Pat Robertson Warns Viewers Against Adopting Foreign Children: ‘You Don’t Have to Take on Somebody Else‘s Problems’
- Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:26pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson is, once again, spawning controversy. The right-leaning television host is making headlines for making some controversial comments about adopted children.
In an episode of “The 700 Club” earlier this month, the faith leader warned viewers against adopting children from foreign lands.
Mediaite sets up the scenario that led to the contentious commentary:
In the clip, Robertson fielded a question from a woman who had noticed that prospective suitors were scared off by her adopted children. Not because the children were adopted, per se, but because they were foreign. Robertson’s co-host quickly responded that those men were all “dogs”…
Robertson quickly informed her that those men were not dogs of any kind but were just feeling the natural inclination not to raise children from different backgrounds because it could be all tough and stuff.
“A man doesn’t want to take on the United Nations,” Robertson said in response to his co-host. However, that wasn’t the most controversial of his statements.
“You just never know what’s been done to a child before you get that child. What kind of sexual abuse it’s been, what kind of cruelty, what kind of food deprivation, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera,” he said. “So you’re not a ‘dog’ ’cause you don’t want to take on that responsibility. You don’t have to take on somebody else’s problems. You really don’t.”
While he went on to say that he has been responsible for helping orphans across the globe, he doesn’t necessarily want “to take all the orphans around the world into my home.”
Watch his comments, below:
This is the latest Robertson rant to make headlines. Last year, he told viewers that Alzheimer’s Disease is grounds for divorce (see some of his other more recent statements below).
(H/T: Mediaite)
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Comments (134)
GoodStuff
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:25pmTime to retire Pat.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:34pmYou people make me sick, instead of judging the cause of the fatherless people just say men are dogs with they don’t want to raise children the way your arrogant self centered selves want them to raise them.
Report Post »jwt
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 10:11pmWhat has this to do with the good news, that Jesus asked his ministers to proclaim
Report Post »The Giver
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 10:12pmPat Robertson helps millions of children. Do you? He started Orphan’s Promise in different countries. They house, feed, teach the children many skills and teach them English. To keep them from becoming sex slaves. This man does more good with his pinky than all of us in our whole lifespans.
Report Post »Pretending that adopting children is a bag of fun and games is just that. Some children never bonded to anyone and can’t bond. Especially over the age of three. There are horror stories out there as well as success stories. Most men are reluctant to get involved with women that have children and when those children come with even more baggage , they may not want to bother.
Pat is very practical and tells it like it is.Some people would prefer to sugarcoat it. Especially if they don’t realize that this is a family for life.
Adoption is a wonderful thing but it can be more than you bargained for in some cases. Especially with older children who have so much hurt inside. Pat knows all about it so he can speak with confidence.
He also feeds hungry children and adults of all colors, religions and countries through Operation Blessing. Do you?
He who is without sin, cast the first stone. His problem is that he tells the truth and he doesn’t play the PC game. God knows your heart Pat. He’s the 700 Club. It‘s not the same when he’s not there.
THX-1138
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 10:28pmCan I get an AMEN?!
Report Post »mmmmarilyn
Posted on August 28, 2012 at 1:27amYou don‘t have to take on someone’s else’s problems – CHANGE THE CHANNEL!
Report Post »PATTY HENRY
Posted on August 28, 2012 at 2:43amIS this jerk speaking of GOD’S CHILDREN? I know he hasn’t spoken for GOD in decades. SHAME ON YOU PAT ROBERTSON. GO AWAY. PS All Children can be trouble or wonderful, depending on their parents. I feel so sorry for yours, you ego maniac. What Man of GOD leaves his pulpit to run for office? I can only name two, you are one of them and I have -0- respect for either of you two.
Report Post »Comments like this from people who SHOULD KNOW BETTER make me nauseated.
johnjamison
Posted on August 28, 2012 at 11:02amPat is right we have plenty of unwanted children right here in America that needs parents and role models. The elistist a-hole adopting some foriegn child like some exotic pet are effing idiots.
Report Post »Sane and in my Right Mind
Posted on August 28, 2012 at 9:28pmI thank THEGIVER for defending Pat. PATTY HENRY you are so ignorant about Pat you may as well have walked into the room with your pants down and smeared egg all over your own face and then demanded our respect. Billy Hallowell – I REALLY feel sorry for you. the shallowness of this article should embarrass you. You are writing about a good man who God HAS USED for his glory. I recently read something in the neighborhood of these pages I would now pass on to you as advice: “When God has put his hand on a man, I take my hand off.”
