Phil Robertson has been recorded in another statement against homosexuality, and many believe the Duck Dynasty star, who barely escaped with his job after a previous rant, could actually be fired this time around.
This week video surfaced from an Easter Sunday sermon in which Robertson addressed the controversy surrounding his January suspension from the A&E series. In late 2013 Robertson made several anti-gay and racially insensitive comments during an interview with GQ, and after an ensuing controversy he was briefly suspended from the popular Duck Dynasty show.
In the newest comments, Phil Robertson said the controversy was misplaced and doubled down on his comments condemning gays.
“They were mad at me… Because instead of acknowledging their sin, like you had better do, they rail against me for giving ’em their truth about their sin,” he said. “Don’t deceive yourselves. You want the verse? The news media didn’t even know it was a verse. They thought I was just mouthing off.”
As noted in The Independent , Robertson then went on to cite a contentious bible verse.
“Is homosexual behaviour a sin? Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived,” he said.
“Neither the sexually immoral, neither the idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, not slanderers, not swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Though he barely skated by in the first controversy, many believe Phil Robertson will be fired for the latest rant. They note that the atmosphere is tilting increasing toward tolerance, and television networks are afraid to support individuals or causes that go against this idea.
Many point to Rochester, New York, where a pair of morning radio show hosts were abruptly fired this week after an on-air rant against transgendered individuals.
Others believe that Robertson returned from suspension on a short leash from A&E, and that his latest actions will likely mean a dismissal.
Blogger Perez Hilton also notes the curious timing of the release, which comes just before the show’s sixth season starts.
“We don’t doubt that Phil truly believes that homosexuality is a sin but we can’t help but find it interesting that he makes ANOTHER controversial statement about gays just as his reality series’ sixth season is about to debut,” a report notes.
It’s still not known if Phil Robertson will be fired for the latest rant, however. A&E has yet to issue a statement on the Duck Dynasty star.