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Wednesday, January 3, 2007 | Reason : Science of Religion | print version Print | Comments |

Document Pat Robertson: God told me of 'mass killing' in 2007

by CNN.com

UPDATE 1-05-07:
Norm at onegoodmove.org has posted Craig Ferguson's stand-up about Pat's predictions here:
http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/2007/01/lake_of_fire.html

Thanks to Mark Richards for the link.

Reposted from:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/02/robertson.predictions.ap/index.html

patStory Highlights:
• Evangelist Pat Robertson predicts 2007 terror attack
• "700 Club" host says U.S. will experience "mass killing"
• Robertson claims God spoke to him

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia (AP) -- Evangelical broadcaster Pat Robertson said Tuesday that God has told him that a terrorist attack on the United States would cause a "mass killing" late in 2007.

"I'm not necessarily saying it's going to be nuclear," he said during his news-and-talk television show "The 700 Club" on the Christian Broadcasting Network.

"The Lord didn't say nuclear. But I do believe it will be something like that."

Robertson said God told him about the impending tragedy during a recent prayer retreat.

God also said, he claims, that major cities and possibly millions of people will be affected by the attack, which should take place sometime after September.

Robertson suggested in January 2006 that God punished then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with a stroke for ceding Israeli-controlled land to the Palestinians.

The broadcaster predicted in January 2004 that President Bush would easily win re-election.

Bush won 51 percent of the vote that fall, beating Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

In 2005 Robertson predicted that Bush would have victory after victory in his second term. He said Social Security reform proposals would be approved and Bush would nominate conservative judges to federal courts.

Lawmakers confirmed Bush's 2005 nominations of John Roberts and Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. But the president's Social Security initiative was stalled.

"I have a relatively good track record," he said. "Sometimes I miss."

In May, Robertson said God told him that storms and possibly a tsunami were to crash into America's coastline in 2006.

Even though the U.S. was not hit with a tsunami, Robertson on Tuesday cited last spring's heavy rains and flooding in New England as partly fulfilling the prediction.
Posted: Wednesday, January 3, 2007 | Permalink

Comments 1 - 50 of 89 |

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1. Comment #15920 by John Pritzlaff on January 3, 2007 at 9:05 pm

I'm glad you put this up. I really don't have anything to add. This is just insane.

Other Comments by John Pritzlaff

2. Comment #15921 by kcjerith on January 3, 2007 at 9:14 pm

I finf it interesting (and rather sad) that his predictions come in two types. One, politcal, such as Bush winning the election (by a landslide) SS and so on. The second type of predictions are rather morbid. They always involve mass death. what a douche bag.

Other Comments by kcjerith

3. Comment #15922 by kmccardle on January 3, 2007 at 9:29 pm

I would like to point out that usually when someone claims god has been talking to them we classify them as insane and send them to therapy. And yet a regular recipient of god's personal messages is currently running this country and now another one is making even more headline news. It really saddens me that people who say things like "God spoke to me and told me to help the poor" are thought of as insane and the ones who say "God spoke to me of terrible things to come!" or "God told me to kill the unbelievers!" are allowed to have positions of power.

Other Comments by kmccardle

4. Comment #15924 by Spinoza on January 3, 2007 at 9:40 pm

avatarPoor, sad, pathetic old man...

I really hope the Mujahadeen can't understand Evangelist.

Other Comments by Spinoza

5. Comment #15925 by LDmiller on January 3, 2007 at 9:41 pm

avatar"I have a relatively good track record," he said. "Sometimes I miss."

In May, Robertson said God told him that storms and possibly a tsunami were to crash into America's coastline in 2006.

Even though the U.S. was not hit with a tsunami, Robertson on Tuesday cited last spring's heavy rains and flooding in New England as partly fulfilling the prediction.

Robertson claims that his god-person is all-powerful; seems like he should bat 100%.

Whassa matter, Pat, poor reception? Put on your aluminum foil hat!

And remember, folks, THESE GUYS TALK TO BUSH ON A REGULAR BASIS!

Other Comments by LDmiller

6. Comment #15926 by Convertedchristian on January 3, 2007 at 9:48 pm

Well, everyone thinks he's crazy. EVERYONE. I know alot of concervative evangelical christian friends and family members and everyone of them say they think he's crazy. thank goodness at least we can all agree that he's crazy.

