# No Isabel Worries - Pat Robertson to the rescue! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 17, 2003, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106 "2003-09-17T11:43:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/21 "2003-09-17T16:25:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Polycarp \* > \*\*2. If it doesn’t, Pat is exposed as a false prophet to all the faithful who have been listening to him. Do be sure to point this out in religious arguments henceforth! \*\* Would that it were so. Pat has been exposed (Eww, horrible mental image) many times before. His followers continue to trust in his magical powers. It’s denial at its finest. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/22 "2003-09-17T16:27:50Z")
> [@](#): > > And of course, who could forget Hurricane Gloria in 1985? Pat made a few calls, and Gloria just missed us and slammed into Long Island and Connecticut instead. As Dave Barry said about this, the damage on Long Island wasn’t Pat’s fault. He wasn’t driving then. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/23 "2003-09-17T16:32:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bricker \* > **[Link.](http://www.msnbc.com/news/961894.asp?vts=091720030444)** And the Pat Robertson quote can be found [here](http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=59807&ran=246909). ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/24 "2003-09-17T16:47:38Z")
Thanks, Jeff. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/25 "2003-09-17T16:54:43Z")
When I posted the link, the Pat Robertson quote was on the MSNBC site. They seem to have edited it since that time. **Isabelle** - I absolutely am not knocking the value of prayer. What irritated me was that Robertson’s words seems less a prayer and more of an order: he commands the hurricane to turn. I’d be satisfied, myself, with _asking_ God to spare life and property, and remembering that, regardless, He has a plan and His will be done. ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/26 "2003-09-17T16:59:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BF \* > \*\*That would be Chesapeake, VA. \*\* Isn’t Pat’s Regent University actually next door to Chesapeake in Virginia Beach? ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/27 "2003-09-17T17:01:05Z")
(I note that QVC is based in Chesapeake [it’s next to the Greenbriar Mall, IIRC]–at least with them, you might actually get something for the money you send in!) ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/28 "2003-09-17T17:24:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tdn \* > \*\*Would that it were so. Pat has been exposed (Eww, horrible mental image) many times before. His followers continue to trust in his magical powers. It’s denial at its finest. \*\* Look, I don’t care much for the guy, or his program, but that’s not a fair accusation. Pat Robertson does not claim to have magical powers. In fact, I happened to see him on TV last night, and he specifically said that human beings do NOT have this power. Rather, the power rests solely in God. Where Pat Robertson errs is in saying that we have the authority to command nature and the powers of this world. Sadly, this is an all-too-common misapplication of the Scriptures. The Scriptures don’t say that we can _command_ nature; rather, it simply says that we can lift up petitions to God. Because these are _petitions_ (i.e. requests for favor), they should be done with humility and supplication, not through commands. Like Bricker said, Robertson’s prayer was really more of a command. You’ll hear a lot of this thing in Pentecostal circles, unfortunately. Still, it doesn’t mean that Robertson claims to have any special magical powers of his own. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/29 "2003-09-17T17:28:44Z")
Ever since Disney has been openly gay friendly storms have made abrupt right turns and slammed into this asshole. Hmmm? Remember his little predictions back then? ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/30 "2003-09-17T17:31:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Isabelle \* > \*\*Although I don’t like Pat I must say in his defense that I don’t think there is anything wrong praying to God and asking for anything whether it is to pay a bill, heal a child, mend a relationship or even the weather. \*\* Hmm, with a name like yours (Isabel(le)), I’m suspicious you might e in collusion wuth this storm ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/31 "2003-09-17T17:39:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Beagle \* > **Ever since Disney has been openly gay friendly storms have made abrupt right turns and slammed into this asshole.** I’d say that’s better than storms coming _out_ of that asshole. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5ac83/32.png) [@BF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BF)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/32 "2003-09-17T17:55:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pantellerite \* > \*\*Isn’t Pat’s Regent University actually next door to Chesapeake in Virginia Beach? \*\* Correction to a post to **DtC** above, all of Pat’s stuff, with the exception of the Christian Coalition (which moved to DC about 5 yrs ago), is in VA Beach. The CC was in Chesapeake. ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/33 "2003-09-17T18:10:51Z")
