Pat Robertson

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Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson (born , ) is a in the , and founder of the . He is the host of the popular TV show , which airs on many religious cable channels. His strongly conservative views have made him the subject of much controversy, especially his statements in favor of the dissolution of the . Robertson's net worth is between $200 million and $1 billion (As reported in the book called by ). He is an ordained minister, but holds to a theology, a position which puts him at odds with many of his fellow Southern Baptists.

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Life and Career

Pat Robertson was born into a wealthy Virginia family. His father, Absalom Willis Robertson, was a conservative United States senator with close ties to banking interests. Pat Robertson enrolled at in 1946, where he was elected to . In 1948 he enlisted in the Reserve. After graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950, Robertson served in the .

Pat Robertson was involved in a libel lawsuit with Congressman Pete McCloskey, who served with Robertson in Korea, McCloskey and other veterans had accused Robertson of having had his father pull strings to keep him from the front lines, as well as carousing with prostitutes and hassling Korean women. Robertson was promoted to first lieutenant in 1952 upon his return to the United States. Robertson received a degree from Law School in and a master of divinity degree from in .

Robertson established the in . It is now seen in 180 countries and broadcasted in 71 languages. Robertson also founded in , with its main business as the Family Channel which was sold to Fox network in .

Robertson founded in in and serves as its chancellor. Robertson is founder and president of the , a public interest law firm and education group that defends the rights of people of faith. The law firm focuses on "pro-family, pro-liberty and pro-life" cases nationwide.

Robertson was a candidate for the for in . His campaign did not last beyond the primary election. He failed to receive the party nomination, though he did win the state primary.

Support for Robertson extends beyond the Christian community. In 2002, he received the State of Israel Friendship Award from the for his consistent support for Greater Israel. In that year the also expressed its gratitude to Robertson for "unwavering support for Israel" and "standing up to evil".

Robertson claims to have used the power of to steer away from his headquarters. He took credit for steering the course in of Hurricane Gloria, which caused millions of dollars of destruction in many states along the east coast. He made a similar claim about another destructive storm, Hurricane Felix, in .

Among his more controversial statements, Robertson has described as a "socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." Robertson's views mirror those of and Falwell has made frequent appearances on The 700 Club. He agreed with that the were caused by ", , , , , the and the ." Robertson later stated that he had not understood what Falwell was saying during the interview that was done through a television monitor.

In , Robertson claims to have spent $1.2 million bringing aid to in . However, critics such as claim the money was actually spent to bring heavy equipment for Robertson's African Development Corporation, a operation.

In various episodes of his 700 Club program during the months of June and July , Robertson repeatedly supported President . Robertson accuses the of giving bad advice, and of trying "as hard as they can to destabilize Liberia". Robertson has also failed to mention in his broadcasts his $8 million investment in a Liberian gold mine. Taylor has been (and had been at the time of Robertson's support) indicted by the for . Freedom Gold, the Liberian gold mine was intended to help pay for humanitarian and evangelical efforts in Liberia, according to Robertson.

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Quotes by Pat Robertson

• "The is probably a alive in today."
• " are the spirit of the Antichrist." ()
• "We're undermining a Christian, Baptist president to bring in Muslim rebels to take over the country. And how dare the president of the United States say to the duly elected president of another country, 'You've got to step down,' "; (Robertson on Liberia)
• "I have never met Taylor in my life. I don't know what he has done or hasn't done. I do know he was elected by the people, and he has maintained a relatively stable government in Liberia; and they observe the rule of law; they have a working legislature; they have courts. And though he may have certain dictatorial powers, so do most leaders in Africa," (Robertson on Liberia)
• "If I could just get a nuclear device inside , I think that's the answer." Robertson speaking about the , while talking with Joel Mowbray, about Mowbray's book: "Dangerous Diplomancy: How the State Department Threatens American Security"

Quotes regarding Pat Robertson

• (Book Review) ()
  • "A pinhead with a deep distrust of ." ( in regards to his book New World Order).

• Richard Land, head of the ’s public policy .
  • "I would say that Pat Robertson is way out on his own, in a leaking life raft, on this one." (In regardes to Robertson's July 2003 support for ).

Writings by Pat Robertson

• an autobiography
• ()

Honors given to Pat Robinson

• 1975 The Distinguished Merit Citation from The National Conference of Christians and Jews.
• 1976 Faith and Freedom Award in the field of broadcasting.
• 1978 Department of Justice Award from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 25th FBI Vesper Service.
• 1979 National Conference of Christians and Jews - Distinguished Merit Citation.
• 1982 Humanitarian of the Year Food for the Hungry.
• 1984 Man of the Year Award from the Women's National Republican Club.
• 1984 Citation from the National Organization for the Advancement of Hispanics.
• 1985 National Association of United Methodist Evangelists.
• 1988 Man of the Year by Students for America.
• 1989 Christian Broadcaster of the Year by the National Religious Broadcasters.
• 1992 One of America's 100 Cultural Elite by Newsweek Magazine.
• 1994 Omega Fellowship Award by Food for the Hungry for Operation Blessing's fight against worldwide hunger.
• 1994 Defender of Israel Award from the Christians' Israel Public Action Campaign for those who have made major contributions in strengthening U.S.-Israel relations.
• 1994 John Connor Humanitarian Service Award from Operation Smile International.
• 2000 Cross of Nails award for his vision, inspiration, and humanitarian work with The Flying Hospital
• 2000 Yale University Most Distinguished Alumnus.
• 2002 State of Israel Friendship Award from the Zionist Organization of America.