Subscribe to Breaking NewsLowenstein: It’s time to stop fighting with Pat Robertson
I should begin by saying I’m all for reasonable disagreement and debate. I think people who refuse to acknowledge that any viewpoint besides their own might be valid or worthwhile obviously don’t have any faith in their own points of view. If your opinion can’t stand up to a little questioning, how strongly can you really believe it?
But there’s a difference between honest disagreement and attempting to debate with someone who is coming from a place of hate or disrespect or misinformation.
And Pat Robertson embodies all three of those things.
In his most recent rant, Robertson declared on the radio yesterday that most gays are “made homosexual because of a coach or a guidance counselor or some other male figure who has abused them.”
Setting aside the fact that Robertson apparently believes all gay people are male, his statement reeks of dishonesty and absurdity. Surely he can’t actually believe that gay people are created through acts of abuse? Surely he can’t actually believe that only, as he says, a few gays are a result of “biological problems?” But whether he believes the untruths he’s spraying or not, Pat Robertson says them, and says them frequently.
And that level of discourse– one that stems from his refusing to acknowledge the most basic truths about homosexuality– is about what I’ve come to expect from him.
Given that I know, you know, we all know, how unreasonable Pat Robertson is, why do we continue to engage with him? And by we, I mean MSNBC who has a long-term contract with Robertson to provide commentary, and specifically, Rachel Maddow who frequently invites Robertson on her show as a sparring partner.
Engaging with Robertson doesn’t mean you agree with him,but it does certainly imply that you believe his viewpoint belongs within the bounds of rational discourse. And that’s dangerous.
So I’m all for engaging with conservatives. I’m confidant our arguments will win every time, but not if we are willing to lower the debate to acnowlege and engage with base misinformation promulgated by the likes of Pat Robertson.
Is Pat Robertson the one Rachel Maddow has on her show often, or Pat Buchanan? I’ve seen Buchanan on her show, and I know he’s an MSNBC contributor.
Pat Robertson is so out of touch with people that the stuff he spouts makes gays look good. It’s good to have enemies like this. He makes gay foes look like crazies.
I agree with this article. People like Robertson do not deserve the legitimization that is afforded them in a rational debate. His position is not scientifically, socially, or culturally viable, and as such his views must not be debated. He does, of course, have the right to say whatever he wishes, but we have the right not to legitimize what he says. It is the same for those who deny the Holocaust. We cannot allow these people the legitimacy of debate.
I once sent a nasty-gram to CNN.com for inviting James Dobson to provide a rebuttal on the particular gay rights issue of that day. I asked ‘What next? Will you invite the KKK to discuss issues affecting the African American community?’ I’m all for mocking the Robertsons of the world, but their time as ‘reputable’ spokespersons is over and they should be treated accordingly. These days a person on the fence in regard to LGBT issues will most likely be pushed onto our side by this brand of foolishness.
Pat Robertson and the whole religious right know they are losing power quickly and need to act-out and beat their chests as a sign they are still in charge. Laugh out loud. Soon, gays will be allowed to marry and there will be nothing Robertson and other like him can do about it.
I worry about why anyone would listen to Robertson or the scary, freaky and misinformed conservative and religious nuts.
The more these Neanderthals speak, the BETTER our poll numbers get.
Why would you want to stop them? Frankly, I can;t think of a BETTER vehicle for our continued political success than to not only engage these people – but let them speak out MORE.
Sometimes the best publicity is in letting people see what your opponents look and sound like.
Whenever somebody brings up Pat Robertson all you have to so is show them how he used the 700 club and CBN as a cover for his Diamond and Gold mining interests in Africa. Its true, wikipedia has an entire section on it. Check it out above.
So Robertson says that male gays were abused by a coach, counselor, or other male figure? I was so turned on by my coach, I wish he would abuse me, but no such luck. Sorry Pat, you are out to lunch.
It makes someone look bad to disrespect their elders. To do so puts you beneath them, no matter how dumb they appear.
If I remember correctly, back in 2009, Mr. Robertson, who has a direct cell phone line to the Almighty, stated that God told him there was going to be another terrorist attack on the U.S. of the magnitude of 9/11. Funny, 2008 came and went without a major terrorist attack on the U.S. Did Mr. Robertson have a faulty connection on his God-line? Or maybe, just maybe, it’s part of his delusional system. It’s time we really ignore religious wing-nuts like him and devote our energies to securing our civil rights.
Pat and Rev Fred Phelp’s sure are fun to joke about, I mean what would comics do without them? LOL
I agree don’t give them creedence by debating them. Just hope they get lot’s of airtime and press because they make our case for gay rights without us even trying.
When I see or hear good ole Pat, and the rest of the Christian right spewing their hatred. I just turn off the TV or the radio. I don’t surround myself with hate. And I’ll be damn if I give them even a point on the ratings. They don’t have power over me. They won’t get anything from me but pity for their hateful delusions–Not my anger or my hate. I’m too good for that. And I have better avenues to use my energy and attentions on.
I agree..but the sad commentary here is the fact these delusional idiots (Dobson included…) have a HUGE following. They aren’t just isolated nutters out there….they represent an entire group of Americans that are totally delusional, believeing in “rapture” and that only the “right” christians get eternal life (I happen to think anyone persuing eternal life, heavan etc is delusional, but these particular players are supported by a very strange group of believers).
Sure, lets not legitimize them, but the fact they raise millions of dollars due to crazy beliefs actually gives them legitimacy itself, unfortunately.
“Aunt Pattie” Robertson is a desiccated decaying delusional dysfunctional dumb-as-a-rock douche-bag (with apologies to upstanding douche-bags everywhere). He reminds me of that episode of South Park where every time somebody opened their mouth, $hit came out.
Going to church and/or listening to the 700 Club doesn’t make one a kristianist, any more than lying on a lube rack (shout out to Wm. Higgins) makes one a porn star.
Sadly, Aunt Pattie and fellow douche-bag Dobson are of my generation … I probably won’t live to see the vindication of equal rights for all, but it’ll come. Time is on our side.
In the meantime, call their prayer line and run up their phone bill .
Cheers,
Bud Burgoon-Clark
happily Anglican
happily queer
happily married to my husband
Whacko? Nut job? Delusional? Self Important? Has tons of money? and a huge following? YES! Just like Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulture, John Hagee, James Dobson, etc. etc. etc.
This article seems to imply that we should give these people a “wide berth”, just ignore them and they’ll go away, shun them, don’t engage them about their rants. WRONG Lowenstein! The news media jumps on this stuff whether we do or not. These whack jobs need to have their ridiculous rants subjected to laughter and ridicule.
When Fred “God Hates Fags” Phelps started picketing funerals of dead soilders, the general public turned to our side. When Jerry “Love my fried chicken” Falwell went on his rant about Tinkie Winkie and who to blame for 911, the general public turned to our side. If we sit back and just take it then the general public may just start to agree with them. These people have too many bobbleheads that mindlessly follow their every word. Before the idiocies spread like a cold germ, we need to spray some germicide on them. Pass me a kleenex.