Twitter Reacts With Jokes, Outrage to Pat Robertson Quotes on Alzheimer's

By Ray Downs, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, September 15, 2011

Televangelist Pat Robertson said it was permissible to divorce a spouse with Alzheimer's disease on a television broadcast on "The 700 Club" Tuesday because it was "a kind of death," shocking Twitter users, some of whom expressed offense while others made jokes.

Being a controversial figure, Twitter users took the opportunity to bash Robertson for making another head-scratching comment.

Twitter user @Wolfrum tried to distill Robertson's comments by tweeting, "Shorter Pat Robertson: If you love someone, set them free. If they can't find their way back, you're free to leave."

Another user, @LouBrutus, considered the comment typical of Robertson. He tweeted, "LAY OFF OF PAT ROBERTSON! After all, he only says stupid, cruel and inhuman things on days ending in 'Y.'"

Some commenters on Twitter questioned Robertson's knowledge of the Bible.

"Pat robertson says divorce is okay if your spouse has alzheimers.. that old dude needs to go back and read his Bible," tweeted @watchmannee_fan.

User @cliffymania referred to a Bible passage she believed proved Robertson wrong: "Dear Pat Robertson, please read Malachi 2:16 and then, I think it would be good if you found another job."

Malachi 2:16 reads: "'I hate divorce,' says the LORD God of Israel, 'and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,' says the LORD Almighty.

Twitter user @stepcoo mocked Robertson's claim to be a Christian when he tweeted, "Pat Robertson says: It's ok to divorce your spouse if they get Alzheimers Disease. Very Christian of him."

Others seem to have taken Robertson's comments personally.

One such user, @Marnus3, said, "Pat Robertson considers Alzheimer victims 'dead' & expendable by their spouse. What a loathsome excuse 4 a human he is."

Twitter user @theBabyGuyNYC took an example from his own family when he said, "My grandfather has stayed w my grandmother through her battle w mental illness. Over 50 years now. #PatRobertson's comments disgust me."

One tweeter expressed surprise Roberton's comments had received so much attention.

"So let me get this straight... People still follow and care about what Pat Robertson is doing?" wrote @butchwalker.