I know I'm not alone in being thoroughly disgusted with the entire idea, propogated by Pat Robertson and his ilk, that God dishes out cosmic justice based on people's misdeeds (at least as defined by X-ian fundies). But still, this
bit of coincidence takes the cake and makes all Robertson's blathering almost worthwhile.
GROTON, Connecticut (AP) -- A Learjet registered to religious broadcaster Pat Robertson crashed in Long Island Sound while flying in heavy fog Friday, killing both pilots, authorities said. All three passengers escaped without serious injury.
Fortunately (?), Robertson wasn't on board and fortunately (genuinely) everyone seems to have escaped without injury. But still, what does this say about God's plan for Mr. Robertson's material goods?
And remember, this is the same airplane owner who said:
But have we found we are unable somehow to defend ourselves against some of the attacks that are coming against us, either by terrorists or now by natural disaster? Could they be connected in some way?... And the amazing thing is, a judge has now got to say, "I will support the wholesale slaughter of innocent children" in order to get confirmed to the bench. And I am sure Judge Roberts is not going to say any such thing. But nevertheless, that's the litmus test that's being put on, the very thing that could endanger our nation. "
On a similarly coincidental note, there was this from Alabama:
DAPHNE, Ala. -- Worried about the safety of her family during a stormy Memorial Day trip to the beach, Clara Jean Brown stood in her kitchen and prayed for their safe return as a strong thunderstorm rumbled through Baldwin County, Alabama.
But while she prayed, lightning suddenly exploded, blowing through the linoleum and leaving a blackened area on the concrete. Brown wound up on the floor, dazed and disoriented by the blast but otherwise uninjured.
She said 'Amen' and the room was engulfed in a huge ball of fire. The 65-year-old Brown said she is blessed to be alive.
Not trying to be anti-religion here, but let's be realistic -- if you claim God is punishing others with acts of weather and other disasters, you gotta look at yourself in the mirror when these things happen to you.
UPDATE: Unfortunately, it turns out it wasn't as happy an
ending as originally thought; both pilots died, though the passengers survived:
A private jet registered to Pat Robertson killed both pilots when it crashed a half mile from the Groton-New London airport runway into Long Island Sound during heavy fog on Friday. It had just dropped off two passengers in Atlantic City, New Jersey.