Hey ya'll!
So I know I just wrote a blog a few days ago but I feel like writing another one. So there's a lot of controversy going on with Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson and his recent belief statement. There's a lot of different opinions going around. "Phil doesn't know anything about homosexuals," "A&E is making a business decision," "A&E is making a huge mistake," "Phil shouldn't have said what he said", "Phil was just stating his opinions," etc.
Well, here's the thing, I'm not going to say what I think, just give a few points and leave it at that. So here it goes.
1) What kind of country are we if we aren't able to give our opinion?
Phil was not trying to offend anyone. He was asked a question and he answered it. There is nothing wrong with saying what we believe. I mean, come on isn't that what the first ammendment is? Giving us freedom of religion and freedom of speech? We live in America, not Iraq. Phil is not the first to disagree with homosexuals. There was a woman(I forgot her name) who spoke against homosexuals and she was cut down just as much as Phil is being cut down. The freedom of speech ammendment wasn't for government only, it was for every American citizen in the nation. If Phil wasn't supposed to say what he said then what was he supposed to say? A few months ago or so Phil spoke on abortion and it was an amazing message, but no one thought it was that big of a deal. He answers a simple question on sin, he chooses to make homosexuals and example and the nation has exploded. I mean, how are we to speak about things we believe if we're going to get attacked for it?
2) What is so wrong about how he said it?
Think about this, he's Phil Robertson. How do you expect him to say it. If you watch the show or know anything about the Robertsons, you'll know that they are very outspoken Christians and aren't shy about their beliefs. There are not a lot of TV stars that say they're Christians but don't live it out and let the world know. You can't expect a Robertson man to sit back and not openly speak about their Christian values and beliefs. I'm honestly not shocked that he said something. If he's bold enough to speak on abortion and all his other Christian beliefs then he's certainly not afraid to speak on homosexuality regardless of the outcome. Is he supposed to leave out one of his beliefs? Would you leave out something that you believe in or would you be afraid to speak your opinion?
3) Is A&E making a business decision or moral decision?
My pastor spoke on homosexuality a while ago and a statement that he made is, "Homosexuality is not a political issue, it's a theological issue." Yes A&E has to make business decisions that are going to keep them in business. If they feel like it's going to hurt their business then they have to do something. Trust me, my dad is a business man, and he's had to let a few people go based on business. But there's also a moral side to it. A&E was saying they were "disappointed" in Phil, and that they support gays and lesbians. Does that sound like a business issue or a moral issue to you? Yes they have to make a business decision so that they can continue to be in business and i know they're a secular business which is why I'm not shocked that they suspended Phil. We can't be shocked that a secular business suspended him because of belief issues. They're secualy, they don't know any better. Am I a little mad and upset? Sure, Duck Dynasty is my favorite show in the world. It's a family show, and Phil is part of the family. It won't be the same with out Phil. But i'm not that shocked. I probably would have been shocked if A&E was a Christian network system and they did that. But they're not and we have to deal with it. But at the same time as Christians, we have to look at it as a moral issue and think, do we really think this is just a business issue, or is there a moral issue behind it too?
4) Do we really go through life as Christians thinking we're not going to get persecuted?
Phil Robertson in a video said, "When we are living for Christ we will get persecuted." Christ said it himself as he walked on this earth. He himself was persecuted on the cross for what he stood for. It costs us to follow Christ and to live as He did. Phil probably had a feeling that some people probably wouldn't be to pleased with what he said. If he says it himself, then he's not expecting people to just sit back and be okay with it. Just because we live in America does not mean we won't be persecuted for living for Christ. What we have to decide for ourselves is even when we get persecuted, will we still follow Christ? Is he worth dying for? It's easy to answer those questions now, but what happens when we actually get to the point of deciding whether to please man or God? What will we decide? That's what every godly Christian, following Christ whole-heartedly has had to ask themselves and we have to ask ourselves that as well.
Anyways, there's my deal on the whole Phil Robertson deal. Will I stop watching Duck Dynasty? Heck no! There's nothing better than watching a new episode of Duck Dynasty every week with my family! So with that I hope ya'll have a Redneck Christmas!! :)
Anna Klein
