Back in the day, the comment Pat Robertson made regarding Haiti would have infuriated me. Robertson essentially blamed the devastation that took place in Haiti on the idea that, generations ago, people in Haiti sold their souls to the Devil and are now paying for it. I’m reminded of a similar comment made in a debate on CNN, in which yet another religious figure blamed the devastation in New Orleans following Katrina on the debauchery that took place in that town. Luckily, or perhaps providentially, Tony Campolo was also on the show and pointed out that the French Quarter was fine, that it was low-income minorities who were devastated, and then asked his fellow guest point blank whether God was angry with low-income minorities. The other guest really didn’t know what to say. Any answer would have painted him a loon.
Regardless, Robertson’s comments further divide people of faith from, well, people of faith. I don’t want to debate the theological ramifications of Robertson’s statements, I only want to point out some perspectives that ease my anger, and instead, cause me to pity him. I consider this a more mature response than I would have had a few years ago. Here are a few perspectives that, hopefully, will keep you from throwing a stapler through a wall:
• Many controlling personalities are drawn to the idea of a severe, vengeance oriented God. Robertson must have read a book about Haiti at one point, but it lacked civility to cite that book and espouse an absurd theological idea on television, without context for both. It was reactionary, and came off as a manifestation of his personality, not his theology. Regardless, it was sadly irresponsible for him to make such a devastatingly shocking statement in the context of great hurt. Can you imagine giving the eulogy at a funeral and starting out by saying “before I tell you about God’s grace, let me make it clear that little Johnny deserved to die because he stole candy from a store.” There is something wrong with a person who would do this. These people are often, themselves, controlling. They are wired to build empires, and in order to build empires you have to get people to do what you say, and if you have God standing behind you threatening hurt and pain, you can motivate people. I’ve heard pastors pray and call other men cowards, get angry from the pulpit, yell, belittle other Christian pastors who don’t agree with them, fire people who will not submit to them, surround themselves with yes men and so on. Sadly, they never point the finger at themselves. It’s always YOU or THEM who are the sinners. When they need God’s grace, they usually confess to studying too hard or caring too much. But compassion comes when you realize, and it doesn’t take long to see it, that this person is afraid that if he gives anybody else a free will, they will use it against them. Their mantra is: If I don’t control people, they won’t love me. Psychologists see control as a response to a perceived threat. Picture an adult with an inner twelve-year old saying “I’ll hurt you before you hurt me. I’m tough. I say tough things. Don’t mess with me again.” In religion, these leaders often project their way of seeing the world onto God. Please forgive me for painting Robertson with a sweeping brush. It’s not always true of controlling people, and there are often good reasons to be harsh and to take action (for instance, when somebody really is trying to control you!) It’s just that this is one of the understandings that has helped me respond to controlling people with more compassion. Theologically, what we all deserve is death, and Christ paid that for us. We live in the New Testament, not the old. Lets spread God’s unconditional love.
• Another truth that gives me a more grounded perspective on Pat Robertson is that he really doesn’t represent most conservatives. I come from a politically and religiously conservative family, and many, many of my friends are very conservative, and all of them would be in shock at Robertson’s statements. The media would have Robertson represent all Christians, or perhaps all conservatives, but the idea is absurd. It’s also important to let people know we think it’s absurd. So here is what the Devil is really going to try to get you to do: Hate other people. Those conservatives, those Christians, those whoever…I think we’d be wise to watch out for that, and stop it at the point where it starts.
• I’ve also found that the more I trust in Christ’s redemption to be sufficient, the less overtly religious I am. And, quite honestly, the more suspect overtly religious people become to me. When I’m with somebody who talks zealously about faith, about Jesus, about the Bible, after a while, I find myself wondering whether or not their faith is strong at all. For instance, if I were with somebody who kept talking about how much they loved their wife, going on loudly and profusely, intuitively I would wonder whether or not they were struggling in their marriage. I would wonder whether they were trying to convince me they loved their wife, or if they were trying to convince themselves. (Now that I think of it, though, some of my favorite people talk about how much they love their wives, but these are less public proclamations and more sighs of appreciation.) Faith in Christ, for me, is similar. It’s intimate. I’m more comfortable giving quiet prayers, intimate prayers. Often alone, in fact. I speak of faith the way I speak of personal matters. Of course there is a time for proclamations, but that’s the key, isn’t it? There’s a time. Anyway, I love that the New Testament is mostly intimate letters written to small groups of people who met in homes. I like the quiet authenticity of our faith. Robertson’s loudness and shock-jock verbiage seems strange and oddly uncompassionate. It felt like he was trying to tell us how tough he was, not how compassionate God is.
