Researching Ignorance: Pat Robertson
In the wake of tragic events in Haiti, there has been few ignorant observations. Until Pat Robertson chimed in. The off-base comments provided by the 700 Club host shocked many viewers. But instead of attacking Robertson, let’s research where his cursed Haiti statement is sourced. Is it common knowledge? Or just verbiage swaddled in Christian lore for self righteous purposes? |
Apparently, it is a widely held theory among Christian scholars that the nation of Haiti is cursed. This inference is drawn upon hearsay, the obvious condition of the Haitian people, and their barren land.
It is said that in order to defeat the French in 1791, the Haitian people made a deal with the devil. This deal occurred in a ceremony that largely has been misunderstood. Being seen as an inferior race to ‘proper’ Christians of the time, the Haitians and this ceremony was assumed an attempt to invoke the devil and not God. And this is the source of Robertson’s statements, hearsay.
It is known that the leaders of the Haitian people at that time were largely Catholic. This remains true today. So it can be deduced that the Haitians of the time practiced a hybrid religion based in Catholicism. But for Pat Robertson to make such irresponsible statements is really unclear. Outside of ethnic differences, dated perceptions, or plain fear; the Haitian people are human beings that demand human rights. Their future existence should not be held to an ages old misunderstanding.
