In the wake of the controversial and unpopular news to suspend Phil Robertson, patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family, in the wake of his religious remarks to GQ Magazine, the A&E television network has announced that Duck Dynasty will resume filming and airing the popular TV show in 2014.
A&E's statement reads:
As a global media content company, A+E Networks’ core values are centered around creativity, inclusion and mutual respect. We believe it is a privilege for our brands to be invited into people’s home and we operate with a strong sense of integrity and deep commitment to these principals.
That is why we reacted so quickly and strongly to a recent interview with Phil Robertson. While Phil’s comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs, and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the “coarse language” he used and the mis-interpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article. He also made it clear he would “never incite or encourage hate.” We at A+E Networks expressed our disappointment with his statements in the article, and reiterate that they are not views we hold.
But Duck Dynasty is not a show about one man’s views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family… a family that America has come to love. As you might have seen in many episodes, they come together to reflect and pray for unity, tolerance and forgiveness. These are three values that we at A+E Networks also feel strongly about.
A&E also announced that they will embark on a "public service campaign" that will "promote unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people."
The remarks that got Robertson targeted by GLAAD and suspended regarded his Christian beliefs. His views on the nature of sin were that "start with homosexual behavior and morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and those men... 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."
"We're Bible-thumpers who just happened to end up on television."