CHRISTIAN PAT ROBERTSON DENOUNCES HINDUISM AS DEMONIC

[Guest guest]

CHRISTIAN PAT ROBERTSON DENOUNCES HINDUISM AS " DEMONIC "

HINDUISM TODAY July 1995

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USING TV, CHRISTIAN PAT ROBERTSON DENOUNCES HINDUISM AS " DEMONIC "

 

Evangelist Opposes Freedom of Religion, Says It's Time To Convert India and

Wants to Keep Hinduism Out of U.S.

 

By Valli J. Rajan, Pennsylvania

 

It's not that unusual for Pat Robertson's daily Christian TV show, the " 700

Club, " to portray other religions in less than a complimentary light. Jews,

Muslims and occasionally Hindus are singled out for a scathing recounting of

their spiritual errors. Still, I was shocked to see Robertson on his March 23th

show label Hinduism as " demonic " and advocate keeping Hindus out of America. My

concerns intensified when President Clinton later implicated hateful talk in the

fatal Oklahoma City bombing.

 

Robertson was already a well-known figure in the conservative Christian

community when his 1988 bid for the US presidency shot him into national

attention and effectively anointed him leader of the Christian right wing.

Talented and industrious, he is head or founder of numerous organizations,

including a 1,400 student university. His political action group, the

1.4-million-member Christian Coalition, has decided influence in a new

Republican-controlled Congress.

 

Christian evangelists regularly slander Hinduism with little impact beyond their

own flock [see Hinduism Today, February, 1989]. But when a national figure like

Robertson does it on a widely-watched TV program, that's different.

 

The March 23rd episode details Robertson's conversion of some Hindu people of

Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh, India, to the Christian religion. In the course

of the show, Robertson makes shameful, unChristian accusations against the Hindu

faith, the world's oldest religion. When contacted, Mr. Robertson's office told

us he was " unavailable for comment. "

 

To begin, Robertson's experiences in Rajahmundry are described by a narrator.

The scene is of a poverty-stricken people, bathing in the river at the head of

which rests a statue of Lord Siva. Water is pouring out of Siva's head and a

snake is wrapped around his head as well. Robertson and his son are found in the

midst of the scene, observing and mocking the early morning prayers of Hindus.

As they witness the scene, they make incorrect reference to the river as " Siva's

sperm, " and claim that the people " were supposed to wash away their sins in the

sperm of the God. "

 

Robertson goes on to characterize Hinduism as having evil tendencies toward

random spiritual worship and polytheism. Mr. Robertson's son and fellow

evangelist, Gordon, stated disparagingly, " Whenever [Hindus] feel any sort of

inspiration, whether it's by a river or under a tree, on top of a hill, they

figure that some God or spirit is responsible for that. And so they'll worship

that tree, they'll worship that hill or they'll worship anything. " What was even

more regrettable was Robertson's assertion of some connection between idol

worship and the poverty in India. Robertson does not deny his son's claim that

" Wherever you find this type of idolatry, you'll find a grinding poverty. The

land has been cursed. "

 

But if the argument of poverty as the curse of India is not enough for the

American audience of " The 700 Club, " they next hear Hinduism boldly labeled

" demonic. " Robertson says, " Siva [is] the God of Destruction, and his consort,

the Goddess of death [Kali] -- that black, ugly statue there with all those

fierce eyes. " He then suggests that the evil tendencies of death and destruction

can be found in those who worship the deities: " I mean these people are out to

kill other human beings in the name of their God. " They mention in support of

this conclusion the Aum Shinrikyo sect in Japan. This eccentric Buddhist-based

organization was likely responsible for subway gas attacks in Tokyo earlier this

year. Their icons, unfortunately, included Siva-sure proof, goes the Robertson

thinking, of demons at work.

