Pat Robertson: Atheists Are Unfit To Raise Their Own Children

[trotsky]

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/08/10/pat-robertson-atheists-are-unfit-to-raise-their-own-children-video/

Pat Robertson advised a Christian grandmother to do anything she can to prevent her grandchild from being raised as an atheist.

During the Monday edition of his 700 Club program on Disney-owned ABC Family, the TV preacher took a question from a woman named Elizabeth who asked for advice about what she can do to undermine the atheist parents of her six-year-old grandson.

“Pat, I am very concerned because this past weekend my 6-year-old grandson said his dad told him God and Jesus were not real and were just made up to scare people about dying,” Elizabeth wrote. “I had to explain the truth to him but he won’t believe me. I’m worried for my grandson’s soul.”

...

Robertson and his co-host then suggested that the woman purchase Superbook, which is a Bible-based series of animated stories produced and sold by Robertson’s own Christian Broadcasting Network. Presumably, Robertson is suggesting that Elizabeth force her grandson to watch it in an effort to indoctrinate him into Christianity against the will of the boy and his parents.

Fuck you Pat, you old bigot.

[ladjf]

1. Roberson has made a fortune trafficking in the "Jesus Trade".

Naturally, atheism isn't in HIS best interests. Never mind that he doesn't know the atheist in question. What gives him the right to offer serious family advice to a family that he knows nothing about?

Roberson has a long history of speaking dissing anything that has a trace of deviation from his concept of "traditional Christian values". While pretending to help people, he's actually being a self-serving person.

[trotsky]

2. One must also accept that he could simply be a true believer.

And that he sincerely believes anyone who is raised outside of Christianity is doomed to hell. Given those assumptions, it would logically flow that one should do anything possible to avoid one's grandchild going to hell. It is a natural consequence of his beliefs.

[ladjf]

3. No, one doesn't have to accept that his personal beliefs give him the right to

give life changing counsel to those who are in need. Religious leaders have used that faulty logic for thousands of years.

Religious people have the right to believe whatever they wish. But, they should not be allowed to abuse innocent people.
There is not a shred of evidence corroborating validity of Christian or any other religion's beliefs. That ideologies are
subjective "notions".

[trotsky]

4. It is "faulty" logic only from our perspective.

They don't view it as abuse. They view it as ensuring a person's eternal soul does not suffer. I agree with you that there is not one speck of evidence to support their beliefs, but then again, that's the uniqueness of religion: you don't need any. Just belief.

[DetlefK]

5. But why specifically Christianity?

The ancient Germans had such a nice religion. One of its rituals was to get piss-drunk until you start talking weird shit. These utterings are then divinely inspired and it's your holy duty to fulfill them...

[ladjf]

44. I said and "all other religeons in post #3. nt

[DetlefK]

53. I really need to make my humor less subtle...

[ladjf]

6. It's "faulty" logic because there is no way to verify the validity

of the basic concepts, i.e. virgin birth, trinity, resurrection and numerous other fundamental beliefs.
In other words, those beliefs are totally based on faith. To me that is faulty logic. To you it isn't.

Naturally, "they" don't view it as abuse. Very few abusers recognize their guilt.

I can see that you are trying to be fair. But, that has been the loophole for centuries. I think it's time to start basing life views on things that can be verified.

There will always be "magic", things that can't be explained such as love, the beauty of art, and other unexplainable phenomena.

[trotsky]

7. Whoa, hold on there.

To me it is ALSO faulty logic. To the True Believers it is not, because they only need to have faith. I agree that claims should be subject to verification, and treated differently based on how that turns out.

But there are many believers, and many defenders of belief - even right here on DU - who insist that should never be the case. For them, assholes like Pat Robertson are the albatross they wear around their necks.

[ladjf]

15. If you are referring to my use of "magic".

I enjoy the mysteries of love and art. They make me happy. I don't need to understand the underlying psychological processes.
However, if my characterizations are wrong, there will be no harm done other than I will miss the magic.

