Posts tagged "Christian"

Pat Robertson Quotes on Alzheimer’s Rebuked by Christian Leaders

“I’m just flabbergasted,” Joel Hunter, pastor of the 15,000-member Northland Church in Orlando, Fla., told ABC News. “I just don’t know how anyone who is reading Scripture or is even familiar with the traditional wedding vows can come out with a statement like that.”

Hunter continued, “Obviously, we can all rationalize the legitimacy for our own comfort that would somehow make it OK to divorce our spouse if circumstances become very different or inconvenient. … That’s almost universal, but there’s just no way you can get out of what Jesus says about marriage.”

Robertson said on Tuesday’s “700 Club” program, “I hate Alzheimer’s. It is one of the most awful things because, here is a loved one, this is the woman or man that you have loved for 20, 30, 40 years, and suddenly, that person is gone. They’re gone. They are gone.”

The former televangelist added that Alzheimer’s “is a kind of death.”

“It’s not death, and so we can’t start describing things as death that are really not death, and we have to stop trying to mischaracterize what Scripture says for our own convenience,” Hunter countered.

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ABC News also spoke with Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).

According to Anderson, marriage is a lifelong and faithful commitment between a man and a woman that calls for the couple to endure good times and bad.

Anderson referred to the book of Corinthians when he spoke with ABC News, saying, “The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. You can’t quit your own body with Alzheimer’s, so you shouldn’t quit your husband’s or wife’s body either.”

Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, reacted to Robertson’s comments on Twitter, writing, “This is what happens when you abandon Scripture and do theology and morality by your gizzard. Let’s call it what it is.”

John Piper, of Desiring God Ministries, also commented on Twitter, writing, “Pat Robertson’s view of how Christ loves the church and gives himself for her. Leave her for another.”

Robertson, without citing any Scriptural support, said that a man with a wife suffering from Alzheimer’s “should divorce and start all over.”

Co-host Terry Meeuwsen appeared alarmed by Robertson’s comments. She interjected, noting that couples vow to remain together “for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer.”

Robertson responded that if people respect those vows they will also keep in mind the part that says “until death do us part,” which is when he added that Alzheimer’s “is a kind of death.”

The controversial “700 Club” host also said he would not put a “guilt trip” on someone who divorced for such a reason.

However, before deserting your spouse with a debilitating disease, make sure they have “custodial care” and someone to look after them, Robertson said.

Robertson’s comments were in response to the following question submitted by a “700 Club” viewer:

I have a friend whose wife suffers from Alzheimer’s. She doesn’t even recognize him anymore, and, as you can imagine, the marriage has been rough. My friend has gotten bitter at God for allowing his wife to be in that condition, and now he’s started seeing another woman. He says that he should be allowed to see other people, because his wife as he knows her is gone… I’m not quite sure what to tell him. Please help.

After expressing his viewpoint, the former televangelist offered this disclaimer to the viewer who submitted the question, “Get some ethicist besides me to give you the answer.”

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks, according to the National Institute on Aging.

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Pat Robertson infuriates Christian faithful with Alzheimer’s comments

Pat Robertson has made many controversial statements over the years, such as suggesting that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were God’s punishment for the U.S. tolerating abortion and homosexuality. His critics are usually those on the politically opposite spectrum of the conservative Christian leader, or outside the Christian faith.

But the television evangelist’s most recent statements — condoning divorce when a spouse has Alzheimer’s — appears to have offended many Christians who feel it violates the sanctity of marriage and that most cherished of marriage vows: Til death do us part.

The controversy stems from comments Robertson made recently on the “700 Club” program on Christian Broadcast Network. His comments came in response to a caller who said that a friend had begun dating other women while his wife lies seriously ill with Alzheimer’s, and justifies it by saying that “his wife, as he knows her, is gone.”

Robertson said he agrees with the man: “What he says basically is correct. I know it sounds cruel, but if he’s going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her.”

His co-host pressed Robertson about whether that violates the marriage vows. Robertson responded that Alzheimer’s “is a kind of death” and added, “I certainly wouldn’t put a guilt trip on you” for choosing divorce in such a scenario.

