Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty made some anatomical comparisons that were crude, but that isn't the real controversy here. The real issue is religious intolerance, and it shouldn't be tolerated.
He has a right to free speech and that includes his opinions on religion, life, marriage ...and ducks.
I agree. I feel it wasn't the Robertson man who was being attacked, it was our Lord Jesus! As Christians, we must show love and tolerance to those who oppose us, yet always hold tight to the Word; that is Truth!!
ReplyDeleteAmen
DeleteAmen Josh, amen. I agree #istandwithphil
ReplyDeleteA couple of years ago my brother Jeff and I were on our way to Mobile, Alabama. Our father Richard had injured himself and was on the burn ward there. My father has become very debilitated with Parkinson's, which has progressed over the past 8 years to the point were he is now, other than for brief periods, bed ridden. As the disease progressed he became weaker and weaker; at times he would injure himself, this was one of those times. He had gotten into a bath tube in a hotel in Pensacola, FL, and had turned on the hot water; he was unable to turn on the cold water, nor get out of the bath tube, nor turn off the hot water. His feet became badly burned from the near boiling water. My brother Jeff and I met up in Shreveport, LA to take the long drive together to Mobile, AL, in order transport our parents back to Texas. We knew that my father and Phil Robertson had gone to college together, so as we came into West Monroe, LA, we decided to stop by Duck Commander, it was a Sunday, so they were closed, but while we were in the parking lot Phil surprisingly came out of the building. My parents, Phil and Kay were all neighbors during college. My father the star of the basketball team, Phil the star of the football team, they knew of one another, but were not friends. We told Phil that we were on the way to Mobile to see our father, he remembered him and was very concerned about his situation. He offered us his prayers of support and wanted to know if there was anything he could do. We knew when talking to Phil that he loved God as well as his neighbor. A simple man, not at all simple in intelligence, but simple in spirit. A humble, gentle, and merciful man; without pretension or arrogance of any sort. I would like to, as Phil did for us that day, when we needed it. Offer my families prayers of support to both Phil and the entire Robertson family. May The Lord of glory, Jesus the Christ the Son of the Living God provide you all with strength of faith and character as you go through this difficult and very public trial.
ReplyDeleteI wish Josh Duggar and FRC would keep absolutely quiet about Duck Dynasty. I hate to say it, but anything they touch politically turns to dust. Not one of the candidates they have endorced politically has won--all have lost. The Robertson's don't need downers. They have 1.7 million Facebook followers and counting without the negative publicity. I say this in all love for the Duggars and the FRC; just that their track record speaks for itself. Some people equate them with hate.
ReplyDeleteAMEN. And ya know what else?? The Lord is using this for good. So many people are hearing about this and thinking about what they actually believe.
ReplyDeleteThis country is so full of "tolerance" but they don't tolerate people with opposing views. It's sick, and the government needs our prayers.
You absolutely have freedom of speech, but you do not have the right to a guaranteed audience or freedom from criticism or freedom from private sector consequences.The First Amendment only guarantees the government can't oppress you for your opinions, it does not dictate to private entities what they can and cannot do in regards to the words that come out of your mouth.
ReplyDeleteamen Josh!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely it is their show and this is a free speech country
ReplyDeletei second that!
ReplyDeletePhil seems like a great guy who found God and isn't going to get pushed around by the immoral people running cable television. More power to him!
ReplyDeleteJosh and FRC are known as hate groups against gays. Josh and FRC need to stay away from commenting on the Robertson's in order to not inflict them more harm. I know Josh's intentions are good and pure, but "it is what it is" and the Robertson's don't need publicity that could be negative for them.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more.
ReplyDeletewell said
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right,Josh,thank you! Elizabeth Jones
ReplyDeleteJust a quick question... do the Duggars do Christmas trees? :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI believe he does have the right to his opinion but he just needed to word it with a little more Christian compassion. A Christian loves everyone no matter what and never judges or puts them down. It's not our place to tell someone whether or not they are going to hell. That's up to God. I love all and respect all including people who choose to live a different lifestyle than me and I let God deal with the rest. By putting down someone or bashing their lifestyle only hurts that person and I refuse to be part of anyone who hurts others.
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder Josh, if you would feel the same way if one of your children, or siblings, were gay....Freedom of speech does not equate discrimination, regardless of spiritual beliefs. God created us ALL in his image, including those who are born gay.
ReplyDeleteSin that is chosen...born gay lol
Deleteright on josh!
