Future of Duck Dynasty show on A&E in limbo as Robertson family fires back

Duck Dynasty
I stand with Duck Dynasty.

You’ve heard all about the “controversy” surrounding Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson and his comments about homosexuality (and other sins, which is ignored in all this). As a result, the elder Robertson was suspended from being filmed in future episodes while A&E mulled their options. Well, the Robertson family has responded, casting doubt on the future of the show – at least in terms of whether or not it will be on the A&E channel, anyway (bolded emphasis added by me):

We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support.Β  The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E’s decision.Β  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.Β  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: β€œLove the Lord your God with all your heart” and β€œLove 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.Β  We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty.Β Β  Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.

Good for them. Β This “outrage” surrounding this is just the latest in a long line of examples where political correctness has absolutely gotten out of control. Β Phil Robertson is an older man – a southern Redneck – who is never going to come across filtered nor polished, and who speaks of things through that prism, and no matter the “coarse” way he spoke it, what he said about Biblical scripture as it relates to ALL sin was absolutely true.

Have we really come to the point in America where talking openly about sin is, oddly enough, blasphemous? I guess so, if the sin we’re talking about is homosexuality. Β This is fascinating, considering the intolerant, bigoted, anti-Christian gay left (who we can blame for how this escalated) always complain that Christians only single out homosexuality when talking about sin. Well, in this case, Phil Robertson didn’t – he spoke of all sin, and for that, he was called a “liar” by GLAAD and other gay left groups who have deemed themselves the arbiters of what is and isn’t sin and what should and shouldn’t be discussed in the public sphere as it relates to it. Β My personal opinion is that these types of groups can, quite simply, kiss my a**.

How did we get to the point where discussion of sin so openly – especially homosexuality – has become virtually taboo? A number of things: First, political correctness, which is the root of much of the problems we deal with today. Β We can’t talk openly and candidly about a number of issues out of “fear” of “offending” someone (but it’s ok to offend Christians, of course). Β As a result of having to ignore reality in favor of a sanitized version of “how things are”, these issues – like the welfare state, for example – continue to get worse, and in turn make more and more Americans resentful of each other. Β Secondly, left wing advocacy groups who, as I described earlier, think it’s their right and moral obligation to control both the narrative and the parameters of the debate. Β America has largely let them – again, out of a fear of “offending”, and as a result any pushback against these groups is characterized as “hateful” “mean-spirited” or “intolerant – or all of the above.

Thirdly, and perhaps most disturbingly, is the rise of well-meaning high profile pastors who preach a filtered, neuteredΒ version of the word of God, omitting the concept of sin as they attempt to be “inclusive” types who welcome “diverse groups” into the church. I’m a strong proponent of using new ways to attract people into the church, but not if it comes at the expense of ignoring or glossing over sin. Β Without sin, there might as well be no Bible at all. Because teaching the Bible without focusing on sin equates to the belief that there are no consequences for sinful behavior in the future, and Bible-believing folks know better.

And so does God, of course.

Anyway, what does the future hold for the TV show Duck Dynasty, a show grounded in Southern traditions and the Christian faith – something A&E knew full well and good well in advance of the debut of the show? Only the Robertson family can make that decision, but I pray that they remain faithful not only to their Christian beliefs but also to the family patriarch Phil. Because backing down even one inch against A&E and the perpetually offended gay left would just add another nail in the coffin of honest public debate, not to mention would continue to perpetuate the myth that openly talking and preaching about sin is wrong. Β We’ve gone down the wrong road on this for long enough.

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