By now, most of you have probably heard about the tragedy in Haiti. The latest estimate I heard was nearly 50,000 dead. I can’t even imagine the horror and loss that the people of Haiti are feeling. I also read an article about how many of the Christians in Haiti are praising God that the tragedy wasn’t worse. I am humbled and touched by their faith and resilience. At a time like this many would be focusing on loss and not on the potential for good.
The biggest horror I have heard was a comment made by Pat Robertson. The TV Evangelist from the 700 club claimed on national TV that the people of Haiti are being punished because they made a pact with the devil. This is the same man who claimed that New Orleans was punished by Katrina because Ellen DeGeneres grew up there and she is a Lesbian. In my opinion, these are the statements of a raving lunatic and have nothing to do with the words of a man of God. The God I believe in does not take vengeance on the innocent and actually he/she doesn’t take vengeance on anyone. That makes God seem like a spoiled two year-old with lots of power. I believe that Pat Robertson is creating God in his own image because this is how he would act if he was deity. My view is that Pat Robertson is speaking for Demiurgos (the embodiment of ignorance) and not God.
When I was in seminary one of the big questions that we had to tackle was how could a loving God allow suffering like we are seeing in Haiti. The answer, as I have come to know it, has nothing to do with people having a pact with Satan or with someone being a lesbian. The answer is that God allows darkness because without it there is no free will. Without our world being a place of dark and light there is no chance for individuality and free will and all creation would cease to exist as anything separate from God him/herself. There is a teaching in Kabbalah that dark and hostile entities are actually the secret operation of the Holy Spirit. So secret, that they don’t even realize it themselves. This is because the Mother creates darkness and light so that there is a dynamic tension in this world that forces us toward spiritual evolution. Without it, there would be no progress.
I see Pat Robertson’s comments more destructive and more “evil” then anything that has happened in Haiti. The tragedy and human suffering is unimaginable, but it is allowed to happen so that all beings have a chance at enlightenment and liberation. This does not diminish it in anyone’s life, but this was a force of nature that cannot be controlled. Pat Robertson, on the other hand, could certainly control his own words. Isn’t it written that what goes in your mouth will not defile you, but that which comes out? I think this is a perfect example of what that verse is all about.
Please join me in praying for the people of Haiti and also join me in praying that anyone who hears the dark words of Pat Robertson sees them for what they are and discounts them immediately.
Blessings & Love, Yonah
