Pat Robertson on Alzheimer’s and divorce: It’s okay to leave
First thing this morning, the YouTube link of the Rev. Pat Robertson, once one of the most politically powerful evangelicals in the nation, arrived in the mailbox:
Said Robertson:
“I hate Alzheimer’s. It is one of the most awful things, because here’s the loved one – this is the woman or man that you have loved for 20, 30, 40 years – and suddenly that person is gone….
I know it sounds cruel, if he’s going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again – but to make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her.”
Julianne Thompson of Atlanta Tea Party Patriots — who sent the video clip — quickly followed up with these contrary thoughts:
When we enter into marriage we are well aware that we take vows joining our self to our spouse “for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
As someone who began my media training on a show called Christian World News produced by the Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia Beach, I am appalled at the recent comments by CBN founder, and 700 Club host Pat Robertson that he would advocate leaving a spouse for another person because they were stricken with Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that not only destroys the life of the person stricken, but causes great hardship on the entire family. My grandmother-in-law died from Alzheimer’s, and the toll it took on her family was unimaginable to those with no experience in dealing with loved ones stricken with any form of dementia. But, her family did not leave her, nor did her husband ever feel she was no longer worthy of keeping a vow to.
There are many devastating conditions, including cancer, ALS, and spinal cord injuries. In 2002, my father died a very slow death as the result of a spinal cord injury. It was a horrible, but my mother never thought of putting him in custodial care and running off with another man because she needed to escape the pain of dealing with the reality that bad things can happen to family.
As the founder of a Christian-based network and a Christian College Robertson’s comments have brought shame to the network. And, for someone who hold’s a doctorate in ministry, he needs to brush-up on the fact that the Bible does not give an opt-out of marriage based on the severity of the disease.
I hope Mr. Robertson does some serious soul searching, and I hope that leads him to a public apology and the need to step down from his leadership at CBN and Regent University.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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137 comments Add your comment
red light redistrict
September 15th, 2011
9:44 am
Death comes in many ways. Love only happens one way. Mother Nature is cruel. If a marriage is over, then a divorce is the logical consequence.
bob alexander
September 15th, 2011
9:57 am
i find the so called reverend robertson, at best an insincere charlatan, who uses religion to criticize everyone else and when he is called to answer criticism, he’ll either hide behind the Bible or offer a patronizing explanation that he knows what’s best. And people wonder why many are disgusted with religion and its leaders. Do as I say not as I do.
B. Thenet
September 15th, 2011
9:58 am
A tea party leader who worked on a Christian TV show shown on Pat Robertson’s network in the past.
What a shock.
Why a so called anti-tax group would feel they would need to respond to the media about this confuses me as well. It appears someone has already gotten too big for her britches. In the future perhaps they should stick to whining about the government instead of whining about slimy televangelists they used to work for.
Vibrant
September 15th, 2011
10:06 am
I am not shocked at all by Pat’s comments. He is human and in my opinion probably not the a good human. He has made some other “suspect” comments. I believe God would not want us to desert a sick spouse and would want us to lean on him totally to cope. I am not sure what the Bible says so I can’t address that BUT for anyone who finds themself in this situation “spouse with Alzheimers” a must see is “A Vow to Cherish”- i saw this movie years ago and I cried like a baby. A Vow to Cherish -
This is a very rare film which illustrates the devotion of a husband to his wife through “sickness and health, in good times and bad,” as he leans on the Lord for his strength. The 50ish wife contracts Alzheimer’s Disease and this excellent movie shows the awful devastation and immediate changes within a family that this disease brings.
This movie is an excellent portrayal of the deep faith and deep love a husband had for his wife and for his belief in Christ. . It shows that we can’t do life alone, and that God truly will never leave us or forsake us. We have to run to Him. We must place our burdens on Jesus’ strong shoulders because we were never meant to carry them alone. He truly offers us a peace that passes all understanding when we give our worries and hardships to Him.
Also, I think Pat has a huge crush on Christy the pretty African American host. He is soooooo giddy with her.
KHC
September 15th, 2011
10:07 am
@ red light redistrict-My father-in-law has done a wonderful job of adjusting to his wife’s progressive loss of memory and associated problems. In the 29 years I have known them there has NEVER been any doubt in my mind that they married each other with the firm conviction that health (or any other) issues would not divide them. As a result, they continue to be engaged in their community, family, and church. Friends and neighbors support and admire them. There is a very real chance based on family history that my husband could also have some form of dementia. That won’t ever be a good enough reason to end our marriage (27+ years, one horrible car accident and cancer along the way).
