Pat Robertson and The Supremes
By Keith Boykin, in politics
Friday, July 18 2003, 10:07AM
Is there any better case for the separation of church and state than the idiocy of conservative televangelist Pat Robertson using his TV pulpit this week to pray for the retirement of three Supreme Court justices? The intellectual bankruptcy and dishonesty of the so-called religious right has never been more clearly on display.
I always knew the religious right was crazy. In my very first newspaper column, published 22 years ago last month, I called Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority a "malicious gang of deceitful clergymen and ignorant followers." The Moral Majority eventually collapsed but soon found itself replaced by Pat Robertson's multimedia Christian Coalition.
Over the past two decades, Robertson and Falwell have been at the forefront of the "culture wars" between liberals and conservatives. So perhaps it should come as no surprise to find Robertson praying for the death, illness or retirement of three Supreme Court justices. Robertson is upset by the court's decisions in the Michigan affirmative action case and the Texas sodomy case.
In a press conference after his remarks, Robertson said, "I don't care which three, I mean as long as the three conservatives stay on." So in other words, he does care which three. He said, "There's six liberals, so it's up to the Lord. I'm not telling God what to do. I'm just saying, 'Lord, help us.'"
Lord save us from Pat Robertson.
In an op-ed piece published this week in the Los Angeles Times, Robertson explains why the liberal justices should retire. As Robertson sees it, "for too long we have watched as the justices on the nation's highest court have legislated from the bench."
"In 1962," he says, "it ruled prayer out of the public schools. In 1963, it ruled the Bible out of public schools." In reality, the court did no such thing. Prayer is still allowed in schools, and the Bible is not banned in any public school in America. What is banned, however, is the use of school officials leading prayer or providing religious instruction to school kids. Kids who want to pray on their own or bring their Bibles to school have always been free to do so.
Robertson also complained that the court's 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade applied a "right of privacy" not found in the Constitution. He's right, sort of. The words "right to privacy" do not appear in the Constitution. They are implied from other rights. But neither do the words "right to prayer" appear in the constitution. That right is also implied. Robertson's complaint only proves the Constitution is subject to interpretation, and he would simply replace his interpretation for the current court's interpretation. Where is the intellectual honesty in that approach?
Robertson is not interested in honesty. He's interested in using right-wing fear to raise money for his media empire. "Now the Supreme Court has declared a constitutional right to consensual sodomy and, by the language in its decision, has opened the door to homosexual marriages, bigamy, legalized prostitution and even incest," Robertson claims. That's a flat out lie.
The court was clear in its opinion. "The present case does not involve minors. It does not involve persons who might be injured or coerced or who are situated in relationships where consent might not easily be refused. It does not involve public conduct or prostitution. It does not involve whether the government must give formal recognition to any relationship that homosexual persons seek to enter. The case does involve two adults who, with full and mutual consent from each other, engaged in sexual practices common to a homosexual lifestyle."
But don't count on Robertson for consistency and honesty. "There is a higher tribunal than the United States Supreme Court. There is the judge of all the Earth," Robertson said. "He loves our nation as much as we do, and he does not wish to destroy it."
That's not what Robertson said a few days after September 11, 2001. In an interview with Jerry Falwell on Robertson's 700 Club, Falwell said, "God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve." Robertson replied, "Jerry, that's my feeling. I think we've just seen the antechamber to terror."
Falwell then went on to blame the abortionists, pagans, feminists, gays and lesbians and the ACLU for the terrorist attacks. "I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen.'" Robertson quickly chimed in, "I totally concur, and the problem is we have adopted that agenda at the highest levels of our government."
It's hard to make sense of Pat Robertson. Writing in the Los Angeles Times, Robertson said, "In recent decades, the Supreme Court has contorted the Constitution to mean that the people may not decide for themselves through their duly elected officials matters of moral and social importance."
Surely he's not accusing the court of acting against the interests of democracy. If so, he seemed to have no problem when the exact same Supreme Court stepped in on December 9, 2000 and stopped the counting of ballots in Florida. He seemed to have no problem when the candidate with the most votes lost the presidential election.
Pat Robertson doesn't care about democracy. Back in 1992, when South Africa was shedding its racist apartheid government, Robertson balked. "I think 'one man, one vote,' just unrestricted democracy, would not be wise. There needs to be some kind of protection for the minority which the white people represent now." Funny, he never expressed concern about the rights of minorities in the United States.
The problem with the religious conservatives is the problem with religion in government. When people use their religion as the basis of government action, those who are not a part of the religion suffer. If school teachers lead their multicultural students in a Christian prayer, the Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, agnostic and atheist school kids lose their rights to practice their beliefs.
Robertson knows this, but he wants to use his power to manipulate the discourse. He does so by invoking God. Who can argue with God? There's no better way to stop a discussion or debate than by claiming that "God says so." Well, who gave you the right to decide what God says? And how do you know God speaks to me in the same way God speaks to you?