 

" Although Hinduism admits that different beings and entities can perform what we

might consider evil acts, " corrects Dr. Arvind Sharma, Birks Professor of

Comparative Religion at McGill University, Toronto, " there does not seem to be a

single entity such as the Christian devil in Hinduism. " And since there is no

practice of evil or concept of the devil in Hinduism, " To call Hinduism

demonic, " concludes Dr. Sharma, " is really demonic. "

 

By accusing Hinduism of being demonic, Robertson is merely reinforcing the

age-old stereotype that has been placed on the Indian culture by the West.

" That's been standard operating procedure missionaries have used ever since they

invaded India in the 19th century, " explains Dr. Gordon Melton, Director of the

Institute for the Study of American Religions. " In approaching Eastern religions

and African religions, it has been the stance of most conservative Christians

that the deities of those religions are, in fact, personified demons. And that

perspective goes back to the Jewish encounter with the Caananite culture a

millennia ago as described in the Bible. "

 

Dr. Kusumita Pedersen, Director for the Project on Human Rights and Religion,

similarly observes that Robertson has employed " almost every negative image and

clich & eacute; that has been used about Hinduism since the 18th century. "

 

As the show unfolds, we finally we arrive at the real intention of Robertson's

missionary trip to India: to convert Hindus to the Christian faith. A narrator

describes the scene of the conversion in which thousands of Hindus were " set

free from a lifetime of fear and demonic oppression. The scene was

overwhelming. " Actually, the scene is oddly over dramatic. Why would thousands

of people in a split second throw away their entire way of life that has been

passed down over the centuries, because of a brief speech given by a stranger

from another country? Although Robertson mentions the naturally deep devotion of

the Hindus, he apparently fails to appreciate that any religious preacher in

India gets the same reception, whether Christian, Hindu, Jain, Sikh or Buddhist

-- though it does help to be white, American, famous and rich.

 

It is also apparent he was frustrated with the Hindu ability to just absorb one

more God. " I preached to them the second commandment about idolatry. You know,

`They shall hold no other Gods before me,' and number two, `You shall not fall

down or make any idols of anything.' Many people accept Christ, but they still

go with those processions down to those riverbanks. We followed along with the

crowd and I said, `You've got to give that up.' "

 

Political Agenda

 

The program used common stereotypes of Hinduism (as well of as other prominent

non-Christian religions in America) to create fear among the American people of

non-Christian religions. What is the purpose behind those tactics?

 

Judging from Michael Little's, President of the Christian Broadcasting Network

comments on the show -- " There are so many opportunities for us to take programs

which will reach the people of India, " and " Help us carry the light to a nation

in darkness " -- it is obvious that one strategy of " The 700 Club " is to gain

support and money. " Give us a hand on this [india], " pleads Robertson at one

point, " because it's a big one. " But that is just part of the plan.

 

Robertson's true thinking is revealed in his 1991 book The New World Order. That

novel discloses a secret plan being followed by the present political leaders of

the world. Robertson labels that plan the " New World Order, " which he sees as

the formation of a one world government, one police force, one judicial system,

and one economic market. Robertson claims that in this " new world government no

one could speak out against the beliefs of a Muslim, a Hindu, or an animist.

What we know as the freedom of religion would be taken away, and Christians

would be muzzled. "

 

But Robertson has a vision of another future, one is which " God sweeps away the

pretense of the satanic and man-made counterfeits and announces His New World

Order, and His anointed leader, Jesus the Messiah. "

 

Robertson stated in The New World Order: " The media challenged me. `You're not

going to bring atheists into the government? How dare you maintain that those

who believe the Judeo-Christian values are better qualified to govern America

than Hindus and Muslims?' My simple answer is, `Yes, they are.' "

 

Mr. David Cantor, Senior Research Analyst of the Anti-Defamation League, points

out that such " religious tests for office are unconstitutional. It's not just a

purely a religious statement. It's a political statement. "

 

The Human Rights Issue

 

" In the discussion of human rights, there are different positions on the right

to free speech or freedom of expression. The extreme position, that is sometimes

called the `American position,' is total freedom of speech, " explains Dr.

Pedersen. " As Americans, we believe that even the most offensive and the most

incendiary statements should be allowed in the name of freedom of expression,

because once you start to legally restrict the freedom of speech, you are on a

slippery slope of restricting all kinds of speech on different political or

ideological ground. "

 

Dr. Pedersen feels that such anti-Hindu statements may refer back to the 1920s,

at a time when the Ku Klux Klan (a Christian white-supremacist group advocating

violence against Black Americans) was on the rise, and the national belief was

that all Americans must be Christians. During the 1920s, immigration laws

prevented European immigrants from entering the United States. Eventually

Europeans were allowed to immigrate and by 1965 Hindus were included in

immigrant quotas.

 

However, in the 1990s, some feel that the multicultural immigration has caused a

backlash in American society in the form of racial discrimination between

various cultural groups. In the wake of such discontent, Peter Brimelow has

recently written a book called Alien Nation which attacks multiculturalism and

its negative effects on American society. Something must be done, Brimelow

advocates, to prevent white people from becoming a minority in America.

 

" What Robertson is really saying is that Hindus shouldn't be allowed to come to

the United States, " evaluates Dr. Pedersen. " All of the Hindu engineers, doctors

and computer experts who are living here should go home. This is a very big

statement that he has made. "

 

Even Christians are concerned with Robertson's manner of preaching Christianity.

Sister Mary Elizabeth Moore, a Professor at Claremount's School of Theology,

feels that Robertson may be overstepping his boundaries as a Christian. " I have

been very distressed that Pat Robertson and others like him have used the gospel

to preach condemnation of others, to judge harshly, to demonize people in other

faiths and to demonize some Christians with whom they don't just happen to

agree, " expresses Sister Moore. " I think that's absolutely counter to the gospel

of Jesus Christ. "

 

Hinduism is not the only religion under Robertson's extremist attack; The New

World Order is filled with anti-Semitism. However, Ms. Nancy Israel of the

American Jewish Committee, notes that Robertson is slowly transforming. " He's

being very careful now, " observes Ms. Israel, who is from the Pittsburgh chapter

of the American Jewish Committee. " Up until now he's been able to say what he

wanted to say, and I think that those people who don't watch `The 700 Club' and

don't read his materials have no idea what he's saying. He's been forced to back

off because of this public spotlight and because he's decided to make the

Christian Coalition a more mainstream organization. "

 

Sri Anutama Das, Director of Communications at ISKCON feels that Robertson's

actions should send a message to devotees of Hinduism. " It's unfortunate that

such an influential religious and Christian leader as Pat Robertson demonstrates

disdain for the world's oldest religious culture. As a Vaishnava, I see his

emphasis in trying to spread Christianity in India, specifically among Hindus,

as a reminder of the need for all of us to delve deeply into our own faith's

traditions, " notes Anutama, who is from ISKCON's branch in Rockland, Maryland.

" As Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita, `Raja Vija, Raja Guyam.' This knowledge of

the soul, of Sanatana Dharma, is the highest spiritual knowledge. However, if we

do not educate ourselves and our children and abide by the teachings,

materialists will find us easy targets for conversion. "

 

What Should We Do?

 

It is true that if our Hindu faith is challenged, perhaps we will become more

aware of its teachings, as suggested by Anutama. If that is so, we can view the

" 700 Club " attack on Hinduism as a blessing in disguise. " I would say that

anytime we see the extreme of a religious community, we see warning signals that

need to be taken seriously, " agrees Sister Moore. " Those signals usually reveal

something of the larger religion, something of the possibility of distortions

that people need to worry about. These distortions can stir other people who

have more whole views of the religion to express and live their faith more

fully. "

 

We should use this opportunity to profess and understand our Hindu faith more

fully. We as Hindus need to respond to and erase Western stereotypes and hate

speeches against our religion. There are many ways to accomplish that.

 

We can articulate our complaints through letters, phone calls and petitions to

the government offices, such as the Justice Department Hate Crimes Division. The

Indian government could express its concern, as it did for Hindus in South

Africa for years. And we can bring such statements into the light of public

discussion by filing complaints with the Anti-Defamation League.