Double D
September 15th, 2011
10:08 am
I’m amazed that anybody is shocked by this. Robertson in a pretty typical right-wing hypocritical jackass. He’s so worried about same-sex marriage destroying the sanctity of marriage. Really??? Anybody who supprts this guy should seriously consider getting some mental health help. Save your money, folks. You’re gonna need it!
Jed
September 15th, 2011
10:11 am
B. Thenet,
You’re an idiot.
That being said, I liked Thompson’s response to the Robertson clip. While I want to say I can’t believe a Christian reverend could say such a thing, he has put his foot in his mouth so many times in recent years it’s a sign that HE could be having an early onset … time to hang it up gracefully (if that’s possible).
Justin
September 15th, 2011
10:13 am
@ Double D
You hit the nail on the head! I couldn’t agree more. Very well said!
Not Surprised
September 15th, 2011
10:15 am
In response to Double D – he is just a jack ass….period. Being conservative or Tea Party has absolutely nothing to do with this. This isn’t a political statement and those of you who try to tie your political views to his remark are as ignorant and hypocritical as he is. He is an embarrassment to every Christian.
Vibrant
September 15th, 2011
10:16 am
The look on Terry’s face when Pat made those comments is “priceless”.
Chuck Allison
September 15th, 2011
10:16 am
I think it is cruel when the media continues to question individuals in their advanced age when their minds begin to go and they say things that they never would have said when they had all their faculties. Nancy Reagan, Betty Ford, Barry Goldwater, Jimmy Carter, and others come to mind. Of course Pat is in error here, and he has already realized that he is in error. He never would have said such a thing when he was younger.
The last five years my mother was alive, she had Alzheimers, but I still enjoyed the time I spent with her. She always recognized me and let me know that she loved me.
RICH S.
September 15th, 2011
10:20 am
As a Christian his comments I find to be very upsetting, as I have always been taught that divorce was if your spouse were cheating and in case of death…I have had two close members of my family who have had the Alzheimers, and neither were left they were taken care of right to the end…So, Mr. Robertson (I use Mr. because no Pastor I know would talk like this) perhaps you need to have your mind checked or open the word again and read the part about in sickness or health….
Native Atlantan
September 15th, 2011
10:21 am
Thank God I’m Jewish.
Peter Hoover
September 15th, 2011
10:22 am
Jesus only permitted divorce in the case of adultery. Matthew ch. 5
Rick
September 15th, 2011
10:25 am
Not a political liberal but somehow I can’t seem to find any symphathy for anyone associated with the Tea Party.
Those people are funded and controlled by multi-national corporations.
RGB
September 15th, 2011
10:25 am
Robertson in a pretty typical right-wing hypocritical jackass.
Your statement makes me curious as to what other “pretty typical right-wing hypocritical jackasses” have stated that it’s OK to divorce a spouse with Alzheimer’s.
Though he tried, Robertson was never elected to public office –even by his “pretty typical right-wing hypocritical jackass[ses]“. That suggests that perhaps he is atypical.
I’d love to see your list. If it’s too long, just list the top dozen or so who’ve made the same comment.
Thanks.
Jack
September 15th, 2011
10:27 am
A real man doesn’t desert his wife because of illness. Robertson is a jerk.
PMC
September 15th, 2011
10:27 am
I leave evangelicals alone to live and practice what they will as they will…. now if they would only do the same…..
John K
September 15th, 2011
10:28 am
I’m surprised he didn’t blame the gays and feminists for Alzheimer’s.
Maggie'smom
September 15th, 2011
10:31 am
I am so happy I am not living his life, what a miserable man he must be. Hope he gets worse than Alzheimers!!
Debbie Dooley
September 15th, 2011
10:32 am
Julianne was responding in a personal nature and she never said she was responding on behalf of Atlanta Tea Party. She used to work for CBN. Atlanta Tea Party never has addressed social issues and Julianne has fought to make sure Atlanta Tea Party only addressissues related to fiscal responsibility, free markets and limited government.
Tea party actvists are allowed to have opinions on other things outside of the tea party values. Just because you are a tea party activist does not mean you give up your right to personally lobby on other issues. On a side note, I personally agree with Julianne’s comments but to be honest, I have never been a Pat Robertson fan…
Voting Nana
September 15th, 2011
10:35 am
I find it absolutely amazing the number of people that still send money to any TV preacher. Pat Robertson has said so many off the wall kooky things, how can anyone take him seriously? This is TV at its worse and is only good for the point and laugh sessions.