It's simple and tautological. If things work out for you, you claim that God ordained it. If things don't work out, you explain it some other way. For Robertson, it's a competition between religious forces to see who has God's ear. "I'm talking to God, and it's up to him to make a decision," he said. "If some of these folks don't like what I'm praying for and want to pray the other way, have at it? Let the Lord decide."
You can almost hear in his words the echoes of a spoiled young Pat Robertson fighting with his brothers and sisters for dad's attention. Apparently, that's the way he sees God. God is a father figure who gives him what he wants and punishes those who stand in his way.
That's why the religious right aren't really concerned with religion; they're concerned with Christianity. And they're only concerned with their narrowly limited, Americanized, televised, evangelicized form of Christianity.
Phyllis Schlafly, the conservative female anti-feminist leader of the Eagle Forum, once said, "The atomic bomb is a marvelous gift that was given to our country by a wise God."
In his 1991 book, The New World Order, Robertson himself admitted his bias that "those who believe in the Judeo Christian values are better qualified to govern America than Hindus and Muslims." But don't think Robertson was going soft on Jews. In the same book, he accuses freemasons and Jewish bankers of leading a conspiracy to destroy western civilization.
The real danger in America is not from freemasons or Jewish bankers. Nor should we fear the Hindus, Muslims, feminists, abortionists, pagans, gays or lesbians. Instead, we should worry about the religious bigots and hypocrites who use their pulpits to indoctrinate hatred.
Pat Robertson and I do agree on one issue. I have to admit, I am not always a fan of the Supreme Court. I too would love to see three Supreme Court justices retire, but I'll be more specific than Robertson. How about we get rid of Rehnquist, Scalia and Thomas?
God, can you hear me?
Comments conceal
mr
July 18 2003, 12:14PM
What's sad is I have seen the same focused ignorance in the overly religious in my own neighborhood. You know the people sharply dressed in church, always with a Bible in hand ready to quote scripture. The ones ready to tell you in a sweet voice that you are going to hell. Of course that is when they aren't busy gossiping , adulterating or just plain out sinning themselves. The difference is I sin, I know it and try to be a better person. They sin, know it, declare it isn't a sin and challenge anyone to confront them on it.
If God sees and knows all, doesn't he (or she) know about these liberal Justices and would therefore remove them if they were so evil? Is he saying God isn't doing his job? Does God need his advice to tell him who is bad and who to get rid of.? Does Pat Robertson realize how stupid what he is saying is?
His concern over the minorities in another country (South Africa) is very touching though. God wouldn't want anyone oppressed. Well except for all other races that aren't White Americans. Oh yeah some of those uppity amoral women and homosexuals. God doesn't mind a little oppression there.
I wish a reporter had forcefully confronted Robertson on praying ill will at another person. When I was young I was told that if you pray for bad things to happen to others, it would happen to you. Let's hope there is some truth in that.
Jared DeWese
July 18 2003, 12:27PM
Mr. Boykin,
The article that you have just written on Pat Robertson and his tirade against the Supreme Court is right on target. I have, for years, proclaimed his insanity to my grandmother, who claims she is a Democrat, who watches Robertson's "700 Club" as though it were a televised Bible Study. He has even convinced her to believe that all homosexuals are brainwashed which puts me in a quandry. I think perhaps instead of starting with the Supreme Court Justices we all should be relieved of people like Pat Robertson and his brainwashed clones.
I just purchased your book, "One More River To Cross", and I just wanted to say it is one of the finest books about race and sexuality I have ever read and I cannot help but to draw a comparrison to W.E.B. DuBois' "Soul of Black Folk" because it takes up the issue of the duality of being African American and homosexual. Please keep up the good work.
Jared DeWese
alicia banks
July 18 2003, 2:04PM
great column!
i loathe pat and jerry
pat robertson is the king of the demonic wrong throngs that pose as the "religious right" though they are blatantly neither!
jerry falwell is his favorite court jester...
do not forget that this demonic duo also dared to blame homosexuals for the 9/11 massacres...
see more on both toxic and DANGEROUS fools at my site
peace
ab
Cody
July 21 2003, 12:30AM
For what it’s worth, from someone who loves Christ.
What the religious right (they’re actually neither) don’t get is, we live in a pluralistic democracy. It is unconstitutional for one group to impose its dogma on others. Thank God our constitution protects us from their misguided fanaticism.
Their real crime is in having high jacked the Bible and the teachings of Christ these loonies would have us think that Christianity is not for us. God is love. Christ lives within each of our hearts -- Liberal, gay, non-gay, whoever. By denying us this insight the Pat Robertsons of the world are attempting to cut us off from a tremendous source of healing, redemption and empowerment that comes from within.