Report Post »rob_a
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:24pmPat Robertson is a complete and utter moron and the 700 Club is for the religious brain dead!
Report Post »Sane and in my Right Mind
Posted on August 28, 2012 at 9:33pmNo he isn’t.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:23pmWho cares what color the child is? It’s a child who needs love and care. I’ve known a couple of families who adopted children fm Asia. AND — there was nothing wrong w/those children either!
A Christian is called to make sacrifices, Pat. To love a child, any child, means sacrifice. Before adopting, the parents should pray and listen for the Holy Spirit. Do, then, accordingly. If the Holy Spirit encourages the family to adopt, even a broken child, then God will supply the strength and courage to see this child thru.
Christians in ancient Rome took home thrown out babies, some could not survive long after birth due to show-stopper defects. Other children were unwanted girls or boys w/problems like club feet. This sets Christians apart fm the pagans who desire only perfection and beauty.
To Jews and Christians — adopt the unwanted. Love the unloved. Find God’s glory therein.
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:52pmMaking sacrifices does not mean that a man has to take on anothers children. This woman is by herself, for whatever reason, men don’t want to take on 3 children from 3 different countries that she knows nothing about. Psychiatric disorders may not show up until they hit puberty, and anything else. They have a right to not be comfortable with the situation. The men didn’t make the situation, she did and it doesn’t matter if she did it as a single woman, or married. SHE MADE THE DECISION.
Men not wanting to get involved in the situation are not bad men or aren’t Christian. The word Christian is thrown around today like a baseball at a ball game. The men were honest with the woman about not wanting to get involved. Pat was simply letting her know why many men might not want to be involved in such a situation.
Report Post »edmundburk
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 11:58pmyou can bag on catholics all you want, but you’ll NEVER hear the pope say the strange crap that comes out of robertsons mouth lately.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on August 28, 2012 at 8:01am@dmforman
“Making sacrifices does not mean that a man has to take on anothers children. This woman is by herself, for whatever reason, men don’t want to take on 3 children from 3 different countries that she knows nothing about. Psychiatric disorders may not show up until they hit puberty, and anything else.”
I think the problem with your statements are two-fold:
Report Post »1. No one is saying that a man must marry a woman with children or he’s not a Christian. That’s not even the debate here: the issue is that men who discount a woman, not because she has three children but because the three children are “foreign.” That’s both anti-Christian and racist.
2. If a man grows to love a woman and her children, and marries the woman and adopts the children, then why would their psychological issues matter, whenever they show up? Did I miss the part of the Bible where Jesus said “I love all of you… except kids with mental issues. Screw them”?
DiamondGoddess
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:21pmPat is RIGHT!!! In a LOT of foreign countries, babies are put in orphanages BECAUSE there is stuff wrong with them, which they don’t disclose to prospective adoptive parents. BTW, the same thing happens here, and adoptive pets have the same issue. It’s a BIG “Caveat Emptor” (”Let the buyer beware!”) for anyone considering adopting children or pets.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:26pmHe’s right about that. Just keep on bashing men America, and the Father of all is gonna flush your butts right down the toilet.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:28pmThe Father of all will flush your youth down the toilet, and stick Hijabs on your women.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:29pmI’ll stand with my old friend Mother Teresa on this topic.
A 100% guaranty; if you aren’t 100% happy with the Child She took the Child back and would find another home. And, She always told the adopting parents (One man and one woman only) any issues the Child had.
Report Post »January24
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:32pmIt depends. The baby I adopted from a foreign country is now an older child, and this child is an utter delight in every way. I adopted this child as a baby.
I adopted another child at age 7 and he has severe emotional, behavioral and learning problems. He is now in his middle teens and it would be much too dangerous to try to have him live at home. If you’d like to educate yourself about the horror that can come with mistreatment (or neglect) at an early age, do a search on “Reactive Attachment Disorder.”
troymac20
Posted on August 28, 2012 at 9:55am@DIAMONDGODDESS
That’s right. Remember the woman who sent that Russian kid back because he was unstable and threatened to burn down her house with her in it. A little tidbit that the adoption agencies failed to disclose to her.