Wait - isn’t God still mad at us? September 11 was when he turned his back on us, remember! Since then the silent treatment - I HATE it when he pouts. Now, we’re OK? ---
**Author:** ![NotMrKnowItAll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6bbea6/32.png) [@NotMrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotMrKnowItAll)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/34 "2003-09-17T18:12:17Z")
Our father who art in heaven Hallowed be thy name May Thy Hurricane come And Pat will be done on earth and just in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive his trespass against us And lead us not into his church: To wit, deliver us from evil. Amen. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/35 "2003-09-17T18:29:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JThunder \* > Where Pat Robertson errs is in saying that we have the authority to command nature and the powers of this world. Sadly, this is an all-too-common misapplication of the Scriptures. The Scriptures don’t say that we can _command_ nature; rather, it simply says that we can lift up petitions to God. Because these are _petitions_ (i.e. requests for favor), they should be done with humility and supplication, not through commands. I hate to be a pain in the neck, but it says here in Luke 17:5-6: > [@](#): > > The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” > He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. Not that that excuses Pat. Matthew 6:5-6: > [@](#): > > "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/36 "2003-09-17T18:36:20Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Podkayne_ > \*\*God could have saved a lot of lives by steering Typhoon Maemi away from South Korea. It’d have been a lot better for those people in the Bahamas if God had changed the course of hurricane Fabian, too. > > But I guess they didn’t pray hard enough? > > I wonder if Pat Robertson prayed for God to deflect the storms bearing down on them?\*\* Yes, it would’ve been better. And I’m not saying that I think good ol’ God (by whatever name you wanna call him/her/it/them) is necessarily going to listen to him any more than he did to the Koreans or the Bahamainians (sp?) or the Bermudans or the people who lived in Homestead in '92 or anyone else. But you can’t blame the guy for trying. He’s a dick; that much is given. But, bloody hell, everything he does doesn’t merit a Pit thread, you know? Not that **Bricker** isn’t entitled to his opinion, and not that he shouldn’t express it, but the prayer of Pat Robertson for this purpose isn’t necessarily a bad thing. He does a whole crapload of worse stuff. To quote Buffy: _“He blinked. The man moistens his eyeballs, and we’re having a meeting about it.”_ ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/37 "2003-09-17T19:23:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JThunder \* > **Look, I don’t care much for the guy, or his program, but that’s not a fair accusation. Pat Robertson does not claim to have magical powers. In fact, I happened to see him on TV last night, and he specifically said that human beings do NOT have this power. Rather, the power rests solely in God.** I could claim that it’s a matter of semantics, or that I was engaging in a bit of hyperbole, but you have a good point. I stand corrected. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/38 "2003-09-17T21:08:28Z")
Why does Robertson think it’s necessary to make his prayer publicly. Why can’t he just make a private petition without announcing it? Doing it in public is pure self-aggrandizment. It serves no other purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/39 "2003-09-17T21:58:19Z")
**Diogenes** , while I agree with you with that regarding most prayers (Matthew 5:5 and all), he _is_, in his mind, trying to convince God to turn aside a hurricane. If he does so publicly, he gets more people to do the same. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2003, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106/40 "2003-09-17T22:21:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Angel of the Lord \* > \*\ ***Diogenes** , while I agree with you with that regarding most prayers (Matthew 5:5 and all), he _is_, in his mind, trying to convince God to turn aside a hurricane. If he does so publicly, he gets more people to do the same. \*\* Does the number of people praying actually make a difference? Will God move the hurricane for a million prayers but not for a thousand? What is the magical number of prayers which will elicit a divine response? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-isabel-worries-pat-robertson-to-the-rescue/202106.md?page=3)