So That's What Pat Robertson Means By Sanctity of Marriage

by Michael Jones · 2010-06-14 12:03:00 UTC
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The 700 ClubOpponents of marriage equality have long trotted out a favorite catchphrase every time the question of gay marriage comes up.

"Two men or two women getting married? Well that threatens the sanctity of marriage," these folks say. Ah, the sanctity of marriage. Sure enough, that's been a pretty effective talking point in state after state where same-sex marriage has been put up for a vote. But just what does the sanctity of marriage look like?

We could ask Rush Limbaugh. After all, having been married a whopping four times now, Limbaugh likely has some thoughts on the subject.

But perhaps it's best to ask Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson. After all, while Limbaugh is a conservative firebrand, Robertson is an ordained Baptist minister. And if there's anyone who can speak to the issue of sanctity, it ought to me a member of the cloth.

Perhaps nothing illustrates Robertson's position more than this lovely tidbit from his show, The 700 Club. Robertson does a little question & answer session during the show, where he responds to emails that his viewers send in. This lovely segment comes courtesy of Anne, who writes to Pat and says her husband is constantly flirting with other women, and it really is starting to get Anne upset. What sage advice does Robertson have for Anne?

"Anne, first thing is, you need to make yourself as attractive as possible, and don't hassle him about it," Robertson said. "Now why is he doing this? Well, he's doing it because he wants affirmation that he is still a man, that he is attractive, and he gets an affirmation of himself ... he's not going to cheat on you. He's just playing. But you need to not drive him away or start hassling and hammering on him, but make yourself as beautiful as you can, as fun as you can."

That's right. Pat Robertson's definition of the sanctity of marriage requires that a woman not only put up with a husband who constantly flirts with other women, but it also requires that a woman make herself look as pretty as possible, in order to boost a man's ego and keep him from straying.

'Til death do us part? Nah, when it comes to Pat Robertson, it's more, "'Til the wife stops putting out."

Meanwhile, gay and lesbian couples who love each other as much as Pat Robertson loves his exploitative diamond mines can't get married in 45 states. Ah, sanctity. What a deliciously fluid word you are for some.

Check out the video of Robertson after the jump.

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

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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