Televangelist invoked tale saying natives made deal with devil for freedom from France . Scholar : " The story is a common one in the Caribbean and Central America of an evil spirit who offers to free his captives if they will give him their souls. meant to discredit revolt , Vodou . Legend stems from belief that slaves could not have pulled off revolt alone , Kate Ramsey says . Spokesman denies Robertson said quake was God 's wrath , says he is praying for Haiti .
Televangelist invoked tale saying natives made deal with devil for freedom from France . Scholar : Tale is `` longstanding trope of anti-Haitian venom '' meant to discredit revolt , Vodou . Legend stems from belief that slaves could not have pulled off revolt alone , Kate Ramsey says . Spokesman denies Robertson said quake was God 's wrath , says he is praying for Haiti .