There is a time to just be quiet. It appears as though members of the popular series 'Duck Dynasty' are about t find that out.
http://tv.yahoo.com/...
The stars of "Duck Dynasty" might be America's most popular TV family, but that could change very soon — because Phil Robertson has made some seriously divisive anti-gay remarks that have sparked instant backlash.
Speaking with GQ, Robertson lamented that when "everything is blurred on what's right and what's wrong ... sin becomes fine." So just what qualifies as sinful in his book?
"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," he declared.
It would be great if that's as far as it went, but it isn't...
Phil probably should have cut himself off at this point (considering he's a national TV star), but instead he paraphrased Corinthians. "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 warned. "Don't deceive yourself. It's not right."
What's more, according to him, it's basically incomprehensible. "It seems to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man's anus," he 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."
(Interview is via GQ)
GLAAD issued an immediate statement.
http://www.usatoday.com/...
GLAAD has issued a statement condemning the remarks as "littered with outdated stereotypes and blatant misinformation."
Says GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz: "Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil's lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe. 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. Phil's decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to re-examine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families."
This morning, Robertson responded.
Robertson has issued a statement in response:
"I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together.
"However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other."
I love an apology that DOES NOT APOLOGIZE in any way for anythign that was said. In fact, he goes on and bolsters what was said by making inferences about 'needing to hit rock bottom' (do gays need to hit 'rock bottom?') and that he feels it's a duty to preach.
A textbook non-apology.
This should come as no surprise considering Duck Dynasty has been filled with this kind of rhetoric... including moments of referring to women as being 'destroyed' by pregnancy, and sacrificing all of their life goals to be married.
This is just another step down that road of bad logic and giving some people too much rope.
I was reminded of this a few weeks ago with this Facebook meme:
Wherein 'wisdom' of Duck Dynasty infers:
* Women change their name (or are forced too)... my wife kept her last name.
* Women get 'destroyed' by pregnancy... the implication they aren't the same, and now 'less than' (destroyed?)
* Gets pregnant for you.. in other words, a woman has no will of her own to decide these things, they only do these things at someone else's bidding.
* Kids bare your name.. again, not always true. (but I do like the use of 'devilers' in the meme error)
If I ever want dumb, fake 'wisdom' it looks like I can turn to these dolts.