The White House has added its voice to the growing chorus slamming the Rev. Pat Robertson's suggestion that a Haitian "pact with the Devil" brought about the earthquake that devastated the Caribbean nation.
Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to President Obama, said the Robertson's remarks left her "kind of speechless."
"That's not the attitude that expresses the spirit of the president or the American people, so I thought it was a pretty stunning comment to make," she said on "Good Morning America."
Robertson's organization has quickly backpedaled on the controversial comments.
In a statement on his Web site, a Christian Broadcasting Network spokesman says he didn't mean to imply the earthquake was the Haitians' fault, and that he was merely repeating a legend that has led "countless scholars and religious figures over the centuries to believe the country is cursed."
"If you watch the entire video segment, Dr. Robertson's compassion for the people of Haiti is clear," the statement read.
During an interview on CBN's "700 Club" Wednesday, Robertson alleged that Haiti's liberation from France was the result of a deal with the devil.
"They were under the heel of the French...and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French,'" he said.
Robertson continued: "True story. And so the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal.' They kicked the French out. The Haitians revolted and got themselves free. Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other."
At least one prominent Christian leader joined the White House -- and a slew of left-leaning and liberal pundits -- in denouncing Robertson's comments.
"God loves the people of Haiti. He hasn't turned his back on Haiti," the Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham, said on "Good Morning America," condemning the remarks and adding he believed Robertson "misspoke."
The younger Graham's ministry is currently in Haiti doing relief work.
This isn't the first time Robertson sparked an uproar during times of tragedy.
In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Robertson said civil libertarians and gay rights groups bore responsibility for the strikes.
He has also said Hurricane Katrina was an expression of God's wrath over abortion, and said Ariel Sharon's stroke was God's vengeance for Israel's ceding land to the Palestinians.
Original Post By: Neil Nagraj
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to President Obama, said the Robertson's remarks left her "kind of speechless."
"That's not the attitude that expresses the spirit of the president or the American people, so I thought it was a pretty stunning comment to make," she said on "Good Morning America."
Robertson's organization has quickly backpedaled on the controversial comments.
In a statement on his Web site, a Christian Broadcasting Network spokesman says he didn't mean to imply the earthquake was the Haitians' fault, and that he was merely repeating a legend that has led "countless scholars and religious figures over the centuries to believe the country is cursed."
"If you watch the entire video segment, Dr. Robertson's compassion for the people of Haiti is clear," the statement read.
During an interview on CBN's "700 Club" Wednesday, Robertson alleged that Haiti's liberation from France was the result of a deal with the devil.
"They were under the heel of the French...and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French,'" he said.
Robertson continued: "True story. And so the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal.' They kicked the French out. The Haitians revolted and got themselves free. Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other."
At least one prominent Christian leader joined the White House -- and a slew of left-leaning and liberal pundits -- in denouncing Robertson's comments.
"God loves the people of Haiti. He hasn't turned his back on Haiti," the Rev. Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham, said on "Good Morning America," condemning the remarks and adding he believed Robertson "misspoke."
The younger Graham's ministry is currently in Haiti doing relief work.
This isn't the first time Robertson sparked an uproar during times of tragedy.
In the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Robertson said civil libertarians and gay rights groups bore responsibility for the strikes.
He has also said Hurricane Katrina was an expression of God's wrath over abortion, and said Ariel Sharon's stroke was God's vengeance for Israel's ceding land to the Palestinians.
Original Post By: Neil Nagraj
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
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