Posted on 08/24/2005 10:35:22 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Conservative U.S. evangelist Pat Robertson, who called for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, said on Wednesday he was misinterpreted and there were a number of ways to "take him out" including kidnapping.
"I said our special forces could take him out. Take him out could be a number of things including kidnapping," Robertson said on his "The 700 Club" television program.
"There are a number of ways of taking out a dictator from power besides killing him. I was misinterpreted," Robertson added.
Robertson, the founder of the Christian Coalition and a presidential candidate in 1988, said on Monday of Chavez, one of Bush's most vocal critics: "If he thinks we're trying to assassinate him, I think that we really ought to go ahead and do it."
"We have the ability to take him out, and I think the time has come that we exercise that ability." He made the comments during his "The 700 Club" television program.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Tuesday dismissed Robertson's remarks, but the White House remained silent despite calls for repudiation from Venezuela and religious leaders including the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called "without fact and baseless" any ideas of hostile action against Chavez or Venezuela.
The leftist Chavez has often accused the United States of plotting his overthrow or assassination. Alongside Cuban President Fidel Castro in Havana on Sunday, Chavez scoffed at the idea that he and Castro were destabilizing troublemakers.
Chavez survived a short-lived coup in 2002 that he says was backed by the United States. Washington denies involvement.
Venezuelan officials said Robertson's remarks, while those of a private citizen, took on more significance given his ties to President George W. Bush's Christian-right supporters.
"Mr Robertson has been one of this president's staunchest allies. His statement demands the strongest condemnation by the White House," Venezuela's ambassador to the United States Bernardo Alvarez said.
All fighting, whether for wages, for renown, or out of anger and malice, breaks this command, and the bloodshed therein is murder. To tempt men to vice and crimes which shorten life, may be included. Misconduct, such as may break the heart, or shorten the lives of parents, wives, or other relatives, is a breach of this command. This command forbids all envy, malice, hatred, or anger, all provoking or insulting language
I would say that calling for the assassination of another person without a trial by jury (especially considering the man hasn't done anything to us) would fall under 'provoking' language. Also
but much which is not deemed murder by the laws of man, is such before God.
You may not but God probably would
And of course I would love to see you explain how Matthew Henry is a 'candy-bar, 1960's Jesus freak 'Christian' as it is clear he would disagree with you.
Well, according to you..we certainly cant KILL it, now can we? Maybe we should talk real nice..give in to evils demands..
I know..lets let evil have freedom of speech and tape up the mouths of Christians everywhere..especially the Christians who believe evil should be spoken against and eradicated..Christians who speak the obvious
Yeah, lets sit in silence and let evil do as it may..lets not insult it..better to just JUDGE OTHER CHRITIANS like Mr. Robertson.
Yeah..judging the Christians..putting their balls to the wall..thats how we fight evil..uh huh!!
You are way too "smart" for me...Way to righteous I'd say..those like you will surely inherit the earth..whats left of it anyway..
"Everyone is acting so shocked that a "Christian" said this..but the Bible says not to "murder" - it does not necessarily prevent the killing of EVIL Persons."
Killing of Evil Persons isn't murder? What if the Evil Persons have not broken any laws? Who is determining that the person is evil, you? Glad you aren't in charge.
Who's laws are we talking about? Mans or Gods? An evil person can break Gods Law without having broken mans laws.
Are our Soldiers in Iraq committing Murder? I dont think so, yet they kill dont they? They kill because they are attempting to defeat Evil
Who is determining that the person is evil, you? Glad you aren't in charge.
Discerning Christians (Christian Leaders) should be able to tell evil from good..though many don't. Its a sad state of affairs in todays world.
I can determine ceratin evils, yes. All Real, Bible Believing, Bible Reading Christians can, but you are right to be glad I'm not in charge..
Some of you who spew indignation about the killing of murderers..should spend some time in the Book of Revelations (It is the New Testament after all..) Johns Revelation will surely clear up any misunderstanding about whether or not God allows us to destroy evil-doers.
I heard they were going to take down SpongeBob SquarePants too.
The sixth commandment. The Jewish teachers had taught, that nothing except actual murder was forbidden by the sixth commandment. Thus they explained away its spiritual meaning. Christ showed the full meaning of this commandment; according to which we must be judged hereafter, and therefore ought to be ruled now. All rash anger is heart murder. By our brother, here, we are to understand any person, though ever so much below us, for we are all made of one blood. Raca is a scornful word, and comes from
pride: to Thou fool is a spiteful word, and comes from hatred. Malicious slanders and censures are poison that kills secretly and slowly. Christ told them that how light soever they made of these sins, they would certainly be called into judgment for them. We ought carefully to preserve Christian love and peace with all our brethren; and if at any time there is a quarrel, we should confess our fault, humble ourselves to our brother, making or offering satisfaction for wrong done in word or
deed: and we should do this quickly; because, till this is done, we are unfit for communion with God in holy ordinances. And when we are preparing for any religious exercises, it is good for us to make that an occasion of serious reflection and self-examination. What is here said is very applicable to our being reconciled to God through Christ. While we are alive, we are in the way to his judgement-seat; after death, it will be too late. When we consider the importance of the case, and the
uncertainty of life, how needful it is to seek peace with God, without delay! (Mt 5:27-32)
"Some of you who spew indignation about the killing of murderers..should spend some time in the Book of Revelations (It is the New Testament after all..) Johns Revelation will surely clear up any misunderstanding about whether or not God allows us to destroy evil-doers."