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:18pmWhy do woman think that they can have children without a man and then expect men to take on their children? The woman made a choice to adopt these children. A man doesn‘t want to take on children that even the mother doesn’t know everything about. That doesn’t make him a bad guy or racist. He is being real, and she should be grateful that he is being honest with her.
Woman have been told that they can have it all and don’t need men to have babies. This point of view comes with repercussions. Most men don’t want to take on this kind of challenge. They don’t want to become responsible for the decisions that the woman made.
This has nothing to do with being a Christian or not loving orphans or not loving children. Many children who are adopted have issues. Most parents do not know the issues that their children have. A photograph or a short video can be doctored to show a normal child, when in fact the child has brain damage, has a family history of mental health issues, and so on.
Why is it the man’s problem? Why can‘t the woman look at herself and realize that the decisions she made have repercussions and that most men don’t want to take on your crusades.
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:25pmPerhaps she was widowed or divorced.
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:46pm@ Elena
Report Post »Either way, a man doesn’t have to take on your children from divorce or being a widow. Him not wanting to take on your children doesn’t make him a bad guy, or not Christian-whatever that means to you. Men are entitled to their opinions and frankly, as a woman with children would be thankful that the men were being upfront with her about their feelings.
JustPeachy
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:13pmOthers can be hateful, but this makes me sad. Pat is certainly entitled to his opinions (right, people?) even if some may not agree with him–but I have this bad feeling that Pat‘s mind just isn’t what it used to be. Now I know some didn’t like him in his younger years (due to his strong views), but at one time he was sharp as a tack. He’s certainly NOT Biden. He is an intelligent man–I just think he’s aging and sadly–confused.
Again, just makes me sad. It‘s a shame he hasn’t retired by now. He says things like this and those who already don’t like him (or even hate him) can simply “stone” him all the more. I wish his family would simply step in and find other things for him to do. . . maybe help him write more or ??
This type of thing could happen to any of us as we age. . . may others be kinder to us should it happen to us!
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:19pm@JustPeachy
“He is an intelligent man–I just think he’s aging and sadly–confused.”
Yep, and every MSNBC host is NOW just dying to get Pat on their show ASAP.
Report Post »January24
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:28pmWell. I think I’m as qualified as anyone to answer — having adopted two children of color from a foreign country. First of all, let me say that, if you are planning to adopt, ADOPT A BABY. My child who was adopted as a baby is absolutely delightful in every way. My child who was adopted as a 7-year-old has severe emotional and learning difficulties and will never function independently. I have heard the same story about children adopted when they were older over and over again. My child is in a therapeutic boarding school and will be there until he is 18. Now, as far as potential partners are concerned — I am not in the market. However, if I were looking, I wouldn’t have any interest in anyone who was not as delighted with my darling son (the one who lives at home) as I am.
Perhaps Robertson has heard the many, many stories of older adopted children whose care breaks their adoptive parents financially and who (no matter what is done to help them) will never be able to live in a normal family setting. Look up Reactive Attachment Disorder if you care to know more.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:31pmPat is right, the answer is not aborting 75% of the black babies here, not aborting 20+% of the potential white babies, bring them to term, and couples that want and can’t have kids adopting them. I have had dozens of friends who have adopted foreign children and 100% of the time it’s ended badly. Either something bad turned out to be wrong with them or their parents came back in the picture when they were 18 and used them to gain entry to this country. In all the cases where the parents were brought over that I have dealt with have turned out to be card carrying communists, brought dozens of other relatives over, and worked from inside to destroy our nation.
scout n ambush
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:44pmOk comparing him to Biden was going a little to far ,He has done a great amount of good in his life but it can all be destroyed by things like this .Now is not the time to drive future christians away from the Gospel message of JC.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:13pmThis was a set-up question from the left. “Susan” was most likely “Sandra”….
Sandra Fluke that is.
Report Post »SimpleTruths
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:25pmIf it was a set up question (highly doubtful but let’s play along) Pat answered it they way he did because that’s the way he really feels.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:39pm@SimpleTruths
Taking advantage of the elderly is a crime…. unless it’s in a Q and A a news story.
Come on back……
Report Post »VanceUppercut
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:54pm@The-Monk
Yes, every time a Right-winger gets caught saying something monstrously stupid/cruel/racist/bigoted, it was all a set-up.
