This morning as I was driving into work I heard something pretty disturbing: “Duck Dynasty star suspended for anti-gay remarks.”
REALLY??
Obviously, the news did not go on to tell the whole story, just that ‘Duck Dynasty’ star Phil Robertson had been indefinitely suspended from the A&E show. My curiosity was piqued.
As soon as I was able to look up the news article, I did. I heard a foxnews.com roundtable discussion on the matter and I was blown away at the ignorance of one of the commentators. “The fact that someone would equate the love I might have for another man with beastiality or a drunkard or adultery or something like this…certainly flies in the face of what it means to be Christian. What it means to be Christian is to treat others like you would want to be treated” (Direct quote from this video.)
The reason that Phil Robertson “equated” homosexuality with adultery, drunkenness, and beastiality is because to him it’s all the same. It’s all against what God teaches us in His Word…which is sin. It’s black and white…no room for gray. He drew a line in what his faith teaches…so is that bad? For those of you who feel like Christians are intolerant, take a look in the mirror first. Are you intolerant of Christianity? TRUE Christians love everyone. It doesn’t matter your race, sexual orientation, beliefs, or the family you are from…there is no justification of hate toward anyone!
Here is why I really believe Mr. Robertson was pretty much fired: He talks too much about Jesus. Yep, I said it. Why do I feel this way? Let’s look back at a couple other issues that came out from Phil himself:
I am referencing a video I saw a while back where Phil was talking about how A&E were putting in fake bleeps. “They inserted fake bleeps like someone had used profanity, but no one had used profanity.” Phil goes on to say, “Why would you do that? If you want that just turn the station…There’s plenty of that!” So here we start to see that A&E was trying to make it seem like this “Christian” family was using profanity throughout the show.
The second issue (same video) was the fact that A&E was editing Phil’s prayers at the end of the episodes. Phil would always close his prayers by saying, “In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.” Well, guess what — A&E cut that part out. Phil states, “why would cut out ‘in Jesus’ name,’ they said, ‘well, they don’t want to offend…'”
So, can we see a pattern here? If you have heard Phil speak or have seen any YouTube clips of him doing so, you know beyond a shadow of doubt that he is a Christ follower. He is just plain honest and in your face about it. I admire that. He does not back down when it comes to offending people. THE GOSPEL IS OFFENSIVE! Phil states that sin is sin. There is no difference between being an adulterer and being a liar. They are the same.
So back to the issue at hand. Phil made a statement: ” 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.” That’s a true, Christian statement. Jesus loves EVERYONE no matter the sin you have been or are still stuck in.
GLAAD states, “this flies in the face of what true Christians believe.” How so? They are saying that “true Christians” should not believe the Bible? 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Romans 1:26-27 are some references. True Christians believe that apart from Jesus you will forever be separated from God. That’s pretty offensive in and of itself. It doesn’t matter what lifestyle you live, apart from Jesus Christ there is no life.
So, let’s get REALLY real- I can bet we all make the list in 1 Corinthians as those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Let’s take a look at a few: Have you ever put something above God? You are an idolater. Have you ever stolen anything? You are a thief. Have you ever had a little too much to drink and gotten slammed? You are a drunkard. Ever had sex outside of the marriage covenant? You are sexually immoral. Like I said, let’s get REAL! I am guilty as guilty gets, but there is GREAT news: JESUS came and died for all of these things! THAT IS WHAT TRUE CHRISTIANITY IS ABOUT!!! JESUS!!! Nothing else. If you try and take Christ out of Christianity and instead, insert your moral code you are fooling yourself. Take a look at what Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” WOW that’s good news!
So because of JESUS, I am no longer on the list. Apart from Him I am the epitome of the list– stuck in sin and shame. But because Jesus saves me from sin and death, I can rejoice that God the Father looks at me and sees Jesus instead of my broken, sinful self. All glory to Jesus!
A can of worms has been opened and poured out. I know. I have offended a LOT of people. I know. But I am truly not ashamed. I love Jesus and I am called by Him to love everyone no matter what’s going on in their life. Jesus was always hanging out with those who were far from God. As Christians, we should be loving on people and also being honest about our beliefs. Does that mean we should shove our beliefs on others? Nope. Does it mean we should stand on the street corner and scream at people and tell them they are going to hell? Nope. It just means we should be humble, loving and compassionate toward others. If someone asks you what you believe about something, tell them. If they are offended by it they shouldn’t have asked you. Let’s grow up and just be real!
chase gentes 
That was an awesome explanation, I have been troubled by that subject and some other subjects you mentioned, and this has really cleared them up. Thank you for posting this. God Bless & have a good one!
