The world keeps moving forward, but 700 Club host Pat Robertson's views stay precisely where they've always been.
On a recent episode of his long-running televangelist program, Robertson claimed the only way to stop the global pandemic was to end gay marriage once and for all.
You can see his remarks here.
While on the air, Robertson was asked a question by a call-in viewer named John, who said:
"How can God heal our land and forgive the sins when abortion and same-sex marriage are laws and many people are anti-Israel. Doesn't this prevent his healing and forgiveness?"
Robertson agreed wholeheartedly with the viewer, saying:
"You know, I think you put your finger on something very important… the Bible says, they turn from their wicked ways, they didn't get forgiven, they will turn from their wicked ways."
"And part of what we've done is turn. We are not turning when we have done terrible things. We have broken the covenant that God made with the mankind. We have violated his covenant."
Robertson went on to say:
"We've allowed this terrible plague to spread throughout our society. And it's a small wonder God would hold us guilty. But the answer is, you know, you confess your sins and forsake them. Then he heals the land. It's not before. You are right."
Robertson's show, The 700 Club, has aired for 54 years. The program is on the repeatedly renamed cable network now called Freeform.
Some other names were CBN—when owned by Robertson's ministry, the Family Channel and ABC Family. Through the channel's sale to different companies, each time Robertson's nightly program—where he asks viewers to send him money—was included in the sale.
The current network identity takes surprisingly casual attempts to distance itself from Robertson.
Before the episode airs, one of several messages from Freeform appears, saying things like:
"The people at Freeform would like you to know that we did not make this next program. We haven't even seen it."
"Freeform is not responsible for what is about to appear on your screen. Watch or don't watch. We're OK either way."
Robertson is no stranger to ridiculous, homophobic statements, having previously claimed the US would face nuclear annihilation if it approved anti-discrimination laws for LGBTQ individuals.
The host has also said LGBTQ will "destroy" the US through "their weird way of doing sex".
Robertson may not have seen the light on this one, but at least he creates some memorable quotes. The fact that people are watching and many take him seriously is far more concerning, however.
The behind the scenes exposé written by a Robertson staffer, Salvation for Sale, is available here.
@EdwardLawrence/X