Theology of Hate
Don't dismiss televangelist Pat
Robertson's gleeful declaration that Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for "dividing God's land" as a kooky outburst. This is no lunatic inbred fringe

For starters, Robertson is no fringe dweller. On the contrary: his daily show The 700 Club outrates network-affiliated stations CNBC and MSNBC in prime time. Republican heavyweights - Bill Frist, Rick Santorum, Tom DeLay - are regular guests.

Robertson and his fellow travellers in the religious right, including Focus on the Family's James Dobson and Moral Majority founder Jerry Falwell, believe in a God who actively intervenes on earth to punish 'sinners'.

These are the men who state that

* New Orleaners' tolerance for homosexuality during Mardi Gras "caused" Hurricane Katrina

* pro-choice feminists were "responsible" for September 11

* the rich flourish because they are righteous and don't you dare take away their tax cuts.