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
Larry
September 15th, 2011
2:21 pm
Robertson’s theology is that God speaks to him directly. When you’re in that space you end up with your feelings and emotions driving the cart rather than the Word of God – leading to this kind of nonsense.
Lynn
September 15th, 2011
2:21 pm
To clarify, Mr. Robertson suggested that the husband divorce his Alzheimers’ afflicted spouse. If the situation were reversed, I imagine he’d counsel the wife to stay with her husband to care for him as a good helpmeet. Then again, this is the same guy who took credit for “praying” a hurricane away from the Virginia Coast. Grain of salt, people. Grain of salt.
The Devil You Say?
September 15th, 2011
2:26 pm
Well, we main-line Christians have always considered him rather a nut and a creep. He lost all credibility quite a while ago. However, he is no bigger a kook than the Pope. His views on divorce and birth control are even more astounding and just plain stupid.
Name (required)
September 15th, 2011
2:37 pm
Pat Robertson needed to be tied to a tree long ago.
Ultra Violet
September 15th, 2011
2:47 pm
I listen very carefully to a man who outted Tinky-Winky as a covertly homosexual Teletubby. Haven’t seen him OR Barney lately.
My wife had a forgetful moment yesterday and the next thing you know I was at the strip club.
Keep preaching, preacher man!
Relic Starbrook
September 15th, 2011
2:47 pm
…to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till you’re diagnosed with Alzheimer’s then you’re on your own, according to God’s holy ordinance; And today, I pledge you my faithfulness….
Menno Paws
September 15th, 2011
2:49 pm
Nancy Reagan is cursing under her breath for the missed opportunity.
Gary
September 15th, 2011
3:13 pm
I dont think its any secret that Robinson hasnt been “all there” in several years. His public statements have gotten more “out of touch” with not only Christianity, but with reality as well. Perhaps he is just giving his wife permission to move on since it appears dementia has pretty much settled permanemtly into his brain.
A. king
September 15th, 2011
3:19 pm
What happened to “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health until death do us part”!
NANA
September 15th, 2011
3:23 pm
OMG!!! Last time I checked the wedding vowels in the Bible did not say in sickness and in health unless your spouse gets Alzheimer’s! I absolutely cannot believe he said that!! I am stunned, appalled, disappointed and angry.
Uncle Joe
September 15th, 2011
3:26 pm
Poor Mr. Robertson. He’s certainly entitled to his opinion. Major media just loves to find these oddball, Alzheimer-suffering old has-beens to interiew and pass off as mainstream Christianity. Then they can establish the “obvious” link to the Tea Party. As a skeptic that despises ALL evangelicals and is critical of organized religions, I support the Tea Party and its morals, along with traditional Christian mores. Liberalism, as a pope once said, is the synthesis of all errors. The natural law and common sense would lead any sane person to oppose abortion, adultery, homosexuality and socialism. Thanks, Mr. Galloway, for including the Tea Party stance on Mr. Robertson’s comments.
lefty fielder
September 15th, 2011
3:33 pm
A great gulf exists between religion and God.
duronimo
September 15th, 2011
3:48 pm
There is a Christian on every side of an issue. Even when it comes to the Bible, there is controversy and different “takes” at every turn. Christianity has morphed into something our parents and
grandparents would not even recognize. Expect anything!
RLM
September 15th, 2011
4:17 pm
Sounds like he is in early stages and his wife is being given the go ahead. Hope she takes him for all he’s go.
Dave
September 15th, 2011
4:46 pm
Does Robertson’s wife get to divorce him because he’s a damn fool?
Menno Paws
September 15th, 2011
4:48 pm
Reminds me of a song: “Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone”.
September 15th, 2011
5:02 pm
“Does anyone still listen to this guy??? What an idiot!”
Yes, you are.
melvinowens
September 15th, 2011
5:07 pm
pat robertson is the same cretin, who in the 1980’s, defended apartheid in south africa as a good system. i am not surprised at anything he says or does. he is one, in a long line of “holier than thou sinners”
Vanessa Wood
September 15th, 2011
5:17 pm
This man is an idiot – He talks about healing people but yet he had major heart surgery – Why didn’t he heal himself – I don’t think the blood is getting to his brain – I agree with the last comment – first thing that came to my mind , poor Mrs. Robertson
Romegaguy
September 15th, 2011
5:27 pm
Pat must be listening to Newt these days
Bootnewt
September 15th, 2011
5:45 pm
How this goofball can pass himself off as a modern-day wise Solomon, and why viewers give him that status is astounding to me.
