# "Pact with the devil" column **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [January 19, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566 "2010-01-19T16:06:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/21 "2010-01-20T07:47:28Z")
Pat Robertson has a financial stake in the Dominican Republic. And when he was shooting his mouth off about apartheid he had a financial stake in South Africa. Draw your own conclusions. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Baldy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Gary\_Baldy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Baldy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/22 "2010-01-20T07:52:38Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Pat Robertson has a financial stake in the Dominican Republic. And when he was shooting his mouth off about apartheid he had a financial stake in South Africa. > Draw your own conclusions. Kind of like the financial stake Glover has with Chavez funding his movies? ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/23 "2010-01-20T08:49:02Z")
Who is Glover? I understand Steven Spielberg got in trouble with the police in Venezuela when making a movie; something to do with labor laws. Same thing happened with Spielberg in Spain. Some people never listen. ---
**Author:** ![Silvermink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Silvermink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvermink)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/24 "2010-01-20T12:01:00Z")
Danny Glover is in the Lethal Weapon movies. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/25 "2010-01-20T15:41:37Z")
> [@Gary\_Baldy](#): > > And if you’re giving Glover and other Hollywood actors a free pass because they raise alot of funds for disaster relief, why wouldn’t Robertson get the same pass since his charities have done alot of good throughout the world over the decades? I wasn’t giving Hollywood a free pass because they raise funds. I meant to say that it’s great that they raise funds, but I wouldn’t pay attention to their words about world events. And, as another poster said, I don’t think Glover has anywhere near the influence of Robertson. To paraphrase the writer Christopher Hitchens, it’s amazing what vileness can be freely uttered by a man whose name is prefaced with the word ‘Reverend.’ And what public platforms we continue to give to such charlatans who spew this kind of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/26 "2010-01-20T15:46:34Z")
Satan responds directly to Robertson (see the second letter): [http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/81595442.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUqEiaDUiD3aPc:\_Yyc:aUU](http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/81595442.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUqEiaDUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU) ---
**Author:** ![qazwart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5fc32e/32.png) [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/27 "2010-01-20T15:59:25Z")
> [@RDFozz](#): > > While not trying to support Pat Robertson directly: > > As a monotheistic religion, Christianity (and I would tend to assume Judaism and Islam, but as I’m not Jewish or Muslim, I won’t speak for them) proceeds from the base assumption that there is only one god (hence, our referring to him as “God”). > > While Christianity allows for the existence of spiritual forces other than God, it presumes that they are lesser forces (fallen angels) that may present difficulty to humans, but not to God himself. > > So, it’s not so much “Our god is better than your crappy god” as “God is real, your ‘god’ is at best made up, at worst a devil who’s ‘crap’ by comparison to the ‘real deal.’” The **alleged** prayer that was said invoked “God who created the sun which gives light” and “our God who calls on us to do good”. This pretty much sounds like the same “God” that all the monotheistic religions believe. It certainly doesn’t sound like a “pack with Satan” in any sort of sense. ---
**Author:** ![qazwart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5fc32e/32.png) [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/28 "2010-01-20T16:09:22Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > Now that we have a clear report of what whacko Pat Robertson says, how about what on the bizarre statements from loony Morgan Freeman that the failed climate summit at Copenhagen was responsible for tectonic plate movements? I have no idea whether Danny Glover or Morgan Freeman or whomever it was said what. The fact is that these people are recognized that they are actors who play in movies. They have a right to their opinion no matter how screwy it is. The difference is that these are mere ACTORS and not people who have built a career of claiming that they personally know God and the Truth and that millions of people follow them and give them millions of dollars for speaking about God and Truth. That is the big difference between someone like Pat Robertson who preaches every single week to millions of people listening to every word since it is “The Truth” and an actor who millions of people might watch in some movie, but otherwise care one whit what these idiots say once the stage lights are turned off. “The Truth” is that Pat Robertson said something very idiotic, besmirched an entire people, slandered their history, to millions of people who follow his every word. “The Truth” is that there are now people who will refuse to give any aid because these people are devil worshipers. Claiming that somebody else says dumb stuff too doesn’t change that picture. ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/29 "2010-01-20T17:27:04Z")
> [@Gary\_Baldy](#): > > Have you heard some of Glover’s past statements? They’re as wacky as Robertson’s statements. And if you’re giving Glover and other Hollywood actors a free pass because they raise alot of funds for disaster relief, why wouldn’t Robertson get the same pass since his charities have done alot of good throughout the world over the decades? [sup]1[/sup] If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [sup]2[/sup] And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [sup]3[/sup] If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/30 "2010-01-20T18:15:30Z")
