Pat Robertson Prays for the End of Pro-LGBT Churches

by Michael Jones · 2009-07-22 19:51:00 UTC
Topics:

Pat Robertson

Last week the U.S. Episcopal Church voted to end its moratorium on ordaining gay and lesbian bishops, affirming the dignity and self-worth of millions of gay and lesbian religious folk around the country.  Pat Robertson, of course, couldn't let this moment slide by without offering a bit of tactless whining. For Robertson, the fact that the Episcopal Church moved closer toward fully embracing LGBT people into their ranks means that he's now praying for the Church's demise.

Here's what Robertson himself said on an episode of the 700 Club this week:

They have lost their way. They were taken over by this controversy having to do with same-sex marriage and the ordination of homosexual bishops. Once they got into that morass and lost their way from scriptural teaching, they didn't have much denomination left...

And there will be no tears in my life if the Episcopal Church of America just quietly goes out of business

Robertson goes on to champion a breakaway group of conservative Episcopalians, who instead of following the U.S. Church follow radical bishops from Rwanda who believe in the criminalization of homosexuality.

Robertson's popularity has tanked in recent years, and really, one has to ask if it's any wonder.  This type of mean, vile commentary doesn't send a message of hope, and certainly doesn't do Robertson any favors in selling his religion.  Who wants to be a member of a church that spends so much of it's time preaching hate, and builds its foundation on praying for the demise of other religions?

Compare Robertson's nastiness to openly gay Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson's words, said last week after the Episcopal Church gave bishops permission to decide whether to officiate same-sex wedding ceremonies:

There are a lot of [people] who say they are embarrassed when people say you are the ‘gay’ church.  To this, Episcopalians should say, “You bet we are.” We are the church of the people of color, the church of women, the church of the mentally ill, a church of no outcasts."

Isn't that empowering?  And isn't that what a church's role is supposed to be anyway - empowering the disenfranchised?

Maybe Robertson could take a few lessons from Robinson.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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