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| Duck Dynasty - Photo Credit: Parade.com |
What did the network think? That these self-proclaimed Christians were going to deny their beliefs? Go against their faith? That they were going to put up and shut up?
That in itself is proof that the executives at A&E don't understand Christianity at all.
Following Jesus Christ is not about convenience. It's not the least bit convenient. It's about believing what truth is. Living in the truth isn't easy. Christians and Catholics live a harder path. It's harder to do right than to just do okay. People, we mere humans, don't get to decide what is a sin and what isn't.
Well, that's the question that Phil Robertson was answering. Or more accurately, he was trying to explain what his understanding of sin is, in the way that it matters in his life.
According to Wikipedia:
On December 18, 2013, A&E announced that it was suspending Phil Robertson from the show indefinitely over remarks he made during an interview with Drew Magary of GQ magazine.[64] During the interview for a featured article in GQ's January 2014 issue, titled "What the Duck?", Magary asked Robertson: "What, in your mind, is sinful?"[65] Robertson replied:
"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." Continuing rhetorically, Robertson questioned the appeal of same-sex relationships, particularly amongst men, saying: "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.”[66]
A&E released a statement that read: "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."[64]
Christians and Catholics don't have the luxury of just shrugging their shoulders and saying, "Well, okay. Whatever you want, I guess." We are called to stand up and defend what is right, what is true.
Sure it's convenient to acknowledge that times have changed, and these days, sex before marriage is normal, so if it's normal it must not be a sin, and those Christians and Catholics ought to just get with the times.
Myself, I've struggled with the Church's position on homosexuality. I have friends who are gay. They are wonderful people and I love them. That's not to say that I don't believe the act of homosexuality is sinful. (note the distinction: the act, not the condition is sin.) Likewise, I have friends who are straight who have lived together, presumably sexually active prior to their marriage. I love them too. I have friends who sleep with most of the people they date, committed or not. I think THAT is really messed up. But I love them.
I'm a sinner too. Yet I am loved.
But here's what I don't understand about how the media spins these kinds of things out of proportion.
Christians are pretty clear about what they know to be sinful.
When we say we don't believe in premarital sex, when we point out that extra-marital affairs are sinful - secular society just points and laughs and calls us ridiculous. See above, we're just supposed to get with the times.
They write us off as lunatics and get on with their lives.
So why is it, when Christians point out that homosexuality is a sin - people get fired? It's called hate speech and people start drawing up lawsuits.
Why don't they just write Christians off as silly, self-righteous fools and ignore them then?
I have some ideas. What are yours?
