What will Pat Robertson say next? A few months ago, he had to apologize for calling for the asassination of Hugo Chavez (its a weird sort of Christianity that calls for targeted asassinations). A month or so ago,

he told the citizens of Dover that they had rejected God by voting out of office members of the school board who supported intelligent design:

"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city, and don't wonder why He hasn't helped you when problems begin, if they begin."

Now comes this latest outburst:

The White House today criticized television evangelist Pat Robertson's remarks that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's severe illness was deserved, calling the comments "wholly inappropriate and offensive."

Speaking on his Christian Broadcasting Network's "700 Club," Robertson said yesterday that God was punishing Sharon for dividing the land of Israel.

"Sharon was personally a very likable person, and I am sad to see him in this condition, but I think we need to look at the Bible and the Book of Joel. The prophet Joel makes it very clear that God has enmity against those who 'divide my land,' " Robertson said.

Sharon was "dividing God's land, and I would say: Woe unto any prime minister of Israel who takes a similar course to appease the E.U. [European Union], the United Nations or the United States of America," the 75-year-old Baptist minister said.

Robertson's comments cannot be dismissed as the words of a mere fanatic. Robertson is tremendously influential in the evangelical movement, through his television program, his university, and his political groups.

Robertson's comments exactly parallel the beliefs of Islamic fundamentalists, who also advocate military conflict based on scriptural reasons. If you find yourself agreeing with the Christian right often, now is as good a time as any to re-assess your beliefs to see how much Robertson-type logic is present.