Exploring the life and legacy of religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, who died at the age of 93.

Remembering the Legacy of Religious Broadcaster Pat Robertson

The death of Pat Robertson, the influential founder of the Christian Coalition and the fixture of the talkshow “700 Club,” was announced by the Christian Broadcasting Network earlier this week. Robertson was a well-known figure in American living rooms for more than half a century, using his television platform to spread his religious beliefs and his conservative political views.

A Life of Religious and Political Influence

Marion Gordon “Pat” Robertson was born on March 22, 1930, in Lexington, Virginia. His father, Absalom Willis Robertson, was a U.S. representative and U.S. senator from Virginia. Pat graduated from Washington and Lee University and served as an assistant adjutant of the 1st Marine Division in Korea. Though he received a law degree from Yale University Law School, he failed the bar exam and did not pursue a law career. Instead, he found his true calling in religion and ministry.

Robertson’s enterprises included Regent University, an evangelical Christian school in Virginia Beach; the American Center for Law and Justice, which defends the first amendment rights of religious people; and Operation Blessing, an international humanitarian organization. However, his most significant impact came from his televised ministries and his involvement in American politics.

Robertson was a pioneer in utilizing Iowa’s network of evangelical Christian churches to court their vote in his run for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination. He came in second place in the Iowa caucuses, ahead of then-Vice President George H.W. Bush, using a unique tactic of requiring 3 million followers across the U.S. to sign a petition before he would decide to run. The tactic gave him a loyal army of supporters who would work, pray, and donate to his campaign.

Robertson later withdrew from the race and endorsed Bush, who won the presidency. But Robertson’s pursuit of Iowa’s evangelicals has become a ritual for Republican hopefuls, including those currently seeking the White House in 2024. Robertson started the Christian Coalition in Chesapeake in 1989, becoming a major force in Republican politics in the 1990s and mobilizing conservative voters through grassroots activities.

A Controversial Figure

Robertson’s on-air pronouncements sometimes drew criticism, such as claiming that the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, were caused by God’s judgment on the United States for various reasons. He also called for the assassination of the Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez in 2005 and warned residents of a rural Pennsylvania town not to be surprised if disaster struck them because they voted out school board members that favored teaching “intelligent design” over evolution.

Robertson’s endorsement of Donald Trump helped solidify evangelical support for the candidate, even dismissing Trump’s sexually predatory comments about women as an attempt “to look like he’s macho.” But after Trump lost to Joe Biden in 2020, Robertson said Trump was living in an “alternate reality” and should “move on.”

A Complex Legacy

Robertson’s impact on American society was enormous, but his legacy is complicated. He was an influential member of the religious right and a successful entrepreneur, but his controversial statements and actions brought both condemnation and praise. Some saw Robertson as a visionary who provided a platform for their beliefs, while others criticized him for being too extreme and lacking empathy for marginalized groups in American society.

In the end, Robertson’s story is one of a man who used his faith to shape American culture and politics. His contributions to religious broadcasting, the conservative movement, and political activism have left a lasting imprint on American society that will not be forgotten soon.

Advice for Future Generations

The passing of Pat Robertson should remind us of the responsibility that comes with power and influence. His legacy teaches us to use our voice to advocate for what we believe in, but also to be mindful of the potential harm our words and actions can cause.

To those in the religious and conservative movements, we must remember that our beliefs shape our actions and that we must strive to be compassionate and inclusive in our rhetoric and policies. We must not use our faith and political power as a means to oppress or marginalize groups that do not share our beliefs.

Robertson’s life is a testament to the power of conviction, but also a reminder that we must use that power wisely and with empathy. His passing should serve as a call to action for us all to work towards a more just and equitable society, one that reflects the values of compassion, understanding, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their background or beliefs.