In defense of Pat Robertson

In the letter ''Be Leery of Demagogues,'' May 23, the writer uses religion as a weapon to launch a political attack against religious broadcaster Pat Robertson. The writer is simply wrong in his assertion that Mr. Robertson ''has parlayed his tax-exempt ministry into a multimillion dollar fortune and created a political machine with the ultimate goal of turning America into a Christian theocracy.'' In a law review article published in the current edition of the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, Mr. Robertson writes: ''I agree that the church and state should be separate because the separation of church and state is good for religion, religious institutions, and the religious liberty of believers.''

The writer may not like Mr. Robertson's politics, but he should not use religion as a weapon in this debate.

Gene Kapp Virginia Beach, Va.

Vice president, public relations

The Christian Broadcasting Network

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