A vengeful God
D | Tuesday, November 15, 2005

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In October of 2004, the Dover, Pennsylvania school board voted to add intelligent design to the 9th grade biology curriculum. This past election, Pennsylvania voters replaced all eight sitting school board members who voted in favor of intelligent design (CNN article here). After the vote, Christian leader and television personality from The 700 Club, Pat Robertson cautioned Pennsylvania voters with the following words:

"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city... And don't wonder why He hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I'm not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that's the case, don't ask for His help because he might not be there." (CNN article here, Hat tip, inspiration, and quotation: Brendan)

I disagree with Mr. Robertson's statements with every once of my being.

I believe in God. I believe in some variant of what has been put forth as "intelligent design." Yet, I do not believe the appropriate place for the teaching of intelligent design is in the public school system. Furthermore, I believe God never abandons anyone. I believe you can never reject God, and even if you could, he would always be there if you wanted to return to him. I believe God champions the ideals of tolerance, understanding, and compassion.

When I first read Mr. Robertson's comments I was frustrated, if not flat-out angry. After taking some time to process, I became saddened. This man is a religious symbol for many people across the country and the message he was spreading - that God has abandoned Pennsylvania residents who exercised views which he deemed inappropriate - was full of intolerance and hatred. But as I wrote this post, a found a silver lining.

We live in a country which affords us the freedom to worship however we see fit - as both myself and Mr. Robertson do in our own ways. We live in a country with affords anyone the ability to say whatever they choose, publish whatever they choose, and protest whatever they choose - as Mr. Robertson's initial comment and my response illustrate. We live in a country which affords every citizen the ability to participate in democracy and cast their vote - as the voters in Pennsylvania demonstrated. Ours is an amazing country.

In the spirit of acceptance, let me make the following statement to Mr. Robertson, his supporters, and anyone else who wants to join my cause:

I respect your position and acknowledge that we hold different views about the role of God and God's interactions with mankind. I don't know a lot about God, but I do know this: I am not Him. If you agree that you are not Him either, then we find ourselves on common ground, i.e. that long path we travel while trying to understand God. Knowing that we are all in the same boat, I propose the following promise - no mater whether God comes or goes, stays or abandons, embraces or turns his back, let us agree, let US agree that no matter what God chooses to do, WE will not abandon each other.

D | 11/15/2005 01:23:00 AM |   Post your comment

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Comments:

Roberts is a maniac and I don't think that he represents anything more than a fringe element of the Republican party. Although the media paints the Republican party as in the pockets of the Christian Coalition, not only are these links much less pronounced, but there are many aspects to this coalition, most of which are nowhere near as crazy as Roberts. What nerve, to warn people of the wrath of God because of a political decision. I know the Lord works in mysterious ways, but that would just be ridiculous.
Ruvym | November 12, 2005 3:19 AM | permalink
 

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First of all, I'm not down with Pat, although I do know his granddaughter... anywho...

Your closing is pleasant rhetoric and fitting of a final speech in a West Wing episode, I find it hard to put more faith in humans not abandoning me than the almighty. At least I hope he would be more consistent.
Chris Welter | November 15, 2005 9:02 AM | permalink
 

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The Lord shall strike thee down for your blasphemy.
-Pat R.
Anonymous | November 15, 2005 10:44 AM | permalink
 

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R,
I agree that Robertson is a fringe conservative, but he has ahuge following. That concerns me.

C,
"Pleasant rhetoric"? That doesn't sound good. But I do agree that it was a little Sorkin-esque. It reminded me of the episode where they drink beer on the stoop.

P,
So that's a "No" to the promise?
D | November 15, 2005 12:39 PM | permalink
 

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The best argument against Intelligent Design is France.
Anonymous | November 15, 2005 5:46 PM | permalink
 

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