Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
Haitian Minister Disputes Robertson's Comments on Haiti
Share:
by Rhonda J Mangus | January 13, 2010 at 06:03 pm
2219 views | 46 Recommendations | 44 comments
Videos
Pat Robertson Blames Haiti's "Pact To The Devil" For Earthquake
sourced by Rhonda J Mangus
Photos
Christian Church Minister Disputes Robertson's Comments on Haiti
uploaded by Rhonda J Mangus
A Christian minister and assistant pastor for a Haitian-American church in the United States, Jean Gelin, Ph.D., disputes comments recently made by the 700 Club's Reverend Pat Robertson on Haiti as "nothing more than a fantasist opinion that ultimately dissipates upon close examination."
Robertson offers a somewhat outlandish explanation for Haiti's ongoing suffering and recent 7.0 Earthquake on his CBN broadcast yesterday. According to Robertson:
"Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it," he said. "They were under the heel of the French ... and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French.'
"True story. And the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal,'" Robertson said. "Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after another."
Dr. Jean Gelin, in a three-part series entitled, God, Satan, and the Birth of Haiti, explains:
Obviously, the idea that Haiti was dedicated to Satan prior to its independence is a very serious and profound statement with potentially grave consequences for its people in terms of how they are perceived by others or how the whole nation is understood outside its borders. One would agree that such a strong affirmation should be based on solid historical and scriptural ground. But, although the satanic pact idea is by far the most popular explanation for Haiti’s birth as a free nation, especially among Christian missionaries and some Haitian Church leaders, it is nothing more than a fantasist opinion that ultimately dissipates upon close examination.
Continue reading God, Satan, and the Birth of Haiti, Part One, and God, Satan, and the Birth of Haiti Part Two and Part Three.
Robertson's words, which refer to a piece of the Haitian Folklore, in this video.
Additional NowPublic Special News Coverage on Haiti's 2010 Earthquake
Advertisement
NowPublic on Facebook
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Most Recommended Comment
Crowd Power
Rhonda J Mangus
North Tonawanda, New York, United States
Most Recommended Stories in World
Recommendations (46)
Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Redwater, Alberta, Canada
snuffysmith
Washington D.C., D.C., United States
everchanging
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Uwe Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan
stejeb
United Kingdom
Rory Cripps
New Port Richey, Florida, United States
Susan Marie Kovalinsky
Ledgewood, New Jersey, United States
YankeeJim
Arlington, Virginia, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (44)
at 19:57 on January 13th, 2010
I know it is ludicrus what he said, however it is not the first time I am hearing it. When I was in Haiti in 1987 I hear this tale from natives there and dismised it as nothing more then some superstition.
The problem with superstitions and the way they can work on the human mind is that they becaume a reality becose people start believe it and make it happen.
Haiti has a strong wodoo culture, stronger then I have seen any where in Africa and this can have a profund inpact on the peoples mind.
Of course it can not be true, but in order to change this one has to change the thinking, from superstition to logic.
Never the less this revereds is clearly a racist and uses this retoric for his own agenda by tasking it out of context.
at 20:40 on January 13th, 2010
Your points are well-taken, Paschen. Thank you for reading, commenting, and for the recommendation.
at 04:46 on January 14th, 2010
Jon Azpiri fund a good link and put it up in another post "Pat Robertson On Haiti: Earthquake Punishment For Pact With Devil
by Yuliya Talmazan " ""Toussaint L'Ouverture."" Haiti has a long and complex history and is living a disaster for some time now, this earthquake is the last thing they need.
France came to own the whole island in 1795, when by the Peace of Basel Spain ceded Santo Domingo as a consequence of theFrench Revolutionary Wars. At the time, Saint–Domingue's slaves, led by Toussaint Louverture, were in revolt against France. In 1801 they captured Santo Domingo, thus controlling the entire island; but in 1802 an army sent by Napoleon captured Toussaint Louverture and sent him to France as prisoner. However, Toussaint Louverture's lieutenants, and yellow fever, succeeded in expelling the French again from Saint-Domingue, which in 1804 the rebels made independent as the Republic of Haiti. Eastwards, France continued to rule Spanish Santo Domingo.