An appropriate response to Haiti:
An appropriate response to Pat Robertson:
“You seem angry and tired. Christ loves you. He is not impressed with your religious posturing. He really loves you. You don’t have to hide behind anything anymore. The good news really is that good.”
* I understand that many of you will want to comment on the theological truths you’ve found that support Robertson’s comments, and also on the good that Robertson has done. Regarding the latter, this was not a blanket dismissal on Robertson’s life or ministry, it was a response to a comment, regarding the former, it’s a debate I ask you to take somewhere else. Also, this isn’t meant to harshly judge Robertson, it’s meant to calm those who might want to throw a tomato at him, while also trying to understand why somebody could make such an insensitive comment at such a painful time. Lets put our tomatoes down.
* For those thinking this blog was too harsh, please understand that in one passing comment, Pat Robertson painted an entire nation as Godless, and deserving of destruction. Reports from Haiti have stated that many fled into the streets, crying out to Jesus for help. Robertson, by referencing an obscure book of unknown origin chose to prejudice an otherwise ignorant Christian audience of gullible and trusting viewers. I propose, then, this post needed to be written. I only wish more Christian leaders would speak during moments like this.
*comments had to be suspended because there were so many, the e-mails were shutting down the site. To sum them up: I agree! i disagree! Only more elegantly stated.
this is really helpful, thank you. it’s so easy to have a knee-jerk reaction to things like this, so i appreciate the perspective you provide.
deeeeeep breaths.
this old man needs medication and a retirement check.
Somebody cue him because he is way out of line.
God keep our eyes on the signs of the things to come upon all human in this world. God told all his children and the christian who are ready and stay ready until he come. Oall things on earth, man-woman-child and animal. What makes fire? nly a few will make it in and many will be left behind. God told us the worst yet to come. God hate all the wicked one and evil things human does to each other. God said if we have done anything to anyone, good or bad, we did it to him. Killing, hate, much more. God said there will be fire this time that will destroy Wars,tornados, hurricane, earthquake,atomic boms, flood, and much more. God said man will destroy each others. The great battle of Armegadon will end all man kind on earth soon. God said it will happen. So lets do what God tell us to do is to love one another, help one another, be there for each other in need, be kind to each other so that no one get left behind. God will not destroy the earth, only the wicked and evil people who love evil. Once again God will renew this earth and make all things new again. No human will rule over the people in the new world again. God will rule the new world ( earth ). There will be no ocean, nor sea. Everything will be all new and the people God save from the old earth will be brought back to live again in the new world which is called the new earth. God told us not to worry about nothing in this world. God see everything that going on in this world. All bad and good things in God hand.We must remember God punishment is worst then man. No one can escape God anger on earth. God Bless
This is not the time praise or tear down Haiti. Pat Robertson’s remarks – I liken them to a man at the scene of an accident, instead of helping the victims the man blames them for overspeeding, drukenness and any blame he can come up with. Pat, could it be that you are too old and in your own religion? Haitians, God loves you and the whole world is saddened with what has happened, better days are ahead. Dont mind Pat Robertson because he in not speaking for anybody, but himself.
I’ve spent much of my ministry coming against the ‘Pharisee’ spirit in those who claim to be ‘Biblically sound’ and able to judge the rest of us, and wondering why such ‘Biblically sound’ people are so unlike the One it’s all about- Jesus, or didn’t they read about Him in The Book? Such a spirit is so at odds with the Jesus who set the woman caught in adultery free to live again- oh how wonderful grace is!
Wow! I’m so glad I read this. I’ve thought of lots of comments I wanted to say about this whole thing- but your response was in love- which is EXACTLY what Jesus would have responded with. Sometimes when people act or say something ugly, our first response is to say something or do something ugly right back! I hope that the grace–filled attitude you shared will be my attitude from now on.
I think it’s important for Christians who have wide audiences to respond in a way that condemns, quietly yet publicly, the comments made by Pat Robertson.
I can’t find the words to truly express how I feel about your response to Pat Robertson’s comments, so I will simply say “Amen !!”. It is my belief that God loves us all and a loving God does NOT punish . . . . not even those that do not believe in him.
