"There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:1–5).

Since Pat Robertson first made his controversial remarks concerning the horrid and devastating earthquake in Haiti being a judgment of God, and that the nation was worthy of such judgment, a firestorm of criticism has been leveled against him. The renowned televangelist and former presidential candidate said about Haiti: "They were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III, or whatever. 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. True story. And so, the devil said, okay it's a deal [...] ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other." Regarding these remarks, Mr. Robertson has his defenders, to be sure, but most of the comments as recorded in the media have been viciously against him.

Whatever historical validity there might or might not be concerning national leaders making a literal pact with the devil, the present reality is that voodoo is an integral part of the culture of the country. "Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Haiti, but voodoo may be considered the country's national religion. The majority of Haitians believe in and practice at least some aspects of voodoo. Most voodooists believe that their religion can coexist with Catholicism" (Source: U.S. Library of Congress).

The practice of voodoo has spiritual consequences. What those specific consequences might be are forewarned in the Bible. What is not so certain is when, and where, and how God will judge a nation, and for that reason Mr. Roberton’s comments are intemperate. Unless he has divine information regarding this specific earthquake then Mr. Robertson should have been more prudent in discussing general biblical principles, rather than making a definitive application, especially in the immediate aftermath of so much pain and suffering. In this moderation Jesus Himself is the divine pattern.

One day, during the Lord’s earthly ministry, some people came to tell him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. There is no historical evidence for this event to date, but many people were convinced this happened, and perhaps it did. The Lord’s response to the situation was to deal with a great principle: God is holy and just. Individuals are not sinners above others for "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Therefore, all need to repent.

America does not need to look to Haiti as a call to repentance for our own nation has experienced warnings of cataclysmic judgment in such tragedies as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the devastating earthquake that destroyed much of San Francisco in 1906, and Hurricane Katrina in 2005—just to name a few. The loss of life would have been as great in these events as in Haiti given the same poverty, over-crowding, and poor infrastructure. Therefore, regarding Haiti, for Mr. Robertson to speak definitive as to the cause and effect of this particular event, was not wise—though conceptually he is probably not totally wrong. God will not be mocked. Whatever a person, or a nation, sows, it will also reap, and so the gospel call is to repent and turn to Christ for salvation and ultimate safety. In the meantime, comfort, aid, and love to the Haitians should be extended and in this area American’s excel above and beyond any that of any other. And so does Pat Robertson through his organization, Operation Blessing.

Operation Blessing has provided nearly $500 million in aid—which includes Operation Blessing donations and matching funds from other organizations to assist nearly 130 million people in 50 states and 71 foreign countries. Perhaps the press should report that about Pat Robertson as widely as it has criticized him.