CTO
September 15th, 2011
10:35 am
Does anyone still listen to this guy??? What an idiot!
Tom
September 15th, 2011
10:36 am
I think most lucid people have recognized for quite some time now that the “Reverend” Roberston is a moonbat.
oldfart
September 15th, 2011
10:37 am
“They all tell you to send your money to the Lord but they give you their address.” –Hank Jr.
Ryan
September 15th, 2011
10:37 am
“A real man doesn’t desert his wife because of illness. Robertson is a jerk.”
Right on Jack!! Love is a choice. If this ever happends to my wife a guarentee you I will choose to love her until the end.
Karla
September 15th, 2011
10:38 am
Evil-gelicals as I like to call them. These folks are only Christians when convenient. A real Chrisitan loves everybody and humbles themselves for those who really need help. Talk about hiding behind the Cross…
Tom
September 15th, 2011
10:40 am
And, on a tangential point, no…it’s not a TP issue. The real Tea Party movement has NO social or ‘faith-based’ agenda. Many involved in the TP movement have (like myself) moderate/libertarian or even ‘liberal’ views on many social issues.
I ask you
September 15th, 2011
10:43 am
I think his comment is ” If he is going to do something …….”. What do you do, stay and run around and get your jollies with someone else. It all depends on where you are looking from. Would I leave my wife, no. Would Pat Robertson leave his wife? no.
Saintmarks
September 15th, 2011
10:45 am
At the outset, I am horrified. But to be fair, could we please see the FULL clip. This you tube clip is cut and edited in an effort to paint Robertson in a corner. Not saying that Robertson hasn’t done this himself, but why cut and edit like this? Perhaps other things were said to soften this, but we just get the scandalous comments. Note the left-wing group that has posted this on You Tube. Agenda free? Don’t think so.
Tina
September 15th, 2011
10:47 am
Is there a “Mrs. Robertson”. Hope she doesn’t get Alzheimer’s. And the Reverend ought to “walk a mile” in that poor woman’s shoes whose husband wants only the “better” of his wedding vows. Want to know what true love is while dealing with AD, read Robertson McQulkin’s little book.
Jon Lester
September 15th, 2011
10:47 am
@Jed – I don’t think Jesus has a place at the table set for you just yet, if you’re going to call people names for expressing valid opinions.
I’ll take it one further than B. Thenet – Tea Party leaders careless enough to admit working for someone who teaches a theology as flawed as Robertson’s may also be telling us that they won’t be any better at governing, either.
john
September 15th, 2011
10:49 am
This is totally contrary to the Scriptures and is the height of a selfish, me attitude. he should step down immediately.
how2fish
September 15th, 2011
10:51 am
Newsflash Pat when you marry it should be with the understanding that in the end of the day..no one gets out of life alive. So either you know that your going to divorce you mate at some time in the future or one of you will be burying the other right up front. I’d have more respect for someone who stayed married and made sure their spouse was being taken care of properly while having an affair, that someone that divorced them and then found someone new. I guess it would be OK in Pat’s mind to just abandon a parent too?? Why not just walk away from a child with cancer I mean that’s tragic too it might cause a little grief if you had to stay around a watch them be ill all over the place…
JOANN
September 15th, 2011
10:57 am
I THINK THE MARRIAGE VOWS SAYS IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH, NOT EXCEPT IF HE OR SHE DEVELOPS ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE.
Jim007
September 15th, 2011
10:57 am
What ever happened to ” Until Death Do Us Part ? “
Saintmarks
September 15th, 2011
10:59 am
Here is a link to an unedited clip, paints a different picture:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZoDMGe5ffw
I am not a Robertson devotee by any means, just hate the way people jump on Christians at any chance they get. Still don’t agree with his view, but when you listen to the whole thing, Robertson is not as hard line as the clip posted above paints him to be.
RxDawg
September 15th, 2011
11:03 am
Someone tell that A hole to go watch the Notebook.
Tony
September 15th, 2011
11:04 am
Before you abuse, criticize or accuse… walk a mile in my shoes.
It's All Dikkksie Now!
