outreach ministries like Operation Blessing and Flying Hospital, his critics have spent much of their lives on their rear ends, in the back benches of the peanut gallery, hurling wild insults at Christians and at religion, in general.
Don't think so
This is a 'Christian' leader that has backed some of the worst murdering strongmen of Africa so he could get to mineral riches. He used mercy mission planes to haul mining equipment and tried to avoid paying taxes on them. He has repeatedly made outrageous statements that go completely against Jesus' teachings. Now he's trying to change his image - in other words LIE about his past - to make himself look better. That is the kind of Christian we need fewer of. But Pat shouldn't worry too much: it will all get straightened out when he meets his Maker. Or maybe he DOES have much to be concerned about . . .
Huh?
Listening to NPR much? Reading Kos, daily? Do you have George Noory's cell # on speed dial? Well, I'll give you an "A" for creativity, but you might want to channel some of that rage, hatred and angst into something charitable, loving and productive.
Reality check, Babs
Many of Robertson's biggest critics have been committed Christians and charitable organizations that, rather than sit on their rear ends in the back benches of the peanut gallery as you say, have served Christ in the world quietly and humbly and not used their organizations as a means of achieving power and wealth like your hero Pat.
Heh.
Pat Robertson was born wealthy; he didn't need to "achieve" it, as you say. But since I'm sure you're one of those anti-capitalist zealots who, with righteous indignation, deride all men/women of means as "greedy", you'll no doubt hate him even more now that you know from whence came his silver spoon. And as to these supposed "Christ-like" critics, they also just happen to be largely pro-choice, progressive and of northeastern bent.
*gasp*
Not righteous souls from the northeast!! Great Cardinal O'Malley in Boston how could it be called Heaven if souls from the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon line were allowed entry while you were kept out for judging others?!
Really?
As a Christian, pro-life, political moderate who supported John McCain (at least until he met Sarah) from the rural midwest I resemble that remark. There's nothing immoral about wealth. Look at all the good Bill Gates has done with his fortune. But it's what Gandhi calls "capitalism without conscience." Robertson made much of his fortune selling Christianity as a product to the gullible and from the lives of innocent Africans in the pursuit of "blood diamonds." And I think it's arrogant to assume that all Christians are southern Republicans.
yeah, right....
Let's see, in one fell swoop you dissed Sarah Palin (how fashionable of you), dissed John McCain by way of dissing Sarah Palin (neat trick), praised secular progressive do-gooder Bill Gates, quoted Gandhi, cast aspersions on capitalism, referred to Pat's Christian followers as "gullible," and painted a vivid picture of the 3rd world falling victim to American greed.
And you're a critic of Pat Robertson? Oh, really?
So peace making and anonymous acts of charity are bad?
But praising someone who lays up for themselves treasures upon earth are good?
Sounds like someone was on the wrong Mount listening to a speech by the wrong guy.
Oh, sure. Right.
I realize that you will never be convinced of the fact that an ivy league educated man who was born into great wealth could ever a) make an honest living for himself, or b) make said living separate and apart from his ministries. And judging from the serious allegations being hurled his way from you and your lot, I do wonder why the man's not in jail? Or under the jail? Might you enlighten me how Dr. Robertson has evaded criminal prosecution through at least three progressive American administrations? Hmmm?
And as for which Mount and which Guy (giving the sermon), I would suppose for you that would be Mount White House and The One.