October 7 1996

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A preference for Pat
Tim Stafford's not-so-flattering portrayal of Pat Robertson ["Robertson R Us," Aug. 12] was provocative but omitted reference to the daily Newswatch program that precedes the 700 Club. Our family videotapes Newswatch every day for later viewing. However, we intentionally do not tape the latter portion of the 700 Club, due to our lack of theological affinity for some of the nuances Stafford addresses.

Newswatch is the only daily television newscast that we can trust. It's the reason we subscribed to cable tv. We would "rather" watch Pat than Dan, Tom, or Peter.

Doug and Linda Gwinn
Pasadena, Calif.

Tim Stafford wrote an excellent article on Pat Robertson, perhaps the best ever written on the religious broadcaster. As a former Robertson devotee, I was surprised at Robertson's concession that he doesn't expect a revival in America.

Will Robertson be remembered in 20 years? Yes, he will, but he won't be missed. Pat Robertson is one of the main reasons our organization monitors the Religious Right. He is also one of the many reasons I converted to Judaism.

After Christians tire of "end time" theology, I think there will be revival in righteousness, but it may come through Judaism and not Christianity.

Skipp Porteous
Institute for First Amendment Studies
Great Barrington, Mass.

* I loathed Pat Robertson. I saw nothing in him not crass, cheap, and self-centered. But your story changed my mind. I am crass, cheap, and self-centered. And I cannot claim to have evangelized millions. So thanks to you, I will try not to judge so quickly in the future. Thank you for a provoking article.

Gregory Yeager
Tacoma, Wash.

* Your profile of Pat Robertson was a gracious one. You seemed to grant that the political/social agenda ...