Have you ever tried to read Robertson's book, "The New World Order"? It is, to say the least, tortured. The descriptions of the Illuminati - Masonic - Trilateral Commission conspiracy theory are so convoluted as to make one's eyes glaze over. And beyond that, every couple of months Rev. Robertson seems to hit the news with even more egregious and absurd posturing that make any analysis of his work seem to pale in comparison.
We have, however, been enjoying a a book about Robertson titled "The Most Dangerous Man in America" by Robert Boston and we've watched with interest the sparring which has occurred between Robertson and the organization 'Americans United for the Separation of Church and State' during the 2000 US elections. Nevertheless, we still can't quite understand what Robertson has said in his book - and until we do, we'll withhold full commentary rather than simply accept the version of a Robertson critic.
For now, we'll just mention that Reverend Robertson - an ostensible leader of the 'Religious Right' in the United States - is convinced that the Masons are part of some grand scheme and he uses the trustworthy sources of Jim Shaw and the like on which to base these conclusions.
While we try to avoid political or religious commentary on our site, we find that his thinking on a number of topics is somewhat bizarre. It is reported that he once signed a letter describing feminism as a "socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft and become lesbians." According to the BBC, he later said he had signed the letter without reading it carefully. He has said "I speak from the heart so often, and many times these statements need clarification and, if brought out of context, can be misunderstood." There's no misunderstanding his anti-Masonic (and anti-a lot of things) stance though.
Perhaps Robertson is angry that his father - a former US Congressman and Mason - might not have wanted Pat in his Masonic Lodge. Who knows....
On the June 8, 1998 episode of Robertson's "700 Club," a segment focused on Orlando, Florida's rainbow flag display and the attendance of thousands of gays and lesbians at nearby Disney World the previous weekend.
Charging that the acceptance of homosexuality is "the last step in the decline of Gentile civilization," Robertson predicted dire consequences for both Orlando and the United States. "We're not in any way, shape or form hating anybody," said Robertson. "This is not a message of hate; this is a message of redemption. But if [pause] a condition like this will bring about the destruction of your nation. It'll bring about terrorist bombs; it'll bring earthquakes, tornadoes and possibly a meteor, it isn't necessarily something we ought to open our arms to."
"And I would warn Orlando that you're right in the way of some serious hurricanes," Robertson continued, "and I don't think I'd be waving those flags in God's face if I were you."
The Orlando warning is not Robertson's first brush with hurricane control. In 1985, he claimed his prayers diverted a hurricane from colliding with Virginia Beach, home base for his Christian Broadcasting Network.
Following the horrific events of 9/11/2001, Robertson's bizarre interpretations of world events once again shocked and upset virtually everyone. In line with the comments of racists and neo-Nazi groups, Robertson on 9/13 (while it was believed that in excess of 10,000 had died in the massacre) declared on his world-wide television program that the attacks occurred because American had insulted God "at the highest levels of our government" through "rampant secularism," pornography and abortion. As punishment, he declared, "God Almighty..lift[ed] his protection from us."
His guest of the day, conservative evangelist Jerry Falwell, said "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians.... I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen." later that week. Robertson agreed enthusiastically.
Both men spent considerable time in the following weeks trying to disassociate themselves from those remarks, with Robertson claiming that he hadn't fully understood what was being said. It would appear that this is a problem he has frequently.... On December 5th, Robertson was forced to resign as a director of the Christian Coalition as a result of his egregious remarks!
Robertson's strong support of Israel is - we believe - also warped. It is based on a perverse theological notion that Israel must be supported to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ when Jews will either convert or be destroyed.
And then there are those pesky issues surrounding his gold mine investments.... It just goes on and on and on....
Just when we think that it can't get any more absurd, in August, 2005 the Reverend Robertson caused more controversy saying that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was "a terrific danger". He was quoted as saying "You know, I don't know about this doctrine of assassination, but if he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it."
We find it truly amazing what some anti-Masons seem to evolve into....
Every few months, as we said earlier, there's something more bizarre: after recently saying that Ariel Sharon's massive heart attack was as a result of divine retribution, March 2006 finds Robertson saying that radical Islamists were inspired by a "demonic power". It's obvious to us that Reverend Robertson truly enjoys the limelight from these egregious comments. Revenues at his 700 Club seem unaffected by this so either there are an awful lot of gullible folks out there or he's preaching to a VERY strange choir! Because of Freemasonry's emphasis on toleration, we can appreciate why he would feel MOST uncomfortable around it. We can only wonder what his father would think of such behavior....
Now it's Dover, Pennsylvania being threatened with divine wrath because they voted out a pro-creationist school board. And then there's Pat's claim that he can leg press 2,000 pounds. REALLY? The man - at 76 - seems to say that he's broken the record held by a former Florida State quarterback and by MORE THAN 600 POUNDS! Truly, truly amazing. You can read about this particular gaffe here. You know, at some point folks might wise up and realize that Pat's claims - including the ones about Masonry and the so-called New World Order - are just as phony as his leg pressing claims.
Americans United notes that Robertson is becoming increasingly shrill trying to hold on to his donor base. Heck, we thought he was pretty shrill when he was accusing the Masons of world domination - but sadly, many folks see attacks on Freemasonry as 'nothing to worry about'. We believe, on the other hand, that it follows like day the night that such people will and DO become more and more strident, attacking a broader range of religious and political beliefs after having when their appetite on the innocent and unanswering Masonic fraternity.
The Haitian earthquake in 2010? Pat's got the answer yet again: it was a pact that the Haitians made with the devil some 200 years ago for their freedom. "They said, we will serve you if you will get us free from the French. True story. And so, the devil said, okay it's a deal" Referred to by major officials as "utterly stupid" and "loathsome", things like this are all part and parcel of the inflexible fundamentalists who want to blame Freemasonry (along with a LOT of other causes) for world events, including those involving the forces of nature.
We found the satirical piece at the always irreverent The Onion enough to keep us laughing for several minutes.
It's really amazing that SO many folks pay attention to this man.
Updated several times, the most recent being January, 2010.
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