 Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson warned residents of a rural Pennsylvania town Thursday that disaster may strike there because they "voted God out of your city" by ousting school board members who favored teaching intelligent design.
| "Y'know that big earthquake that hit Muzaffarabad? God sent that because I asked Him to. Now I've asked Him to kill you all." |
All eight Dover, Pa., school board members up for re-election were defeated Tuesday after trying to introduce "intelligent design" - the belief that the universe is so complex that it must have been created by a higher power - as an alternative to the theory of evolution.
| That tells me the good citizens of Dover want a school board, not a shura council. Too bad they can't vote the Rev. Pat out of office. |
"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: If there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God. You just rejected him from your city," Robertson said on the Christian Broadcasting Network's "700 Club."
| And Rev. Pat, if you suddenly devolve into a monkey, or some sort of primitive reptile, or a trilobite, don't come complaining to the citizens of Dover. |
Eight families had sued the district, claiming the policy violates the constitutional separation of church and state.
The federal trial concluded days before Tuesday's election, but no ruling has been issued.
| H.L. Menken is probably regretting he's dead, thereby being unable to cover the trial. It's probably just as well, since he's already used the term "homo boobicus" and he'd have to come up with a better zinger. |
Later Thursday, Robertson issued a statement saying he was simply trying to point out that "our spiritual actions have consequences."
"God is tolerant and loving, but we can't keep sticking our finger in his eye forever," Robertson said. "If they have future problems in Dover, I recommend they call on Charles Darwin. Maybe he can help them."
| If I was writing in the American Mercury covering Pat Robertson, the best I'd be able to come up with would be "arrogrant prick." That's why Menken was a better writer than I am. |
Robertson made headlines this summer when he called on his daily show for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. In October 2003, he suggested that the State Department be blown up with a nuclear device. He has also said that feminism encourages women to "kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians."
| Pat's brand of Olde Tyme Religion™, on the other hand, is good for the soul. Once you've turned your brain off, that's all that's left. |
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