Unfortunately, it looks from my perspective that in the Robertson aftermath, it is the other Christians that have dealt the hardest blows. This was true for the Amy Grant/Sandi Patti(y) music crossover/divorce fiasco's, the PTL/Bakker/Hahn scandal of the 80's, and various ponzi schemes under the guise of tax writeoffs. Christians still need to find the balance between shooting the wounded and turning a blind eye away from situations that require a sensitive confrontation.
Sojourners is a moderate to left wing "alternative" voice for the evangelical community. It is led by the Rev. Jim Wallis, who has been trying to raise awareness that God is not a Democrat or a Republican, and I heartily agree with him on that point. His appearances on TV talk shows have a reasonable, gracious, and balanced tone to them, which contrasts with many of his editorials. Although I appreciate many things about his activities, I am concerned at his seemingly wholehearted support of the Palestinian cause at the expense of God's real estate transactions toward Israel, and his criticism of others who believe that abortion and altering the definition of marraige might outweigh concern for the poor. I am reluctantly realizing that liberals can perhaps be just as blind and biased as the rural conservatives I grew up with. Sometimes they appear even less civil, tolerant, and inclusive than the rural Republican, which is a damning statement that I don't write lightly. Below I am posting Rev. Wallis' editorial concerning Pat Robertson's poorly chosen remarks that finally put me over the edge.
I hate writing letters to the editor because you look like a bigot or moron if it is not done well. My response to his response has taken a 3 hour chunk from my evening because I refuse to sound whiny, emotional, and illogical in my arguments. Blast. It was worse this past year in school, when I forked out 6 hours for a response to a ridiculous article in the school paper. Soon after I found myself invited on staff with the paper, an appointment which resulted in perks such as free tickets for myself and 3 siblings to the incredible, perverse, and otherwise expensive Dali exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a $120 value!
Anyway, here's about 50% of what I promised, it's pretty long and want you to hang on for my response if you care. If you want the entire Sojourners editorial, find it at:
http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=sojomail.display&issue=050825
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Pat Robertson: An embarrassment to the church
by Jim Wallis
Pat Robertson is an embarrassment to the church and a danger to American politics...
On Monday, Robertson called for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. ...
It's clear Robertson must not have first asked himself "What would Jesus do?" But the teachings of Jesus have never been very popular with Robertson. He gets his religion elsewhere, from the twisted ideologies of an American brand of right-wing fundamentalism that has always been more nationalist than Christian.
...
Yesterday Robertson "apologized." First he denied saying what he had said, but it was on the videotape (it's tough when they record you breaking the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus). Then he said that "taking out" Chavez might not require killing him, and perhaps kidnapping a duly elected leader would do. But Robertson does now say that using the word "assassination" was wrong and that he had been frustrated by Chavez - the old "my frustration made me say that somebody should be killed" argument...
...
... To their credit, the World Evangelical Alliance and the National Association of Evangelicals have already denounced Robertson's words. When will we hear from some of the groups from the "Religious Right," such as the Family Research Council, Southern Baptists, and other leaders like James Dobson, Tony Perkins, and Chuck Colson?
...
It's time to name Robertson for what he is: an American fundamentalist whose theocratic views are not much different from the "Muslim extremists" he continually assails. It's time for conservative evangelical Christians in America, who are not like Islamic fundamentalists or Robertson, to distance themselves from his embarrassing and dangerous religion.
And it's time for Christian leaders of all stripes to call on Robertson not just to apologize, but to retire.
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Ouch! Is the Atonement sufficient to save the likes of Robertson???
MY RESPONSE submitted to boomerang@sojo.net
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The Roast of RobertsonOne of your readers [in the letters to the editor] recently acknowledged Pat Robertson's role in helping the poor through Operation Blessing. The Reader from Richmond offered a civil, balanced view of Mr. Robertson; Jim Wallis' editorial topped the backlash of articles, debunking Robertson's apologies and imploring an evangelical collaboration to oust him.
Robertson's actions had negative reactions nationally and globally. It was, is, and will be a mess. Who could imagine that in a week his organization would be working alongside many others to save Hurricane Katrina's refugees?
An organization espousing the teachings of Christ should address such comments with civil, level-headed rhetoric. Sojourners disapproves of Robertson's virulent remarks; perhaps Sojourners could set a better example. If Wallis asserts that Robertson's example is not Christlike, why not urge readers to pray for him, especially if he is considered an enemy? I encourage Sojourners to be "prophetic" - to redeem and reconcile such situations before defaulting to the Roast of Robertson.
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Wow. 3 hours for that.