> [@qazwart](#): > > The **alleged** prayer that was said invoked “God who created the sun which gives light” and “our God who calls on us to do good”. This pretty much sounds like the same “God” that all the monotheistic religions believe. > > It certainly doesn’t sound like a “pack with Satan” in any sort of sense. Not sure I want to be in a pack with Satan. I see them, roaming the streets at night, looking for a place to hang… ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/31 "2010-01-20T19:48:44Z")
A recorded phone call between Robertson and Satan might clear up a few loose ends: [http://files.me.com/zipkin119/8jbbzr.mp3](http://files.me.com/zipkin119/8jbbzr.mp3) ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/32 "2010-01-20T20:03:19Z")
Excellent and informative report. It gave me far more information than any of the other pieces I’ve read about this in the media. BTW I thought contributors to Staff Reports had special handles. **JillGat** is identified as SDSTAFF above her report, yet she’s Charter Member here. Have the handles been dropped on the board? ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/33 "2010-01-20T21:19:14Z")
Robertson’s influence and importance in American Christianity is highly overrated (because it makes it bigger news when he says something idiotic). He has some followers but seriously, let’s please all agree to ignore him and he will go away. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/34 "2010-01-20T22:04:55Z")
> [@Skammer](#): > > Robertson’s influence and importance in American Christianity is highly overrated (because it makes it bigger news when he says something idiotic). > > He has some followers but seriously, let’s please all agree to ignore him and he will go away. The Christian Broadcasting Network brought in $467,700,652 last year. Some goes to disaster relief and humanitarian aid, but their overriding goal is to prepare the world for the Second Coming of Christ. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/35 "2010-01-20T22:28:00Z")
**RDFozz** said: > [@](#): > > As a monotheistic religion, Christianity … proceeds from the base assumption that there is only one god (hence, our referring to him as “God”). > > While Christianity allows for the existence of spiritual forces other than God, it presumes that they are lesser forces (fallen angels) that may present difficulty to humans, but not to God himself. > > So, it’s not so much “Our god is better than your crappy god” as “God is real, your ‘god’ is at best made up, at worst a devil who’s ‘crap’ by comparison to the ‘real deal.’” I assume you are responding to this statement: > [@](#): > > Clearly the idea they were bargaining with Satan was an interpretation by Christians, who figured _our_ god is righteous, everybody else’s god is evil. This is called a paraphrase from the observer’s perspective, i.e. non-Christian. It could have been said, “Our God is real and righteous, everybody else’s god is false and really Satan, and is therefore evil.” Does that really change anything? **Gary Baldy** said: > [@](#): > > Have you heard some of Glover’s past statements? They’re as wacky as Robertson’s statements. I’ve never before heard any comments from Danny Glover, so I can’t judge them. This comment sounds to me like he’s saying that if we don’t do something about climate change, then this kind of thing will happen more frequently. Is that disasters caused by climate change, or is there some natural causal link to earthquakes? I suppose one could interpret his remarks as some kind of retributive effect - God or the Universe, or Fate or Mother Earth or someone measuring our behavior and “rewarding” us accordingly, but that wasn’t how I took those remarks. But like I said, I don’t know anything else said by him to compare his thoughts and beliefs and thus judge differently. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/36 "2010-01-20T23:31:03Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > After establishing that Morgan Freeman actually said that, please show that he has as much influence in climatology and geology as Pat Robertson has in religion and politics. Well, that [second part](http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0026790/) isn’t much of a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/37 "2010-01-21T17:25:23Z")
An interesting take on the multifaceted pushback against Robertson for his Haiti remarks: [http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/01/21/haiti-and-the-pat-robertson-paradox/](http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/01/21/haiti-and-the-pat-robertson-paradox/) ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/38 "2010-01-21T21:33:29Z")
Wow, religion is still important to many Americans. Who’d have thunk it? :rolleyes: It is gratifying that some of the criticism of Robertson is coming from Christians themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/39 "2010-01-22T01:29:28Z")
I’m convinced that Robertson subscribes to the “[Curse of Ham](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_of_Ham)” or some other pseudoscientific apocryphal cursed race" theory where blacks are concerned. He absolutely does not seem to think of them as human but just as some humanoid life form. I say this not just because of his horrible nonchalance about the earthquake but for his business dealings with African dictators and interest in African diamond mines; the man could not care less if blacks are suffering, and if he can honestly believe that a 2010 earthquake is due to an alleged pact with the devil made by a voodoo priest 220 years ago who is not only long dead but cannot speak for his great-great-great-great-grandchildren of today, then the . Of course it’s also possible he’s just a total sociopath unmoved by anybody’s suffering, as evidenced by 9-11, in which case he probably doesn’t believe in the pact with Satan at all and is just pandering. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566/40 "2010-01-22T12:44:10Z")
Pat Robertson has been saying nutty things for a long, long time: > **[Pat Robertson controversies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Robertson_controversies)** > > Baptist minister and broadcaster Pat Robertson (1930–2023) had outspoken opinions on religion, politics, and other subjects. Many of his statements have stirred controversy and several have been headline news in the United States and elsewhere. Robertson made many of these comments on his daily talk show, The 700 Club. > Several times near New Year, Robertson made statements purporting that God told him several truths or events that would happen in the following year. "I have a relatively good tr... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pact-with-the-devil-column/525566.md?page=3)