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 9:22pm@ Vance What Pat said isn’t stupid, cruel or rude. It’s reality. Most men don‘t want to take on someone else’s problems. This woman is a single mother with 3 children that she adopted from 3 different countries. The man did not make that decision. The woman did. The man doesn‘t have to take on the woman’s adopted children. The man is being honest about his feelings, which he is entitled to and the woman should be glad that he is being honest with her. Not everyone wants to have the United Nations at home. We also don’t know if the children have other issues, again, the man has a right to not want to get involved and that doesn’t make him a bad person.
Report Post »mikenleeds
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:11pmi d never adopt any child that was t related to me though blood , you never know how messed up that child is chemically etc. and your bringing a dangerous child in your home with your own children , you would have to be crazy
Report Post »JustPeachy
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:15pmIt’s your choice and your loss. I have one biological child and one adopted. And I love them both DEARLY and wouldn’t trade either one for ANYTHING!
Report Post »kenboo1
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:19pmI would adopt 50 of them if I could afford it… Kids, related to you or not are very impressionable and want to be loved. The way you raise them turns them into what they become. A pitbull has to be trained to fight it doesn’t happen instinctively. Pat Robinson is a moron…
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 9:18pm@ Ken Older children who have been adopted have a much higher percentage of serious mental issues. The parents adopting them didn’t raise them during their formative years, and it’s impossible to do the years that were spent in orphanages or foster homes. Having seen the serious issues that adopted older children can have, and knowing the people who adopted these children did everything that they could to help them to no avail, it’s not as easy as you think.
Report Post »chicago76
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:01pmLook, Pat is right. Many people have adopted children from foreign countries who had very serious mental problems due to the environment they were raised in. You can’t change that. In fact, you might make it worse by bringing them to a strange country with strange looking people. Some people call it adoption, others might call it buying babies. How do you know that that child won’t think you stole him or her from her natural parents and end up hating you. Americans think stupidly that all they have to do is give away money and everything will be fine. All they have to do is smile and be nice that people will be happy. Well, no, life doesn’t work that way. If you think it does then you are a fool and get what you deserve.
Report Post »acovenantinblood
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:01pmCould it be that the state of our nation is a reflection of our “Christian leaders” who are like this? I pray that God will bring us a Whitefield or a Finney to root out and repair the damage done to Christianity in America.
Report Post »Lordcsmith
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:59pmPat’s off his meds again……
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:09pmHe is right on about this. I know several people who have adopted internationally and most of the children adopted have serious issues that could not be detected when they were adopted. Older children who are adopted have the most issues (I’m talking 5 and older). You really don‘t know what you’re getting when you adopt internationally, and the mental issues my friends have had to deal with are no joke. No one should be afraid to sleep in their own home or worry that their child is going to hurt someone else.
Report Post »kenboo1
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:13pmSometimes you just got to wonder about Pat… He can get both feet in his mouth… What do you think Pat, like maybe if they are not adopted by the time they are say 8 months, we just hang them and call it a late term abortion??? How bout this, apologize, shut up and sit in the corner and don’t soil yourself…
Report Post »face.chewer
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:53pmI may be wrong but it seems like you’re less likely to get a crack baby or an autistic child from outside the USA than from inside the USA.
Report Post »chicago76
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:03pmWhat gives you that idea? Because you never knew the mother there and know her here. Grass is always greener.
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:05pmYou are wrong. Foreign adoption is riddled with kids whose mothers were alcoholics, drug addicts, and have issues. These issues aren’t always given to parents when adopting, as usually you are only given a photo and minimal information. A video is sometimes given, but not usually.
Report Post »Marine25
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:12pm@facechewer
Report Post »and yet I bet you describe yourself as pro-life and christian.
As the proud parent of an autistic son, I hope we get a chance to meet one day.
Bobaz
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:50pmWith buffoons like Robertson creating controversy that will inevitably show up in some Demorats speaking points and in the Demorat media, the Republicans are constantly kept on the defensive.
Pat, you’ve out stayed your welcome here on planet Earth. Please check out soon before you cause any more damage.
Report Post »Marine25
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:14pmHe is a Republican, many supported him for the Presidency, they own his comments…sorry about your luck.
Report Post »JustPeachy
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:17pmWow.. how kind. . . :(
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:51pm@Marine25
“He is a Republican, many supported him for the Presidency, they own his comments…”
How do you figure that all Republicans “own his comments” from a man that was born in 1930 and ran, unsuccessfully, for POTUS in 1988? Explain please.
