Televangelist Pat Robertson: It’s impossible for Christians not to associate with gay people

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

US televangelist Pat Robertson has said it would be virtually impossible for Christians not to associate or befriend “homosexual people” as they’re “very creative,” and so exist virtually everywhere in the arts and fashion industries.

During a broadcast of his show The 700 Club, Robertson responded to a caller who asked whether it would still be okay to stay friends with gays and lesbians who were otherwise moral people.

“The Lord’s not going to punish you for having homosexuals as your friends. But I do think that when you read the Bible very carefully, homosexuality is condemned,” Robertson said.

“We got a society now that doesn’t want to condemn it all. But the Bible does, very clearly.”

The viewer had asked: “Will God punish me for associating with them? Should I continue being friends with them, even though they are gay?”

Robertson followed up on his advice by saying it would be virtually impossible for Christians not to associate or interact with gay people in some way.

He added: “There are some very, very creative homosexual people.

“They’re in the fashion industry, they’re in design, they’re in various types of creative arts. And you would almost need to leave the world not to associate with folks like that.”

He said the best approach would be to set a moral example for gay and lesbian people to follow.

Previously, Robertson claimed that gay men have been purposely spreading HIV using special rings which cut the hand of strangers they shake hands with.

Openly gay television host Anderson Cooper, since used a segment of his show to criticise Robertson for the story.

Robertson in July last year spoke against equal marriage during his programme, joking that Facebook should install a “vomit” button to represent his reaction to pictures of gay people kissing.

Robertson beat four nominees for Stonewall’s 2013 Bigot of the Year, including historian Professor Neil Ferguson; Reverend George Gabauer, leading ex-gay activist Scott Lively, and UKIP Parliamentary candidate Winston McKenzie.