Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson and the A&E Television Network have entered what has transpired into quite the battle. Obviously, the comments that Phil Robertson made about the Gay & Lesbian community have caused controversy about specific constitutional rights. It is not a secret that Phil Robertson is a man of faith considering his, “Faith, Family, and Ducks” motto. After spending some time reading the full context, I can only assume that GQ instigated this controversy. When you ask a devoted Christian his personal beliefs on a specific controversial subject, do you seriously expect him to proclaim anything other than the foundational truths of his beliefs? I believe Phil Robertson said what needed to be said, as most celebrities would have coddled their answers to the views of the world. Phil Robertson said it best, “It’s a TV show. This thing ain’t gonna last forever”. This demonstrates his faith in the returning Lord and his understanding that the only thing that is eternal is the Lord, Jesus Christ. Plus, let’s be real. Phil Robertson was a millionaire before “Duck Dynasty” ever piloted due to his “Duck Commander” enterprise that manufacturers duck calls. A&E needs Phil Robertson more than Phil Robertson needs A&E.
The media never tried to censor the famous Chemistry Teacher turned Methamphetamine Drug Lord, Walter White, but they sure did censor the “Uneducated”, “Backwoods Redneck”, Phil Robertson.
(I am aware that Phil Robertson is highly educated. That is a sarcastic statement in order to draw attention to the comparison of the fictional persona of “Walter White” and the portrayal of Phil Robertson in the show.)
In a previous blog, I mentioned that there is a double standard in regards to tolerance. Please allow me to demonstrate or elaborate on that. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Now, I am not a lawyer, but I am pretty sure that Phil Robertson’s dismissal could be in violation of such legislation considering A&E is technically the Robertson’s employer. However, as liberal as our judicial system has become, the case would be dismissed before reaching the Louisiana Supreme Court. Moving on. When an openly gay employee has conversation or makes public their personal lifestyle, society must be understanding and show no sign of discrimination. Agreed. However, on the other hand, if a straight heterosexual employee makes a comment expressing their personal convictions about homosexuality, immediately they are a bigot and must be disciplined. Phil Robertson was asked about his personal beliefs, regardless of his celebrity status, he is an American citizen that has the right to speak freely without fear of persecution. Just as the constitution governs all people so does the Bible. Phil Robertson was very clear in his explanation that he does not pass judgment and reiterates that “judgment” is passed by the Lord.
Recently, the news was in uproar over the actions and comments of the former Disney Channel favorite Miley Cyrus, or better known as Hannah Montana. Miley Cyrus went on to claim, that she is free to express herself in any way she desires because it is her life and her right to do so. Fair Enough. Though her actions could have been offensive to women and obscene to children it was suddenly marked as her freedom of expression. Obviously, there are multitudes of other examples but she seemed to fit the bill. Phil Robertson was asked to “express” himself in verbal context and due to the “offensive nature” of his comments he is now suspended. If you cannot handle the answer, do not ask the question. It makes no sense, that Christians cannot openly believe in God or stand on their beliefs without the “world” being tolerant as they so demand from others. The Bible says that believers are not of this world and those that follow Him will endure great trials, however we cannot relent on what we are commanded to do, seek the Lord and make disciples.
Just about every week in the news there is a mass shooting, natural disaster, or some sort of unspeakable act of terrorism. Phil Robertson mentioned repentance and if the whole world would love God, things would change. God is Holy, and therefore cannot touch that of uncleanliness. Everyone should be able to agree that the world we live in, is far from clean and needs a savior. The good news is, that savior died for you and me over two thousand years ago on an old rugged cross and rose again on the third day. Do not mistake my tolerance for understanding. Though I do not pass judgment, that does not mean that I will refrain from sharing the word of God with you. So, to put it in short.
If you want the world to “self heal” and change. We need more Phil Robertson’s and less Miley Cyrus’.
“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” – John 15:19
Faith. Family. Fitness. 
Everyone should be allowed to support their faith. I don’t dispute that fact. Remember that we’re talking about the repercussions of differing opinion. There should not be any repercussions for person A telling you how they are going to live their own life, and that makes sense. There SHOULD BE repercussions for Person B telling Person A how to live their life, and that makes sense.
If person B simply states: “I will not live as a homosexual because I believe it is a sin” Then that’s OK.
However, If person B states: “Hey Person A! You cannot live as a homosexual because I believe it is a sin” Then that is NOT OK and Person B should see some form of consequence.
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The comment that launched a million tweets:
“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.”–Phil Robertson
Wow.
That was so…………….. NON-inflammatory, from THIS female’s point of view.
That was, indeed, less-crude and less-graphic than Miley Cyrus’ infamous twerk.
Miley, half-naked… with her tongue hanging out… like a bitch in-heat… Cyrus.
She received accolades for being ‘bold,’ ‘creative,’ ‘unconventional.’
Phil Robertson gets crucified for being ‘true,’ ‘honest’ and ‘politically incorrect.’
“It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”
It’s sure as hell NOT.
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“It seems like, to me, a belief system based on evidence and research – as a human – would be more desirable than fairy tales about zombie messiahs and talking snakes.. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! It’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, religion: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.” – a critical thinker.
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When did Christianity and Faith become about oppression instead of forgiving others?
Religious freedom doesn’t mean “I get to dehumanize others who don’t share my beliefs and take away their rights”; it means you can believe what you want to believe, and that is your right.
As for Miley, what has she done to you? I guess she didn’t dress the way you want a woman to, didn’t act the way you want a woman to, and therefore deserves to be “judged” just like anyone who isn’t heterosexual, right?
