Phil Robertson, star of Duck Dynasty, was recently asked in a GQ interview “what is sinful?” Here’s what he said:
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…It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s anus. 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.
A&E, which airs Duck Dynasty, responded with the following statement:
We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty. His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.
As I said during the Chick-fil-A debacle last year, these views are not my views, and they may or may not be yours, but they are not radical. They also do not constitute “hate.” It’s disappointing that A&E thinks it’s a good idea to react so swiftly and punitively.
I’ve never seen the show. I just barely know what it’s about. Given what I’ve read about it in the wake of this controversy, though, this suspension may turn out to be a poor business decision. Of course if asked, I suspect A&E would insist it’s merely taking the most principled of stands without such crass regard for the bottom line.
Naturally, this situation has triggered all of the usual politically correct bleating from all of the usual corners. And is there any less self-aware person than one mercilessly setting upon those with differing views in the name of tolerance?
I’m tired of our society’s obsession with sexuality, but I’m much more tired of tongue-clucking and finger-wagging being our national pastimes. Folks, discomfort is kind of the defining characteristic of tolerance. You don’t have to be “tolerant” of things you like.
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