[trotsky]

16. No, not to you at all.

To folks like Robertson and those who defend religious belief as being just as valid as things we can verify.

[SwankyXomb]

24. If Pat Robertson was really a true believer

He'd be using his vast wealth to minister to the sick and needy, like Jesus would do. Instead he just begs for more.

[trotsky]

25. He simply has a different interpretation of the bible than you do.

You can't prove he's wrong.

[ladjf]

46. A stated, unsubstantiated belief is a theory. But , until the theory has been

validated by objective tests, it's just a theory or belief.

My statement was that Religious beliefs have never been validated. I didn't say that I had proof that they were false.

They might be true, but, until it is proven those beliefs shouldn't be relied upon as guidance for lives.

[ladjf]

45. Great point! nt

[roguevalley]

34. he's just a sick old fuck who makes money with blood diamonds and child slavery

he will be fucking surprised in the next life

[stone space]

8. Fr. Phil Berrigan had a few choice words to say about the "so-called Christian Right".

Fighting the Lamb's War: Skirmishes with the American Empire.

The Autobiography of Phillip Berrigan, with Fred A. Wilcox

(from page 219 of the 1996 edition.)

My critics say that I must "Love or Leave" America. I have never considered becoming an expatriate. This is my country. I was born and raised here. The United States has fostered and nourished me. And even though the government does not represent the people, this country belongs to us.

People talk about taking the country back from the usurpers, but what does this mean? In the name of liberty and justice, Pat Buchanan and friends want to establish an Old Testament Theocracy. In their ideal world the state will not only be God’s representative on earth; the state will be God. Persecuting the poor, abolishing Affirmative Action, building more prisons, executing more prisoners, expanding police powers, burning books, denying gay men and women jobs, fanning the fires of bigotry and hate, nourishing the addiction to war; all this will be an expression of God’s will.

How anyone can claim to be a Christian and believe these things is beyond comprehension. The God of the so-called Christian Right is a God of hate, not love; revenge, not forgiveness; death, not life. Such a God is bigoted and spiteful, a misogynist who inflicts pain and misery on the human family. The Christian Right’s vision stems neither from the Bible nor the Constitution, but from the dark and frightened recesses of the human psyche.

As for myself, I continue to resist because there is no alternative. I will not join the establishment. That would be deeply repugnant to me. I intend to stay here, witnessing against violence and madness, obsession with property and glorification of privilege.

Plowshare activists go to jail in order to resist the empire. We are innocent, but there is no other way to make our statement. We make it publicly, in court, before the press and anyone who cares to listen. We do not choose to go to prison. That is the government’s decision. We violate unjust laws, and take the consequences, whatever they may be. But our submission doesn’t mean that we respect the corrupt judicial system. We go to prison for our nonviolent beliefs, not because we accept the empire’s rules.

I remember one quotation from the Book of John, where Jesus says something like, “If they hate me, they will hate you also.” The implication; if they do not hate you, you are not living the life you profess to live. That is, following me.”

Two thousand years have passed, and Caesar reigns. The military occupies our country, a hierarchy of the rich and powerful controls the people’s lives, taxing the poor, beating, jailing, killing, those who resist imperial policies.

For over a period of two thousand years, the Bible has been largely ignored or defiled. The life of Christ is not preached by the established church, and it is not lived by many Christians; not to be wondered that so many “Christians” despise the poor and support the military.

[trotsky]

9. How does Berrigan feel about abortion rights? Marriage equality?

Should we respect his views on those items, too?

The Christian Right are Christians, too. It is bigoted to say that they're not - implying that bad people CANNOT be Christians, and therefore must be non-believers.

[stone space]

10. Um...is your thread intended to bash the Christian Right or the late Fr. Berrigan?

I thought that I was agreeing with you here.

I posted in support.

[trotsky]

11. To claim that Pat Robertson isn't a Christian is bigotry.

I believe bigotry should be confronted no matter where it appears.

