The tolerant left strikes again. Last night, A&E made the decision to suspend Duck Dynasty Star and family patriarch Phil Robertson for comments he made about homosexuality during a recent GQ Magazine. Here's what he said for the print interview, not on the show. Emphasis is mine:
"It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”
“We’re Bible-thumpers who just happened to end up on television,” he tells me. “You put in your article that the Robertson family really believes strongly that if the human race loved each other and they loved God, we would just be better off. We ought to just be repentant, turn to God, and let’s get on with it, and everything will turn around.”
What does repentance entail? Well, in Robertson’s worldview, America was a country founded upon Christian values (Thou shalt not kill, etc.), and he believes that the gradual removal of Christian symbolism from public spaces has diluted those founding principles. (He and Si take turns going on about why the Ten Commandments ought to be displayed outside courthouses.) He sees the popularity of Duck Dynasty as a small corrective to all that we have lost.
“Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong,” he says. “Sin becomes fine.”
What, in your mind, is sinful?
“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,” he says. Then he paraphrases Corinthians: “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.”
“We never, ever judge someone on who’s going to heaven, hell. That’s the Almighty’s job. We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus—whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?”
Whoa! A reality television star said something...real! And shocker! Phil Robertson is a Christian who believes we are all sinners and also happens to be a straight male (we already knew this and so did the Duck Dynasty audience) not interested in other men. Ironically, A&E's slogan is, "Be Original."
Naturally GLAAD, the same gay activist group that stayed silent during actor Alec Baldwin's many homosexual rants, demanded A&E executives take action against Robertson, which is exactly what happened.
“Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe. He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans — and Americans — who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil’s decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to re-examine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families.”
Oh yes, the rabidly anti-Christian GLAAD lecturing Christians about how to be Christians...terrific.
A&E expressed "disappointment" in Robertson and stressed that his views do not represent the views of Duck Dynasty or the network. They also said they are, "Strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community." It's ashame they don't have the same support for the Christian community. Shortly after announcing the suspension, the media followed GLAAD and their witch hunt with "anti-gay" headlines. According the GLAAD and the media, being pro-Bible is now somehow "anti-gay." Also, note how the loving part of Robertson's comments are being completely left out of the coverage.
Last night on The Kelly File, Robertson released a statement about his comments and beliefs:
I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together.
“However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”
Amen. This is America, a place where people used to be able to express a religious opinion when asked without being crucified for it. Do we all agree with Robertson's comments? No, but that's the point. Further, it seems unless a person holds the same opinion as GLAAD about homosexuality, they're not allowed to have an opinion at all, which is the opposite of free speech.
The bottom line is this, Duck Dynasty and the Robertson's have been sitting ducks for a long time. The show Duck Dynasty encompasses everything the left hates and wishes to destroy: the Second Amendment, traditional families, women in the home with the men as heads of the household, the American Dream, hunting, religion, success, entrepreneurship, being rewarded for hard-work, free speech etc.
Duck Dynasty rakes in 14 million viewers per episode and Phil Robertson hasn't been afraid to tell executives to shove it over controversies before. A&E needs the Robertson's, the Robertson's don't need A&E. Don't be surprised if the rest of the family refuses to film without Phil. It's going to be a long day for the folks over at that network, as it should be.