Today Haiti's nabber the Dominican Republic is sending aid to Haiti even though they too where victim of this Earthquake, they are by far not as helpless has Haiti is and the Dominican Republic is much better prepared for Earthquakes and has a better building code and infrastructure, that is adapted to this areas tectonic activities.
The death tool in Haiti could have been avoided.
at 23:11 on January 15th, 2010
Thank you for providing the additional information, Paschen. Haiti has a very interesting history, as Dr.Gelin also points out in his three part series: God, Satan, and the Birth of Haiti. I do hope everyone took time to read it.
at 20:40 on January 16th, 2010
Paschen: It is very unfortunate that Pat Robertson spent even a minute discussing this issue even IF it were true. The people of Haiti need to know that God loves them and we love them and would like to see their country not be so corrupt, stabilize, and prosper. This is an oppurtunity to show God's love through our actions (and words). I don't think that it is fair to say "obviously he is a racist". I think his motivations, however seemingly misinformed, were "religious" and not "Godly". There is a difference and if you understand Christianity as a "Religion v. Relationship" then it makes sense. What took place in Haiti's History is critical, especially IF the people of Haiti made a pact with the Devil. If you believe scripture, then you would understand the idea of a "curse". What you said regarding people believing Folklore and it impacting their minds is absolutely true and if nothing else we should encourage people to not live in their past or even entertain thought of it except with caution as to not repeat it.
at 19:16 on January 13th, 2010
Sad that he choose to judge a few in masses for a natural event, had they choose to follow ministry - would he have asked for everyone to pray for them! What a very sad individual you are mr. robertson...
at 20:55 on January 13th, 2010
Thank you, everchanging, for reading, sharing your thoughts, and for the recommendation.
at 19:22 on January 13th, 2010
Regardless of his racism or religious bigotry, one thing is clear. The Haitians need our prayers..
Yes I know they need a whole lot more than that. but I do think we need to collectively pray for their survival and rebirth of their country.
at 20:42 on January 16th, 2010
Thank you! AMEN!
at 20:28 on January 13th, 2010
Michael Rowe: The Never-Ending Horror of Pat Robertson
at 20:52 on January 13th, 2010
Thank you for reading, commenting, the rec, and link to Michael Rowe's commentary, snuffysmith. Rowe clearly describes how Robertson will pervert a tragedy to suit his religious agenda.
at 22:10 on January 13th, 2010
Roy, thank you for reading, commenting, and for the rec!
"Who believes Robertson?"
You are kidding, right?:)
at 22:24 on January 13th, 2010
Roy, BTW, efforts are (were) being made to curb corruption in Haiti.
at 02:22 on January 14th, 2010
Without putting people in jail, you will have a lot of well-trained impotent people who change little.[URL="www.edwomens.com"][B]ed hardy tee[/B][/URL]
at 04:24 on January 14th, 2010
Robertson has periodic outbursts of nonsense interspersed with outbursts of mythology institutionalized as some brand of Christianity. If Jesus were alive today, he would be suing Robertson for defamation of his good name.
at 08:52 on January 14th, 2010
Many of you think that Robinson is wrong for the comment made towards Haiti. If Jesus was here, he would have warned the people of Haiti. Dont forget about Sodom and Gommorah. The only thing Robinson is doing is relaying a message to the people. Theres nothing wrong with that. Now is the time for the righteous to start breaking all chains. True, theres many who are good , I believe, but sometimes we have to pay the price of our ancestors. Please do not judge Robinson?
at 16:07 on January 14th, 2010
Are you serious Annette! if Jesus was here, he would hav warned the people of Haiti do not forget Sodom and Gommorah? What a joke! Jesus would as well tell the world to remember sodom and gommorah and just to be clear didnt Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world? If its yes Annette then, the people of Haiti would have nothing to worry about if somehow their ancestors stupidly make that so call pack with the devil. By the way my dear-did you happen to treat your neighbors with kindness today, were you not a part of the gossip teams this morning? correct yourself righteous want to be.