Vanessa Wood
September 15th, 2011
5:53 pm
I watched my father care for my mother through 10 years of Alzheimers -it was tough – he will always be my hero – his love and courage and strength and loyalty is the most spiritual thing anyone can imagine – This man doesn’t have the courage to deal with alzheimers
Sola
September 15th, 2011
6:18 pm
Dear Mrs Robertson. You heard it from your husband’s own mouth. You can kick that asshat into touch and start afresh. Good luck to you.
Andrea Allen
September 15th, 2011
6:26 pm
Appalled! For better or for worse, in SICKNESS and in health, until death do us part.
ROBERTSON: You are morally AND Biblically incorrect. What a sorry message to send to those entering marriage. The reward is in Heaven, not on earth. Strength comes through suffering, both ends.
Common Sense
September 15th, 2011
7:27 pm
Anyone giving Pat Robertson money must have alzheimers already so I’m surprised he’s alienating his supporters like this.
PEOPLE… STOP SUPPORTING THIS HERETIC!
Real American
September 15th, 2011
7:58 pm
Ok hypocrite Hannity, lets run this clip 24 hours on no brain fox and associate his statement with R. Perry who claims to be a chistian””””
Oh but, wait that only applies to””””””’
Buckhead Boy
September 15th, 2011
8:25 pm
Wonder why all these Tea Party front people are named Phillips? There’s Tim and Judson, and now Julianne. Maybe just coincidence. Maybe the Koch boys want innocuous, WASPish names to make their Frankenstein monster appear less scary. Daddy Koch called his the John Birch Society, didn’t he? Who knows. Who cares.
David
September 15th, 2011
9:01 pm
Statement’s like that are why nut jobs should not talk…… Horrible advice a real man of God would not advise divorce because of illness. Until death do you part means just that.
Healy
September 15th, 2011
9:03 pm
Wouldn’t be nice if Pat got alzheimers and forgot to show up at the studio ? Now THAT would be a blessing not to listen to anymore of his hypocritical statements.
RGB
September 15th, 2011
9:04 pm
If Big Jim uses video from People for the American Way (an ultra left wing group), I think he should balance that with selections from Media Resource Center at mrc.org.
Isn’t “balance” what the “new” AJC is all about?
Here’s a start: Video: “Bozell Discusses Media’s Disinterest in Jump in Poverty Under Obama”
Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/nb-staff/2011/09/14/video-bozell-discusses-medias-disinterest-jump-poverty-under-obama#ixzz1Y4afmCzM
anti-christian values
September 15th, 2011
9:04 pm
His comments were ANYTHING but Christian! I think he’s just speaking from a man’s point of view. It takes a real man to stick by a wife who has Alzheimers. Pat Robertson is not a real man.
Big Earl
September 15th, 2011
9:35 pm
How sad!!!! How very sad that so many of you that could truly be blessed by God will never know him because you elevate this so-called Christian Pat Robertson to spokesman for all Christians and Chrisitanity in general. Please know this man does not represent the teachings of Jesus Christ with the remarks being discussed. As a someone who considers themself a Christian, please let me apologize for his comments, they disgust me and would disgust Jesus Christ. God Bless You All.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
September 15th, 2011
9:41 pm
The Kochs are Roman Catholic. So too, often, are people with the family name of Phillips.
ksss
September 15th, 2011
10:37 pm
Well since the Tea Party started slavery was ended by the founding fathers, Bachmann 2 dollar gallon a gas, secesssion of Texas Rick Perry and dump your spouse out on the street. If you do not have health insurance throw you into the dumpster if they will take hazardist waste. All these are so compassionate loving Christians and love their fellow Americans. These people would have been great to have around during the great depression. It would have been eaiser to let people die without any tax money involved. Ron Paul !!!!
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
September 15th, 2011
10:57 pm
Did you check out Ron Paul’s limp wrist as he saluted the National Anthem at the debate the other evening? Looks like Sasha Baron Cohen was on to him for the “Bruno” set up.
Deja
September 16th, 2011
1:10 am
Ya know. It is a very un-christian thing he is saying, but it seems to me that he is saying that since the vow is gone in a way (when her mind left, the vow left with her), it would be better to divorce and marry again than it would to run around and be with another woman while married to his first wife. I am not sure how I feel about that…
mehlman rings twice
September 17th, 2011
7:23 am
Deja @ 1:10 am:
Just think if Todd Palin shared your opinion. As for Newt, one justificatioon for divorce is if your wife becomes a Jaquar.
BTW, what do Ann Coulter and Sara Palin have in common with black men from the University of Michigan?