Robertson Views Unconvincing

Your article, “TV Evangelist Stumps for Jewish Support,” (Times, Feb. 22) calls to mind a timely, insightful article The Times published June 28, 1986, on the “dear friend” of many Jews, Pat Robertson, titled: “Evangelist Takes Aim at Supreme Court.”

You quote Robertson as saying that the Constitution “is a marvelous document for self-government by Christian people. But the minute you turn the document into the hands of non-Christian people and atheist people, they use it to destroy the very foundation of our society. . . . And that’s what’s happening.”

I wonder who he means by “non-Christian people.” He couldn’t possibly mean the Jews; after all, he’s not stupid, he wants their votes. Hmm, he sounds like a real politician . . . in the Capitol he would fit right in.

And there is more. Pat doesn’t like the Supreme Court and he says so. Too many non-Christians on it.

Burger, Warren, Rehnquist, White, Brennan, Marshall, Holmes, Cardozo, Douglas, Frankfurter, Brandeis--just a partial list of great Americans who donned the prestigious robes of our hallowed court. Come on, Pat, come out of the religious closet and name names. Who are the “non-Christians” that you claim soiled the linen our precious Constitution was written on? Subtlety is thy name!

Where does it state or imply, in the Gospels or the words of Christ, that Jesus died so that Pat Robertson may walk among us with his divining rod pointing to the left or right, the path to eternal salvation or earthly damnation? He did make a concession: “The Jewish people could make it to heaven if they abide by the 10 Commandments.” By implication, I believe, all the other faiths are assured of their heavenly reward by just doing their thing.

Or maybe Pat was sent to challenge the windmills of the Supreme Court? Pat again: “I am not bound by any case or court to which I myself am not a party.” You’re not, huh? And there is more: “A Supreme Court ruling is not the law of the land.”

How come it doesn’t sound convincing when I say it? Maybe it is what he means by un-Christian!

Bottom line, Pat: Don’t call me, I’ll call you. Then again, please don’t hold your breath.

GENE ROSENTHAL

Los Angeles