A spokesman for Pat Robertson, the televangelist who suggested Haiti’s problems over the years were caused by a “pact to the devil,” released a statement yesterday clarifying Robertson’s remarks.
“Dr. Robertson never stated that the earthquake was God’s wrath,” wrote Chris Roslan, a spokesman for Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network. “If you watch the entire video segment, Dr. Robertson’s compassion for the people of Haiti is clear. He called for prayer for them. His humanitarian arm has been working to help thousands of people in Haiti over the last year, and they are currently launching a major relief and recovery effort to help the victims of this disaster.”
Robertson’s comments yesterday caused a firestorm and prompted responses from the Haitian ambassador to the U.S. and the White House.
Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it. 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 will get us free from the French.’ True story. So the devil said, ‘OK, it’s a deal.’ Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after another.
Roslan also said the “famous pact with the devil” has been the subject of much scholarly review.
“This history, combined with the horrible state of the country, has led countless scholars and religious figures over the centuries to believe the country is cursed,” he said.
He’s referring to the beginning of the Haitian slave uprising in 1791 (which was finally successful in 1804). The revolt was by many accounts sparked by a voodoo ceremony in which a pig was sacrificed to a warrior spirit. Some Christians have characterized this as a pact with the devil.
