I’m sure everyone has heard about the controversy currently surrounding Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the popular television show Duck Dynasty. For those of you who haven’t heard about the situation…A&E has suspended Robertson after he made anti-gay comments during a recent interview with GQ magazine.
“It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s anus,” Robertson was quoted as saying. “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. 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 continued. “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 reviewing Robertson’s interview, A&E immediately suspended Robertson, causing extreme backlash from the show’s millions of fans. The network issued a statement that read: “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.”
However, a new source close to the situation, has revealed that Robertson will, in fact, be remaining on the show, and will be part of filming when it starts back in January. “There’s no negotiation to have; we’re doing the show,” the source said. “We’ll figure out a solution. It’s just not going to happen overnight. Everybody will take a break for the holidays and regroup afterward. That’s probably the smartest thing for everyone to do. Time heals a lot of wounds.”
The Robertson clan may not be persuaded that easily. Another source close to the family has revealed that they are “very serious” about leaving the show after having their beliefs threatened. “They’re an extremely tight-knit family and they’re not going to let this get in the way,” the source explains. “[Phil] is the reason for their success—they’re not going to abandon him. They’re also not about to let anyone threaten their religious beliefs.”
The family also released a statement saying they couldn’t imagine the show going forward without Robertson. Their statement read:
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.
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