[...] You can read the full essay on Don Miller’s blog. [...]
Don, great thoughts… although not as articulate, we have also responded to Pat Robertson’s misguided statements.
http://onechristianblog.com/
Thanks, Don, for taking the time to write this. I wish more Christians with the same thoughts as yours (and resources to be heard by a large audience) would speak up too. I can only reach my small circle of influence and talk to my friends, many of which are Atheists and started to paint all evangelical Christians with the same broad brush. When I told them that not all Christians believe as Pat does, they asked why the other Christian leaders, if they in fact believe differently, have not spoken out in opposition to Pat Robertson. I had no answer for them.
Well said, I wrote about this very thing on my blog (http://chelled.blogspot.com/2010/01/sometimes-i-wish-theyd-say-nothing.html) and a friend said to check out your post. Glad I did.
Don, good comments. Now if you would just offer up some on the equally stupid ones from Danny Glover……
Thanks for posting this blog. I wanted to throw more than tomatoes at him. All I could do was express my anger via FB profile. I often feel frustrated when I hear many so-called Christian leaders say things that I fundamentally disagree with theologically and experientally. I know an awesome God whose heart is broken to see his children suffer. To play down God’s feelings regarding this matter is wrong. He hurts for us, he has compassion on us and we have been called to do the same for others. Pat could have spoken about the FACTS regarding Haiti, like the injustice of the French, like the STRENGTH of the people who were the only slaves to free themselves. He could have spoken about many other injustices that these folks have faced by the Western world because they earned their independence and other slave owners (countries) chose to make an example of them by isolating them and using them as guinea pigs so that slaves in other countries would not be emboldened by their actions.
Christians like Pat love to sit in the judgment seat and spew out hatred, they claim its the Holy Spirit but I beg to differ. I am a conservative Christian and I do not serve a hot tempered God. What kind of fruit do we bare as Christians? What does our fruit say about our God? Pat and other Christian leaders that seem to be mostly intersted in acquiring power should spend time thinking about the effect of their fruits on others. If the fruit we bare is rotten, it says a lot about the God we profess to serve. I want my light to shine, I want to be a salt to the earth, I want my fruit to draw people to Christ, anything short of that, I do not want.
Once again, thanks for being brave, you are truly the son of a Lion, go ahead, keep roaring!!!!
Sophie, Why is it anyone else’s job to speak against PR? About as many people listen to PR as listen to me. If PR mattered to anyone, then others might be compelled to speak out against him. I find it ironic that my atheist friends all picked up on what PR said, yet only one of my Christian friends had heard what he said. I guess that’s because we all (atheists included) want to build up straw men about our opponents, in order to tear them down.
If you want to refer your friends to a different perspective from a Christian voice, go to Al Mohler’s blog.
In defense of the truth, the slaves who rebelled against France called upon Satan to give them power and he did. Now they are living with the bad consequences.
The people of Haiti today need to reverse that dedication. The founders of the United States called upon the Lord Jesus Christ to free them from the “superpower” Great Britain. We need to ratify that faith or we will also distance ourselves from God’s protective power. We become vulnerable to Satan’s attacks.
Sarah Mae; Read your comment on Don’s blog about Robertson. I, respectfully disagree with you. I think what Robertson said lacks tact, decency and above all else; self control. Given his stature in Evangelical America, I believe a public rebuke from a heart that seeks to love is better than simply dismissing his destructive behavior. Is it judgemental? No. Is it making a judgement call? Yes.
Realistically; What are the chances that Pat is going to read this blog? Pretty slim. Even if he happened upon the blog and read it, what are the chances that he would chose to question the orientation of his heart, why he NEEDED to publicly claim that God was exacting his revenge on a nation, in their darkest moment. Whether or not the Haitians worshipped the devil is completely irrelevant since the wrath of God is fully poured out on Christ according to the Gospels and therefore satisfied. A willfully public figure who says foolish, uneducated things about widows and orphans while their impoverished home is burning, are bringing judgement on themselves.
Is he getting what he deserves by having someone publicly call him on this? No, he probably deserves to be tarred, feathered and humiliated. He deserves to be spat on and called unimaginably harsh names. But, again, as Mr. Miller pointed out; Christ’s sacrifice also covers Pat Robertson and he is loved as fiercely as the Haitian that dies in the street.
There is a saying that I have heard “The good thing about Christianity are the Christians, the bad thing about Christianity are the Christians” Pat Robertson is a perfect example of the stupid statements some Christians can make.
