Haitian Christian scholar looks for proof of nation's 'pact with devil'. Hint: Doesn't find one.

[kayakjohnny]

Roberston's delusion is apparently shared by a whole lot of Christians.


http://www.blackandchristian.com/articles/academy/gelin-10-05.shtml

I was born and raised in Haiti, and I am a graduate of the State University in Port-au-Prince. I am also a believer in the Lord Jesus-Christ in accordance with the Bible. In all of my studies of Haitian history, however, I have yet to find a good evidence of even the idea of Satan’s assistance in the Independence War, let alone a satanic pact.

The satanic pact allegedly took place at Bois-Caïman near Cap-Haïtien on August 14, 1791 during a meeting organized by several slave leaders, under Boukman’s leadership, before launching what would become Haiti’s Independence War. This brutal period lasted 13 years until the last survivors of the French expeditionary forces, dispatched to Saint-Domingue with the sole purpose to re-establish slavery, were allowed by Dessalines to leave the island and return to Napoleon. Those who made it safely to France wrote and reported about the utmost bravery and supreme courage of Haiti’s indigenous army.

Have you ever heard how some preachers or theologians try to explain the unspeakable misery that is crippling most of Haiti’s population of 8 million? Everywhere you go, from your television screen to the Internet, what you are most likely to find is a reference to a spiritual pact that the fathers of the nation supposedly made with the devil to help them win their freedom from France. As a result of that satanic alliance, as they put it, God has placed a curse on the country some time around its birth, and that divine burden has made it virtually impossible for the vast majority of Haitians to live in peace and prosperity in their land. Surprising, right?

Obviously, the idea that Haiti was dedicated to Satan prior to its independence is a very serious and profound statement with potentially grave consequences for its people in terms of how they are perceived by others or how the whole nation is understood outside its borders. One would agree that such a strong affirmation should be based on solid historical and scriptural ground. But, although the satanic pact idea is by far the most popular explanation for Haiti’s birth as a free nation, especially among Christian missionaries and some Haitian Church leaders, it is nothing more than a fantasist opinion that ultimately dissipates upon close examination.

http://www.blackandchristian.com/articles/academy/gelin-10-05.shtml



I stuck to the 4 graph rule, even though this isn't LBN.

Please read it all if you can. A fairly short piece.

Well-written and very sincere, I believe.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. I bet he can't prove they didn't sign a deal with the Loch Ness monster.

I have surprising evidence, but there's not enough room in this post to show it all.

[Berry Cool]

5. No, the Scots signed a deal with the Loch Ness Monster

which explains the existence of haggis.

But seriously, this business of any country being "cursed" is so much superstitious nonsense anyway. There is no way any serious scholar would believe it. But of course, Pat Robertson is not a serious scholar, just a warped, senile old man.

[VanW]

2. I think what Haiti needs most right now

is a lengthy, obscure, theological discussion over the existence of a bad guy with horns and a tail who lives under the ground.

[JuniperLea]

3. And don't forget...

the benevolent bearded cloud being that hates them.

[kayakjohnny]

4. I didn't post this for Haitians.

Obviously.

[kayakjohnny]

6. And actually I don't think you even bothered with the article at all.

It's not lengthy. It's shorter than most.

It's not obscure at all. It has a valid and direct point.

And it's not even theological.

It's historical.

But hey, it's your knee. If it jerks, it jerks.

[VanW]

7. It is definitely theological

And since theology is not my area of expertise, or interest, I'll leave it to you.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. KJ, there's no such thing as the devil.

Any actual effort to debunk the notion of a pact with the devil is going to be pretty much inherently theological.

[kayakjohnny]

9. Unless there were dates and times and places. Where people lived and breathed.

Which make it historical. Like history.

Like the things people do while here on earth.

Not theological. Like things regarding afterlife.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

10. They're not mutually exclusive.

Why is the afterlife theological but the devil isn't?

[kayakjohnny]

11. This post was about the things people did on earth.

Regardless of anything else. To me that's history.

[Divine Discontent]

12. exactly. And Robertson is a disgusting vile pig...

and I wish he'd repent of his hate, but that's his problem, but everyone should tell all they know not to watch his show, because clearly, a few million do.

thanks for your post.

[kayakjohnny]

13. You are welcome.

This was supposed to help show how terrible rumors get started. Then get repeated as fact. Including by lots of well- meaning people.

And not just in this case.

It's not meant to be what I think per se.

I really admire the author's knowledge, intent, brevity and sense of timing.

[Dappleganger]

14. So, by Robertson's twisted logic...

the Haitians were blessed by the gift of being enslaved to the French before they made a deal with the Devil and cursed their land. Is that about right?

[Nikki Stone1]

15. K & R

.

[Warpy]

16. The devil gives people a much better deal than Haiti ever got

His usual plan is to make them rich beyond their wildest dreams, to give them a life like Pat Robertson's here on earth before he drags then on down to hell. In fact, if you want to see who's made deals with the devil, never look at the poor.

Look at the people who are accusing them.

[knitter4democracy]

17. If I could rec a post . . .

This would be it. You are spot-on.