The comments on Christianity Today’s news blog were nearly universal in their criticism and disappointment:

“I am horrified by Robertson’s response!” said one.

Many of the commenters said they were outraged, and described how they — or a mother or father — lovingly cared for a spouse with Alzheimer’s.

“Such irresponsible, callous comments made by Robertson. My father cared for my mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 55…until the day he placed her ravaged body in the grave. He kept his vows. Be ashamed of yourself, Pat Robertson.”

On Twitter, Walter Price, who identifies himself as a pastor, said: “Pat Robertson is WRONG on his alzheimers statement. Un-Christlike; unbiblical; dead wrong! So sad!”

And Russell D. Moore, dean of the school of theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., wrote in an article at Baptist Press News, “This is more than an embarrassment. This is more than cruelty. This is a repudiation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Robertson did not respond to an interview request from The Times submitted to Christian Broadcast Network.

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Baylor stuns No. 14 Texas Christian, 50-48

Aaron Jones kicked a 37-yard field goal with 1:04 left and Baylor averted a monumental collapse to pull out a 50-48 season-opening victory over 14th-ranked Texas Christian on Friday night.

TCU, which had won an FBS-best 25 consecutive regular-season games, overcome a 47-23 deficit in the fourth quarter when new starting quarterback Casey Pachall threw three touchdowns before a fumble by Bears quarterback Robert Griffin set up a go-ahead 27-yard field goal by Ross Evans, who had earlier missed twice from behind 40 yards.

But Baylor, which hadn’t beaten a ranked team since 2004, then went 60 yards in 11 plays — including Griffin’s 15-yard catch from Kendall Wright on a third-and-10 — to set up Jones.

The Frogs had one more chance, but Pachall’s last pass was intercepted by Mike Hicks with two seconds to play.

Spartans win

B.J. Cunningham caught nine passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, moving into a tie for first on Michigan State’s career receptions list in the No. 17 Spartans’ 28-6 victory over Youngstown State at East Lansing, Mich.

Kirk Cousins threw for 222 yards for Michigan State, which tied for the Big Ten title last season but wasn’t especially dominant against the Penguins of the Football Championship Subdivision.

Arthur Ray Jr. started at left guard for the Spartans, four years after being treated for cancer in his left leg.

Oklahoma next to leave Big 12?

Oklahoma President David Boren says multiple conferences have shown interest in the Sooners recently and he expects to decide whether to leave the Big 12 or not within the next three weeks.

Boren said Friday that he has received “interest from other conferences and other universities, so it’s really a tribute to the strength of our program at the University of Oklahoma that there is so much interest in us.”

Boren said Oklahoma will carefully evaluate its options and suggested the process could take as little as three days but likely no longer than three weeks. Texas A&M announced this week that it planned to leave the Big 12 next year. That would reduce the 12-team league to only nine members.

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Three foreign-born Boise State players are being held out of the season opener against Georgia while undergoing a review of their eligibility by the NCAA. The players are starting wide receiver Geraldo Boldewijn, starting safety Cedric Febis and backup defensive lineman Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe. … John Flanders, the cornerback who sealed Tulsa‘s win at Notre Dame last season with a last-minute interception in the end zone, has been declared academically ineligible this season. The Golden Hurricane announced Friday that Flanders is seeking a waiver from the NCAA and hopes to redshirt this season, then return next year for his final season of eligibility. … Florida Atlantic Coach Howard Schnellenberger‘s trip to Gainesville for his final season opener was interrupted Friday by a precautionary stop at a hospital. Schnellenberger, 77, complained of severe discomfort in his surgically repaired hip during a bus ride. X-rays determined the problem wasn’t serious, school officials said, and he’s expected to be on the sideline for Saturday’s game against 22nd-ranked Florida.

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COL FB: Baylor 50, Texas Christian 48

Published: Sept. 3, 2011 at 12:19 AM

WACO, Texas, Sept. 3 (UPI) — Aaron Jones kicked a 37-yard field goal with 64 seconds remaining Friday and Baylor overcame the loss of a 24-point lead to shock No. 15 TCU 50-48.

