What Pat Robertson Said About Haiti's Deal with the Devil: Out of Context or Out of His Mind?

He really knows how to get everybody stirred up, doesn't he? That crazy old Pat Robertson, imbedding inflammatory remarks in a long video segment, giving the media something to feed on out of context, while they insinuate the old geezer is one song short of a hymnal. And by inference, that contemporary Christians must be crackpots. First, let's look at what was said, in CBN's press release yesterday:

"VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., January 13, 2010 -- On today's The 700 Club, during a segment about the devastation, suffering and humanitarian effort that is needed in Haiti, Dr. Robertson also spoke about Haiti's history. His comments were based on the widely-discussed 1791 slave rebellion led by Boukman Dutty at Bois Caiman, where the slaves allegedly made a famous pact with the devil in exchange for victory over the French. This history, combined with the horrible state of the country, has led countless scholars and religious figures over the centuries to believe the country is cursed. Dr. Robertson never stated that the earthquake was God's wrath. If you watch the entire video segment, Dr. Robertson's compassion for the people of Haiti is clear. He called for prayer for them. His humanitarian arm has been working to help thousands of people in Haiti over the last year, and they are currently launching a major relief and recovery effort to help the victims of this disaster. (They were on the ground yesterday with $2 million in medicines, for starters. Ed) They have sent a shipment of millions of dollars worth of medications that is now in Haiti, and their disaster team leaders are expected to arrive tomorrow and begin operations to ease the suffering. (Click for press release here.)

The official recognition of Voodooism and the registration of The National Association of Voodoo Practitioners and nationalistic spirit has led to the intimidation of Christians in Haiti. Especially those who speak out against Voodooism and fast and pray for this beleaguered country. An estimated 75% of the nominally Christian population practice Voodooism. President Aristide re-dedicated the country to Voodooism in 1991 as its "cultural heritage", as AC source Robert Adair reports.

So, let's assume that the practice of witchcraft in the form of voodoo is not in the Judeo-Christian tradition, which in fact warns against witchcraft multiple times, saying that its practice will lead to devastation.

So, point 1: Witchcraft is anti-Christian and anti-Semitic, involving casting spells and curses over others. This is in effect an attempt to control others andtheir fates. Whether or not it works is beside the point. Whether or not the practitioner has "good" motives is beside the point. Judeo Christian believers are taught to seek God directly. We are taught to ask and receive, the opposite of which may be "don't ask, don't receive." We are taught to seek God's guidance and protection, and to trust Him. So telling that same omniscient omnipotent God to get out of a country, or a school, or your life is the same as saying you do not need or want His protection, or even believe He has it to give. ("My people perish for lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6 ) Well, so be it.

Point 2: Voodoo is witchcraft.

Point 3: Haiti officially declared allegiance to voodoo in 1791, and rededicated itself to this form of witchcraft again in 1991. (Apparently it's a 200 year contract.)

Point 4: Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, continually beset by mass catastrophe, poverty, and starvation. (CBN and other ministries have been helping Haiti since long before the January 13 earthquake.)

Point 5: The "gods" sought through voodoo aren't very helpful when it comes to taking care of Haiti, are they? Haitians ought to consider firing them. And if you're just shopping around for religions, thinking one is as good as another, you would be wise to stay away from the Voodoo Mart. The Haitian population that widely practices voodoo (sometimes right along with an odd form of "folk" catholicism) is not what you might call a blessed or fortunate people, overall.

Point 6: When you tell God to get out, He gets out. Unless He knows that deep down you're kidding, like when you told your Mom you hated her when you were 13. Haiti wasn't kidding.

The real point here is that Haiti needs help, and those who are willing to help should show a little solidarity instead of taking comments out of context, and condemning organizations known for giving millions and millions of dollars in aid and hands-on help to the impoverished and desperate, like Pat Robertson's CBN. Instead, they could be praying for the ministry and its founder.

The call for water, food, medicines and shelter is growing more urgent. There are at least 3 million people in desperate need of help in the poverty-stricken country of Haiti. The U.S. is leading the international aid effort and President Barack Obama has ordered a round-the-clock effort. "The best thing you can do is give money for food, water, shelter and first aid supplies," said former President Bill Clinton, U.N. special envoy to Haiti. "Those are the things we need."

The toll-free number to call for information about family members in Haiti is 1-888-407-4747. The State Department says some callers may receive a recording because of heavy volume of calls.

Major U.S.-based relief organizations, like the American Red Cross, are already using the money that has been donated to gather supplies. AC source Donald Pennington relays this information: The Red Cross has set up a system where a cell phone user can text "Haiti" to the number 90999. The text message will result in a $10 donation to the Red Cross. So far, the campaign (is reputed) to have raised over $800,000. Another popular option for cell phone users eager to help: Text "Yele" to 501501. Doing so will result in a $5 donation to Yéle Haiti, a grassroots organization in Haiti.

Deal with the devil?

Now about that deal with the devil, and the lips curled in condescension at the very mention, I say read your Haitian history. What has happened to Haiti is exactly the way Satan would fulfill his part of any deal, wouldn't you say? ("The thief does not come except to steal and kill and to destroy." John 10:10.")

As C. S. Lewis wrote in The Screwtape Letters,

• There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician (or Voodoo practitioner) with the same delight.

  Sources:
  CBN.com
  New King James Version Holy Bible
  C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters