Pat Robertson, broadcaster who helped make religion central to GOP politics, dies at 93

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Pat Robertson, a prominent figure in religious broadcasting who transformed a small Virginia station into the influential Christian Broadcasting Network and played a significant role in bringing religion to the forefront of Republican Party politics in the United States, has passed away at the age of 93.

Robertson’s demise was confirmed by his broadcasting network via email, although no cause of death was provided.

Throughout his life, Robertson spearheaded various enterprises, including Regent University, an evangelical Christian institution in Virginia Beach; the American Center for Law and Justice, which advocated for the First Amendment rights of religious individuals; and Operation Blessing, an international humanitarian organization.

For over half a century, Robertson was a familiar face in American households, renowned for hosting the television show “700 Club.” In later years, he became known for his televised declarations of God’s judgment, attributing natural disasters to issues such as homosexuality and the teaching of evolution.

Robertson’s pursuit of political influence led him to seek the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in 1988. He employed a now-common strategy of targeting Iowa’s network of evangelical Christian churches, which resulted in a second-place finish in the Iowa caucuses, surpassing Vice President George H.W. Bush. A key aspect of his campaign was requiring three million followers across the country to sign petitions before he would decide to run, a move that generated significant support.

Ultimately, Robertson endorsed Bush, who went on to win the presidency. His approach of appealing to Iowa’s evangelicals has since become a customary practice for Republican candidates, including those currently vying for the White House in 2024.

In 1989, Robertson founded the Christian Coalition in Chesapeake, stating that it would promote the ideals of his campaign. The coalition became a major force in politics during the 1990s, mobilizing conservative voters through grassroots activities.

Robertson’s influence on religion and politics in the United States was profound, as stated by John C. Green, an emeritus political science professor at The University of Akron. His impact on aligning conservative Christians with the Republican Party solidified a longstanding alliance.

Born on March 22, 1930, in Lexington, Virginia, as Marion Gordon “Pat” Robertson, he was the son of Absalom Willis Robertson and Gladys Churchill Robertson. His father served as a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator from Virginia for 36 years.

After graduating from Washington and Lee University, Robertson served as an assistant adjutant in the 1st Marine Division during the Korean War. Although he obtained a law degree from Yale University Law School, he chose not to pursue a legal career after failing the bar exam.

Robertson met his wife, Adelia “Dede” Elmer, at Yale in 1952. Despite their differing religious backgrounds (he was Southern Baptist, and she was Catholic), they married in secret, knowing that neither family would approve.

Religion became a focal point in Robertson’s life after a transformative experience in which he claimed to have found God. He and his wife moved to a commune in New York City’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, following what Robertson believed was a divine calling to sell all their possessions and serve the poor.

Robertson obtained a master’s degree in divinity from New York Theological Seminary in 1959. He then embarked on a journey with his family to purchase a bankrupt UHF television station in Portsmouth, Virginia, with only $70 in his pocket. With the support of investors, CBN went on the air on October 1, 1961, and operated as a tax-exempt religious nonprofit. Over the years, CBN amassed significant funding, disclosing $321 million in “ministry support” in 2022 alone.

One of Robertson’s innovations was adopting a secular talk-show format for the network’s flagship program, the “700 Club,” which originated from a telethon where Robertson asked 700 viewers for monthly $10 contributions. This format proved well-suited for television and attracted a large audience, including notable guests like Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Donald Trump.

However, Robertson’s on-air statements sometimes drew criticism. He attributed the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks to God’s wrath, linking them to issues such as federal courts, pornography, abortion rights, and the separation of church and state. His remarks on Islam being a violent religion also caused controversy, leading President George W. Bush to distance himself and emphasize that Islam is a peaceful and respectful faith.

Robertson’s unpredictable nature was evident in his stance on marijuana possession convictions. In 2010, he called for an end to mandatory prison sentences for such convictions. Two years later, he advocated for the legalization of marijuana, comparing it to alcohol and highlighting the failure of the government’s war on drugs.

Although he condemned Democrats involved in sex scandals, such as President Bill Clinton, Robertson played a crucial role in solidifying evangelical support for Donald Trump, dismissing Trump’s sexually inappropriate comments as an attempt to project a macho image.

Following Trump’s presidency, Robertson interviewed him at the White House, and CBN welcomed Trump advisers as guests on their programs. However, after Trump’s defeat in the 2020 election, Robertson reportedly urged the former president to accept the outcome and move forward, stating that he was living in an “alternate reality.”

Robertson’s son, Gordon, assumed the role of chief executive of CBN in December 2007, while Robertson remained the network’s chairman. In 2021, after hosting the “700 Club” for 50 years, Robertson stepped down from his role, passing the baton to his son Gordon.

Aside from his broadcasting endeavors, Robertson founded and chaired International Family Entertainment Inc., the parent company of The Family Channel basic cable TV network. The company was later acquired by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. in 1997.

Regent University, established in 1978 in Virginia Beach, has grown to have over 30,000 alumni, as reported by CBN.

Throughout his life, Robertson authored 15 books, including titles such as “The Turning Tide” and “The New World Order.”

Robertson’s wife, Dede, who served as a founding board member of CBN, passed away in 2022 at the age of 94. The couple had four children, 14 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren, according to a statement from CBN.

Note: This rewritten text is based on the provided information and may contain paraphrased content.

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More about religious broadcasting

• Pat Robertson, broadcaster who helped make religion central to GOP politics, dies at 93 – The Washington Post
• Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)
• Christian Coalition
• Regent University
• American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ)
• Operation Blessing
• The 700 Club
• Iowa caucuses
• Evangelical Christians and Politics (Pew Research Center)
• International Family Entertainment Inc.