[stone space]

12. Ok, I'm removing my rec from your OP.

To claim that Pat Robertson isn't a Christian is bigotry.

Fr. Berrigan was no bigot, as anybody who knew him while he was alive can attest.

[trotsky]

14. Oh dear. I'm crushed.

I'm not a fan of people who oppose abortion rights and LGBT equality, and think that the only evil people in the world are non-believers. Sorrynotsorry.

[H2O Man]

49. Obviously, you are not

familiar with the late Phillip Berrigan. Perhaps you might take some time to find out who he was. Both Phillip and his brother Daniel were outstanding men. (I admit to being subjective, as I was friends with both of them.)

[trotsky]

54. Good for you.

They may have had some fine characteristics.

But I'm not a big fan of anyone who opposes reproductive rights and full LGBT equality, and I won't ever apologize for that.

[edhopper]

17. He supported LGBT rights

and was against abortion.

[trotsky]

18. I see his remark says that homosexuals should be allowed to have jobs.

How gracious. Did he support marriage equality? Expressing one's homosexuality?

[beam me up scottie]

52. Good question.

I'm always stunned by the kinds of religious bigotry that are considered acceptable on DU.

And I rec'd your thread which makes up for the one that got taken away because you hurt some fee fees by pointing out the obvious.

[stone space]

13. Rec removed for calling Fr. Phil Berrigan a bigot.

Sorry, but there are lines.

You crossed one.

[Lordquinton]

19. You really didn't plead you case well

or even, like, at all.

[stone space]

20. Like I'm going to add something of significance to Phil's statement?

You really didn't plead you case well

I think he did a pretty good job at demolishing the so-called Christian Right on his own, without my assistance.

Just because Trotsky pulled a line out of the text in order to show his ass by thoughtlessly calling him a bigot doesn't mean that anybody needs my defense.

[trotsky]

21. He opposed reproductive rights and full LGBT equality.

You can worship him if you want. I won't.

[Lordquinton]

27. Ok, but here's the thing: he didn't.

He said, quite correctly, that it is bigoted to do some things. It's hard to accept, but heroes of the past, particularly religious ones, held some terrible views.

You just picked up your toys in a huff and made a big scene (not really storming out, as your standing around the place telling everyone how you're not reccing it anymore). you made zero argument to support your case, maybe show that your hero isn't whag you claim he's accused of? Even better, accept that he wasn't perfect and denounce those views he had so you can focus on the good aspects.

[trotsky]

29. Some people are just loose cannons.

They fire at anything that moves.

[Lordquinton]

30. Part of a group that believes religion can do nothing wrong

Anything bad done by, and in the name of, and directly inspired by religion is handwaved away to be not real. Or they're misinterpreting it. Or possesed by a deamon. Or...

[trotsky]

31. It's worse than that for some.

Anything bad is automatically ruled OUT as being due to religion in any way, shape, or form. Thus leading to the very bigotry I pointed out, namely the belief that bad things are only done by the NON-religious, for NON-religious reasons.

Some people get very angry when you point out their own bigotry, or the bigotry of their heroes, and they just unload both barrels.

[Lordquinton]

32. Still waiting for any support about mental illness and violence

We will never get it because the truth is that there is actually an inverse relation, that the mentally ill are far more likely to be a victim at the hands of "normal" people. It's actually encouraged by religion, for example the RCC's exorcism branch.

[Warren Stupidity]

23. 'sok I added a rec. it all balances out.

Your attempt to shoot this op off the greatest page has failed. You'll need a bigger gun to get the job done.

[stone space]

33. I'm an atheist. I don't believe in that god.

You'll need a bigger gun to get the job done.

Guns are a false god.

[Warren Stupidity]

35. guns are real. all gods are false.

[stone space]

36. They are false gods. As an atheist, I reject them.

guns are real.