Other Comments by Convertedchristian

7. Comment #15928 by -TheCodeCrack- on January 3, 2007 at 9:53 pm

He dosn't even know what the hell's going to happen tomorrow.
What did God tell him pre september the 11th, where was he on that one?
maybe god's giving him incorrect information, so many millions of people can laugh and point at him. ps has anyone given him a mirror? for he needs to feel the pain that his mug inflicts on the rest of us.
Hand him a mirrow, and wheel him off to the luny bin.

Other Comments by -TheCodeCrack-

8. Comment #15937 by Macho Nachos on January 3, 2007 at 11:32 pm

avatarIsn't it frustrating that the prevailing media environment is so keen for viewers or readers or controversy that they let nutballs like Pat Robertson up onto a public soapbox?

The guy's a fruitcake. If an omniscient being is telling him things, then it clearly should be 100% accurate.

I'll make some predictions for 2007; The conflict in Iraq will continue with occasional bouts of more severe fighting and no solid resolution in sight; Bush will veto a Democrat bill; I will receive a small stack of junk mail on June the 7th.

Other Comments by Macho Nachos

9. Comment #15941 by mintcheerios on January 4, 2007 at 12:14 am

To comment #15926: The problem is that not everyone thinks he's crazy. If everyone thought he was crazy, he would be in an asylum, not on national news heavily influencing America's political climate. Saying no one believes in what he's saying is turning a blind eye to a serious threat.

As Sam Harris often likes to point out, what if you changed all instances of 'God' in that article to 'Poseidon'? Not only would Pat Robertson lose all his credibility, he would no longer have a show.

"Evangelical broadcaster Pat Robertson said Tuesday that Poseidon has told him that a terrorist attack on the United States would cause a "mass killing" late in 2007."

Other Comments by mintcheerios

10. Comment #15946 by JimC on January 4, 2007 at 12:25 am

avatarThe only problem is that a terrorist attack in '07 is not that unlikely (eg. revenge for Saddam). He would be sitting pretty if one occurred.

Other Comments by JimC

11. Comment #15947 by Jared on January 4, 2007 at 12:34 am

avatarmintcheerios:

Hmm. You know, I think even I'd watch Robertson if he made predictions on behalf of Poseidon. That's far too amusing to me. :) At least then he'd have some credibility as far as his predictions for coastal storms and tsunamis are concerned!

Other Comments by Jared

12. Comment #15949 by nealkemp on January 4, 2007 at 12:49 am

avatarJimC:

Exactly, did he predict one in '01? Surely god would have wanted Pat to let people know about that?

Other Comments by nealkemp

13. Comment #15950 by hmj on January 4, 2007 at 12:51 am

How much money does he want this time?

Other Comments by hmj

14. Comment #15951 by GoodbyeGodNZ on January 4, 2007 at 12:53 am

avatarTheodrivel. Man has that sucker got the virus bad?

Other Comments by GoodbyeGodNZ

15. Comment #15954 by yokebutt on January 4, 2007 at 1:29 am

Old joke, but bears retelling,

If you speak to God, you're religious, if God speaks to you, you're psychotic.

Yokebutt.

Other Comments by yokebutt

16. Comment #15955 by Roy_H on January 4, 2007 at 1:37 am

avatarTalk about "The God Delusion"
http://www.ugandandiscussions.co.uk/1143/

One of my favourite "Private Eye" covers.

Other Comments by Roy_H

17. Comment #15956 by Ian on January 4, 2007 at 1:46 am

I'm reminded of something T.H.Huxley said about clairvoyants:

"If it were true that our poor souls, instead of retiring into their rest after the weary fight of this world, were to be at the beck and call of every tobacco-squirting 'loafer' who chose to constitue himself a medium, would not those of us who have any self-respect sooner become dogs, and perish with our bodies?"

If this god is so wonderful, why does He speak through narrow-minded, cynical fools?

Other Comments by Ian

18. Comment #15961 by Kergillian on January 4, 2007 at 2:08 am

avatarWow!

God is Pat's Psychic Friend!

No wonder Televangilists need so much money, those 900# calls to Hevan must cost a mint!

Seriously though... How tough are those predictions? A Terrorist attack in the next year? Come on! I'd be more convinced if he said there would be NO terrorist attacks.

Heck, if Pat knows it's comming, can't he stop it? He could call the cops. I'm sure God could drop a name or two.

Other Comments by Kergillian

19. Comment #15963 by Homo economicus on January 4, 2007 at 2:17 am

avatarI always thought that if someone prophesied about something that did not come to pass they were declared a false prophet.

