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Robertson apprearance sparks ire { April 10 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/local_regional/fram_robertson04102003.htmhttp://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/local_regional/fram_robertson04102003.htm
Robertson appearance sparks ire
By Jeff Adair
Thursday, April 10, 2003
FRAMINGHAM -- The Rev. Pat Robertson, a man who some accuse of bigotry based on his critical remarks about Muslims and other groups, will speak at a local synagogue on Sunday and some townspeople are up in arms.
"It's scary," said Renee Abramson, who lived in Israel before moving to Framingham in the late 1980s. "I mean this guy uses his show to wage war on whomever he chooses."
Robertson, the host of "The 700 Club" and a former presidential candidate, will speak to an expected crowd of 250 at Temple Beth Sholom beginning at 7 p.m.
Although temple officials distance themselves from Robertson's controversial political and theological views, they argue he's a very strong supporter of Israel.
"Hey, this is free speech. Let's hear what he has to say," said Jack Bushinsky, chairman of the Adult Education Committee, which is sponsoring the talk.
"We don't want to get into his other views. He's been a very strong supporter of Israel. He's won all these awards from Zionist movements. We wanted to give him a chance to speak on those particular things....My feeling is if you really don't want to hear what he has to say, don't come."
That's not good enough for critics, who question the wisdom of bringing Robertson to town, especially in this time of war when Muslims are being stereotyped.
He has called Islam a "violent religion" and stated that Muslims should be barred from serving in public office, according to news reports. Last year, on Fox TV's "Hannity & Colmes" he called the prophet Mohammed "an absolute wild-eyed fanatic. He was a robber and a brigand. This man was a killer."
"He has spoken out about what the Koran teaches," said Angell Watts of the Christian Broadcasting Network and Robertson's spokeswoman. "There is violence in the Koran. He hasn't stereotyped all Muslims as being violent...He speaks to the extremist and not the entire population."
Abramson does not buy the spin.
"Framingham prides itself on racial diversity and tolerance. It's what makes Framingham unique," she said. "When you bring in a catalyst like Pat into my neighborhood, what you do is take that very foundation away."
Tahir Ali of the Islamic Center of Greater Worcester and the national American Muslim Alliance said there are many other people the temple could invite who support Israel.
He said he would not ask the temple to cancel Robertson's appearance, but noted that "for a group to decide to invite someone like that sends a wrong signal."
"Knowing a lot of Jewish people, I'm sure they're offended even more," said Ali, a Westborough engineer.
A major figure of the religious right, Robertson, 72, is the founder of the CBN, the Christian Coalition, and Regents University.
Over the years, he has been honored by numerous national and international organizations for being an outspoken supporter of Israel.
"We believe God gave the land to the descendents of Israel," he has said. "It was not given to Palestine....It was given to the descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob...it belongs to them. And God is not going to let anybody take it away from them."
Marvin R. Wilson, professor of Biblical & Theological Studies at Gordon College and author of "Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith," said Robertson only represents a segment of evangelicals who support the state of Israel based on the promise God made in Genesis.
Wilson said while the relationship between Jews and evangelical Christians has gotten a lot of publicity lately, it's really nothing new. He said some people of both faiths view the relationship with suspicion.
Christian evangelicals and Jews have different opinions about the end times, he said, explaining one source for the clashes. Also, traditionally evangelicals are politically conservative -- supporting prayer in schools for example -- while Jews tend to be more liberal.
Rob Leikind, director of the New England chapter of the Anti-Defamation League, is both critical and complimentary of Robertson.
"Israel has very few friends these days," he said. "There's an awful lot of people prepared to sell Israel away for a barrel of oil."
However, just because Robertson supports Israel doesn't mean the public should be silent and not criticize him.
"I think if inviting someone like him means people are going to pull their punches, then it's a mistake," said Leikind. "If it's an invitation for a candid dialogue and discussion then I think that it can serve a purpose."
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