ReplyDeleteGood for you Michelle. You are absolutely correct. Whilst I'm not speculating, the law of averages dictates that at least one of the Duggar family will be gay. Whether or not they feel comfortable enough to accept that themselves (never mind share the fact) is worrying.
ReplyDeleteI did post a comment that was not profane, derogatory, or in poor taste, but it didn't make the cut here. I pointed out that out of all the candidates the Duggars have campaigned for have lost their elections. Not one has won. I wonder why I am being sought out after for negating this pages judgement to not have my say.
ReplyDeleteI just read it. It is a few quotes back.
DeleteRead Phil's comments again. HE never judged anybody.
ReplyDeleteI want to ask TLC why they can post this question and A&E cannot post the same question?
ReplyDeleteRegardless of your opinion on gays, The show was based around this family that AMC knew was interesting AND.....religious. So, you kind of have to take the good with the controversy sometimes.
ReplyDeleteWell said!!!
ReplyDelete@Anonymous I don't think so I've never seen one.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteWhen I read Phil's comments, he said exactly that. "Never ever presume to say who would or would not go to heaven and as Christians it is our job to love everyone". Those statements seem to be left out of the controversy. I presume they do not support the position of the "pot-stirrers "
He was asked his opinion on a loaded question, he answered it honestly & it has nothing to do with the show. It's what he believes is right from wrong based on what the bible says. Jesus died for all sinners.
ReplyDeleteIt is irrelevant whether you agree or disagree with Phil or Josh. What is relevant is that Phil can speak what is in his mind and his heart just like I or anyone else can. Men & women fought and died for that freedom. That is the same freedom that allows men and women who are gay to express themselves. We can hate sin without hating the sinner. If people would slow down and read the REST of Phil's interview, they would see that he feels the same way.
ReplyDeleteEven though Phil gave an honest and blunt answer to the question he wasn't judging people-he only spoke the truth. The Gentlemen's Quarterly knew he was a Christian and were trying to catch him in his words. He wasn't afraid to say what he said and I am glad that he feared God rather than man. So what if he gets suspended, he said what he said and he can't and probably won't take it back. The truth was spoken and many people heard it.
ReplyDeleteAre we so used to people sweet-talking us and flattering us that when someone does say something blunt and to the point we count it as crude? Governor Bobby Jindal stated "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.” I agree with what he says and if you don't like what someone says on the radio or tv you have the freedom to change to something else just like Phil has the freedom to speak the truth. The only thing you don't have the freedom to do is restrict another persons freedom.
Last but not least, what if a Muslim or Buddhist said what Phil said? Would they be suspended for speaking the truth?or would they be allowed to continue their program all in the name of "tolerance"? Just think about it...
While I fully support Mr. Robertson's right to express his religious view and to believe them, he is under contract with A&E and the issue is not his homophobic opinion, it was the comparison between a consensual and loving adult relationship to that of violating an animal against its will. That was the problem. Stop bringing faith into it please. This doesn't always have to be construed as a "war on religion" as people claim it is.
ReplyDeleteI think it is important to remember that Phil has a right to Freedom of Speech. Meaning he has a right to say what he wants without fear of being arrested or jailed. This does not mean that the can say whatever he wants without any consequences. People have a right to exercise their freedom of speech by responding to him as they see fit. His network has a right to terminate his contract if his words have caused him to be in violation of it in any way. If the contract stipulates that he can be fired without cause then they can fire him for whatever reason they want. This has nothing to do with religious persecution and more to do with the fact that people only want the speech of those who believe as they believe to be protected and the speech of all others to be censored.
ReplyDeleteAre you saying there should be a separation of our faith from our lives? Should we let people go about their business all the while knowing they are at the brink of disaster (or about to fall off a cliff)? Would not telling them be counted as loving them or would you love a person enough to tell them the truth?
ReplyDelete@Anonymous I agree with you.
ReplyDelete@shirliejo61 I'm sorry, but with something like being gay, or not-straight, hating the sin is basically the same thing as hating the person. You are hating the "sin" that arises when the person is their true self; how can that not be hating the person? These things are intrinsically tied together.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous You can like someone all you want, but that doesn't mean you have to like the choices they have made. Hating someone and hating the sin they are committing doesn't have to go hand in hand.
