Evangelical Broadcaster and Christian Coalition Founder, Pat Robertson, Dies at 93.
Religious broadcaster and political figure Pat Robertson has passed away at the age of 93, leaving behind a staggering legacy of accomplishments. Robertson founded the Christian Broadcasting Network, which grew into a global entity with a tax-exempt nonprofit status that brought in over $321 million in \”ministry support\” in 2022 alone. He also established Regent University, an evangelical Christian school in Virginia Beach; the American Center for Law and Justice, which defends First Amendment rights; and Operation Blessing, an international humanitarian organization. Robertson’s innovations in religious broadcasting included the popularization of the talk-show format, which he used to discuss a wide variety of topics, often with the involvement of high-profile guests including U.S. presidents.
Aside from his notable accomplishments in religious broadcasting and education, Robertson was also heavily involved in politics. He ran for the GOP presidential nomination in 1988 and helped mainstream religion into Republican Party politics through the Christian Coalition, which became a major force in the 1990s and mobilized conservative voters through grass-roots activities. Robertson played a pivotal role in cementing the alliance between conservative Christians and the Republican Party, an influence that can still be seen in Republican politics today.
Robertson’s pursuit of Iowa’s network of evangelical Christian churches in his 1988 presidential campaign is now a ritual for Republican hopefuls seeking the presidency, including current hopefuls who plan to run in 2024. Despite ultimately endorsing George H.W. Bush, Robertson’s campaigning in Iowa resulted in him finishing ahead of the Vice President in the Iowa caucuses by insisting that three million followers across the U.S. sign petitions before he would decide to run, which gave him an army. His masterstroke of requesting pledges of work, prayers, and money from supporters prior to declaring his candidacy is considered one of the most ingenious things a candidate ever did.
Aside from Robertson’s success in broadcasting and politics, he was also known for his controversial statements, such as claiming that the 9/11 terrorist attacks were caused by God’s anger for the federal courts, pornography, abortion rights, and church-state separation, and warning that towels in Kenya could transmit AIDS. Robertson’s willingness to offer controversial opinions contributed to his unpredictable personality, including his 2010 call to end mandatory prison sentences for marijuana possession convictions and his 2012 statement that marijuana should be legalized and treated like alcohol because the government’s war on drugs had failed.
Robertson’s wife, Adelia \”Dede\” Elmer, was a Catholic and a master’s degree holder in nursing. Robertson himself held a law degree from Yale University Law School and served as an assistant adjutant of the 1st Marine Division in Korea after attending Washington and Lee University. He continued to serve as chairman of the Christian Broadcasting Network and remained a prominent figure in American culture until his retirement in 2021. Robertson’s death marks the end of a long and influential career, though his impact on American politics and religion will continue to be felt for years to come.
