Televangelist and "700 Club" host Pat Robertson sparked controversy Tuesday after he characterized Alzheimer’s disease as a “kind of death” and told a caller that the memory-impairing disease was an acceptable excuse to divorce one’s spouse.

Already Robertson has received criticism from those offended by his remarks, especially from Christians condemning Robertson for encouraging divorce in such a situation. The L.A. Times compiled a list of comments posted online by readers of Christianity Today:

"I am horrified by Robertson's response!" said one.
…
 "Such irresponsible, callous comments made by Robertson. My father cared for my mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at age 55...until the day he placed her ravaged body in the grave. He kept his vows. Be ashamed of yourself, Pat Robertson."

Others affected by Robertson’s words disagreed with his characterization of the disease, which afflicts more than 5.1 million Americans, the majority of whom are over 60. As CBS News reports:

"I don't think an Alzheimer's diagnosis is like death," Beth Kallymer, a social worker with the Alzheimer's Association, told CBS News. "Even in the final stages, people can still connect and relate and have a need for intimacy - even when they don't know who you are."

Robertson, 81, is no stranger to public outrage. Among his trunket of controversies and off-color statements:

• In 2001, Robertson and the late public pastor Jerry Falwell suggested the feminists, the ACLU, gays, and other entities were at fault for the 9/11, which they believed was a manifestation of God’s anger. As taken from Huffington Post:

"We have sinned against Almighty God, at the highest level of our government, we've stuck our finger in your eye. The Supreme Court has insulted you over and over again, Lord. They've taken your Bible away from the schools. They've forbidden little children to pray. They've taken the knowledge of God as best they can, and organizations have come into court to take the knowledge of God out of the public square of America."

• In 2003, Robertson drew criticism after he called for the use of nuclear weapons to blow up the U.S. State Department. “If I could just get a nuclear device inside Foggy Bottom,” he said during a discussion on "700 Club" over the potential dangers stemming from the department’s actions, “I think that's the answer.”

• After a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Haiti and claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands in 2010, Robertson speculated that the disaster was a result of Haitians making a pact with the devil. As CNN elaborates:

The Haitians "were under the heel of the French. You know, Napoleon III and whatever," Robertson said on his broadcast Wednesday. "And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you will get us free from the French.' True story. And so, the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal.' "

• Robertson pulled out a handgun during a taping of "700 Club" when asked how to deal with atheists who do not believe in Christianity. The Christian Post clarifies:

Answering a viewer's question about how a Christian should respond to an atheist who does not believe in hell and therefore does not believe he will be going there after death, Robertson pulls out a 9 mm handgun and waves it around to make his point that just because you do not believe in something, doesn't mean it's not there.

• On his website, Robertson claims he has leg-pressed 2000 lbs and can lift “age-defying” weights due to his “age-defying protein shake.”

Robertson's show, "700 Club," airs on ABC Family and is syndicated worldwide.

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