If this guy genuinely 100% believes that god is personally telling him about the future, then he really is suffering from a neurological abnormality and needs help not ridicule.

However, if this guy is a publicity seeking, getting the readies in evangelical, then lambast away, he deserves all the cynicism. The way you can stretch his predictions to fit future events does seem to fall into this category.

Other Comments by Homo economicus

20. Comment #15965 by Aussie on January 4, 2007 at 2:21 am

God spoke to me and told me that Pat Robertson was a nut case and to take no notice of anything that he said.

Other Comments by Aussie

21. Comment #15972 by bart_van_der_griendt on January 4, 2007 at 3:12 am

Late in 2007... so there's a maximum amount of time to build upon the fear of terrorism this administration so desperately needs to justify it's disproportional military spending.

Who benefits?

Other Comments by bart_van_der_griendt

22. Comment #15973 by Duff on January 4, 2007 at 3:25 am

God to Pat: "Pat, I've got a flash for you. I'm not gonna give you the whole thing, just a hint. If I told you everything, people would start thinking you were Me...so listen up....

Other Comments by Duff

23. Comment #15976 by Intra on January 4, 2007 at 4:02 am

Thank God for the dire (yet sufficiently vague) forewarning!

We're all being very unappreciative, really.

Other Comments by Intra

24. Comment #15979 by 42nd on January 4, 2007 at 4:32 am

avatarWhen you talk to God, that's Religion.
When He talks to you, that's schizophrenia.

Other Comments by 42nd

25. Comment #15981 by MadSylvester on January 4, 2007 at 4:39 am

"The broadcaster predicted in January 2004 that President Bush would easily win re-election."

51% isn't "easily"...

"Bush would nominate conservative judges to federal courts."

It's obvious that a conservative president would nominate conservative judges. Am I the only one to see that?

"Robertson said God told him that storms and possibly a tsunami were to crash into America's coastline in 2006."

In regard to storms, I think that every year there are several hurricanes, so even my grandma could have done that prediction (note: my grandma is 88 years old, she is Italian and she doesn't even know where New Orleans is). In regard to Tsunami, there are two cases:
1) God doesn't know the difference between Tsunamis and Hurricanes
2) Robertson doesn't know the difference between Tsunamis and Hurricanes, so he failed to invent the prediction.

Anyway, I can do some other predictions: in 2007 several tornados will hit Texas, there will be fires in California and extremely cold winters in the Northern States, which will cause many problems and maybe victims.
Oh, I almost forgot to say that no God said those things to me and that I'm not an evangelist. I'm just a 23 years old Italian and I read newspapers.

Other Comments by MadSylvester

26. Comment #15982 by Tinky Winky on January 4, 2007 at 4:43 am

"The Lord didn't say nuclear. But I do believe it will be something like that."


Is there anything like a nuclear attack that isn't actually a nuclear attack?

Other Comments by Tinky Winky

27. Comment #15985 by jburdoo on January 4, 2007 at 5:07 am

When I went to Kansas State University (the buckle of the Bible Belt), Pat Robertson came to speak one year. I was told that a group of local Wiccans formed a prayer circle around the auditorium he was in to keep the evil from escaping... I've never found confirmation of it, but I thought it was just a delicious story. Pity it can't really work that way.

Also, wasn't his own center in North Carolina once hit by a hurricane?

Being a skeptic, I have to assume these are urban legends until proven otherwise, but still.

Other Comments by jburdoo

28. Comment #15987 by dave p on January 4, 2007 at 5:16 am

"Is there anything like a nuclear attack that isn't actually a nuclear attack?"

A nukular one, perhaps? I'm sure that's how Shrub would report it.

But it's remarkable that the Lord seems never to have said nuclear. Or "nukular".

You'd think an omniscient Creator of all things might have mentioned it.

Less important than all that stuff about trumpets and woodworm, I suppose.

Other Comments by dave p

29. Comment #15988 by Algebratheist on January 4, 2007 at 5:24 am

avatarwhy hasnt he been diagnosed with schizophrenia yet?

Other Comments by Algebratheist

30. Comment #15989 by -TheCodeCrack- on January 4, 2007 at 5:26 am

In hindsight I was a little harsh on him, infact he has a soft non-threatening face, but beware of the dangerous meme he possesses within.
I mean truly does he actually hear the words, does he interpret the thud of his leg bumping into a table with a slight rustling noise of tree leaves outside into some type of word, hear what he wants to here? why can God the great creator not clearly articulate to him his message after all God apparently has achieved (by miraculously creating the individual then, oops somehow cant do the easier part of communicating with him), his communication skills still remain relatively poor and/or his un-comprehendible selection process in which he picks his victims.

