Posted on 09/15/2011 11:20:05 AM PDT by Sopater
Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson told his "700 Club" viewers that divorcing a spouse with Alzheimer's is justifiable because the disease is "a kind of death."
During the portion of the show where the one-time Republican presidential candidate takes questions from viewers, Robertson was asked what advice a man should give to a friend who began seeing another woman after his wife started suffering from the incurable neurological disorder.
"I know it sounds cruel, but if he's going to do something, he should divorce her and start all over again, but make sure she has custodial care and somebody looking after her," Robertson said.
The chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network, which airs the "700 Club," said he wouldn't "put a guilt trip" on anyone who divorces a spouse who suffers from the illness, but added, "Get some ethicist besides me to give you the answer."
Most Christian denominations at least discourage divorce, citing Jesus' words in the Gospel of Mark that equate divorce and remarriage with adultery.
Terry Meeuwsen, Robertson's co-host, asked him about couples' marriage vows to take care of each other "for better or for worse" and "in sickness and in health."
"If you respect that vow, you say `til death do us part,'" Robertson said during the Tuesday broadcast. "This is a kind of death."
A network spokesman said Wednesday that Robertson had no further statement.
Divorce is uncommon among couples where one partner is suffering from Alzheimer's, said Beth Kallmyer, director of constituent services for the Alzheimer's Association, which provides resources to sufferers and their families.
"We don't hear a lot of people saying `I'm going to get divorced,'" she told The Associated Press. "Families typically respond the way they do to any other fatal disease."
The stress can be significant in marriages though, Kallmyer said, because it results in the gradual loss of a person's mental faculties.
"The caregiving can be really stressful on a couple of levels," she said. "There's the physical level. There's also the emotional level of feeling like you're losing that person you love."
As a result, she said, it's important for couples to make decisions about care together in the early stages of the illness, when its effects aren't as prominent. (AP)
Ever since I saw him in that commercial with that phony “Reverend” Sharpie Sharpton, I’ve lost any respect I had for him. I think as some people age, their brains mellow to the level of spoiled cantalopes.
Pat Robertson - The Jimmy Carter of the Religous Right.
Robertson did some good earlier in his life but should have retired many years ago. The longer he sticks around, the more embarrassment he brings to himself. His yearly prophecies, which he attributes to the Lord, have a lesser accuracy rate than a flip of the coin. Say good night, Pat.
God help the candidate he winds up endorsing.
A typical relativistic response: Alzheimer’s is a “KIND OF” death meant to cover an inconvenient situation.
His “700 Club” should be down to about “7” about now.
This is shocking.
I don’t care one way or other what Jesus said, but I have learned about being human, about compassion and duty, and about marriage. If there is ANY time divorce is intolerable it is when your better half most needs you.
Here comes a bus..Pat, give me a hand with this toss.
When I read what Mr. Robertson said, I was shocked. I’ve followed him over the years and have enjoyed The 700 Club. But this is beyond the pale. For the life of me I can’t figure out what in the world he was thinking.
You’re right on, Sopater, stick with what Jesus said.
I have to say that the 700 Club has helped me out enormously in the past, but I think even Terry knew Pat was off the range on this one. She tried to lead him out of it, but he didn’t take the hint.
Pat just never understood the Bible.
God help the candidate he winds up endorsing.
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Given Gingrich’s history... I’d say Pat will likely endorse Newt.
Dontcha think?
What a sick statement.
It seems that ever since the 2004 election, every time Pat Robertson opens his mouth, he makes another stupid, idiotic, embarrassing type of statement, whether it is politics, religion, whatever. Just STH up Pat and go away. In fact I would say that he is suffering from early stages of dementia himself. I find it hard to believe that his program 700 Club would attract any viewers. And I am a born again Christian by the way. I would sooner get rid of my TV than to watch this false teacher.
I’d say Newt’s got a few things going for him there. So, yes, I’d say Newt’s at the top of PR’s list.
Not really shocking-—it is just New Age Christianity-—Moral Relativism.
I get what you are saying. However, what is a wife? She is defined by some function, some role, some human expression, some intention. When those things are absent and yet life is there but is entirely vacant there is no sin on the part of either spouse if divorce should occurs. A man is not a monk. He has some vocation to fulfill as a man, in his work, in his family and home, in his church. When the mate can no longer fulfill, in this case her role, he may have a duty to others and for some reasons to divorce. The wife in this case is not injured by divorce but must be kept tenderly cared for even if he is goes on to another marriage. This wife’s condition imitates death to the sacrament of marriage, as defined by its own duties and conditions, functions and responsibilities. There is no “there” there.
We tend to see things through the lens of the modern American existant culture. Think maybe about the cultures of old.
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