If anyone ever needed a PR pro by his side, it's Pat Robertson.
The founder of the influential Christian Broadcasting Network and Christian Coalition told citizens of a Pennsylvania town that they had rejected God by voting their school board out of office for supporting "intelligent design" and warned them Thursday not to be surprised if disaster struck.
"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city," Robertson said on his daily television show broadcast from Virginia, "The 700 Club."
"And don't wonder why He hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I'm not saying they will, but if they do, just remember, you just voted God out of your city. And if that's the case, don't ask for His help because he might not be there," he said.
Supporters of intelligent design claim that certain forms in nature are too complex to have evolved through natural selection and must have been created by a "designer." Opponents say it is just another attempt by conservatives to introduce religion into the school science curriculum.
Whether you believe that God is our creator or in Charles Darwin's theory, a well-known figure in broadcasting should never make apocalyptic warnings to a specific region or demographic. The citizens of Dover voted for a new school board via the democratic process. That's the way it works in the United States—state your agenda, argue your points, and let the voters decide if they agree with you.
This is nothing new for Robertson, a man who's a first ballot inductee into the "PR Blunder Hall of Fame." Last summer, he called for the assassination of Venezuelan Present Hugo Chavez. In 1998, Robertson warned residents of Orlandoa that it risked hurricanes, earthquakes and terrorist bombs after it allowed homosexual organizations to put up rainbow flags in support of sexual diversity.
Robertson's threats to his non-believers isn't converting anyone to his beliefs. In fact, he's just fueling the fire of resistance and disdain for himself and the Coalition he represents.
He would surely benefit from a tour of duty in Media Training Boot Camp.
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