Is Haiti under a curse?

James J. Jackson
Evangelist Pat Robertson opined that the Island nation of Haiti has been cursed because its people have ‘sworn a pact with the devil.” Robertson stated that Haiti promised Satan that they would serve him if he freed them from the French. Robertson says that Haiti has suffered much poverty and destruction ever since.
His remarks sparked a firestorm of protest. Robertson draws a distinction between the two nations on the island of Hispaniola: Haiti, which he points out has suffered many disasters and deep poverty; and The Dominican Republic, which enjoys prosperity and a flourishing tourist industry.
Haiti‘s problems since its independence, have largely been the fault of many dictators, who used its natural resources and tourism revenues to fill their own coffers, leaving the people poor and totally dependent on government. The people are not free, and try to escape in droves in rickety hand-made vessels, many of which sink at sea. Hispaniola, on the other hand, is somewhat democratic, and the people are free. The contrast is clear.
I have spent time in Haiti, and I experienced the heavy voodoo culture, and witnessed people who were supposedly under a voodoo spell. Many of the churches mix voodoo elements in with their Christian liturgy, which was somewhat bizarre to watch. I also witnessed many, many Christians from around the world, helping to build orphanages, houses and schools, and leading people to know Christ as their Savior.
As a high-profile minister, Mr. Robertson should be careful in making declarations for which he has no concrete proof. If the people who were under bondage did ‘make a pact with the devil’, what evidence does Robertson have that such a pact took effect? The mere fact that Haiti has experienced major climatic episodes does not, in itself, prove that they are cursed. Is California cursed, since it experiences more earthquakes than other states (some would probably say, ‘Yes!’)? The answer is ‘No’.
The Bible tells of many civilizations that were destroyed because of their defiance of God. God said that He would visit the iniquity of those who hate Him upon their children, even unto the third and fourth generation. Many of those nations paid the ultimate price for their disobedience.
But, when Christ came, He lived a perfect life, so as to be the perfect sacrifice that God required as payment for sin. He paid the price with His life. He was crucified, died and was buried, but rose again. He offers eternal life to all who trust in Him and receive His free gift of life everlasting.
Christ wants to have a personal relationship with each one of us. If a person rejects Christ’s offer, and follows voodoo priests, or another god, they are rejecting God’s gift, and, therefore, place themselves under Satan’s curse. But, the nation of Haiti is not under a curse. Yes, many follow other gods, and many reject God’s offer, but many others trust in the Lord. Also, what makes Haitians different than people right here in America who reject Christ. Do they place our entire country under a curse? Absolutely not!
The Triune God is not a God of revenge, anger, or destruction. Earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis and other disasters are not a result of sin in our world. Don’t blame God for such as these. And don’t ascribe to Satan such power over people. God is a God of redemption. He loves us, forgives us and, through His Son, redeems us. We only have to trust in Him.
Perhaps Pat Robertson should, at least, phrase his statements in a way that better reflects the love of God.

"Real Answers™" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate. To contact the author or The Amy Foundation, write or E-mail to: P. O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901-6091; amyfoundtn@aol.com
Read similiar stories in Mr. Jackson's Award Winning book, 'In All Things...' http://www.usabooknews.com/religion/christianinspiration.html