So god's telling him 'what not' this and that, and apparently at the same time god's telling these 'terrorists' to commit these acts. Oh god why you play such pointless mischievous destructive games. Why you play both sides? Leave us alone for a bit please and let us have peace!

Other Comments by -TheCodeCrack-

31. Comment #15991 by Stewart on January 4, 2007 at 5:29 am

avatarApologies in advance if I'm misattributing, but I seem to remember it was Sam Harris who put it very nicely (I think about Bush) by pointing out that if someone claimed that god was regularly speaking to him through his hairdryer, they'd lock him up, which raises the question of why the absence of a hairdryer from such a claim suddenly removes from it all suspicion of mental illness.

Other Comments by Stewart

32. Comment #15992 by The author on January 4, 2007 at 5:34 am

avatarOh my god, all these people will die! We should all pray to Jesus and pay to Robertson, perhaps this will stop the catastrophe!

God spoke to me and said he does'nt exist. Why is nobody interested in what god says to me?

Other Comments by The author

33. Comment #15994 by Tinky Winky on January 4, 2007 at 5:39 am

New Years Day, 2008

Pat (on knees, praying):"God, what happened? Where was the attack you told me about?"

Voice in Pat's head:"I have a relatively good track record. Sometimes I miss."

Other Comments by Tinky Winky

34. Comment #15995 by madpatriot on January 4, 2007 at 5:51 am

LOL, Tinky Winky.

OK, so Pat says "I have a relatively good track record. Sometimes I miss."

If God is speaking to him, why does Pat take credit for the track record? And if God is making the predictions, how could they ever be wrong?

Obviously Pat is not just a liar, but a bad one. He should not have made the statement above, which makes it obvious that these are his predictions and not God's. He should have said something like "These predictions have a relatively good track record. Sometimes I misinterpret what the Lord is telling me."

I suppose by now, though, the people who are still listening to him are so devoid of reason that they wouldn't know the difference.

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35. Comment #15998 by alfonso on January 4, 2007 at 5:59 am

Barking mad!

Other Comments by alfonso

36. Comment #15999 by alfonso on January 4, 2007 at 6:00 am

But now that I think about it... what if he is behind planning or financing those attacks? How could he possibly know otherwise?

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37. Comment #16000 by Sam on January 4, 2007 at 6:07 am

avatarBut the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.' 21 And if you say in your heart, 'How shall we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?'— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken... (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=5%20Mosebok%2018:20-22;&version=50;

It shall come to pass that if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who begot him will say to him, 'You shall not live, because you have spoken lies in the name of the LORD.' And his father and mother who begot him shall thrust him through when he prophesies. (Zechariah 13:3)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ZECH%2013:3;&version=50;

Other Comments by Sam

38. Comment #16001 by Michael on January 4, 2007 at 6:09 am

Well praise the lord that he has such an able mouthpiece as this pillock. Most people dishing out this stuff get banged up in a padded cell for their own good.

And to think there there are hundreds paying this man to say such tripe. In any event his predictions are so vague and so likely (except the nuclear one) that they are nothing startling.

Other Comments by Michael

39. Comment #16004 by A.Lex on January 4, 2007 at 6:23 am

Why do we waste the bandwidth for such nonsense?

Other Comments by A.Lex

40. Comment #16005 by Osiris on January 4, 2007 at 6:25 am

Does he only get tip offs about events in the USA.....pity he never got the nod about Beslan for example.....or maybe he did but thought ungodly commies don`t matter.

Other Comments by Osiris

41. Comment #16006 by scottishgeologist on January 4, 2007 at 6:28 am

avatarRe Stewart's comment about the hairdryer.

Arch-charismaniac and pentecostal ditty-scribbler, Graham Kendrick claims to have been "filled with the holy spirit " when brushing his teeth one night.

So God comes out of toothbrushes as well....

Where the F is this madness going to end?

(Kendrick of course wrote that hideous musical emetic called "Shine Jesus Shine" - a hanging offence if ever there was one....)

Even conservative Christians think its vile...

Other Comments by scottishgeologist

42. Comment #16009 by blackbeauty on January 4, 2007 at 6:38 am

This God of Pat Robertson must be a cynical Bastard!

