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TV
Preacher Pat Robertson Expands On 'Gay Days' Comments
Suggests Fires In Florida May Have
Divine Origin
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WASHINGTON
- June 24 - TV preacher Pat Robertson has expanded on his
recent warning to Orlando, Fla., suggesting that fires in Florida are divine punishment.
On the June 8 edition of his "700 Club" show (released to the media by Americans
United for Separation of Church and State), Robertson denounced Orlando and Disney World
for welcoming gay tourists to the theme park during a privately sponsored "Gay
Days" weekend. Robertson predicted dire consequences.
Noting that the city government allowed the display of rainbow flags on light poles, the
TV preacher warned that acceptance of homosexuality could result in hurricanes,
earthquakes, tornadoes, terrorist bombs and "possibly a meteor."
On today's show, Robertson returned to the subject.
"And you know, as I've been reading and praying, we had quite a flap the other day
when we were talking about that gay pride day in Orlando and everybody laughed, but
nevertheless, here's what I saw in the Bible," Robertson said.
Noting that the Florida fires are often caused by lightning, Robertson cited biblical
prophecy. Quoting from Revelation 8:7, Robertson said, "'There was an angel who
sounded,' it said, 'his trumpet and there came hail and fire' and, of course, fire
is lightning 'and it was hurled down upon the earth.'...And that's exactly what is
happening."
Quoting from another passage in the Bible, Robertson said people must "turn from
their wicked ways" and pray to bring rain and stop the fires. He urged city councils,
mayors and religious leaders to declare days of fasting and prayer.
"Pat Robertson just doesn't get it," said Americans United Executive Director
Barry Lynn. "Respect for diversity is not wicked. It is deplorable that Robertson is
using the tragedy of these fires to promote his religious and political agenda."
Lynn noted that as a matter of fact, the fires in Florida began over Memorial Day weekend,
a full two weeks before the "Gay Days" event at Disney World.
Lynn was also critical of Robertson for calling on local government officials to declare
prayer days. "Robertson is free to preach what he wants," said Lynn, "but
he is not free to merge church and state. Decisions about when and how to pray should be
left up to our houses of worship, not government officials."
Robertson, who serves as chairman of the Christian Coalition, has often demanded that
government comply with his interpretation of biblical law.
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