According to the legend, Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Last week, while a hundred thousand Washington, D.C. residents found themselves without heat or electricity in the aftermath of a massive blizzard that some have labeled the "snowpocalypse," climate change deniers rejoiced.
No, Mr. Robertson, the nation of Haiti did not make a pact with the devil.
I don't suppose you are interested in the historicaldetails, Mr. Robertson. An ideological defense of your prosperity theology is too important to let mere facts get in the way.
So to explain why the earthquake hit Haiti and not the Dominican Republic on the other side of the island, you invented a story of how the Dominican Republic prospers. Actually it's the fourth poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, with 42% of the population living in poverty, an unemployment rate of 14%, an inflation rate of more than 10%, and an infant mortality rate of 25 per 1000 births.
Then you passed along the unfounded gossip about how the Haitians supposedly made a pact with the devil to throw off the bonds of French oppression. Because the devil cares so much about oppressed peoples? I must admit, there are nuances of prosperity theology that escape my understanding.
And no, Mr. Robertson, the earthquake is not a blessing in disguise for the Haitian people. It's never a blessing for anyone when a natural disaster destroys their homes and kills their loved ones. The least we can do is stop passing judgment and offer whatever help we are able.
The Bread for the World website has a list of organizations providing aid right now.