Amen, Amen….
To all those on here saying the old testament no longer applies , seems to me like the new testament is getting pretty old.
@Bruce Hulick
“…the New Testament is getting pretty old”
How so?
For the first time in my life I now understand why people say in the name of Jesus. I 42 and I love everyone unless they give me a reason not to. I love how you said that God looks at me and sees Jesus. Something just clicked although I was saved long ago.
We must love everyone, even if they give a reason not to. Love the sinner, hate the sin. Hope that helps some. We will all answer for our sins someday, but that doesn’t mean you will not spend eternity with Jesus if you truly believe he is the Son of God.
You’re partly correct, Ruth. Jesus dying on the cross gave all people/sinners the OPPORTUNITY for eternal life in heaven. It takes more than just BELIEVING Jesus is the Son of God. The Devil believes Jesus is the Son of God.
We should stop sugar coating everything, pretending we understand the bible. Read Psalms 5:4-6. God hates the wicked people. Yes, we were all wicked, but when we confess our sins in Jesus’ name, and turn away from that which was wicked, then we are His child whom He loves. We are expected to love other believers, not those who are wicked and do wicked things. If we are to be like God, then it is OK to hate wicked people.
Jesus didn’t die for the fallen angels so its irrevelant if Satan “believes Jesus is the Son of God”.
Ruth. Christian will not have to answer for their sins as their sins have already been paid for and we are justified before God. Justified means that it is as if we had never sinned. The bible says that as Christians God remembers our sins no more.
Gary nailed it.
Hi Ruth,
All of our sins as Christians have been forgiven or justified. Since we started walking our Christian life God could not look on us as sinners with the exception of the unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. I along with many other believers, believe this is the only sin that can keep you out of Heaven, Christian or not.
@Mike @Gary
That is a VERY dangerous viewpoint. Are you suggesting that, since I’ve given my life to Christ through confession and baptism, I am free to live whatever lifestyle I choose and I will STILL be saved? If so, does the “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound” scripture ring a bell?
You are a wise young man. You hit the nail right on the head. Not everyone liked Jesus because he condemned sin and said if you want to go to Heaven you have to keep God’s commandments. Sinners don’t like their sin to be condemned because they think they are on the way to Heaven just because God loves everyone. But the scripture makes it plain that God hates sin and he will not allow an unforgiven sinner to enter Heaven. And to be unforgiven means repenting and changing your life style.
love everything that was said here…should open lots of peoples eyes…and their hearts!!
from my experiences people tend to pick and choose parts of the bible to reinforce their views. read Leviticus 10 6 which says “Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not let your hair become unkempt and do not tear your clothes, or you will die and the LORD will be angry with the whole community.”. Phil Robertson clearly has a problem with and disdain for homosexuality and claims it is because of his religious views and the bible tells him it is a sin, however, he does not follow every part of the bible as I am pretty sure that mans hair and beard is “unkempt” as can be. Christians take what they want from the bible and forget the rest. This is the 21st century how can you go along believing in something that has been passed down with ZERO proof. Christians and the far-right are the most judgmental, ego-maniacs that use religion as a shield for their narrow-mindedness. THINK FOR YOURSELF!
WOW that was a pretty judgmental comment you posted there. Seems as though you are kind of guilty of what you just accused others of. You seem kind of prejudice and bigoted towards two groups if people that do not think as you do. Isn’t that what you accused them of? You picked and chose the part of the Bible you wanted to use to try and make Phil look bad, guess you are no better than those you condemn.
Ryan r.. sir the beard is tradition that has become a trademark marketing tool. Moses an such kept Kemp and not tearing clothes.. that’s a symbolism from the cultural times.. research before You think
Except that you are taking this verse out of context and using it for your own purposes. Typical of someone who doesn’t know God and someone who only wants to bash what they don’t understand. Phil is a Christian and so am I. We have as much opportunity to speak our beliefs as anyone else, and whoever doesn’t like it doesn’t have to listen. But to call what we have to say hate speech is foolish!!
Old Testament stuff. Christ fulfilled those laws, and created a new covenant with us. You are running around fighting windmills while ignoring the ultimate truth. Sin is sin. I’m much closer to the worst murderer in prison than I am to the character of Christ, due to my sin nature. The biggest difference is that I (and all Christians who believe) recognize it, are ashamed of it, confess it and endeavor daily to turn away from it. We do not legitimize our sins, nor do we try to cover them up by convincing you that our sin is really not sin at all, just a genetic predisposition. And finally, we do not attempt to force upon the populace laws that recognize our sins as simply alternatives and therefore worthy of constitutional protection and governmental financial support.
