Pat Robertson, Televangelist and Political Activist, Dead at 93

 Pat Robertson, the televangelist and conservative political activist who founded the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) and ran for president in 1988, died on Thursday at his home in Virginia Beach, Va. He was 93.

Robertson was born in Lexington, Va., in 1930. He graduated from Yale University and the New York University School of Law. After serving in the Marine Corps, he founded CBN in 1956. The network quickly became a major force in Christian broadcasting, and Robertson's weekly 700 Club program became one of the most popular Christian television shows in the world.

Robertson was a controversial figure throughout his career. He was criticized for his outspoken views on a variety of issues, including his support for the death penalty, his opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage, and his belief that the United States was founded as a Christian nation.

Despite the controversy, Robertson remained a popular figure among Christian conservatives. He was a major force in the rise of the religious right in the 1980s, and he was a vocal supporter of Ronald Reagan and other conservative politicians.

In 1988, Robertson ran for president as the Republican nominee. He finished third in the election, but his campaign helped to raise the profile of Christian conservatives in American politics.

After his failed presidential bid, Robertson remained active in politics and religion. He continued to host the 700 Club, and he founded the Christian Coalition, a political action group that played a major role in the Republican Party in the 1990s.

Robertson retired from CBN in 2007, but he remained active in his ministry. He died on Thursday at his home in Virginia Beach. He was 93.

Robertson's Legacy

Pat Robertson was a complex and controversial figure. He was a gifted communicator and a successful businessman, but he was also a polarizing figure who made many enemies.

Robertson's legacy is likely to be debated for years to come. His supporters will remember him as a visionary leader who helped to shape the modern Christian right. His critics will remember him as a demagogue who used his platform to spread hate and division.

Regardless of one's opinion of Pat Robertson, there is no doubt that he was a major figure in American history. He helped to shape the religious landscape of the United States, and he played a significant role in the rise of the Republican Party. His legacy will be debated for years to come, but there is no doubt that he was a man who made his mark on the world.