I found your website as I was looking for responses to the remarks made by Pat Robertson.. I added a comment that I see was never entered as it still says it is waiting for moderation….whatever that means. I simply expressed a less judgemental view of him than most of your responders, and I had no desire to throw tomatoes or anything else at him. I guess I had the wrong response to be listed among other responses…..Too Bad!
T\\RR
Hi Don, thanks so much for writing this. If you wonder whether it was necessary, be aware that I first saw it in a thread responding to someone saying “I’d respect Christians more if they spoke out against thinking like this.” So it is necessary, because non-Christians can too easily come away thinking that we all think like this.
It’s always so hard to say “judge not, lest ye be judged,” without becoming judgmental ourselves. I think you’ve shown us perfectly how to offer a rebuke, without violence. There are tens of thousands dead in Haiti, and millions more suffering, who deserve our prayers as much as any other brother or sister in the world (and I don’t mean only Christian brothers and sisters–but everyone). God bless all of you.
While you are absolutely correct a kinder response would have been to say nothing. I am finding it better, but more difficult, when my brother and sister in Christ, including myself, say or do something foolish, to say nothing. Remember how the sons of Noah covered their father rather than exposing his shame. While this was more public I believe the least we can do is say nothing and if necessary try and talk to him in private.
Thanks Don,
Now I feel slightly guilty for getting pissed at Robertson for his comments! ha ha. Your reaction I think is possibly the correct one, but as the Body of Christ is a diverse one I will have to contend that there are times that ignorance does warrant holy anger when a human, Christian or no, is acting unjust. I tire of Christians informing themselves from controlling people like Mr. Robertson. It doesn’t make defending the tenets of scripture an easier task. Ignorance is unacceptable, control freak or not, compassionately or out of an angry reaction.
God is a jealous God, and it breaks His heart when we betray Him. You, American’s are so confused that oftentimes you, even when you say you are Christians, think that everything that makes you happy is good and that this is what God wants for you. The problem is in your misunderstanding of Pat Robertson, because the flesh will never understand the Spirit, and I respect Him for being able to tell the truth in the country which claims it is democratic but any critics of the sin is forbidden and judged. This man’s heart is broken for this disaster and I am sorry you didn’t hear that and took something you disliked and dared to judge him. And in fact all this calamities are happening for us to see that the time is short and we are not gods. May God bless you and may you come to know His truth!
Rock on, man. You say it beautifully. I’m not a fan (at all) of Robertson and never will be, but this isn’t a time for finger pointing. No reason to make things in Haiti any bleaker, when all we need right now is love, light and compassion for the Haitians struggling through devastation none of us can fathom. Thanks for this.
Amen! I tire of exactly all you cover. As you said, extreme-righters rant on and on about how great their values and beliefs are, how much they follow the words of Christ, and then turn around and slap Christ in the face by not practicing anything he preached. It’s as if they are trying to convince themselves of their devoutness, but they never actually try to BE devout…they only chatter. I suggest they re-read the New Testament. They’ve missed the boat. When I look at most of my right-wing friends, I (the one who is agnostic) gives the most money to charity each year, is the most compassionate, the least racist and the least prejudiced, and the least close-minded, and ultimately, the happiest and most contented. Chatter on I say. I practice the worlds of Christ without believing he was the son of God. That is more than most believing Christians seem able to do these days.
So well said. Thank you.
Very well said. Thanks
Well Don, Pat indeed is just blabbering his little-thinking about the subject.
I though of beginning to point out how racist, numb-minded and pharisaic this little man sounded with his statement, but you’re right. We ougtha pitty him. He is just another guiy who didn’t get God. God still doesn’t resolve for him, so he forgets parts of God that don’t make sense, like His Grace and His Unconditional Love.
Thanks, Don for having the courage to write this. Very good insight.
I’ve always thought these kinds of comments simply come from fear. I guess you could argue the need for power comes from fear as well. Specifically, I’ve wondered whether folks who make these comments are fearful their God doesn’t have the power to stop these attrocities. Instead, God wills them. At least, that’s how they justify it. Personally, I know God is big enough to stop and to heal. This time, He chose the latter.
yay for no fruit throwing. or vegetable throwing. whatever you call a tomato. thank you for the encouragement and wisdom.
Nicely said! It’s so great to hear a level headed response to a not so rational or level headed comment by Robertson. God Bless you Don, keep up the good work!
