JURIST - Paper Chase: Robertson says PA town ousting intelligent design school board spurned God

[JURIST] Televangelist Pat Robertson [personal website] told residents of Dover, Pennsylvania that they had "voted God out of your city" in local elections earlier this week by ousting eight school board members [JURIST report] who had supported teaching intelligent design in science classes. On Thursday's broadcast of The 700 Club he said:

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. God is tolerant and loving, but we can't keep sticking our finger in his eye forever. If they have future problems in Dover, I recommend they call on Charles Darwin. Maybe he can help them.

The original board's position sparked a federal lawsuit [JURIST report] which is now under deliberation after trial proceedings ended last week [JURIST report]. Earlier this summer, Robertson apologized for seemingly suggesting the assassination [JURIST report] of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez [BBC profile], and has been in the news for other controversial statements [advocacy website]. AP has more.