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Gerard Thomas Straub, a former producer of the 700 Club, reveals exclusive, previously unpublished evidence that Pat Robertson believes he is in direct communication with God and that he has been personally appointed by the Almighty to be the chief usher at Jesus' imminent Second Coming. "Salvation for Sale" takes us behind the scenes at the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). We get to know Robertson as the viewers never see him: as a power-hungry administrator who controls the lives of his employees 'with an iron fist' even while his paternal, kindly television persona convinces the American public of his fairness and brotherly love. This book raises serious questions about the effects Robertson's beliefs could have on national and global affairs. How would a head of state conduct government affairs if he is convinced that he is Christ's anointed, with all the self-righteousness that phrase implies? As Straub says, 'I'd be very concerned about a man sitting next to a button who believes Jesus is telling him to press that button'.

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Fascinating personal story
This is really less a scathing indictment of Pat Robertson than it is of fundamentalism in general. Mr. Straub is actually still a Christian, although of an altogether different bent than what he once was. With fundamentalism, it becomes apparent how Robertson and those at CBN saw everything as an "us/them" issue, where they were always believed to be in the right. The anecdotes of CBN staffers leaving tracts in the homes of "unsaved" Catholics or with everyone from passers-by to toll-both attendants were telling. When one believes they're always in the right, they'll justify anything. Look at Pat's "Diamond Mine" ventures with Mobutu Sese Seko (...).

Overall a very quick and informative read.

A Jouney From Raucous Certitude To Enlightened Confusion
I couldn't help but to be moved when I read this book. I was once a conservative Christian, and I cringe when I remember how I once defended people like Robertson. Fortunately, this period of my life was confined to my early teens, and by nineteen I had abandoned my belief in Christianity. I suppose that I now have a "won't get fooled again" attitude towards religion in general and Christianity in particular.

But, as this book shows, it can happen to anyone. The author was once caught in the fundamentalist quagmire. His formerly agnostic wife is apparently still a Robertson employee. Even Bob Dylan became a pulpit-basher for a while. It can truly happen to anyone.

Salvation For Sale allows us to see the inside of Robertson's fundamentalist multimedia empire. As would be expected, Robertson rules his fiefdom with an iron hand and twitching paranoia. Any setback is attributed to the Devil and his satanic henchmen (i.e. liberals). The Bible is the literal word of God and must be obeyed to the letter; unless, of course, you're speaking of those parts about turning the other cheek. Like nearly all of his tele-evangalist contemporaries, Robertson is a militant who sees Satanic conspiracy in everything. And, unlike his religion's namesake, Robertson seems to feel no moral conflict as the financial elite (to which he belongs) hoard the wealth and the poor scrape by. After all, social programs create a dependent society and are the work of the Devil.

Salvation For Sale doesn't dwell entirely on Robertson, however. A good part of the book deals with Straub's own questions and conflicting emotions with his faith and beliefs. He no longer adheres to literal interpretations of the Bible, and he apparently no longer believes in Hell or divine retribution. Like most of us, he accepts that life doesn't consist of black-and-white certainty. It's incredibly confusing and more rewarding if you accept it as such.

A Tragedy
I read Salvation for Sale while trying to understand why in the world a missionary with whom I was working had such a low opinion of Pat Robertson. Her husband had been murdered in the Children's Home her husband founded and she alleged three of Pat Robertson's Middle Television employees were responsible for instigating her husband's murder. I thought pain was clouding her perception of Pat Robertson, of whom she was highly critical but I had never researched his work, ministry etc. until compelled to do so. That led me to write Call to Courage! a book about my own conclusions. My perceptions are different than Gerald Straub's as mine are Biblical evaluations but they are no less critical. I sympatized with Gerald Straub's struggles to make sense out of his experience. Few things in life are more unsettling than a major spiritual upheavel.