Phil Robertson, leader of Duck Dynasty, made some statements that caused some people to take drastic measures. In an interview with GQ magazine, here is what he said:
“Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong… Sin becomes fine,” he said. “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.” Paraphrasing Corinthians he added: “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
Several homosexual groups became offended and A & E suspended him from the TV show. This is their statement:
“We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series ‘Duck Dynasty’…His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”
In reaction, the Robertson family got together and released the following statement:
The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E’s decision. We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word. While some of Phil’s unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible. Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Phil would never incite or encourage hate. We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right. We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty.
I want to chime in on these recent developments.
I thought I lived in America where everyone has a right to express his beliefs, religious or not, and not be condemned for it. If a person has a right to agree with the homosexual lifestyle, why should a person not have the same right to disagree?
On this issue, I agree with the Bible and with Phil. Homosexuality is sin. And so is murder, hatred, gossip, and a host of others mentioned in the Bible. But just because a person wants to do something doesn’t make it right. The defense that people may have been born homosexual (that has yet been proven) does not hold up under consistent inspection. I was born with a temper. My mom told me so. But that does not give me the right to get angry at someone and take wrongful action against another just because I was born angry. I was born selfish. But that does not give me the right to take something just because I want it.
It seems odd but while people cry for tolerance and no absolutes, they become completely intolerant of someone who has a backbone and believes there are absolutes. Have you ever thought of the idiotic statement “There absolutely are no absolutes”?
People always want to find loopholes and don’t want to live in a world with black and white, right and wrong. But it’s funny (not haha but goofy) that a person can promote a world where ‘you can believe whatever you want to believe and it’s okay.’ But that same person will not allow someone to ‘believe something is wrong no matter who you are’.
I am afraid that we are fast becoming a society that only a allows a belief system that promotes nothing is wrong. Well, the only thing wrong is to think that anything is wrong. The silencing of absolute truth has begun with our celebrities (Truett Cathy stepped down from Chick-Fil-A Nov. 2013) . I think it will then flow into our radio, television, and other media outlets. And finally our pulpits and churches will be silenced.
I think it’s time to stand up for what is right. You don’t have to be mean about it. But if God says something is wrong, no matter what anyone else says or who gets mad, it’s wrong.
I’ve watched about 2-3 episodes of ‘Duck Dynasty.’ But I think I’m going to get as much ‘Duck Dynasty’ clothing as I can find and order as many Chick-fil-A sandwiches as I can eat and buy as many trinkets at Hobby Lobby as they will allow me.