at 09:39 on January 15th, 2010
I believe as Christians, we should be very careful about messages we are relating, that supposingly comes from Jesus. There is a time and a season for all things, and when people are hurting and in dispare, just as the Haitian people are, it is not the time for us as Christians to push them down any further. Pat was suppose to be praying for those people, why couldn't he just pray for them and be done. You said don't judge Pat for what he said, but Pat judges and point fingers all the time. Some times the righteous, forget that they two were of sin, and God delivered them. If anything we should pray for the deliverance for the people, and their government.
at 23:51 on January 17th, 2010
It will be just as you say, whites will also have to pay a price for what they did to black people in the United States at some point! If you are going after the sins of the father bit! because whites have a lot to atone for when it comes to the misstreatment of native americans and slaves and their decendants! Now you think about that!
at 18:54 on January 22nd, 2010
Whites were slaves long before african americans were, who is paying for this? blame the whites who did this, not all whites who had nothing to do with it, Black White or purple we have all been miss treated at one time or another, heres a thought for you it didnt happen to you, and i didnt do it to you, all the partys involved are long gone
at 04:35 on February 1st, 2010
What about the whites in South Africa who raped the entire country, enslaving all the black people of South Africa, what about their judgement. They act and behave like they have not done any wrong to the black people.
at 04:54 on January 14th, 2010
the reason for the earthquake is a geological one, the fact that voodoo culture is prominent only serves to increase the suffering. The bible says God loves the lost as much as the saved! Your soul is not condemned if you are in christ! The Prince of this world IS the Devil-JESUS said so! Not only Prince of Haitii. If Adam and Eve had not sinned then there would be no earthquake! Jesus said the Devil knows his time is short and is getting more angry every minute! So Voodoo is one of his weapons- like the Atom bomb-or like depraved sexual practise and the Angels of darkness who caused Adam and Eve to fall into temptation are as guilty today as ever for they are not forgiven, they were once asked the question by GOD-"How can I make that which was holy once again holy?" So if a preacher comes along and says something wrong how can you dispute it unless you are acquainted with the facts! Yes the world is as a mother in childbirth. But the only way out is God's way- Jesus-that's a fact! I would love to condemn all filthy practises, but man's sickness (SIN) requires repentance and forgiveness-those who teach a false doctrine will pay a heavier price than those who sin in their ignorance for Jesus said "FORGIVE THEM FATHER THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO!"
at 05:38 on January 14th, 2010
He is a loon!
at 06:02 on January 14th, 2010
this guy must have a hard time sleeping at night, all those devils and damnations. I wonder if he sleeps with garlic under the pillow or just good old holy water?
at 07:11 on January 14th, 2010
Interesting.
My oldest daughter spent time in Haiti, helping at an orphanage a few years ago. The Haitian woman that ran the orphanage said the same thing that Pat Robertson said.
Maybe he knows something? No wait, that couldn't be true...........................
at 19:09 on January 14th, 2010
Hugh:
'The Haitian woman that ran the orphanage said the same thing that Pat Robertson said.'
Wow! Imagine that! Isn't it amazing that the trendoids and the oh-so-hip and totally together crowd can spout off any kind of crap under the sun about anyone at all and the dupes will chant RAH-RAH-RAH from the highest rafters?
My fantasy is this: before people start condemning those such as Pat Robertson, solely on the basis of sound bites, they need to engage in objective and critical analysis before they condemn. If they do that and can offer rational, factual, and well-reasoned contentions for their condemnation then perhaps they can be taken seriously. Otherwise they're just ideological dupes. And like all ideological dupes, they need to be viewed as simply ignorant and emotionally disturbed . . . .
at 07:43 on January 14th, 2010
Just noted that even Hillary Clinton is calling the damage "Biblical" in scope.
Hardly the wild eyed fundamentalist.
at 17:55 on January 15th, 2010
Hugh: Yeah! I expect to see Hillary on the "700 Club" any day now manning the phones.! lol!
at 15:14 on January 14th, 2010
Robertson is just one of those charlatans who should be shot.
at 17:52 on January 15th, 2010
Ninjasperm (not verified):
Robertson is just one of those charlatans who should be shot.
Yeah! No doubt that in your mind anyone that doesn't march in lockstep with your ideology should be shot! Unfortunately for you and your ideological ilk, the best shots with the most guns are on the opposite side of the ideological fence! HA!