Is Pat Robertson "relevant" to mainstream Christians?

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

He's so far out in the fringe he's unravelling.

Only difference between him and others that far out in the fringe is that he has his own cable network.

 

[lemondog]

I am a Christian and I absolutely can't stand Pat Robertson. I suppose everyone is entitled to their views, but his just keep alienating him further and further from mainstream Christianity.

It's pretty ironic -- this guy who considers himself such a wonderful Christian has an extremely UN-Christianlike attitude about things.

He's an idiot.

 

[yeartolate]

I am really glad to see that (at least in this small sampling) that Pat Robertson does not seem to be respected in the mainstream Christian community.

 

[cardaway]

I fail to see how his large number of followers, and basic Christian broadcasting empire, can be called on the fringe.

 

[Geoff_M]

I consider him the "Mother Sheehan" of the Christian world in terms of the utter stupid things that emit from his mouth. My guy's influence in both the Christian and political world has only fallen since his doomed attempt for the Presidency in 1988. He's a niche player today. However, I find it surreal that every time the guy verbally puts his foot in his mouth the press treats him like he's the Protestant "Pope".

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If I want to hear about "Rapture", I tune into Jack Van Impe, who made the comment very tastefully about Pat Robertson,.....something to the effect as a religious leader he has a responsiblity globally and his words are probably harming Americans in other countries.

That put things into perspective for me and saddened me because it is true.

Pat Robertson is evil.

 

[sodaseller]

IMO, it wouldn't matter if he were "mainstream" if I thought he was correct. In fact, I would imagine it's hard to be both., But I don't think he's either. Every time he speaks I recall a line from Godspell's "Alas for You"

Searching for souls and fools to forsake them
You travel the land you scour the sea
After you've got your converts you make them
Twice as fit for hell!
As you are yourselves!

 

[vivilasvegas]

Does anyone else think that Pat Robertson resembles the bartender from the Simpsons? The one with the hook nose? I can't remember his name.

Why would you insult Moe like that, what did he ever do to you?

 

[Serena]

He has a right to his opinion, I'll give him that. But what bothers me is all the followers. The religious leaders that follow him and teach that crap to others.
This is becoming an issue with me because my dad is becoming one of the people that believe it.

 

[afoxbiz]

As the son of a Southern Baptist Pastor, I can honestly say that Pat is one of those people we don't speak of. He's an idiot, but if we criticize him in a public forum, it kind of shines the spotlight on us!

Shhhhhhh.... don't mention his name!!!

 

[Galahad]

I fail to see how his large number of followers, and basic Christian broadcasting empire, can be called on the fringe.

Well at least numbers - mainstream Christians in the mainline protestant churches and the Catholic churches out number his "followers" by a very large margin.

 

[cardaway]

Well at least numbers - mainstream Christians in the mainline protestant churches and the Catholic churches out number his "followers" by a very large margin.

Agreed, but his minority numbers are still to many IMO to be called fringe. Seems like nothing but trying to discount his presence so they can silently ignore it rather than speak out, at least to this non-Christian outsider. Other powerful Christian leaders sure speak their mind about leaders of other religions or other subjects. Doesn't look good from here.

 

[Lanshark]

Unfortunately, when people see Pat Robertson the the natural inclination is to think Christianity. Pat Robertson is an extremist who happens to have a venue to espouse his views. It is truly unfortunate that many view him as a talking head for Christians.

 

[yeartolate]

Can someone get some clear numbers of his viewers? I am seeing 1 to 1.5 million as his audience ---- is this real? If so, this is hardly fringe.

 

[DawnCt1]

Just to interject a third side to this issue, I think many viewers see Pat Robertson on tv and don't pay much attention to who he is. Last night on CBS at 8 pm, Miracles II aired. I had never seen Miracles I but I decided to watch it. Pat Robertson was the host. He seemed warm and friendly, and one has no doubt watching him that he loves The Lord. In fact, one could have watched that program and not have even known his name, he was simply the host. I think a lot of viewers fall into that category. They don't concern themselves with the messenger or every message but listen to some of the message. Their opinions may all be somewhere in between black and white.

 

[Galahad]

Can someone get some clear numbers of his viewers? I am seeing 1 to 1.5 million as his audience ---- is this real? If so, this is hardly fringe.

I disagee. That's a pretty small audience for a television broadcast. Heck, Rush Limbaugh has millions and a lot of folks would call him/them fringe. 1.5 million is a drop in the bucket next to the total number of self identified Christians. Still, Cardaway has a point. Most of us "non-fringe" middle-of-the-road Christians ignore him and his ilk rather than speak out. For me it's because I don't view my religion as political so PR is not on my radar. Don't know how common that view is though.

 

[Holly]

Pat Robertson is a huge pimple on the face of Christianity.

I hope no one takes that mans awful words as gospel. He is a hate- filled, sick, twisted person.

 

[jimmiej]

I pause to think what would have happened if nearly 2000 years ago Jesus was calling for assassinations or told others who were near death that they are being punished....I hardly think he would have had a following of any importance.

Actually, that sounds somewhat like the kind of messiah the Jews were expecting; someone to help them escape Roman rule.

OP- Pat Robertson isn't relevant to me or my service to the Lord. I'm too busy serving the Lord through my local church. I get my Christian leadership through my local pastors. I've never been a big fan of televangelists. I do enjoy listening to Billy Graham and his son Franklin.

On the other hand, I think we've become so PC, we forget there are two sides to God. While God is the definition of Love, He is also Judgement. Just as a loving parent disciplines their children, God disciplines His children. I'm not so quick to dismiss PR's thoughts. I do wish he would show better timing and maybe a little more tact.

Bottom line, filter everything through the Scripture.

 

[cardaway]

I disagee. That's a pretty small audience for a television broadcast. Heck, Rush Limbaugh has millions and a lot of folks would call him/them fringe. 1.5 million is a drop in the bucket next to the total number of self identified Christians.

I disagree, Rush is not considered fringe. At least my point on this current discussion is that Pat (and in your point Rush) has a majority, if not the number one portion of the demographic at any given time. Fringe is a group, person, who gets like 10% of the numbers those two have following them.

Still, Cardaway has a point. Most of us "non-fringe" middle-of-the-road Christians ignore him and his ilk rather than speak out. For me it's because I don't view my religion as political so PR is not on my radar. Don't know how common that view is though.

IMO his statment was not political. Sees to cut right to the core of the beliefs. At least to this guy, this is all about how Christians view the power of God, whether they like it or not.

If the other leaders disagree, I sure hope they say something.

 

[inaminute]

Pat Robertson is insignificant to me and to everyone I know. Why the press keeps reporting about him is a mystery to me.