Robertson tries to save Jesusland after Sharon gibe
By Simon Freeman and agencies

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,251-1980422,00.html

 

Pat Robertson, the American televangelist, today appeared to withdraw a diatribe against Ariel Sharon in an attempt to salvage his $50 million plan for a biblical theme park in Galilee.

 

If Pat Robertson were a Prophet of the Lord or a Man of God or a Preacher and he heard the word of the Lord, (which this man says and implies all the time on His TV show.) How then is it than that he backs away from the "word of the Lord" when it is not in his personal financial interest or in his public image's interest to hold such a view? Since the 1980's Pat has backed down countless times from statements he has made about what God was saying and doing. People need to take a long hard look at this behavior and realize that this man does not know the Lord and does not follow him -- he is just pimping Christ and the Gospel to the wealthy and he has become a multi-multi multi millionaire over this.

Ministers in Jerusalem were furious after the millionaire preacher suggested that the Israeli Prime Minister suffered a stroke in divine retribution for carving up the Holy Land in withdrawing from Gaza.

The future of the project, nicknamed Jesusland and criticised by some for commercialism in an area of undeveloped rolling hills, is now hanging in the balance.

Comercialism my foot. This project is an utter abomination and a mockery of the word of God, the Gospel, and Christ. It dishonors all throughout the ages that went through untold suffering and shed their blood that we might have their written testimony. Turning all of that into a place filled with images and idols for one's personal amusement and worldly pleasure -- what can I say? This in and of itself should demonstrate the state of corruption that Pat Robertson, his hundreds of millions in corrupt mamon and all the "Christian millionaires" that he has surrounded himself have come to. For such a place is in clear violation to not only the Law of Moses, and the Prophets, but the Gospel of Christ and the words of the Apostles.

Mr Robertson released a statement saying that he was merely pointing out the Old Testament perspective on the division of Israel. Avi Hartuv, a spokesman for Israel’s tourism minister, said: "We can’t accept this kind of statement. We will not do business with him."

Mr Robertson is leading a consortium of evangelicals who have pledged to raise $50 million (£28 million) to build the Christian Heritage Centre in northern Galilee. *(This is in addition to the Theme Park -- this would be a Christian convention center complex with hotel sort of an evangelical UN in Israel from which they could make policy statements and attempt within Israel to gain some political clout.)

The religious group was to put up the funding, while Israel would lease the land at no cost. The attraction was expected to draw one million pilgrims annually and bring in $1.7 billion (£850 million).

The theme park was to be built in 35 acres around key Christian sites such as the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and Capernaum which was described as the town of Jesus in the Bible.

There were plans for food outlets at Tabgha on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the scene of the feeding of the 5,000. (Jesus Fish and Chips" "Jeus Burger" "Christ Sandwich Shoppes" I can see it. And once old Pat and his evangelist friends get the first ones built in Israel, the ywill set up international franchieses fior these billion dollar name brands they have created.)

However, the potentially lucrative agreement has been thrown into doubt following comments made by Mr Robertson on his 700 Club programme a day after Mr Sharon suffered a severe stroke.

"God considers this land to be his," Robertson said. "You read the Bible and he says ’This is my land,’ and for any prime minister of Israel who decides he is going to carve it up and give it away, God says, ’No, this is mine."’

I can't begin to quote the verses and chapters in the bible that this "Highly Lucrative" earthly sensual and devilish theme park of Pat Robertson would violate.

Mr Hartuv left the door open to continuing the project but only with (the multi-millionaire) evangelists who disown Mr Robertson’s statements.

"The contract is still open - just not with Mr Robertson. If there are other (multi-millionaire) Christian leaders, they are most welcome to sign a contract to bring (wealthy) Christian tourists to the State of Israel.

"We want to see who in the group supports his (Robertson’s) statements. Those who support the statements cannot do business with us. Those that publicly support Ariel Sharon’s recovery are welcome to do business with us. We have to check this very, very carefully."

In a statement published on his website, Mr Robertson appeared to withdraw his comments as the scale of the backlash threatened to harm the venture.

Angell Watts, a spokeswoman for the preacher, wrote: "Robertson has met with Sharon at significant times and considers him a friend. Robertson has been a life long supporter of Israel and has continually expressed grave concern over dividing the land of Israel."Robertson pointed to the book of Joel in the Old Testament to show a biblical perspective of God’s view of Israel and efforts made from people who try to divide God’s land.

"In the book of Joel, the prophet Joel makes it very clear that God has ‘enmity against those who divide My land.’ God considers this land to be His. When you read the Bible, He said this is my land. For any Prime Minister of Israel who decides he will carve it up and give it away, God said, "No, this is Mine."

Ms Watts accused rival groups (of money thirsty Christian Ministries and Evangelsists) was a (reminiscent of) 'left-wing political agenda' (tactics, to sabotage their opponents) by lifting her employer's comments out of context to discredit him (and take him out of the bidding).

When I went to bible school there were approximately half a dozen people on campus that had personally known and worked for Mr. Robertson. And in my hearing they spoke of Pat as being a very unpleasent man to work for, and very hard boiled in his business dealings. Some spoke of Robertson having forced others out of business (I think this was reported in a book as well) and taking from others (Christains) what he wanted and paying them a fraction in serveral cases what they would have received from non-christians (I read of these in news articles when I Lived in Virginia Beach). Some went farther saying he was wholly unethical bulling those around him and getting away with it because most of them were Christians with a conscience who were persuaded to roll it over to Christ rather than seek remedy from worldly courts and judges in violation to the words of Christ and the Apostles.

Mr Robertson, who ran for the US presidency as a conservative in 1988, and often urges supporters on his show to support President Bush, is known for his rhetorical outbursts.

In October, he said a spate of natural disasters pointed to the end of the world and the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ. In August, Robertson said the United States should "take out" - assassinate - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Again, he later apologised and clarified the remark.

· Mr Sharon, 77, remains in intensive care but doctors have indicated that his condition is no longer life-threatening. Felix Umansky, his chief surgeon, told AFP that it could take months to assess the full extent of the damage he has sustained but said his progress so far had defied all expectations.