Phil Robertson's anti-gay remarks made headlines nationwide and got the "Duck Dynasty" star suspended from the reality TV series indefinitely, but some of the show's more conservative fans aren't having it.
A group called Faith Driven Consumer, described as "an organization connecting Christian consumers with faith-compatible companies," has launched a petition in defense of Robertson. The "I Stand With Phil" petition, which can be viewed here, calls for Robertson's reinstatement and currently has over 3,000 signatures.
"Mr. Robertson’s comments in GQ Magazine are simply reflective of a Biblical view of sexuality, marriage, and family -- a view that has stood the test of time for thousands of years and continues to be held by the majority of Americans and today’s world as a whole," the petition reads.
It continues:
Many members of the LGBT community may not agree with this view, but the notion that a free-thinking American should be discriminated against simply for expressing a perspective that is in conflict with another is patently un-American and flies in the face of true tolerance and civility. A&E's position, which in your own words is “championing” the gay and lesbian community — which I believe you have the freedom to do — excludes the views of Faith Driven Consumers and effectively censors a legitimate viewpoint held by the majority of Americans.
While the LGBT community may be offended by his opposing viewpoint, your rash, discriminatory, and unfair treatment toward Mr. Robertson — a recognized symbol of the faith community — is a slap in the face to Faith Driven Consumers and everyday Americans alike.
But Faith Driven Consumer isn't the only group defending Robertson's views. A second petition, simply titled "A&E: Bring Back Phil Robertson To Duck Dynasty," currently has over 2,500 signatures.
"We admire Mr Robertson for his old-school, refreshing, simple and straight-forward honesty," that petition, launched by a "Duck Dynasty" fan identified only as Stacey M., reads. "While you may not agree with his beliefs, punishing him for being a Christian who believes in the Bible and the fans of Duck Dynasty for them is persecution and down-right un-American."
It continues, "We don't fear gays, we disagree with their lifestyle, we love the sinner, yet hate the sin. We stand behind Mr Robertson's sentiments as they are straight from the Word of God. This country came about because of the need for religious and political freedom. Now in 2013 a Christian cannot state his beliefs, without being ostracized."
Robertson has been in hot water ever since making the comments in an interview with GQ Magazine.
“It seems like, to me, a vagina -- as a man -- would be more desirable than a man’s anus," Robertson told GQ. "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.”
“Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong. Sin becomes fine," he later added. “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. 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.”
You can read the full interview with Robertson here.
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