September 15th, 2011
11:08 am
Is there a Mrs Robertson… indeed there is… Rev Pat knocked her up well before marriage (when cornered with date discrepancies, Rev Pat says “I HAVE SINNED!!!” very quietly…
Ooh la lah. Goobers and their preachers…
diagnoser
September 15th, 2011
11:12 am
From all I’ve ever heard Pat say, I believe he has had Alzheimers for years.
Jed
September 15th, 2011
11:16 am
@ Jon Lester,
You should be very, very careful to assume who He has prepared a place for. Very careful.
Sure, I resorted to name-calling, and I shouldn’t have, but I thought I’d work off assumptions like B. Thenet so we could speak the same language.
You think he expressed a valid opinion? He was a smart-a** who made an extremely presumptive statement about the woman who sent out the press release. I see no “valid opinion’ in his statement.
My Bride...Forever
September 15th, 2011
11:17 am
My bride and I have FOREVER engraved in our wedding bands along with our initials. That’s what it meant in 1979 and that’s what it will mean when the last of the two of us is buried. We’re in the Autumn of our years now but have so very many wonderful and beautiful memories which is all it takes when we need to have a discussion about the years to come. No matter what…I will always be by her side in this world and in heaven. I love you Pooh!
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
September 15th, 2011
11:17 am
Robertson doesn’t address the key question raised about “bitterness” toward G-d because he is a false religionist with no relationship with G-d upon which to offer his phony “judgments.”
Bitterness or enmity toward G-d is absurd on its face, as G-d, beyond Its eternity, infinity, and ineffability, is perfect, so how stupid can one be to be “bitter” at G-d? Robertson didn’t address it because he didn’t know it. He didn’t know it because he knows nothing of G-d.
Robertson is a hypocrite, a liar, a false minister and a false patriot. He is no man and nothing but a servant of Mammon and Satan.
P.S. If you, or a loved one, don’t want Alzheimer’s, don’t rub aluminum under your highly porous armpits. Wash with soap and water, eat properly, wear clean clothes, and know the smell G-d gave you is beautiful and right…and any who don’t agree can’t go jump. Get real.
GaBlue
September 15th, 2011
11:17 am
The bigger issue here is that people are listening to Mr. Robertson (and those who purvey religion in multi-pronged profit centers) for guidance in the first place! HELLOOO? Most of you know right from wrong. If you are confused, there are sources closer to you that you can consult. Every one of us knows somebody personally who has lived a better, smarter, more righteous life, and who would be happy to help us in times of dilemma, confliction, or confusion. Jimminy H. Christmas on a peppermint stick! Sending money to rich TV preachers and then giving a rat’s fuzzy what comes out of their money-grubbing mouths? Where’s the “personal responsibility?” Jeepers, this is sad!
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
September 15th, 2011
11:18 am
Errata: “can go jump”
jimbob
September 15th, 2011
11:21 am
Hmmm, I wonder how Mrs. Robertson is feeling these days. Pat’s been drinking the Kool-Aid once again. I wonder if he’ll ever understand what a putz he is.
child of Alzheimers-dementia parent
September 15th, 2011
11:22 am
How detrimental to the children to see one of their parents suffering from a terrible disease that removes people mentally (in uneven ways) while they’re still here physically and their other parent starting a new life. Speaks to the child of how little the non A-D parent honors their vows and cares for the A-D parent. Quite selfish and inconsiderate. Having a parent with A-D is hard enough … not to mention how difficult and painful it is to BE the parent with Alzheimers-dementia. I know my father feels and knows more than he is capable of expressing. Such a tragic disease.
Some Rationality, Please
September 15th, 2011
11:22 am
Never had much use for Robertson, and I’m not sure of the exact context in which he made these remarks, but be fair — he did not propose completely abandoning a spouse. And putting aside the legal aspects of divorce, consider the follwing situation: Husband in advanced stages of dementia, but otherwise in good physical health. Does not recognize wife any more, and is incapable of meaningful interaction. Should wife try to be sure that husband is taken care of? Of course. Should wife be required to spend the next several deacdes without romance, sex, or meaningful emotional and intellectual interaction with a partner? Such martyrdom serves no purpose. One may wish Elvis hadn’t left the building — but the inalterable fact is that, past a certain point in dementia, Elvis is gone, and he isn’t coming back. Tending a shrine on an empty stage will not change that.
catlady
September 15th, 2011
11:23 am
Makes you wonder what kind of a report MRS. Robertson got at her last checkup, doesn’t it?