[Goblinmonger]

39. Too bad we can't shoot down all gods so easily.

Would make the world a better place.

[stone space]

40. Doing battle with false gods is not as easy as you seem to think.

Too bad we can't shoot down all gods so easily.

There are risks involved.

But there's no need for any shooting.

Nonviolence is the way.

A more determined, nonviolent, militant atheism could overcome them.

[Goblinmonger]

41. Words are important

militant: combative and aggressive in support of a political or social cause, and typically favoring extreme, violent, or confrontational methods.

nonviolent: not using violence.

There is some tension with a nonviolent militant atheism.

[stone space]

43. There's always tension with militant nonviolence.

There is some tension with a nonviolent militant atheism.

Ever watch what happens when Christians do it?

They sometimes end up in prison, sometimes for years or even decades.

[Warren Stupidity]

48. kind of like not recognizing china, a bizarre policy we pursued for 30 years.

As an atheist all gods are false, right?

[mr blur]

42. You do realise that this is just meaningless drivel, don't you?

You don't believe in guns?
Because you're an atheist?

If anyone ever points on at you in anger, just point out that's it's a false god and you don't believe in it. That'll work.
Then duck.

[stone space]

47. Why do you even post such drivel?

If anyone ever points on at you in anger, just point out that's it's a false god and you don't believe in it. That'll work.
Then duck.

Who claimed that doing battle with false gods is easy?

Doing battle with false gods takes courage, dedication, and commitment.

But some folks are indeed strong enough to engage in this battle.

Here's one such individual, who, ironically enough, isn't even an atheist herself, but still, she clearly has what it takes to take on these false gods in battle.

“It’s idolatry, putting trust in weapons. And weapons are made like gods. … Weapons are always false gods because they make money. It’s profiteering.”

---Sister Megan Rice---

The Prophets of Oakridge

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/wp-style/2013/09/13/the-prophets-of-oak-ridge/?tid=ptv_rellink

[Act_of_Reparation]

50. When in Rome, I guess.

Bear in mind you're the "militant atheist" couching his arguments in the rhetoric of the religious.

[mr blur]

55. Oh, just go away. You make no sense.

If there's a point, you're sure to miss it.

We get it:

You're a "Militant Atheist". Probably the world's most fearless one. Well, whoopy-doo.
You don't like guns. You think they're seen as gods. "False gods" (what as opposed to "Real" ones?) You've already said that. And said it. And said it... Yawn.

Doing battle with false gods takes courage, dedication, and commitment

Do you not realise, as everyone else here does, that this sounds noble but is, in fact, meaningless?

Look, I'm an atheist. I abhor religion. But I don't use it as an excuse to bash anything I don't agree with or like. It's ridiculous. You might as well say, "Some people treat their cars like little gods, I'm an atheist so of course I don't like cars." You're making yourself look very silly. Please stop.

[AtheistCrusader]

22. If either of my son's grandmothers pulled this shit, it would be the last time he visited them unsup

ervised.


LAST time.

[rexcat]

28. If my sons one living grandmother pulled this...

shit she would have never seen them or me again. Glad my two boys are now in college so not much to worry about but she is a ultra conservative catholic and very anti-atheist thanks to her catholic upbringing. My wife and I never got around to telling her the two boys are atheists.

[HFRN]

26. he also said we 'should drop a nuke on Foggy Bottom'

foggy bottom meaning the state department

why anyone would care about the opinions of a man who suggested dropping a nuke on DC is beyond me

[Angry Dragon]

38. I thought foggy bottom was CIA

[Angry Dragon]

37. Pat the liquor officer and renter of whores

He calls senator daddy up to get him out of going to Korea and then spends a lot of his time having sex with whores .............. yes this is the type of man that should give advice

[Warpy]

51. He doesn't want any potential suckers to get away

Every atheist and every child being raised by atheists represents dollars not getting into his hungry coffers.

[cleanhippie]

56. Robertson is the gift that keeps on giving.