Televangelist Pat Robertson has linked religion to the Boston Marathon bombings, although he did not specifically mention any one religion.
On Tuesday morning's episode of the Christian Broadcast Network's "The 700 Club," the 83-year-old evangelical Christian began discussing the tragic events that unfolded at Copley Square Monday afternoon, Media Matters for America notes.
"Our hearts go out to these people who were wounded and injured," he began, adding that it all started as a "joyous" occasion. "[T]o think that somebody would be so vicious, so evil as to want to kill little children, and maim families who were there rejoicing in a sporting contest on a beautiful day in Boston, it just makes you sick at your stomach. Don't talk to me about religion of peace, no way."
Raw Story ranks Robertson's comment second in its list of "Weirdest Boston Bombing Conspiracy Theories." The outlet notes Robertson was "going live with his prejudices against Muslims."
Although Robertson did not specify any one religion, others have been more vocal about their opinons on who is to blame.
Conservative columnist Erik Rush responded to the Boston bombings with a joke about Muslims. On Monday night, he tweeted about bringing more Saudis into the country without screening them. When a responder asked if he is already blaming the incident on a Muslim perpatrator, he responded, "Yes, they're evil. Let's kill them all."
Rush later said he was just being sarcastic.
President Barack Obama asked the American public not to "jump to conclusions before we have all the facts," Boston.com noted. White House officials seconded the president's urging, saying there is no conclusive evidence pointing to a suspect or group.
“Any event with multiple explosive devices - as this appears to be - is clearly an act of terror, and will be approached as an act of terror,” a White House official said. “However, we don’t yet know who carried out this attack, and a thorough investigation will have to determine whether it was planned and carried out by a terrorist group, foreign or domestic.”
Although some reports claimed an injured Saudi national is being considered a suspect, federal officials dismissed the reports, saying he is a witness and not a suspect, according to the Washington Post.
Two explosions at the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, left more than 170 injured and three dead. An 8-year-old boy was one of the victims.