Reflecting on the Legacy of Religious Broadcaster Pat Robertson who passed away at 93

News Analysis: Pat Robertson, Christian Broadcaster and Political Figure, Dies at 93

Pat Robertson, the influential founder of the Christian Coalition, passed away at the age of 93. Robertson was a fixture on the talk show 700 Club and ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 1988. He also established Regent University, a prominent evangelical Christian institution located in Virginia Beach, and the American Center for Law and Justice.

The Life of Pat Robertson

Robertson was a familiar presence in American living rooms for more than a half-century. He was best known for his 700 Club television show where he made televised pronouncements about God’s judgment on America for everything ranging from homosexuality to the teaching of evolution.

In 1988, Robertson contested the Republican presidential nomination, and he innovatively courting Iowa’s network of evangelical Christian churches, finishing ahead of Vice-President George HW Bush in second place in the Iowa caucuses.

He started the Christian Coalition in Chesapeake in 1989, mobilizing conservative voters through grassroots activities, which became a significant force in Republican politics in the 1990s.

The Legacy of Pat Robertson

Robertson’s impact and legacy on both religion and politics in the US were enormous, according to John C Green, an emeritus political science professor at the University of Akron. He helped cement the alliance between conservative Christians and the Republican Party. Pursuit of Iowa’s evangelicals is now a ritual for Republican hopefuls, which Robertson pioneered.

Despite significant religious work, Robertson’s public television statements often drew criticism and controversy. He attributed the terrorist attack that killed thousands of Americans on 11 September 2001 to God, angered by the federal courts, pornography, abortion rights, and church-state separation. He called Islam a violent religion that wants to “dominate” and “destroy,” prompted President George W Bush to distance himself and say Islam is a peaceful and respectful religion.

Robertson’s statements have been unpopular with the LGBT+ community, whom he voiced his strong beliefs against on national television. Furthermore, his controversial remarks were not limited to the US but extend to the international political arena, where he called for the assassination of the Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in 2005.

Editorial: A Divided Legacy

Pat Robertson divided the US, leaving behind a complex and controversial legacy. While his influence on conservative Christians was enormous, his legacy is that he pushed society’s understanding of morality and ethics to the edge of the frame.

Robertson’s overwhelming faith sometimes challenged the US Constitution and its institutions, eroding the traditional separation of church and state. He was unapologetic about giving his views, and sometimes these results in divisions, stalemate, and strife.

Despite his controversial views on various issues ranging from women rights to international politics, Pat Robertson was an influential religious broadcaster in America. His demise has created a void in Christian broadcasting and the political arena, and the question now is who will fill his shoes.

Advice to Future Religious Broadcasters

Pioneer to a new path, gain a following, and make an impact, like Pat Robertson. However, also do so with responsibility, careful selection of vocabularies, and an understanding of the diverse society we live in. Above all, religious broadcasters should work to unify society rather than promote division.