Other Comments by blackbeauty

43. Comment #16010 by coderifous on January 4, 2007 at 6:38 am

I hope the FBI has this guy tapped and surveiled 24/7.

Can you imagine how absolutely TERRIFYING these statements are to people that believe his bullshit? It's even frigthening for an atheist to hear since it makes you consider the idea that he's lying about the source of his information (as opposed to merely being psychotic) and he's got someone real on the phone.

Since his actions are the very definition of terrorism (he's not giving anyone any useful warning, he's just scaring the shit out of people), I don't see why he shouldn't be questioned at the very least. Maybe even detained. Or is the "patriot" act only useful against non-christians?

Here's a test: If someone said: "God told me the president is going to be assassinated next week!" Would law enforcement care? Or would he be given the god-pass?

Other Comments by coderifous

44. Comment #16012 by dotiankyra on January 4, 2007 at 6:45 am

I saw this story repeated over and over on CNN and other news outlets. WHY? Why does the media even dignify such ridiculous ramblings with news coverage? This is just another example of how low the standards of the media in America have fallen.

Other Comments by dotiankyra

45. Comment #16015 by Mick on January 4, 2007 at 6:56 am

The scary thing is this will not diminish his support one jot. The gullible, desperate and the plain stupid will continue to swallow his "divinely" inspired drivel.

Other Comments by Mick

46. Comment #16019 by MouthAlmighty on January 4, 2007 at 7:05 am

avatarHey people - don't be so hard on Pat - if God were to just spill out all the details just like that there's be no mystery. He wouldn't want to put all those hardworking theologians out of work no would he?

Anyway - just to clear up any questions about Pat's sincerity - here's a transcript of the conversation I obtained from an unnamed source...

GOD: Hey Pat! Psst – HEY!
PAT: Wha? What? Eh?
GOD: PAT! It's me – the Big Fella.
PAT: Oh... hey God… How's it go-
GOD: Shh! Listen!
PAT: Oh… sorry… go ahead.
GOD: There's some shit goin' down in 07.
PAT: Oh?
GOD: Yeah. Serious shit man!
PAT: Errr… can you tell me wh-
GOD: Shh! Listen! Serious shit man - I mean SERIOUS!
PAT: Oh… dear… that serious? Can you tell me-
GOD: Shh! - Like 'BOOM!' man – loads o' bodies – awful – urgh!
PAT: Oh dear! Where will-
GOD: BOOM!! Aaaarma-fuckin-geddon!
PAT: Yes, but Lord, excuse me but could you just-
GOD: KA-FUCKIN-BOOM!! MAN! No SHIT! Fuckin towel-heads!
PAT: Yes Lord but-
GOD: Anyways, laters yeah? You rock by the way!
PAT: Errr?


Other Comments by MouthAlmighty

47. Comment #16021 by rydrum2112 on January 4, 2007 at 7:07 am

Anyone else ask him if god was the one who enabled him to lie about how much weight he could press?

Other Comments by rydrum2112

48. Comment #16023 by ICONIC FREEDOM on January 4, 2007 at 7:23 am

avatarIt's a pity god didn't tell him how to avoid all these predictions in previous posts of his, again, Dawkins must be right then that god really is a Malevolent Bully who wishes his people dead, hurt, or extinct.

Where's the way out Pat, oh, please, help us find the way!

You mean if we turn our lives over to your specific god then we'll be okay?

Funny, eh, isn't that what Islam wants us to do as well?

I just can't keep all this religious shit straight! Best abandon it altogether and just rely on good instincts instead.

Cheers!

Other Comments by ICONIC FREEDOM

49. Comment #16024 by Mark R on January 4, 2007 at 7:32 am

avatarAnother ad campaign to get some funding and weak folk to sign up. "Hey the worlds ending come with us we will save you" Great idea if it were true. For some it is seen as true, so it's pretty easy for us to do the math. This comment wasn't for anyone here posting just for the large population that believe him through their ignorance and lack of truthful education. These people are the ones whom buy the wacko newspapers at the check out. Pat's success is in their wallets.

Other Comments by Mark R

50. Comment #16025 by CreatedAnAthiestByGod on January 4, 2007 at 7:45 am

He doesn't say who is 'mass killing' who! For all we know it's thos damn Christians rounding up and killing all those lovely innocent atheists.

Other Comments by CreatedAnAthiestByGod
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