Robertson has joined hands with a candidate who is in favor of abortion and same-sex marriage. Some say that the divisions in the GOP are forcing candidates to pander to the most conservative religious leaders, and the latter are basking in this windfall. The right-wingers are facing difficulties that are quite visible to the public; so the shock that this alliance has met seems rather absurd. In fact, this announcement could be quite relieving to the many Protestants in America who blush at the sight of bigots like Robertson making intolerant statements on networks like ABC Family. Perhaps Robertson, who is known to be an Evangelical hot poker in religious circles, finally realized that it makes sense that church and state should remain separate. And if this is not the case and Robertson really is the sleazy capitalist most people say he is, then using Giuliani, a perceived frontrunner in the GOP, for some trick up his sleeve would be business as usual. There is no real reason why Americans should be jarred by this move.
“Pat Robertson is leading pro-family voters astray by abandoning moral standards for government,” said President of Campaign for Children and Families Randy Thomasson. But the glass can be seen as half full. As a Protestant myself, my greatest hope is that Robertson has learned some manners in dealing with politics. Perhaps he is endorsing Giuliani simply because Robertson honestly thinks the former mayor would make a great leader of the nation. “Justice triumphed as he took down mafia dons, drug traffickers and corrupt politicians,” he said of Giuliani’s term as mayor of New York City. His description of Giuliani is as follows: “ … a proven leader, who is not afraid of what lies ahead and who will cast a hopeful vision for all Americans.” If Robertson is truly speaking his mind, then he is choosing the candidate who best suits his personal preferences. He is not permitting his religious values to determine whom he finds the most fitting for a government position that is purely secular. Electing a president is not exactly like ordaining a priest, after all. And only in the Puritans’ perfect world would there be a saint in the White House. Hopefully Robertson is learning to tell the difference between his political tastes and his religious tastes. But such a hope is far too optimistic.
Robertson, a man who has brazenly commercialized Christianity—to put it mildly—is one of the most famous preachers in America. Leaving New York with his wife, three children and only $70 in his pocket, Robertson formed a TV station in Virginia called the Christian Broadcasting Network. Another one of his achievements was founding the Christian Coalition, perhaps the most influential non-secular interest group in America. His infamous “700 Club” program is mostly known for the harangues of its hot-blooded host. Robertson has repeatedly referred to Muslims as “satanic,” whose faith is “a monumental scam.” Judaism is another target on Robertson’s long list of lambastes.
So Giuliani is the kind of man Robertson would call a devil. Does that mean the endorsement is Robertson’s sellout to Satan? One could put it that way to sound harsh, but that should not necessarily jolt any Americans, conservative or liberal. One could say that both Giuliani and Robertson are behaving in their signature ways at this point. To be sure, Robertson proved himself an entrepreneur, often preaching one thing and doing another, while making plenty of money and attracting numerous disciples through it all. Most people would remember how, in 2003, Robertson accused the U.S. State Department of involvement in the Liberian Civil War with the intention of destabilizing the country. Soon after, the public learned of his $8 million investment in a Liberian gold mine. In 1994, it was discovered that his nonprofit organization, Operation Blessing, funded plans that transported diamond mining equipment to his African Development Corporation.
Giuliani, for his part, is so desperate for religious authenticity that he will accept support from a preacher-tycoon with a dwindling base. Hence the absurdity of how the media has made this partnership seem like some groundbreaking act of conciliation between two different people. At least Christians will have less to be embarrassed about. But only if Robertson likes Giuliani for who he is.