That's interesting. At least he's responding to reproof in some way. But it seems that such a 'man of God', who says his prayers can alter the paths of hurricanes (!), would know that he shouldn't be involved in such a thing from the start. No one should have to tell him. Surely he's read Romans 14:13 -- "Judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."

From a Yahoo! article about this:

quote:

---

"Very frankly, none of this brought any sense of embarrassment to me because I felt then, and feel now, there is nothing wrong with contests of skill, either between human athletes or equine athletes," he wrote.

However, he concluded, "for your sake and the sake of others like you," he will dispose of all his horse racing interests by November.

---

link to Yahoo! article

No sense of guilt or wrongdoing over the gambling issue whatsoever. Hmmm.

[ May 11, 2002: Message edited by: John ]

How silly! This is just like owning a Roman Colosseum and letting people be murdered in it in brutal blood-games, then saying, "Hey- *I* never killed anyone! I just happen to own a colosseum... I just watch what they do with it. Not like I'm down there with my sword..."

It's not enough to avoid *doing* something, but if we have the power to prevent evil from happening we should do it! Promoting evil is as bad as doing the evil yourself.... maybe worse.

Why should WE judge this man?

I used to race my horse against neighbors too. I've gone to races to see the horses run because I love it. I quit going because others might see me going and assume it was good to be involved in the whole race scene (including the betting).

As someone pointed out above, Mr. Robertson has responded, positively I must add, though that wasn't emphasized in that message. Rather than judging over what we might see as wrong, should we not now compliment the humble and correct response to the correction received?

He might not be our pastor but he is God's servant to the best of his lights, and we should offer our correction to him, not each other. We should rejoice with each other over his correct response. Doesn't that seem a better way to be a Christian brother/sister?

JEH

OK, this is getting to be a bit much...Wow Pat Robertson owns and races a horse. There is NO comparison to the Roman Colliseums here. What will we think next? People who purchase pyjamas made in Cuba support Castro and Communism?
Mr. Robertson is accountable to God, he is not accountable to any Man. Even in public office he is only accountable to God. If man does not "like" what they see in him, he will not continue as a leader in the Country, in any form.
Just because I am a Toronto Maple Leafs fan (Go Leafs GO)and I own some Leafs memorabelia, and Isometimes watch them on TV, does not mean that I support the drinking of alcohol. BUT some may say I do, because a major alcohol company is a major sponsor to the Leafs, and my support of the leafs could hold me in colaboration with Molson, or Labbat's.
Let's not judge another man due to the splinter in his eye, because we each have a stick in our own. Yes this is a public man, and he is under scrutiny of the public, but are'nt we all?
Stumbling block? Hey it seems that just by saying hello to someone, I can be judged as becoming a stumbling block...let's get serious here, "what is a stumbling block"? If I wear a necklace, is this a possible stumbling block, and why? If my church elder wears a "Rolex" is this a stumbling block? If I go to the car race track outside of Fredericton is this a stumbling block? If I arrive 20 minutes late for Sabbath School is this a stumbling block? If I own and run (but don't wager money) a race horse is this a stumbling block? ...

Judging doesn't seem to be the problem.
This started out as sharing an article about a prominent figure 'seemingly' doing something that is contrary to what he preached.

Whether or not he gambled is not the problem, his contributing to it is.

The leaders of the church (Adventist or any other) must be circumspect in their behaviour. They must avoid even the appearance impropriety.

I think the point that sister Avalee was attempting to make was thus:
Even if the person does not activly participate in the goings on, they are held accountable for their part in making the activity possible, i.e., the gaming that goes on at a race track, or even more severe, the events that took place in the colleseum (sp?). We all will give an account of all our activities one day, and you are right, it is not our place to judge someone, however, the bible plainly states: Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits.
I had a venerable old Elder tell me one time that we are not here to judge, we are simply 'fruit inspectors', and so, by the fruit of their lives, we will know them, who they are and what they truly represent.
If they are active in those things they ought not to be, they must be ready to hear about it, and be willing to listen with an open heart and be willing to do what is necessary to remove the offending action from their lives.

From the reports, he has done this and ought to be thanked for his willingness to not be a stumbling block to another brother or sister finding their way to God.
My $0.02,
God Bless
God bless.

[ September 15, 2002, 12:01 AM: Message edited by: Gerry Buck ]

About Colosseums--a comprison of the two was the first thing that came to my mind.

I have been reading about the history of the early Christians in a book by Albert Bell. There he has accounts of a huge problem in the early church about members who attended gladiator battles. One article he sited was written by a Christian who was in the process of being "weaned" away from violent and ungodly sports and the struggles he had with it. The writer described the "rush" he had with seeing the action and festivities as an addiction.

Last week the head of Support groups for NZ for gambling adiction was found out after he gambled away thousands of the Societys money. He held their credit cards!

After months of the accountant and others trying to get to the bottome of things, while he blissfully carried on his renewed addiction, he finally admitted it.
It is a real sickness with some.

He has, of course, now resigned, but if only he could have allowed himself to get help, and saved himself the embarrasment.
It showed pictures of him giving very forceful public talks against, while at the same time he was practising (again).