Confession time: I worked on Pat Robertson's presidential campaign in 1988.

The journey from Evangelical Christian to Unitarian - Universalist is not as interesting as it appears on the surface. I hold no malice toward Evangelicals but I think the rank and file Evangelical needs to speak up when one of the leaders does something very un-Christ-like. A loving brother or sister corrects another if they are straying from the path.

From: http://tinyurl.com/7aujx (Americans United for the Separation of Church and State)

TV Preacher Prays For More Vacancies On U.S. Supreme Court
Wednesday, August 3, 2005
Robertson Seems To View God As 'Divine Hit Man,' Says Americans United's Lynn

TV preacher Pat Robertson is so eager to see the Supreme Court overturn decisions upholding civil liberties that he’s praying for God to create more vacancies on the high court.
Speaking on his nationally broadcast “700 Club” program Aug. 2, Robertson blasted the court for “egregious decisions that have taken us far away from the Constitution.” Among the rulings under fire from Robertson were Roe v. Wade, rulings on the “the so-called separation of church and state,” decisions protecting the civil rights of gay people and the ruling barring the death penalty for juveniles.

The Virginia Beach-based televangelist later launched into a prayer asking God for swift confirmation of Bush nominee John G. Roberts and more vacancies on the high court so that new justice can “dramatically change” judicial policy.

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, criticized Robertson’s actions.

“Robertson and other Religious Right leaders are so desperate to take over the Supreme Court that they’re trying to move heaven and earth,” Lynn said. “They’re even trying to enlist God in their nefarious court-packing scheme.

“Robertson seems to view God as a divine hit man, taking out justices or anyone else who gets in the way of the Religious Right agenda,” said Lynn. “I think most Americans don’t like to see God dragged into this kind of divisive and demagogic politics.”

In the “700 Club” broadcast, Robertson laid out a religious political agenda for controlling the high court. He urged viewers to participate in “Operation Supreme Court Freedom,” a month-long prayer project intended to beseech God to replace current justices with “righteous judges.”
“Well, the time has come for somebody who says we’re not going to legislate from the bench, we’re going to abide by the Constitution,” Robertson said. “So the president has put forth one person, but there needs to be a couple more.”

Robertson then prayed: “Father, Lord, the government is in your hand, the rulers are in your hand. This great and mighty nation, Lord, stands as a beacon of hope to so many oppressed people. But Lord, if our foundations are crumbling, then this great beacon won’t stand for long. And we pray, Lord, that this one key area of our government might be dramatically changed, that we might see people who respect the Constitution and who respect the fundamental law of the land.

“Lord, give us righteous judges who will not try to legislate and dominate this society,” he continued. “Take control, Lord! We ask for additional vacancies on the court, and we ask for additional fine people like John Roberts. Lord, speed this hearing process; may there be no rancor. May the Senate comport itself as it should, and may we see peace, harmony and a rapid confirmation process. Do miracles, Lord. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Lynn noted that Robertson has a history of controversial activity, whether it’s commanding hurricanes to go out to sea or smiting communities that incur his wrath. He once speculated that Orlando might be hit by a meteor for allowing gay flags to be flown on city streets.

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It would be sort of funny if God answered Rev. Robertson's prayer by killing Justices Scalia and Thomas. I suppose the additional vacancies can happen through retirement.