What's this "deal with the devil" that Pat Robertson was talking about?

I am no fan of Pat Robertson these days. While I respect his work to support and encourage Christians worldwide, his recent shows seem to do a lot to alienate non-Christians needlessly. One of the most egregious examples of late was his quote about Haiti after the earthquake.

"Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it," he said. "They were under the heel of the French ... and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French.'

"True story. And the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal,'" Robertson said. "Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after another."

Why do I dignify this statement - at best, kicking a nation while it is down - with a Mod-Blog story? Because Mr. Robertson represents a lot of people, and he is referring to something that Haitians consider history. The Straight Dope took up the historical research, which points to both the points Mr. Robertson was reaching for and the facts he got clearly wrong.

The story goes that a houngan (voodoo priest) named Dutty Boukman held a meeting of black slaves and runaways at Bois Caïman in the mountains of the north to prepare to rise up against their oppressors. With the aid of an African-born priestess, they conducted a religious ceremony in which the group swore on the blood of a sacrificial pig, invoking the spirits of the forest and their ancestors, that they would live free or die. According to tradition, this was the catalyst for the Haitian revolution. Though Boukman was captured and beheaded, the revolt continued, and after much strife Haiti became an independent republic in 1804...Legend has it that Boukman offered a prayer at Bois Caïman in which he drew a distinction between the wicked god of the whites and the benevolent god of the blacks. Whether the prayer was actually uttered is debatable; nonetheless, it can be taken as a fair indication of the rebels' sentiments, namely, that they were aligning themselves with the forces of good. Clearly the idea they were bargaining with Satan was an interpretation by Christians, who figured our god is righteous, everybody else's god is evil.

It is foolish to take Mr. Robertson too seriously. He is a broadcaster and (arguably) a theologian. Not a historian. But when everyone is mocking someone, it is a good idea to see where he might be coming from.

Solar Audiobibles Sent to Haiti

This may be one of the more original evangelistic approaches to the Haiti disaster. The group "Faith Comes By Hearing" is shipping 600 solar-powered audio Bibles, which can broadcast scripture up to 500 people. In a time of despair, they can offer hope to both the literate and illiterate.

And yes, to the cynics out there, this is being shipped AFTER the food, water, and medical supplies have already come into the country.

6.1 magnitude aftershock hits Haiti

It may be the very definition of "kicking you when you're down", but a 6.1 magnitude earthquake has hit Haiti a week after the 7.0 earthquake ravaged the poor nation. Early reports are of much emotional impact, but little additional damage - it appears whatever was vulnerable was already destroyed by the first disaster.

Salvation Army in Haiti

If you are looking for another way to help out in Haiti, the Salvation Army is active in the country and is accepting donations for relief online. They have been working hard in the country for years, and are very aware of the unique needs of Haitians in this difficult time.

Thanks to Mod-Blog friend Shadowmom for reminding me about this option.

Donations for Haiti

The Red Cross is taking donations for relief for the victims of the Haitian earthquake. You can donate on their website or text HAITI to 90999 (auto-donates $10, apparently, not sure how billing works).

Blogger from Haiti

I thought Mod-Blog readers might be interested in this blog from Haiti which is talking about the disaster there.

Thousands of people are currently trapped. To guess at a number would be like guessing at raindrops in the ocean. Precious lives hang in the balance. When pulled from the rubble there is no place to take them for care Haiti has an almost non existent medical care system for her people.

Earthquake in Haiti

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake ripped through Haiti yesterday, causing widespread destruction and death in a country where poverty and persistent political unrest had resulted in poor building standards. Photos from the scene are showing whole regions flattened, and the local authorities are saying hospitals can not handle the influx of wounded and dying.

Destroyed communications made it impossible to tell the extent of destruction from Tuesday afternoon's 7.0-magnitude tremor — or to estimate the number of dead lying among thousands of collapsed buildings in Haiti's capital.
The ornate National Palace crumbled into itself, the headquarters of the U.N. peacekeeping mission collapsed and swaths of rickety shacks lay in shambles. Clouds of dust thrown up by falling buildings choked Port-au-Prince for hours...
Associated Press journalists found the damage staggering even for a country long accustomed to tragedy and disaster.

Please be praying for the disaster-torn country. It remains to be seen if the Recession creates any difficulty raising relief money, but it is likely to put extra pressure on efforts to help.