« First Video Of The Brownback Endorsement | Main | A Rebuke Of Robertson From Iowa's Powerful Christian Alliance »

Doesn't This Explain Everything About The Robertson-Giuliani Nexus?

07 Nov 2007 06:04 pm

It's about Islam -- Robertson's response is primarily religious. Giuliani's is secular.

CAIR RELEASE: CAIR Urges Giuliani to Reject Anti-Islam Televangelist's Endorsement

CAIR Urges Giuliani to Reject Anti-Islam Televangelist's Endorsement

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today urged GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani to reconsider his acceptance of the endorsement of a controversial televangelist known for scathing attacks on Muslims and Islam.

In a news release on his campaign website, Giuliani is quoted as saying he is "encouraged" by the endorsement of Pat Robertson, chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). "His experience and advice will be a great asset to me and my campaign," said Giuliani

In 2002, President Bush repudiated rhetorical attacks on Islam by evangelical leaders. Media reports at the time said the president's remarks were prompted by attacks on Islam, particularly those of Pat Robertson, who said that Muslims are "worse than the Nazis." Bush said: "Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans."

Then Secretary of State Colin Powell echoed the president's remarks when he told a State Department audience, "This kind of hatred must be rejected." The director of the American Jewish Committee called Robertson's "Nazi" comment "outrageous."

On his "700 Club" program, Robertson has repeatedly defamed Islam and Muslims. He called Muslims "satanic," claimed the Quran, Islam's revealed text, is "fraudulent" and said Islam is "a monumental scam." Robertson also called the Prophet Muhammad "an absolute wild-eyed fanatic, a robber and a brigand...a killer" and said the goal of Islam is "world domination."

He called Islam the "religion of the slavers," claimed Americans who convert to Islam exhibit "insanity" and said he would be wary of appointing Muslims to positions in the U.S. government, including judgeships.

In announcing his endorsement of Giuliani, Robertson referred to the "bloodlust of Islamic terrorists."

"It is truly disturbing that a presidential candidate of any party would accept the endorsement and seek the advice of a person with such a clear record of anti-Muslim bigotry," said CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor.


CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Comments (7)

My guess is that Robertson has similarly bigoted feelings toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) and hated to see Romney getting so many conservative endorsements. This endorsement won't help Rudy and it won't help Robertson, but it will help Republicans get the right nominee for the party to win in 08. I wonder what Rudy's ex-wife and children were thinking during that press conference?

The hatred for Muslims must be the reason. Rudy sure ain't right on divorce, gay rights or abortion. The only other reason I can think of is that Robertson wants to back the winner, and he thinks Giuliani is going to win.

Robertson is just another talking head. Watch out for Ron Paul. Do away with all the charity loopholes or better yet retire the IRS and the likes of Pat just go away!

Please notice: Pat Robertson, who said something equivalent to: "America was attacked because we deserved it", has endorsed Rudy. Ron Paul did not say America deserved to be attacked. It would seem that Rudy *HAS* heard something like what he was falsely claiming Ron Paul had said. He just didn't remember ?? Isn't it strange that Rudy has no problem with Pat Robertson's endorsement? Does Rudy have a problem with his memory and his hearing? I do not think Rudy is presidential. I think Ron Paul would be the best president since our founding fathers. His views are spot on for our present predicament. Truth remains truth, even this many years later.

Pat doesn't represent the majority of conservative Christians in America. However, articles like this one that demonstrate an amazing lack of understanding of world religions continue to amaze me.

Did any American journalist spend more than fifteen minutes in college studying religion? From Bill O'Reilly to The NYTimes, journalist seem totally incapable of discussing religious issues. Most don't know enough to write intelligent articles that touch on the subject.

All religions are not the same. They are not basically the same. They are not generally the same. Each major world religion represents a radically different view/understanding of God, humanity, and society.

What people believe about God matters and greatly impacts their actions and interactions with major issues like war, peace, freedom and civil liberties.

Again, I'm no Pat Robertson fan, but it is insane to handle the discussion of religious opinions in this manner. Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and all other religious belief systems should be challenged and questioned without someone yelling "bigotry." As C.S. Lewis reminded us, a faith that isn't capable of intellectual scrutiny isn't worth having. Everyone has the right to believe as they wish, but the constitution doesn't guarantee people the right to profess/propogate inferior views about God and metaphysical issues without being challenged.

I just wrote of the Pat Robertson's endorsement of Rudy Giuliani in this editorial showing his hypocricy, http://www.marymacelveen.com/blog/_archives/2007/11/8/3340985.html

Best,
Mary MacElveen

Regarding MacElveen post: If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a liberal that can't spell!!!!