Pat gets paid: TV preacher Robertson gets 'faith-based' grant from Bush administration

Church & State, Nov 2002 by Benen, Steve

TV Preacher Robertson Gets 'faith-Based' Grant From Bush Administration

TV preacher Pat Robertson surprised virtually everyone last year when he criticized President George W. Bush's "faith-- based" initiative.

On the Feb. 20, 2001 episode of his nationally televised "700 Club" program, Robertson, one of the nation's most reliable friends of Bush and the Republican Party, condemned the controversial plan to fund houses of worship with tax dollars.

"[T]his thing could be a real Pandora's box," Robertson said. "And what seems to be such a great initiative can rise up to bite the organizations as well as the federal government. And I'm a little concerned about it, frankly."

Though the remarks sparked media attention, Robertson wasn't done. Three weeks later, the Virginia Beach-based evangelist returned to the topic, warning his television audience that the Bush plan could threaten the vitality of religious groups.

"[F]ederal rules will envelope these organizations, they'll begin to be nurtured, if I can use that term, on federal money, and then they can't get off of it," Robertson said. "It'll be like a narcotic; they can't then free themselves later on."

Despite the presumed peril religious groups face from accepting public funds, it appears that Robertson is willing to risk addiction when it comes to his own operation.

On Oct. 3, the Bush administration announced a series of grants to 21 religious and community groups as part of the White House faith-based scheme. Among the recipients was Operation Blessing, a religious charity created and run by Robertson.

The fact that Robertson would seek public funding through the Bush faith-- based initiative months after denouncing the president's plan raised accusations of hypocrisy from critics of the controversial TV preacher. Just as importantly, the Bush administration is facing criticism for funneling tax dollars to Robertson notwithstanding the evangelist's record of vitriolic and divisive rhetoric against political opponents and religious minorities.

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State and a leading critic of Robertson and the Bush faith-based plan, found the grant announcement troubling.

"Robertson is one of the chief purveyors of religious bigotry in America," Lynn said. "To reward him with government funding is an insult to every American taxpayer.

"Robertson was one of the earliest critics of the faith-based scheme, but I guess 30 pieces of silver were enough to change his mind," Lynn added.

Lynn pointed to a series of hateful remarks Robertson has used to demonstrate why the TV preacher is unsuitable for public funding.

Robertson, for example, generated national disgust last fall when he blamed church-state separation for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks while appearing on the Sept. 13 edition of the "700 Club."

"We have a court that has essentially stuck its finger in God's eye and said we're going to legislate you out of the schools," Robertson said just 48 hours after the attacks. "We're going to take your commandments from off the courthouse steps in various states. We're not going to let little children read the commandments of God We're not going to let the Bible be read, no prayer in our schools. We have insulted God at the highest levels of our government. And, then we say, `Why does this happen?' Well, why it's happening is that God Almighty is lifting his protection from us."

Robertson has also launched vitriolic attacks on Islam. In a September 2002 appearance on Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes," he said the Prophet Muhammad was "a killer" and added, "To think that this is a peaceful religion is fraudulent." In 1997, Robertson sparked complaints when he called Islam "a religion of the slavers."

Other faith traditions have also come under fire from Robertson. In 1991, he said Methodists, Presbyterians and Episcopalians reflect "the spirit of the Antichrist." The same year, Robertson said he believed Hindus are "devil worshipers."

Ironically, Bush said last year that under his vision of the faith-based initiative, no one who "preaches hate" would be eligible for public funding. The president's remarks were in reference to a question about the potential for the Nation of Islam to get tax aid, but in light of Robertson's record of enmity, many wonder why the Bush administration failed to apply the same standard before awarding a grant to Robertson.

"Anyone who exhibits such bigoted views is unworthy to receive taxpayer dollars," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-- Islamic Relations. "Mr. Robertson should be repudiated, not rewarded, for his Islamophobic hate speech."

Robertson's application for funding also drew criticism from the right. Cal Thomas, a conservative syndicated columnist, said the White House grants should not be awarded to religious charities and the former Christian Coalition leader was wrong to seek the funds.

"Government should not decide who deserves funding and who does not," Thomas said. "That is an endorsement of one religion or religions over others. Furthermore, the day will come when religious groups will be required to remain silent about their beliefs if they want to continue receiving government checks.