Very well written..the Lord Jesus Christ spoke of a tower in Siloam in the Good News according to Luke..His words are still in effect.
Nicely put. Thanks for helping me to gain some perspective on (and let go of some inappropriate anger about) another boneheaded statement by ol’ Pat.
I found your discussion about overt display to be especially well stated—you put eloquently into words something I have felt for a while now but have failed to verbalize.
Thanks for sharing! I appreciate your insight. Now I know why Pat keeps putting his foot in his mouth!
Don,
I liked your article. I have met Pat Robertson and have a lot of respect for his ministry. He’s done many good things for many people but sometimes it’s best not to say anything.
Although one may not like or agree with what Pat said, it is no less the truth. Even though the present population had nothing to do with their history, they are none the less descended from it. Many so called theologians tend to forget that Exodus 20:5 is in the bible. Although we may not like it, God meant what he said.
1inchrist had this to say…
The ones spoken of in this passage are Christians, not unbeliever’s. While we should be willing to help our neighbors, this verses is clearly used out of context, in order to twist it….
I am so glad you spoke up…I have been saying a lot of the same on my facebook page…it annoys me when a gay person is brutally murdered that somewhere in America some pastor is saying he deserved it, in a similar way, Pat’s statement was a slap in the face of God’s love and tolerance. It is annoying and shameful.
Does his response speak of increasing senility, The word of God I have read speaks of tending to the poor and widowed and orphaned, where are the gleanings from the edge of Pat’s field, where is his compassion, has he forgotten that God loves us, all of us, but maybe not him. He is more concerned about “the sins of the fathers” than “love thy neighbor”. “Let him who is without sin, throw the first stone”
[...] LinksPants on the Ground: Enter the Neil Young/Jimmy Fallon Cover January 15, 2010 Brenna EhrlichA Response to Pat Robertson’s Comments about Haiti January 14, 2010 Don“Glee” Returns For a Second Season With an Online Twist January 12, 2010 [...]
Many of us who are aware of the historic and present beliefs and spiritual practices in Haiti can’t help but wonder what is going on when the poorest nation in the West gets hit with a disaster like this. But we ponder these things and pray because we believe our gracious God is still in charge!
Pat Robertson on the other hand, seems to believe that he is the “Elijah” who has to say the hard thing when nobody else is saying it. I said “seem” because overall I would hate to misjudge a good man, but one who seems to always say things like this! Somehow,though, unlike Jerimiah Wright, he does not seem to cause as much violation and consternation when he puts his personal interpretation on issues, on his daily TV “show”! Funny!
Gini January 15, 2010 at 2:47 pm
” We are all magnificent and stupid. Pat was having a stupid moment. Let’s remember to pray for him.”
The trouble is Pat Robertson has been having these stupid moments for years and it has a negative effect on the reputation of Americans and Christians throughout the World. The press release of CBN re his cruel and inaccurate statement about the causes of the earthquake in Haiti didn’t go nearly far enough and surely he should be making a personal televised apology not leaving it to CBN’s spokesperson. . After all he claimed that this “pact with the devil” was a TRUE story (I’ve watched the video clip several times). He also said that it took place at the time of Napoleon 3rd (1808-1873) when in fact the slave rebellion was in the 1790’s at the time of his uncle Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821). It seems that Pat Robertson’s arithmatic may be as poor as his history and theology ; the legend stated that the curse would last for 200 years . If Pat Robertson really believes the story, the curse should be over by now. I know that Pat is an old man but he has been making these very horrible, very public, remarks for many years ………………..re civil rights, women’s issues, homosexuality, South Africa, Scotland (I think it was men in kilts that threw him there), 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, social justice, Sharon, Islam, Chavez, etc etc . Underneath a lot of his remarks and politics I sense a strong whiff of old fashioned Southern Baptist racism.
I’ve offered a response to Don Miller’s views but upon reviewing his opinion, I would like to further offer the following:
I have a problem with Miller’s judgement of Pat Robertson’s character dislosed in his reference to him as a “controlling personality” and his presumptious contention that Robertson really doesn’t represent the majority of conservatives.