Who has Chavez murdered (I haven't seen anything in that regard in any of the threads/posts)?
Chavez sits on a bunch of oil, is courting Castro and the socialists, and told the US he is no longer going to support our utterrly stupid and failed drug war foreign policies. He is pissing off US Conservatives and Theologians, but that doesn't warrant his murder.
You are sadly so extreme/fundamentalist that you have become like the Islamofascists.
It's really amazing. So far, you've tried to paint me as supporting Chavez. There was also something you supposed about me about being "a candy bar 1960s Christian," or something like that. Now you attempt to say I believe we should not fight evil.
All of this stemming out of a conversation about whether Pastor Robertson is correct in advocating the killing of people. You say he didn't say it but you still manage to agree with what he said.
Obviously, since Robertson has backed off of his comments, he's not the only mealy-mouthed "Christian" around.
You are good only at twisting words, hurling accusations and putting words into other people's mouths.
You want to have things two and three ways? Go ahead. You disgust me beyond words so there is no need to talk to you any longer.
Matthew Henrys writings..hmmmm.
Not really relevant to Mr. Robertsons situation. But thanks anyway.
You disgust me beyond words so there is no need to talk to you any longer.
POT. KETTLE. BLACK LOL!!!
I don't understand how you can't say that isn't relevant. Not only to Robertson's nonsense but you previous statement that the commandment 'really' meant murder.
Wonder if Iron Matron still thinks it is all Christian's duty to murder evil persons as God's? Sounds like a Fatwa to me.
I think Robertson was wrong to make the comments. I've seen others on these threads agree or disagree with that. This is fine by me if someone disagrees. But trying to paint those who think Robertson is wrong as "supporting Chavez," or assigning ulterior motives, or not wanting to fight evil is disingenuous and beneath contempt. Iron Matron is free, of course, to believe whatever. But the tactics used in the debate are disgusting.
Why not? We're in the business of preemptive wars, costing many lives. I don't necessarily think that is wrong, I just wish we would go in and remove the threat to the U.S.A. and get out. I could care less about nation building. We're hated anyway, let's give them something to hate us for.
I also don't think you are doing your enemy a favor by restraining yourself to the point that when you do have to react, you are forced to react to the point of wiping them out completely. This is what happened in World War II. A more merciful response is to eliminate the threat early, saving your enemies lives as well. We've tried everything else at the cost of much bloood and treasure, why not try preemptive assasinations? What's morally more right, to kill one, or to kill thousands, even millions?
Sorry. It is the way I've read and understood that commandment for many years. Same with the one "thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor". Some interpret that as "Thou shalt not lie". Yet King David himself lied to the temple priests (on his way to a war, I might add.
Sometimes..there are justifications for things..and sometimes a Christian shoots his mouth off one too many times..but that is no reason to condemn them as many have Mr. Robertson. Mr. Robertson did not speak in "Rash Anger" that is someone else's JUDGEMENT of him..that is why I said it did not apply
We will all be judged..about this Henry was right. He was absolutely right. But murder is murder only according to the situation. Chavez is building arms against us..has threatened us..all Mr. Robertson did was make a play on Chavez's own words..that is not murder.
But, like I was asked before..who is to be the judge? By what rule can we judge without condemning ourselves?
My opinion is nothing in the Greater scheme of things..so is Mr. Robertsons..no opinion is worth the outrage I've seen on this thread..even Mr. Robertsons.
So what?
He's under pressure to do so.
Mr. Robertson is a good man whom I defend, his apology does not, however, make YOU right. Not at all.
Did I post the link with "I'm right!"? Did I post the link with anything else at all? All I did was post the link to you for further reading in this story. It's a new development. I didn't comment either way, nor did I, like you, insinuate anything at all.
You can't just disagree, can you? No. You have to insinuate, denigrate, conjur and put words in other people's mouths.
Sorry. But this is a form of lying you are practicing.
For proof as to why, just look at this thread. The FReepers who supported what he said are disappointed, and the FReepers who disapproved continue to pile on, as contemptuous as ever. Worst of both worlds.
What amazed--and continues to amaze--me is the sheer volume of noise generated by this "controversy": the mainstream liberal media, the DUmmys, and a few longtime FR trolls act as if Televangelist Roberston was the UN ambassador or the Secretary of State acting in his official capacity when he made these comments...very telling what's really the agenda here, that.
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