Report Post »Marine25
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 9:14pm@themonk
Report Post »If running in 88 is so ancient that Republicans can no longer caim him, then stop going on and on about President Reagan. Today‘s GOP wouldn’t want Reagan anyway, too liberal; union president, pro-gay rights, raised taxes more than any President in 50 years, need I go on?
merik59
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:49pmWouldn’t it be nice if these idiots would stop telling everyone what to do & when to do it. It should be the individual choice of the parents whether or not to adopt children from a different culture & I have a word of advice for Mr. Robertson since he doesn’t have the first idea of what he is talking about – Kids reflect what they are taught & the USA is still the melting pot of the world. My brother-in-law is raising two beautiful Chinese/American girls & they will be a credit to us all because they have taught their parents Chinese & Chinese customs & it is a real pleasure to spend time with these kids, but above all they are AMERICANS now & Mr. Robertson needs to get over himself. Hypocrite. He needs to stay home & shut up & read his Bible again because he has obviously forgotten all the words.
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:25pmDid you watch the video? He was asked a question, and giving his answer. A woman adopted 3 children from three countries on her own and now wants a man. The men don’t want to deal with having children from 3 different countries. This is very different than the adoption in your family done by a mom and dad together. This woman took it upon herself to make a family, without thinking of the repercussions.
Report Post »A.D.Hominem
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:48pmHang on, hang on. Let’s talk about this rationally. Perhaps he meant children that weren’t his own. Hmmm. Nope. Okay, perhaps he was talking about the social welfare system. Nope. Ah vell.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:43pmThe left can’t say a word about this. Why? Watch the video.
Barack Obama – “Punished with a baby!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB5Frgw0Fww
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:58pmEDIT/Warning……
Turn speakers down first…..
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:55pmThis isn’t the “Punished with a baby” video you’re used to seeing. It’s much different.
Report Post »ClaudeRains
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:40pmSo Pat…if they ain‘t white they ain’t right? In the immortal words of the great philosopher Bugs Bunny “What a maroon”.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:48pm@ClaudeRains
lots of “white” Children from Russia that have been adopted here in the US are later found out to have sever mental issues when Russian Doctors have cleared the Children as “normal” before adoption.
Get off your racist soapbox and smell the crowd.
Report Post »Realman30
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:49pmOrphans from Germany and Russia, the majority, are White.
Report Post »Go somewhere else and play your Race Card.
PutMoreOnMyPlate
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:40pmDoes he have any scripture to back this up? I doubt it so how can he even be considered a “faith leader?” Not my Bible. Correct me if I’m wrong of course.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:39pmThe reason – I said reason- folks are going outside of the country to adopt IS: wait for it>>>>>
GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND FEES
My God natural parents only require copulation; the INSPECTION of your life to qualify for adopting makes Mitt Romney’s presidential vetting look like a drivers license application..
PLUS the money!
Report Post »Realman30
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:39pmBrother Pat Robertson speaks the gospel truth. He is spot on.
Report Post »VanceUppercut
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:55pm@Realman30
Was he spot on when he said 9/11 and Katrina were our own fault.? Funny, when Jeremiah Wright said something along those same lines, the Right was ready to crucify him.
Report Post »RAN58
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:39pmSo who listens to Pat Robertson anymore? He’s like the senile grandpa that people make excuses for if you get invited to the family dinner. If you ever get like this when you are an old man Glenn Beck make sure someone keeps you away from the microphone and off the air.
Report Post »Besides this is old news, happened the beginning of the month and it’s just now getting posted on the Blaze?
scout n ambush
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:36pmHere we go again ….He needs to retire hes like a joe biden of cbn some of what he said is true but some of it is very un christian like and I ought to know is say stuff I shouldn’t alot
Report Post »Cosmos102
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:35pmWhy did he say that? That‘s what I’m asking myself. What purpose did it serve?
Report Post »Realman30
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:42pmDid you watch the video? A viewer wrote in about an issue with her adoption of foreign children. He responded to her query.
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:33pmKnown as “ Damage Good”
Report Post »Chet Hempstead
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:31pmThe “right-leaning television host?” He’s not leaning, he fell over a long time ago. He’s fallen and he can’t get up.
Report Post »Angel_light
Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:35pmI think so too
Report Post »