In Defense of Phil Robertson and Duck Dynasty

By Nathan Young on December 19, 2013

UPDATE: The Robertson Family released a statement saying:

We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. 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. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.

Just when you think the controversy over southerners talking about things was over after the Paula Deen controversy, think again! Phil Robertson has been suspended, not fired, from the hit A&E show Duck Dynasty. Phil Robertson gave an interview to GQ Magazine and it was very interesting. When the writer asked Phil what he considered to be sinful behavior, he replied: (you can read the entire article by clicking here)

“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. 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.”

After the interview, The Robertsons issued a press release to E! News, it reads:

“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 humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”

http://twitter.com/aleighton5/status/413750502841925632

Okay, Phil Robertson has different views from other people. But it does not mean we should suspend him because he thinks differently. In the above statement, he says he would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from him. Everybody should treat everyone else with respect, no matter what their views on life are. Sadly, some people will never treat others with respect, because they believe in something different. We have seen the stories here in Alabama where people who believe in homosexuality were bullied so much they committed suicide, that’s wrong! Phil Robertson also said we would be better off if we loved God and loved each other. That is so true, are you listening A&E Networks?

A&E Networks issued a statement saying:

“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.”

http://twitter.com/iResistAll/statuses/413481092885123072

Okay, I can understand why A&E Networks supports the LGBT community. Everyone supports different views but what happened to free speech? Just like the Paula Deen controversy, Food Network dropped her and almost every sponsor dropped her because of something she said decades ago. She has apologized, but hardly any sponsors have come back, which is wrong! Now, the entire Duck Dynasty empire is at risk because of this one interview. Duck Commander has a huge contract with Wal-Mart, I hope they don’t decide to drop everything because of one person’s views. If Wal-Mart decides to drop Duck Commander, there is going to be a huge backlash!

Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal issued a statement saying:

“Phil Robertson and his family are great citizens of the State of Louisiana. The politically correct crowd is tolerant of all viewpoints, except those they disagree with. I don’t agree with quite a bit of stuff I read in magazine interviews or see on TV. In fact, come to think of it, I find a good bit of it offensive. But I also acknowledge that this is a free country and everyone is entitled to express their views. In fact, I remember when TV networks believed in the First Amendment. It is a messed up situation when Miley Cyrus gets a laugh, and Phil Robertson gets suspended.” And Bobby Jindal is so right! Why is our society celebrating people like the Kardashians, real housewives, or Miley Cyrus? Miley has become a joke and should be a person no one should look up too, what to know why, here’s an example.

A&E Networks, I think you made a big mistake by suspending Phil Robertson. Even though they support the LGBT community, you should not drop one person because they believe in something different. A&E decided to suspend someone because of their opinions, and I thought this was a free country where everyone has a right to free speech. I support the LGBT community, but I also support what The Robertsons do! I love Duck Dynasty because the family is wholesome and fun-loving. They care for each other and they believe in our Lord. I really like the endings where they pray before eating. There is a reason why Duck Dynasty is one of the top shows on TV, it’s good family entertainment! Something the other networks needs more of!

If A&E does not overturn this suspension or even decides to fire Phil Robertson, I hope The Robertson Family and Duck Commander walks away from the A&E Networks. Another network will pick up this family in an instant! America is becoming more politically correct where one small slip up means the entire empire come crashing down, it needs to stop! Many people think A&E is declaring a war on the Christian vales from Duck Dynasty. Do people need a reminder that the nation and the south is deeply Christian? How about the networks produce more programming geared toward Christian people and families instead of putting out programming glorifying people breaking the law and being bad role models?

http://twitter.com/JasonVaughn/status/413748361901002753

For the ones who don’t believe the Bible, guess what, it’s true! Even though I am a Christian, I still support the views and rights of people who are gay, homosexual, or LGBT. They have their own beliefs and I support them! I also support the views from people who are disabled. Many geeks and nerds supports the views and beliefs from outside people. That’s why I love being a geek and nerd and writing the Geek Alabama blog! I will stand behind Phil Robertson and I hope the A&E Networks will soon overturn this suspension. You take advantage of the ratings that the show brings, and yet because he expresses his own opinion you ban him from the show. How hypocritical!

http://twitter.com/VFWd/status/392418484069490688

Geek Alabama is read by many media officials around the country. I hope this article gets shared by many people! Geek Alabama talks about a lot of family things from TV shows, games, movies, events, and more! If more networks and websites would concentrate on family things, more people would watch and read you! It’s that simple!

Sign the Change.ore petition to the A&E Networks to bring back Phil Robertson at: https://www.change.org/petitions/a-e-networks-end-the-unjust-suspension-of-phil-robertson

Sign another petition with around 100,000 signatures at: http://istandwithphil.com/

Like the Bring Phil Back Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/BringPhilBack

Like the Support Phil Robertson and the Duck Dynasty family Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-Phil-Robertson-and-the-Duck-Dynasty-family/319275058214450?fref=tck