Phil Robertson has helped turn Duck Dynasty become the most popular and family friendly reality show on television, but that could be in jeopardy after the Robertson family patriarch made some anti-gay comments in a recent interview.
In the interview, Robertson talked about how society has come to accept and even embrace sinful behavior. When asked what that behavior entailed, he answered:
“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.”
In the interview with GQ , Phil Robertson went on to quote the Bible in condemning what he saw as sinful behavior.
“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,” he said. “Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
Phil Robertson wasn’t done there. The Duck Dynasty star brought on more controversy by saying he couldn’t comprehend homosexuality and saw it as unnatural.
“It seems to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man’s anus,” Robertson explained. “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.”
The backlash to his comments was almost immediate. GLAAD issued a statement saying that his statement’s “fly in the face of what true Christians believe” and calling on advertisers to rethink their support of A&E and Duck Dynasty .
“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,” said GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz.
Phil Robertson added that he would never judge others, saying that task belongs to God.
“We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus — whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists,” he said. “We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?”
But Phil Robertson quickly clarified his remarks. In a statement issued through A&E, the Duck Dynasty star said he was a product of the “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll” culture of the 1960s and now only aims to spread the word of Christ. He said he “would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me,” adding, “I love all of humanity.”