The inability of leftists to process language is exemplified by the big stink being raised by activist groups, and the decision by A&E Network to suspend Phil Robertson from the Duck Dynasty Show.
GLAAD and other leftist groups are whining a claim that Phil compared their sexual activities to bestiality. There is no such comparison. The statement which they could not understand audibly or in writing, was a listing of various practices (some of them not even pertaining to sex) which Christians regard as sinful.
The source of controversy comes from Phil’s interview with GQ Magazine from which these quotes were obtained.
First is a list of sexual practices which Christians are instructed to avoid as sin, with homosexual behavior being part of a broader list. No comparison is made here.
“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.”
If any leftists would like a lesson in how to identify or construct comparative sentences in English, Pharmer can help. (This blog is written by Pharmer only, on the fly, with no editorial assistance.)
Next came the much broader list of behaviors which Christians view as morally wrong and sinful. Note that, as above, that it contains both homosexual and heterosexual mis-behaviors as well as various other forms of sin.
“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. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
In all of the available interview material, Pharmer noted that Phil was entirely self consistent to address homosexual behavior only, and avoid any rejection or castigation of individuals simply because of homosexual orientation. Throughout the back and forth, the Robertson patriarch clearly demonstrated higher intelligence and facility with the language than did his critics. He also demonstrated a greater respect for human rights, and an understanding of his own function within Christianity.
Phil’s followup statement “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.”
The message that we get from the leftist activists and from A&E is that Christians are not to speak their beliefs in public. We directly experience their judgmental and oppressive nature.
A&E has forgotten the reason why millions of people even know they exist, and that reason is Duck Dynasty. The network execs do not realize that they need the Robertsons more than the Robertsons need them.
Pharmer has no cable television and never viewed anything from A&E before learning of Duck Dynasty. After that show ceases, there will be no reason to purchase anything else from that network. It’s likely that several million others feel the same way. We will be looking forward to future productions from the Duck Commander crew when they have freed themselves from A&E.
There is a need now, more than ever, for Christians to direct their financial resources towards those entities which tolerate or support their beliefs and lifestyle choices.