The wild offensive duel, featuring five touchdown passes by Baylor’s Robert Griffin, was not decided until Mike Hicks intercepted a pass by TCU quarterback Casey Pachall at the Bears’ 18-yard line with 2 seconds to play. A completion in that situation would have allowed the Horned Frogs to line up for a potential game-winning field goal.

TCU had a 13-game winning streak snapped. The Horned Frogs went unbeaten last year en route to a No. 2 national ranking and a Rose Bowl win.

The teams combined for 1,030 yards and produced 50 points in the game’s first 19 minutes.

Baylor held a 47-23 lead heading into the fourth quarter but Pachall threw three touchdown passes in the period, ran for one two-point conversion and passed for another.

All that brought the Horned Frogs within 47-45 and they then took the lead with 4:27 to play on a 27-yard field goal by Ross Evans.

Griffin proceeded to drive the Bears 60 yards in 10 plays before Jones kicked his game-winning field goal.

Griffin completed 21-of-27 passes for 359 yards without an interception. He also ran 10 times for 38 yards.

Pachall was 25-of-39 for 251 yards and four touchdowns.

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End Is Nigh? May 21, Christian Group Says

“Judgment Day” is approaching. Fast. The world, as we know it, will end May 21, at least according to the now-ubiquitous prophecy posted on more than 5,000 billboards, posters, fliers and digital bus displays across the country.

Family Radio, based in Oakland, Calif., is a nonprofit evangelical Christian group that has declared May 21, 2011, as the day of Armageddon. It has been funding the campaign to spread the word through an outreach program it calls “Project Caravan.”

Tom Evans, a spokesman for Family Radio, said the doomsday date is based on a complicated reading of the Bible and calculations that stem from the “7,000 year anniversary of the flood.”

“You know how Sherlock Holmes arrives at ‘who dunnit?’ It is really a process of eliminations and bits of pieces of information to arrive at May 21 and then confirming the date by testing it against everything else the Bible says,” he said. “In Ezekiel, chapter 33, God tells believers when the sword of judgment comes, the watchman and believer is to blow the trumpet and tell the world.”

Japan Crisis Sparks U.S. Doomsday Preparations Watch Video

The thousands of billboards and fliers are Family Radio’s way of blowing the trumpet. The radio network — which has 66 stations in the United States — is headed by Harold Camping.

A former civil engineer turned radio host, Camping, 89, is the president of Family Radio and is touring the country to spread his message of impending doom.

Members of his fundamentalist flock show up to his presentations sporting yellow T-shirts, cheerfully disseminating word that the Rapture is almost here. The signs on their RVs proclaim, “Have you heard the awesome news? The End of the World is almost here.”

Evans said Camping and his followers believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible. “It is a manifestation of God’s word,” he said.

While Family Radio says it has faith in the Bible, it has no use for organized religion and believes Catholics and Protestants, among others, have corrupted the word of God.

“If you’re a Christian, you know that God does not elevate any man above any other man,” Evans said.

One sore spot in the group’s campaign is that Camping has predicted the end of the world before: in 1994. But, Evans said, Camping was “thrown off a correct calculation because of some verses in Matthew 24.” So when 1994 came and went, Camping headed back to the drawing board and came up with May 21.

Camping and his followers point to three specific harbingers of their interpretation of the End: When Israel became a nation in 1948, when churches stopped following a strict interpretation of the Bible and the profound increase in “immorality and lawlessness” in our world (specifically homosexuality, they believe).

Many skeptics deride the group as fringe players or religious cranks but the multimillion-dollar billboard campaign has certainly caught the nation’s attention and fed into the public’s fascination with apocalyptic scenarios.

Popular books about Armageddon include the best-selling series “Left Behind,” which has sold more than 1 million copies. And, according to a 2010 Pew Research Center poll, more than 40 percent of Americans who consider themselves Christians believe there will be a Second Coming sometime in the next 40 years.

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