Pat Robertson for Dummies

by Feòrag

Matt Steams has written an interesting editorial on Pat Robertson, his political activities and how the perception of the televangelist has changed.

But Robertson isn't the significant political figure he once was, according to experts who study religion and politics. That's more because times have changed than because his statements are often perceived as outlandish, they say; his comments always have been way beyond the mainstream.

These sorts of comments are nothing new for Robertson, said John Green, a political scientist at the University of Akron who studies the evangelical movement.

In the past, for example, Robertson suggested that America's sinfulness led to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He has argued that feminism encourages women to kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians.

Republicans trying to find balance with outspoken televangelist—Knight-Ridder Washington Bureau, 23rd July 2003.