'Father of Christian television': Pat Robertson's death draws reactions from supporters, critics

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Friday, June 09, 2023

Rob Boston

Rob Boston of the secular advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State and author of the 1996 book The Most Dangerous Man in America? Pat Robertson and the Rise of the Christian Coalition wrote a blog entry in response to Robertson's passing.

Boston wrote that while he was raised "not to speak ill of the dead," he also believed it was "not the time to ignore Robertson's long track record of extreme statements."

"He appeared on our radar screen in the early 1980s as one of a band of vocal televangelists who assailed church-state separation, vowing to usher in a 'Christian nation.' AU sounded the alarm right away," wrote Boston.

"There are people who are mourning Robertson's loss today, and I extend my condolences to them. But Robertson's death doesn't mean we must overlook his long record of extremist rhetoric."