Controversial US televangelist Reverend Pat Robertson has caused outrage with claims that Haiti was hit by an earthquake because its people "swore a pact to the devil".
Haiti has been left devastated after yesterday's 7.0 quake, with hospitals and schools destroyed and claims there could be over 100,000 people dead … read more about the damage
BING SEARCH: How you can help victims in Haiti
"Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it," Robertson said during an interview on the Christian Broadcasting Network.
"They were under the heel of the French … and they got together and swore a pact to the devil.
"They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French'."
"True story. And so the devil said, 'okay, it's a deal.' They kicked the French out.
"The Haitians revolted and got themselves free … ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after the other."
Robertson compared Haiti to its neighbouring nation the Dominican Republic, which he said is "prosperous, healthy and full of resorts".
"[Haitians] need to have a great turning to God, and out of this tragedy, I'm optimistic something good may come," he said.
His comments, which were labeled "absurd" by the New York Daily News, have caused outrage online.
"Now why would the devil free people from slavery?" a reader wrote on the newspaper's website.
"This guy is not only a racist, but an ignorant piece of trash."
On YouTube the user comments were also overwhelmingly critical of Robertson’s statement.
"Instead of doing what Jesus would do, and help, he is condemning them because of some 'pact'?" a user wrote.
"Where is the Christian support and goodness Pat? You need to find God yourself my friend."
Robertson also caused controversy in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, when he claimed that homosexuals and liberal groups were "partly responsible" for the terror strikes.
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