The moment we open our mouths to speak of God we diminish who/what he/she/it is. God is love. Love is an act. We all know what love looks and sounds like. And what it doesn’t.
Good column Keith.
Bob Friesen
July 22 2003, 9:36AM
We always hear "Love the sinner, hate the sin!" What a bogus statement and justification to hate both. Well guess what! We're all sinners and we all sin. To set yourself apart from that is to say that you are something better than that. You place yourself on the level of GOD. Pat Robertson and his ilk are the worst sinners of all.
May God forgive us for our imperfections, but God PLEASE forgive Pat for his blasphemy.
Barbara
August 28 2003, 11:47PM
I believe that Pat Robertson supported
Apartheid because he want to fatten his
own pocket.
He had interest in the Diamond mines.
He used his operation blessing plane to
transport his diamonds back to America
i don,t know how he sleeps at night
Eva Young
September 18 2003, 11:57PM
Great column. If you think Pat Robertson is wacky, check out Bob Enyart (http://www.kgov.com). Pat Robertson's prayer seems profoundly UnChristian to me. I've always like Jocelyn Elders - and thought that if Clinton had listened to her advice - rather than firing her, he would have saved himself - and the country alot of trouble.
Ramon Atayde
October 6 2003, 2:37AM
Concedering he's not exacty for any othere group than his. More like no gays ,lesbian,feminist and etc.etc and bye way that includes the care bears. What i say Pat's a regular Archi Bunker.
Gabriel Holl
December 20 2003, 3:04AM
This is the opinion of a devout Christian.
In my opinion, Pat Robertson is the ultimate abomination. In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus deplores people that are critical of the sins of others, while denying their own sins. Pat fails to heed the attage "Let he that is without sin cast the first stone." -Jesus. It is detestable that someone would even consider praying to God in the name of their own greed. I am sure God turned a deaf ear to all those duped into praying for something so greedy; meanwhile, there are STILL starving children throughout the world that couldn't care less who is on the Supreme Court as long as they get enough food to survive. I only have one other thing to say: SHAME ON YOU, PAT ROBERTSON. HOW DARE YOU ACT SO GREEDY AND SELF-CENTERED WHEN THERE ARE BETTER THINGS TO PRAY ABOUT THAN ONE'S POLITICAL AGENDA!
Gabriel Holl
December 20 2003, 3:04AM
This is the opinion of a devout Christian.
In my opinion, Pat Robertson is the ultimate abomination. In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus deplores people that are critical of the sins of others, while denying their own sins. Pat fails to heed the attage "Let he that is without sin cast the first stone." -Jesus. It is detestable that someone would even consider praying to God in the name of their own greed. I am sure God turned a deaf ear to all those duped into praying for something so greedy; meanwhile, there are STILL starving children throughout the world that couldn't care less who is on the Supreme Court as long as they get enough food to survive. I only have one other thing to say: SHAME ON YOU, PAT ROBERTSON. HOW DARE YOU ACT SO GREEDY AND SELF-CENTERED WHEN THERE ARE BETTER THINGS TO PRAY ABOUT THAN ONE'S POLITICAL AGENDA!
Gabriel Holl
December 20 2003, 3:04AM
This is the opinion of a devout Christian.
In my opinion, Pat Robertson is the ultimate abomination. In the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus deplores people that are critical of the sins of others, while denying their own sins. Pat fails to heed the attage "Let he that is without sin cast the first stone." -Jesus. It is detestable that someone would even consider praying to God in the name of their own greed. I am sure God turned a deaf ear to all those duped into praying for something so greedy; meanwhile, there are STILL starving children throughout the world that couldn't care less who is on the Supreme Court as long as they get enough food to survive. I only have one other thing to say: SHAME ON YOU, PAT ROBERTSON. HOW DARE YOU ACT SO GREEDY AND SELF-CENTERED WHEN THERE ARE BETTER THINGS TO PRAY ABOUT THAN ONE'S POLITICAL AGENDA!
erin
March 23 2004, 11:42AM
Bravo. Sometimes, to get a laugh, I watch "The 700 Club". Oh my. I wonder how the heck these people can claim to speak for God, when they seem determined to destroy everything Jesus stood for, like patience, love and kindness. It boggles my mind. Thank you for having the courage and the sense to stand up, and tell the truth. First step, get Bush out of the White House, then these idiots will have lost their biggest ally!!
Gabriel Holl
April 26 2004, 12:39AM
Update: according to a recent article by the New York Times, Chief Justice William Rehnquist, one of the most conservative on the current court, had announced on the Charlie Rose Show on PBS, in mid-March, that he is considering retirement after the election, regardless of outcome. I guess God does answer all prayers. This time he showed the religious right where to shove it (where the sun don't shine). They got an answer all right, God told them loud and clear "No, I have a better idea" or something of the sort. (No, I don't claim to speak for Him, unlike Robertson).