 

The Anti-Defamation League was established in 1913 by B'nai B'rith, a Jewish

service organization. The League and its parent organization defend human

rights, promote intercultural relations, provide for the religious and cultural

needs of Jewish college students, sponsor Jewish education among adults and

youth groups and carry on a broad program of community service and welfare. They

confer with governments and the UN on civil rights, immigration, abuses of

freedom by totalitarian states, the position of Israel and problems affecting

Jews throughout the world.

 

Dr. Pedersen feels that perhaps we can form our own protection league: " I

recommend the formation of a Hindu anti-defamation program which will monitor

these kinds of statements in the press and the media, and will gather accurate

information and will speak out when something should be protested. " In that way,

perhaps the entire Hindu public will be constantly made aware of any false

allegations made against our religion, and efforts to respond can be

coordinated.

 

Dr. Jayaraman, executive director of Bharat Vidya Bhavan in New York, feels that

the way to dispel Hindu stereotypes is to teach the common American man about

our religion. " Indian philosophy should be taught methodically, either in the

school system or by speakers prepared to go around the country to talk just like

these missionaries, " suggests Dr. Jayaraman. " In every city, in every state they

should have such speakers, powerful speakers who can say with authority, `This

is Hinduism. What you are saying is wrong.' " Dr. Jayaraman also suggests that

small books discussing true Hindu philosophy be freely distributed to the

public.

 

But the main way to break down anti-Hindu sentiments is by educating our

children and ourselves more about Hinduism. Such understanding will place us in

a better position to combat ignorant statements.

 

" Because Hindus take a generous view of other religions, they think that others

will take a generous view of theirs, " observes Dr. Sharma. " And even when others

attack them, because of their basic nature, they don't take it to heart. "

 

According to Dr. Pedersen, comments such as Robertson's, should be taken

seriously. During the annual dinner given by Human Rights Watch, an

international panel monitored by Peter Jennings discussed whether hate speech

should be restricted or banned. " The next step after this truly disgusting

defamation [of Robertson's] is what these human right activists on the panel

call `the speech of instigation,' " recounted Dr. Pedersen. The `speech of

instigation' is a build-up for murder and genocide. It happened in Rwanda. The

press and media started to build up a rhetoric that so and so should be killed.

After that went on for some months, so and so started getting killed. There is a

line to be drawn somewhere on free speech, but we as Americans just don't know

quite where yet. "

 

Keeping that in mind, perhaps we should turn our thoughts to the bombing of the

Oklahoma City federal building. After the bombing, President Clinton spoke out

against hate speeches, making a clear connection between hate speeches,

propaganda and the bombing. The seeds of hate may blossom into the weeds of

violence. Therefore, it is important that we take early and strong action

against ignorant and hateful comments such as those made by Robertson. If we

don't, we will one day face more than Mr. Robertson's hateful words.

 

Complaints may be made directly to the U.S. Department of Justice, Hate Crimes

Division, Tenth and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20530. Fax:

202-514-4371.

 

Letters can also be directed to Mr. Pat Robertson, CBN, 977 Centerville

Turnpike, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23463-0001.

 

Of Indian ancestry, correspondent Valli Guruswamy Julie Rajan is a prolific

freelance writer living in Pennsylvania with her husband. She is writing a

non-fiction book on gender-based double standards in Hindu society and is

interested in the betterment of women and minorities. Sidebar What He Said About

Hindus

 

Excerpts from the March 23rd broadcast of the 700 Club:

 

Robertson: " India is not what you normally think of anymore. In the last five

years, it's burst into the 20th century with modern technology, capitalism and,

especially, television. They're breaking free from the old, and they're moving

into the Western culture. But what that leaves is a spiritual vacuum. And yet

there seems, finally in India, an opening to the Gospel of Jesus Christ

throughout this whole land. There is a huge population of teen-agers. These

people are not locked into the old ways. They're looking for something new and

better. "

