Alistair posted a link on his Facebook page of Pat Robertson calling for the assassination of the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez

I remember being appalled at this at the time, but found whole new waves of indignation in watching it again. I do not know enough about Venezuela to comment on Chavez, who like most charismatic controversial leaders seems to attract as much hatred as he does adulation.

But Robertson had serious aspirations of being President of the USA. Imagine this man as the leader of the most powerful nation in the world. Imagine the easy moral compromises, fueled by twisted religious certainties and paranoia. Imagine the oppression that could well have come down in the name of Jesus.

And as you watch Robertson and his ilk, remember that in the mix are beautiful things- resounding invocations to love, serve and follow Jesus- whilst at the same time at the centre of it all- there is something rotten. Something evil even.

A Christianity sold out to politicical, financial and power hungry interests. Subservient to a narrow bigoted view of the American Way of Life. Allied to money and manipulation.

Sold out to the new Babylon.

Do I exaggerate? You decide.