Posted on 09/15/2011 7:42:41 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Evangelical Christian leaders are condemning the recent quotes by Christian Broadcasting Network chairman Pat Robertson who told viewers Tuesday that divorcing a spouse with Alzheimer's disease is justifiable.
"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.
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.
I think Pat may have a touch of Alzheimer’s himself.
I think that the man has lost it. What does he suggest when dealing with a loved one that has had a stroke? Dementia? In a coma? There are numerous scenarios that this “death” prognosis would apply.
What about divorcing someone because they are an idiot?
Is Robertson still married?
What about divorcing someone because they are an idiot?
Is Robertson still married?
First of all, “Who gave Robertson authority to rewrite the religion laws?” Second, I do believe “in sickness and in health until death do us part” includes Alzheimer’s.
Jesus gave unfaithfulness as the only reason to divorce.
Maybe early warnings? Remember when Andy Williams had those commercials promoting ObamaCare? He looked like he is losing it upstairs in his sunset years. Pat Robertson is getting up there too.
That was my first thought, too, and not as a joke. Robertson has occasionally misspoken, or has said something that was not very politic. But this is just flat out wrong, and it goes against everything he has appeared to stand for.
You are right it does. My grandfather died of Alzheimers at age 93 and yes it is a form of death. He started to go at age 88 and was almost totally gone. I went to see him in the hospital before he died and he recognized me for a brief moment rather amazingly. My grandmother stood with him to the end and thats the way to do it. At his funeral my grandmother cried about the times she lost patience with him and snapped at him. He was never put in a home and lived in his house until his death. It was very sad but my grandparents loved each other very much and were married 64 years.
President Reagan and Charlton Heston also succumbed to this terrible disease and their wives stood by them. It is the right thing to do and we Christians must help each other out always.
You could be right. That would at least give an excuse for his ridiculous statement.
An Alzheimers patient is still your loved one. If you take your vows seriously, you could not throw them under the bus.
(I have dealt with the horrible disease.)
Either that or his wife has Alzeimher’s and he is making plans.
I was being a bit flippant.
I have never been to a church where I met anyone that was perfect.
I am sure he is rethinking his position even now.
Wedding vows Pat? “In sickness and in health”????
Get off the air Pat!!
Your flippancy may not be too far off base. I appreciated a possible reason for such a statement from such a prominent religious figure.
He is not a youngster.
I think this question has merit. When the body makes it impossible to live up to your duties in a marriage can you be released from your vow? I think there is also something in the Bible that refers to a period of time in which copulation must occur between husband and wife to maintain the commitment.
You're right, Lord Vader...and who can forget the absolute heartbreak of Nancy Reagan, who did stand by her man until God called him home...how she sobbed when it was finally time to say goodbye at the burial site in Simi Valley. I remember it as if it were yesterday.
And you KNOW how the media is going to...hell, ALREADY, mentioning it: "Former Republican presidential candidate..." SMH
If my Hub were to ever be cursed with that terrible disease, I’d stay right here with him until the Lord takes him home. I made that promise 45 years ago and I intend to keep that promise. My mom is in the beginning stages of Alzheimers. She still knows me but who knows for how long...but I’ll take care of her until I can’t. I just pray the Lord will give me the strength and health to take care of my family for as long as it takes. I’ll not consider her “dead” until she draws her last breath.
Nancy Reagan’s and my grandmother’s grief was about the same.
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