Pat Robertson, Broadcaster Who Helped Make Religion Central to GOP Politics, Has Died
Pat Robertson, a religious broadcaster who turned a tiny Virginia station into the global Christian Broadcasting Network and helped make religion central to Republican Party politics in America, has died at the age of 93, according to an announcement by his broadcasting network. Robertson’s accomplishments included Regent University, an evangelical Christian school in Virginia Beach, the American Center for Law and Justice, which defends the First Amendment rights of religious people, and Operation Blessing, an international humanitarian organization.
Political Influence
Robertson’s influence on politics in the United States was “enormous,” according to John C. Green, an emeritus political science professor at The University of Akron, who pointed out that Robertson helped cement the alliance between conservative Christians and the Republican Party. For example, in 1988, Robertson ran for the GOP (Grand Old Party) presidential nomination and came in second place in the Iowa caucuses, ahead of Vice President George H.W. Bush. Robertson’s pioneering strategy of courting Iowa’s network of evangelical Christian churches has since become a ritual for Republican hopefuls.
Philosophical Discussion
Robertson’s career reflects the long-standing culture wars between the political right and left, and their worldviews. The moral outrage over sexual promiscuity, the denunciation of liberal emasculation of traditional Christian values, and the reclamation of America’s Christian heritage animated Robertson’s political legitimacy and endowed him with the mission to transform the nation’s political affairs through the dissemination of Christian values.
However, the worldview behind Robertson’s political engagement was not universally accepted. Many Americans saw his brand of politics as highly divisive and feared that it would undermine pluralism and threaten secularism, one of America’s most profound philosophical contributions to political thought.
Editorial and Advice
Robertson’s legacy could be seen as having mixed results. He was successful in mobilizing conservative voters by tapping into their religious beliefs. Still, he also played a significant role in fanning the flames of social conflict and deepening the ideological divide in America. As a public intellectual, Robertson had a largely negative impact on the nation’s political discourse, and some would argue his views contributed to the rhetorical environment that produced the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
As the nation mourns his passing, it is perhaps an opportune time to reflect on his legacy critically. Robertson’s example illustrates how religious values could profoundly inform political engagement and establish political legitimacy for political actors who are predominantly known as religious broadcasters. However, it also raises serious concerns regarding the philosophical premises that underlie that political engagement and reminds us, as a nation, of the importance of supporting political discourse that fosters diversity and promotes a respect for political pluralism.
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