Mr Miller reveals his own hypocrisy by pointing a somewhat harsh finger of judgement at Robertson for offering what Miller regards as a judgement against Haiti; though I feel it was not a judgement. He further repudiates the beloved elder and brother, calling him a controlling person as though he knows and sees something of Pat personally that many of us do not. Robertson is less than perfect, but certainly anyone, perhaps with the exception of Don Miller, must know of the preponderance of kindness shown through CBN with aid, supplies and love to millions of hurting and destitute people over the last 35 years or so. The man makes comments that I feel are largely misunderstood occasionally and right away people like Don Miller feel it is their appointed duty tell to everyone that he and the rest of the church aren’t like Pat Robertson. Would that we were all a little more like Pat. Maybe it’s Don Miller who needs to choose his words a little more graciously.
Don, while it may be politically correct in a voluntarily humble way, please don’t apologize for Pat Roberston’s, or anyone else’s actions for that matter, on my behalf. You don’t represent me and I don’t feel you represent the church by and large either.
“Robertson essentially blamed” Your initial assessment is flawed therefore the rest is also flawed.
I hope that a lot of people will hear what Pat Robertson said in his own words in reference to the History of Haiti and their recurring troubles and his call to pray for the people of Haiti. His words have been so violently misquoted, misunderstood and twisted. When you hear someone accuse him wrongly and misquote him, you will be educated having heard his statement within their proper context with your own ears and thus be equipped with facts to accurately set the record straight.
I had heard and read some absurd attacks aimed at Pat Robertson claiming he said one thing or another this week so I researched the issue my self. What I have found once again is a prevailing phenomenon in peoples lack in both listening skills and in an ability to hear correctly. Secondly, a phenomenon whereby people blindly hop on a bandwagon remaining ignorant to the facts on a given issue whose mission it seems is one which should further propagate falsities.
The emphasis was on his last sentence. Not the first!
Wiggle and squirm all you want in furthering your agenda but let the record show for all eternity, my mission here is to correct and promote accuracy and truth and truth shall prevail over all. The episode containing the noncontroversial statement if you care to research it was Jan 13th 700 Club. Get the podcast, watch it and THEN feel free to reveal your ignorance.
This blank screen I am staring at reminds me that there is always room for mercy.
I say this with my mouth but I need help meaning it with my heart because Pat and Rush are two people who would enjoy spending quality time with Hitler never blinking an eye when they find out what their new friend does for a living.
But Jesus tells me to drop the stone I so want bash them senseless with because we have all been monsters sometimes.
So instead I pray the public support these two receive will dry up forever so they will realize God loves all people all the time.
Sincerely
Rabbi Billy Bob
aka: Keith Kemp of San Francisco
As to Pat’s idea that Haiti “brought this on themselves” by worshipping incorrectly: I find it superstitious, and superstition should not be thought of as Christian. It too often is already. It is not Christian to spend your life jumping at shadows, constantly getting spooked every time someone uses tarot cards or a Ouija board, or listens to a heavy metal album. Jesus Christ said “Love Thy Neighbor,” not “freak out on a hair trigger at stuff that seems weird.” I understand that, since our method of communing with God or with Jesus is a mystical attunement, there will be some other mystical practices that don’t seem as healthy. The truth is that this voodoo stuff freaks ME out a bit, too. But if I’m walking the right path, then nothing is so scary that I should work myself into a paranoid frenzy. If you’re quailing so badly at it that you can’t have respect at a funeral, then you should look at why you have so little faith that you’re protected. If you don’t like voodoo or tarot cards or whatever, then don’t do it. If you only want to advise people on the right path for their own good, then you should remember, too, that you’re not God. There may be a place for saying “boy, that idea makes me shudder,” or “I find it incompatible with your Christianity” (and remember, as Don also alluded, Haiti is 80% catholic, yes?), but it’s not at a funeral or in a situation when lives need to be saved at a moment’s notice.
We shouldn’t freak out so much about satanism, or congratulate ourselves too certainly saying “but I’m on the right path”: in my opinion, real satanism is found when people treat one another badly and hate each other. True Godliness is found when people treat each other well and show Love. Haven’t we all failed to do enough of that?
[...] It felt like he was trying to tell us how tough he was, not how compassionate God is (Donald Miller, read his excellent blog [...]
Great thoughts bro!
Earthquakes happen…thats no news. It is sad it happened where many people died. And it is easyer to blame God and the victimes then to look at the fact that we are fucking up this planet and somehow there has to be a reaction to it. Be it something that happened anyways or caused by the irresponsible behaviour of us western cultures…God knows…I think instead of blaming spiritual causes we should start taking care of this earth and the people living in it. Especially as christians.