Obá Oriaté Miguel “Willie” Ramos, Ilarí Obá
The recent catastrophe in Haiti has shaken the world in more than one way. On January 12th, Haiti was struck by an earthquake that measured 7.0 in the Richter scale, a rare occurrence for an island that has already been heavily debilitated by numerous natural, social and political ordeals. To add insult to injury, as if the island’s current suffering was not enough, Pat Robertson, the famous—or should I say infamous—televangelist, struck the island with an inflammatory and unfounded accusation that would probably measure much higher on the Richter scale. In his preposterous version of Haitian history, Robertson equated the Bois Caiman Vodou ceremony that gave birth to the Haitian Revolution with a demonic pact. Once again, Mr. Robertson uses his all too common viperous venom to lash out at the African Diaspora, Haiti, Vodou, and by extension all religions of African descent.
Robertson’s reprehensible and offensive allegations are an affront the very nature of God. No matter what religion one chooses to follow, it is unfathomable that a being that is nurturing, loving and by all means merciful, would be so callous as to be the cause so much death and suffering. If this is the God that Robertson worships, then we have to question his zealous religiosity, if it may be called religiosity at all! Possibly, Mr. Robertson has gotten so wrapped up campaigning against the devil that he may have lost touch with the reality of his own religion and the Supreme Being that he alleges to represent. The televangelist’s comments are in stark contradiction to the tenets of his religion. His recent exhibition of hatred and bigotry is disgraceful; a major embarrassment to all Christians, regardless of their denomination.
The Haitian people were not struck down by God any more than any other people that have been struck by natural disasters the world over, time immemorial. Neither was the Haitian Revolution—an uprising of slaves that became incensed under the abusive and “devilish” regime of their captors—the result of a pact with the devil. It was the result of rebellion against a “devil” in the form of an oppressive system that enslaved and dehumanized a people based on the color of their skin. Robertson should instead remember that it was under the guise of the religion that he supposedly represents—in the name of God—that the children of Africa were brought to the New World to toil under the abusive yoke of “God-fairing” Christians who in return offered their captives the opportunity of rewards and redemption in Heaven while abusing their bodies on earth!
As a religious and blood descendant of an Afro-Diasporic people, I take offense with Robertson’s despicable commentaries. Robertson offended Haitian culture, incensed the national pride and heritage of the Haitian people—an unforgivable grievance, particularly at this time—and insulted the ancestors of all Afro-Diasporic peoples wherever they may live. Mr. Robertson owes an apology to Haiti and her ancestors; the brave slaves who shed their blood to give birth to the first free and independent republic in the Americas. Robertson needs to return to his basic history, a subject which he no doubt failed. If for nothing else, Robertson and those that think like him need to be taught that we need to be grateful to those Haitian slaves that planted the seeds of revolution; seeds that bloomed into the numerous independence movements throughout the New World that provided us with the freedoms that we enjoy today.
Sadly, Mr. Robertson has promised to send money and donations to Haiti. I ask, at what expense? If Robertson’s donations are attached to the ignorance, hatred and bigotry that he purports, then maybe the Haitian people may want to reconsider accepting it. Though I understand that the devastation occasioned by the earthquake requires all the help the Haitian people can get, were I Haitian, I would refuse to take a single cent from this man or anyone having anything to do with him! Though I do not believe in the existence of a “devil,” there is no doubt that receiving donations from Robertson would by all means be analogous to a pact with the devil!
6 Responses to “Ignorance, Hatred and Bigotry: Pat Robertson’s Devilish Venom”
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PAT ROBINSON SHOULD BE REPREAMENDED FROM ALL FORMS OF PUBLIC COMUNICATIONS
AND MEDIA.
Oba,
I agree with you 100%! I have had to address comments on Facebook from people who say that during their Wednesday night prayer meetings at their churches for Haiti that they prayed for their lost souls and “the destruction of voodoo”! I try not to start wars with people over comments like this but cannot sit idly by and let them go unanswered. I equate these empathetic black folks with having the same twisted logic that informs Pat Robertson’s comments and I let them know as much.
I do hope that fellow worshipers of religions of African descent do not remain silent when such comments are made by those that are well meaning but uninformed of the damage and fundamental ignorance such comments promote.
The Egun, Orisha, Loa, and others we worship stand up for us, we need to stand up for them.
Thank you for your powerful and valiant statement Oba! I am going to pass this on for others to read.
This gentleman by expressing his feeling to matters which he is not qualified or have knologe to, is sad, it should be ignored totally by any readers.
Just think a person that preaches to people in the name of God through Commercial media? Whom or better which worthy non profit worthy organization receives the payments issued by the Station or better the Media? Maybe some anonimous non-profit organizaton which his onwn Congregation directed by him is the benefactor?
Hum I wonder? Should I support any comments or sermons this gemtleman makes?
I do not think so. GOD requires simplicity, generosity, caring and sharing. He does not want his name to be spead in vain or Commercial financial gain. Just love Him and spread that Love amoungst brothers and sisters (humanity) no matter which religion mankind uses to express that Love, even if he or she uses no religion at all, but still loves God by Loving himself or herself and every human being.
Mr Robertson has a lot to learn.
Oba,
I agree with everything you’ve stated. And to add, maybe God was trying to destroy and end the horrible actions of the western world by putting an end to the raping, enslaving and sexual abuse of the Haitian children. Many people know that Haiti is the playground for pedophiles and sexual deviants who frequent the country. Whites come from all over the world to buy, abuse and dehumanize the people of Haiti. Maybe Olofi, said “Enough”. Now the world is involved in helping Haiti to rebuild and possibly get rid of some of the corruption so the people will get the money so they can live decent lives.
I pray for the souls that have transitioned, for the people of Haiti, and all of us in the diaspora to continue our struggle for freedom on all fronts.
Que podemos decir ante un Predicador que se dice Cristiano que se supone debe de ser humilde y practicar la bondad que se supone Jesus Cristo aplico en su tiempo ante los seres Humanos .
Pues bien , si lo de Haiti es un castigo por diabolicos como este señor manifiesta ,debera ser por haber aceptado que Demonios Evangelicos como este susodicho Pastor puedan establecer sus Templos e Iglesias en nuestros Paises , abandonando sus ancestrales practicas para darles cabida a otras religiones maldicientes de nuestras practicas religiosas de muchos miles de años antes de Cristo .
NOTA : http://www.Mapreport.com/disasters.html este link , puede ser visitado por todo el que quiera para asi ver donde ocurren los desastres en el mundo , y pueden ver los que han habido en el planeta Tierra desde 01/01/2010 a la fecha y fijense que hay muchos desastres entre el mundo de los seguidores de Cristo que no practican la religion Vudu’, o Vodun ; Sera’ que los verdaderos Demonios estan bajo CAMUFLAGE en las Iglesias del nuevo Orden Mundial .
De verdad nunca nos ha gustado cuestionar la practica religiosa de los demas pero es hora de que sepan que no estamos de acuerdo en soportar mas sus mentiras abominables y si estamos de acuerdo en sacar si es necesario a la luz toda su falsedad , ipocresia y falta de humanidad .
Miren cuantos desastres , no sera que se esta cumpliendo la prediccion de este Año para el mundo que sacaron en el templo Kola Ifa Miami .
Sotunde Ifaade Babalawo Oloye Oduyemi .