ReplyDeleteI am gay, I live with my partner in NW AR. I agree, Phil has freedom of speech just like any other American. He was asked a question and he expressed himself honestly. Unlike others i know, I don't have any issues with this. I live my life quietly, I don't bother anyone, I am an honest and law abiding citizen. I, like anyone else, don't like to be judged. If that's what people thought he was doing, that is also their right to "speak" what they feel. I have my own views and regardless of what anyone else thinks or believes, I have my own personal relationship with God. People can speak their beliefs just like I can, if I choose to do so. Just because they do, doesn't necessarily mean you have to follow that belief. We will all stand before God one day and only we are responsible for what we bring to him...
ReplyDeleteOk, so here is my stands on this. If it quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it must be a duck. I don't see Christ spirit in the men of duck dynasty. "By their fruits you shall know them.." I've seen them cuss, use crude language and dress worldly. Is that what God uses as a testimony in this modern world? I don't think so, actually I know so. Read you Bible, look at God's standards in every day living. If you live under his roof you better abide by His rules!
ReplyDelete.. and ducks XD nice job Josh LOL
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteThank you - Jesus showed mercy and kindness. Let's follow his example.
If you want tolerance of religion, you must also practice tolerance yourself. Josh's statement is hypocritical. He's asking for religious tolerance and in the same breath is saying that religious INTOLERANCE should not be tolerated. Tolerance comes at a price ladies and gentlemen. If you're not prepared to practice it yourselves, you don't deserve to ask for any. The people who don't like Mr. Robertson's statement and are anti-religion have every single right to be that way, same as Mr. Robertson. Stop being hypocrites. You're not impressing anyone.
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ReplyDeleteThey are not born gay its the school telling kids that they have a choice. And we can't let are loved ones go so easily we can pray.
ReplyDeleteI agree with josh on gay marriages. But why isnt phil's comments about Blacks addressed? I dont agree with phil on that.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm late adding this. Phil Robertson said nothing wrong. The problem is that people now a days need to be coddle every time somebody says something because they get offended. People can live their lives how they feel is right for them. I am entitled to my opinion and I am entitled to voice my opinion. I am entitled to disagree and people don't seem to understand that. There is a lot of religious intolerance on both sides, and it should not be tolerated at all. Some Christians think atheist are trying push their agenda and its vice versa. I am not a religious person myself but I would never disrespect people who are because I want the same respect. Robertson should not have been suspended A&E could have just said his statements do not agree with out views and that's it.
ReplyDeleteFreedom of speech applies to all even those you disagree with. We may not be able to chose our feelings but we can chose to rise above them and lead them instead of allowing them to lead us. Just because you hear a statement and the initial thing you feel is offense does not mean you have to act on that. That is how these debates begin. One person feels offended and so they in turn say something offensive and so on. I believe josh is right to stand for Phil's right to speech. That is a constitutional right and that is what the Frc stands for. We are human. Sometimes we word things wrong. Sometimes we get trapped in our words. Sometimes we just plain mess up. It does not mean we all need to react out of pure emotion and continue to point fingers and judge one another. Try choosing to disagree without being offended. Try rising above.
ReplyDeleteagree with you
ReplyDeleteamen Josh
ReplyDeletei know im late adding this but i just was reading these comments. i totally agree with Josh and he was not hypacrytical he said religious intolerance should not be tolerated and it shouldnt be in a free country especially a "christian" country Phil should have the freedom to voice his beliefs without so much controversy. also to the one who said you seen the robertsons cuss and swear etc? did you actually see them in person doing that??? i doubt it because they dont. on their show there have been fake bleeps where their producers were actually putting them in to make it look like they were cussin when they werent when the robertsons found out about it they put a stop to it. they used to fight b4 becoming christians but they do not anymnore infact their film crew asked them to for the show and they wouldnt. as far as dressing wordly that they do...but alot of christians do that doesnt make it right but they obviously dont see anything wrong with it. and last but not least THEY ARE VERY GODLY PEOPLE!!!! you obviously have not listened to their testimonies powerful testimonies and very real. and their books also show their faith but i would encourage you to look them up on youtube there is one called 1 am second the robertsons and some give their testimonies also there is tyestimonies on there of employees and just people in the area who where converted by them. they have their problems but they probably made a bigger impact than you or i on this world for good.
ReplyDeleteIt's been my experience, that the most ardent claims of 1st Amendment rights violations, come from the people who understand the least about their 1st Amendment rights. Phil Robertson's rights have been neither violated nor upheld. No American citizen has ever had a legal protection from criticism to his words or consequences of his actions.
ReplyDeleteare they saying that duck dynisty is good or bad? some one answer me pleeeeze
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