 

Cohost: " You know, Pat, we've seen in other countries where there's a certain

period of vulnerability, or spiritual vulnerability. Now's the time to use the

media to talk to them about what their future could really be like. "

 

Robertson: " They have thousands and thousands of earth stations picking up

satellites. It's a window of opportunity [for Christian TV programs]. Of all of

India's problems, one stands out from the rest. That problem is idol worship. It

is said there are hundreds of millions of Hindu deities. All this has put a

nation in bondage to spiritual forces that have deceived many for thousands of

years. "

 

Gordon Robertson (his son): " Wherever you find this type of idolatry, you'll

find a grinding poverty. The land has been cursed. The Bible talks in terms of

the land being cursed on behalf of what the inhabitants have done to it. You

erect all these idols under every green tree, on top of every hill, you're going

to curse your land. And the oppression, we see it in evidence. "

 

CBN Reporter: " [At the religious services Robertson conducted in India] they

came, by the hundreds, even thousands, to a makeshift altar to confess their

faith in Christ and receive a touch from heaven, and be set free from a lifetime

of fear and demonic oppression.

 

Robertson: " I [told] them to renounce idolatry, but many people accept Christ

and still go with those processions [of Hindu deities]. "

 

Cohost: " You said there's a connection between the New Age, as it is in America,

and Hinduism. "

 

Robertson: " It's the same thing. You see, the whole concept of Hindus is based

on karma; that people have a karma attached to them when they are born, and they

go through a cycle of life and they come back in the next world as something

else. So the whole thought of reincarnation is karma -- you come back as a cow,

a pig, a goat, a dog, a snake or an untouchable. We're importing Hinduism into

America. The whole thought of your karma, of meditation, of the fact that

there's no end of life and there's this endless wheel of life, this is all

Hinduism. Chanting too. Many of those chants are to Hindu Gods -- Vishnu, Hare

Krishna. The origin of it is all demonic. We can't let that stuff come into

America. We've got the best defense, if you will -- a good offense. "

 

Sidebar: The Robertson Empire

 

The promotional literature provided Hinduism Today by the Robertson ministries

details the extensive empire Pat Robertson has developed over 25 years of

ministry. It is really an admirable accomplishment, tarnished only by the kind

of religious bigotry demonstrated in the March 23rd program [see sidebar left].

Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network is the world's largest television

ministry, with programs airing across the United States and in 70 countries. He

also has interests in non-religious family-oriented television, specifically the

cable Family Channel. In 1978 he founded the Operation Blessing International

Relief and Development Corporation which since 1978 has distributed aid worth

US$440 million to 114 million people in 72 countries. He's written nine books,

one of which was a best seller and number one religious book in America in 1984.

In 1992 Robertson was selected by Newsweek magazine as one of America's " 100

Cultural Elite. " Robertson also founded the American Center for Law and Justice

to pursue a Christian agenda in the courts by providing free legal advice and

representation in important precedent-setting cases. His Regent University

[photo above] is an accredited graduate school offering degrees in

communication, education, counseling, business, divinity, public policy and law.

 

Robertson ventured out of the strictly religious field in 1987 when he resigned

his ordination as a Southern Baptist minister to run for president of the United

States. As part of this effort, the Christian Coalition was formed, a " national

grassroots citizen action organization " to work for " pro-family legislation and

family-friendly public policy on national, state and local levels. " Both are

represented on the World Wide Web: Robertson at http://the700

club.org//cbn/cbn.html and The Coalition at http://cc.org. Robertson and the

Coalition are probably the single most effective Christian voice in American

politics today, as demonstrated by their recent demands to Congress for a

" Contract with the American Family, " including " voluntary [ie, Christian] prayer

in public schools " -- something presently forbidden by law. One reaction to this

contract came from the Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

" It's a sad day in American politics when a TV preacher's political front group

dictates the agenda for the United States Congress, " said Barry Lynn, the

organization's executive director.

 

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