I thought this was America. I thought we could dress how we want and express ourselves how we want.
Have you ever noticed that Jesus didn’t condemn anyone based on their sexuality? That was a bunch of stuff Paul said later, and said “It’s scripture because it’s in the book and anything in this book is true therefore if I said it’s in this book it’s true” (The equivalent of “I read it on the internet, they can’t put anything on the internet that’s not true. It said so on the internet” logic)
And lastly, this bit: “Phil Robertson mentioned repentance and if the whole world would love God, things would change.”
Why do you interpret that as “Let’s treat everyone like subhumans if they don’t act like us; that’ll convince them to love God”? Oh that’s right, that’s the logic that led to the crusades and every other religious war in history. School shootings will be the least of our worries if you try to convert the whole world to one religious belief. Even Christians can’t get along with other Christians. Have you heard of Northern Ireland?
So stop acting like oppression is the answer. That’s where dictators come from.
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The Bible is the Word of God and therefore everything in it is Truth. To compare it to the internet is comparing apples to oranges. If this is America and “we could dress how we want and express ourselves how we want,” why can’t Phil Robertson express himself by saying that he thinks something is sin?? He is simply saying that he thinks homosexuality is wrong, not that all who do it are evil people. I don’t know how many Christians you know, but I can think of maybe one or two Christians that I know that actually dislike homosexuals (that is, they don’t just dislike homosexuality, but also those who practice it) and I think that they are wrong to think that way. I hate homosexuality, but I do NOT hate homosexuals. Just like I don’t hate people who practice other things that I believe are sin. And to your other point; no, Christians are not perfect. We argue, we fight, we are human too. The difference is that we have a calling to be like Christ and to love others and that is something that someone who is really walking with God is striving for. If we are not doing that, than we are in sin also. If anyone hates or oppresses a homosexual, they are wrong to do so. However, you have to be more discerning on what you call hate and oppression. Phil Robertson (and many others who say that homosexuality is wrong) was not hating on or oppressing homosexuals. He was simply stating his personal/religious beliefs. And he has EVERY RIGHT to do so. He has the right of Free Speech. So, in the future, you should be careful before applying strong words like “hate” and “oppression” to someone’s comments. God bless.
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Jon Denner,
To say that a certain activity is “sin” is to equate it with being immoral or unethical. To call someone’s behavior sin (especially if it’s a behavior associated with what they do behind closed doors with the people they love) is to call that person an immoral or unethical person who deserves to burn in hell because they’re not in your little fanclub. If you think it’s so easy to give up being homosexual, please change your sexuality for a year just to prove how easy it is to switch teams. Lead by example or get out of the way.
Bye hater. Bye oppressor.
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Jon Denner: I like your post, it is thoughtful and falls in line with Christian values. However, In defence of Katie’s “Internet” comment could you please answer the following question.
How do you know that the Bible is the word of God and everything in it is Truth?
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Jesus kept the Law and told others to do so. That would be Old Testament instruction which included condemnation of homosexuality. Also,remember that Jesus is God incarnate and fully ‘wrote’ the Law to begin with. John 1:1-5
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So the Bible is the unquestioned word of God because the Bible tells you so? If you believe this then I have some products to sell you, sure they’re expensive but they have genuine “Made in Heaven by God” tags in them. So…come buy them.
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1 Corinthians 11:14, “Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him”
Matthew 19:24, “Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
(The same parable is told in Mark 10:25 and Luke 18:25)
If all you do is treat the word of God like a salad bar, we can call anyone a sinner. But for some reason, you don’t see people saying “Long hair should be illegal on men because it’s a sin!” or “Rich people shouldn’t be allowed to get married because being rich is unnatural and a SIN!” Stop being tools, realize that 99% of what you see on television is a lie or a false prophet. Satan has dominion over the world of the living and the power to create false rabbis, kings, and prophets (as in the days of Baal)
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How dare you write that Phil himself has homosexual tendencies! Please identify your sources or correct this immediately! (Just wanted to join those correcting you for what you did not write)
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But the Dixie chicks could be fired! Say what you want, but be prepared to pay the price for your opinions.
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As an American, he has a right to say what he wants. As a Right To Work country, A&E has a right to fire him. As a Christian, I have a right to say his heart is full of hate for a group of people, and I am fighting like hell to get my athiest friends to understand that his beliefs are not Christian. I am losing (or Christianity is losing) as they see millions of Christians defend this man’s unchristian like beliefs instead of caring for those struggling with their sexuality and in need of our God. I’m a pretty sure Jesus would correct Phil midspeech and teach him how to show love and grace. In case you don’t know yet what lies deep whin Phil, Robertson says that “men who have sex with men, and women who have sex with women, will receive the “due penalty for their perversions.” He goes on to say that they are full of “murder, envy, strife, hatred. They are insolent, arrogant, god-haters. They are heartless. They are faithless. They are senseless. They are ruthless. They invent ways of doing evil.”
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i read these posts and begin to feel anger….until i’m reminded that i am just as broken as each of them and if it wasn’t for the amazing grace of Christ that i too would still be sending myself towards a horrible eternal seperation from God who loves me beyond comprehension yet refuses to compromise His holiness by approving of my sin. i’m heterosexual, not homosexual, but just like the homesexual i too perverted the truths of God. and sin is simply that, a perversion of God’s truths. whether we like it or not, whether we find it logical or not, whether our emotions agree with it or not, whether we deny it or not, the truth will always be the He is God and we are not
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Wow, amazing blog. And Merry Christmas!
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