Also coming under the category of "Really?" is Robert Boston's new book, The Most Dangerous Man in America? Pat Robertson and the Rise of the Christian Coalition (Prometheus Books, $16.95 paperback).
The Washington-based Boston works for Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He says that in Robertson's universe, "up can become down, black can become white, and two plus two can equal four, five or even twenty-eight, if that's what Robertson says." Boston reports that the ubiquitous host of cable's "700 Club" labels all his enemies religious bigots,anti-Christian fanatics, or enemies of God.
Boston notes that critics believe "Robertson . . . seeks to make the United States a fundamentalist Christian version of Iran with himself installed as chief ayatollah." Many who encounter Robertson's oddball views on TV may consider him a harmless wacko who once ran unsuccessfully for president. They don't realize, the author says, that this preacher's Christian Coalition, his political unit with a $25 million annual budget, claims 1.7 million members, with local affiliates topping 1,600 and affiliates in all 50 states.
"Robertson has a master plan for the nation that he has outlined in books and . . . his agenda is radical and dangerous to the personal freedom and religious liberty of every American."
This book is a good primer on the rise of this truly weird man, whose beliefs come dangerously close to going past the line that separates lucidity and insanity. You may have your own ideas which way he leans.
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