Duck Dynasty Star Phil Robertson Suspended, Accurate Reporting Hard to Find

Well, we have tried to find an article fairly reporting on the situation leading to the suspension of Duck Dynasty’s patriarch, Phil Robertson, from the A&E hit show. But we give up.

In addition to labeling Robertson’s remarks as “anti-gay,” many outlets are reporting that Robertson compared homosexuality to bestiality. Time Entertainment subtitled its article “Phil Robertson had compared homosexuals to terrorists.”

Here are the offending quotes made by Phil Robertson directly from the GQ article:

“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.”

In response to the question, “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.”

And the terrorist part?

“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?”

In a statement obtained by The Huffington Post, GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) spokesperson Wilson Cruz said:

“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 reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families.”

What lies? The man stated his personal opinion and he said he believes in the passage from 1 Corinthians 6, verse 9. This is an epistle written to the Corinthians by Paul, the seventh book of the New Testament, and we have yet to see one news report mention that. Robertson then pointed out that he also subscribes to the Christian belief “Judge not, lest ye be judged.”

Swiftly responding to the distorted outrage, A&E issued the following statement:

“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 networks has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”

Do you know what’s absolutely crazy — Phil Robertson got suspended because he believes what is written in 1 Corinthians while at the same time, Pope Francis was just declared the Man of the Year! Does anybody think that Pope Francis does not believe this passage? The Pope was applauded this year for projecting a more tolerant attitude, criticizing the church for an obsession with gay, abortion and contraceptive issues. Yet he pointed out that the teaching of the (Roman Catholic) church “is clear and I am a son of the church, but it is not necessary to talk about these issues all the time.” Unless we are missing something, nowhere did Phil Robertson project an intolerant attitude and nowhere did he make the “comparisons” he has been accused of.