Dude, I love you and I hope if you met me you’d love me, but you MUST hate my sin.
Because I do think for myself I chose to believe in Jesus and follow His Word. I agree that you can not pick and choose the parts of the Bible to reinforce your views, which is why you have made your own point invalid. You have used one scripture out of context to try and prove a weak point. With that said I encourage you to continue to read the Bible and study it while seeking God to help you understand it. God’s Word in summary teaches us that if we try to make it on our own we will fail because WE ALL SIN. Sin separates from God and the Bible tells us how to be reconciled to God. How He chooses to offer us forgiveness even though NOONE deserves it and because of that forgiveness God shows us GRACE and MERCY. It also explains that the time of Grace will come to an end and ALL will stand in judgment before God. So I do encourage you to dig deeper in the Bible and do take others word for what it teaches, be open mind enough to read it for yourself and with an open heart. It is the story of God’s love for YOU. God’s word stands on it’s own and it proofs itself.
Ryan, from your experience? You yourself did exactly what you complained about. The writer here explained Jesus probably better than I have ever read. Did you take time to read it?
Jesus dying on the Cross is all the “proof” you need
6 Then Moshe told Aharon and his sons El‘azar and Itamar, “Don’t unbind your hair or tear your clothes in mourning, so that you won’t die and so that Adonai won’t be angry with the entire community. Rather, let your kinsmen — the whole house of Isra’el — mourn, because of the destruction Adonai brought about with his fire. 7 Moreover, don’t leave the entrance to the tent of meeting, or you will die, because Adonai’s anointing oil is on you.
This is the Jewish translation. Ryan r, all that verse is saying is Moses told Aaron and his son’s NOT to rend their clothes or unbind their hair IN MOURNING, BECAUSE, they had just buried two other guys that had been struck down by the lord for burning unaccepted fire unto the lord, and the lord told them to let the rest of Israel to mourn instead, In the old testament ripping their clothes and taking down their hair or putting dirt on their heads was a sign of mourning. God merely wanted them to stay Holy before him, that has nothing to do with the Robertson’s, AND the lord didn’t tell all of Israel not to do it in fact he told them TO do it, it was ONLY those four people. Oh and by the way you took that verse out of context and made it say what you wanted it to say, isn’t that what you were complaining that other people do? I think you are the one being narrow-minded.
Okay so to make a long story short google that verses explanation and it will put you in your place. Please research before you try to cyber bully. Peace
Do you not breathe? that is proof that you are alive do you see the wind blow? but actually see the wind just because you cant see something does not mean it does not exist why doyou need proof of the Bible being the word of God? God says not to judge Phil Robertson stated an opinion his opinion he did not judge anyone he said in his words what the Bible says about homosexuality to ask for forgiveness and be forgiven does not mean you continue to commit the same sin I believe everyone has free will the choices you make in life are your own and you live with that. I have friends who are homosexual that is there lives not mine I do not judge them but in the same way it does not mean it is right in the eyes of God but they will have to deal with that not me. The same thing Phil said it isnt right in the eyes of God yet he loves everyone
Unkempt he is not, he doesn’t have bits of food stuck in it, it appears to be somewhat groomed as it isn’t all tangled and scraggly. My guess is you have never had an hair grow long enough to see how it turns out. It is not straight it is wavy and curly in most cases.
Not all Christians and definitely not all of any other religion or non religious group of people look exactly the same. You just seem to want an argument just for the sake of doing it. The attitude that you are putting forth seems to be the same thing you are raging against here. You want tolerance and acceptance but you completely forget that as soon as you are talking to someone you think or perceive to be a christian.
As much as I hate to say it this isn’t the fault of the Christians or the non Christians alone. It is on both sides. As far as passing it down with out proof, well that is like you telling your child a story about yourself. They pass it down the family line and show the physical item you have, say it was a baseball you got when you met a famous player. Then say the ball is lost but they still tell the story with out the ball, with out any pictures or any kind of proof. Does that make your family story any less true? The answer is no you still met the person you still had the ball.
There are tons of things scientist want us to believe and somethings we do even though all we have of these things are traces or hints at an item at best. You seem to want to point this out as being something that just the christian community does when in fact it is done in any and all groups.
Hey ryan, you’re quoting old testament scripture. Christian’s are not under the law of the old testament thanks to Jesus. So that “rule” in the short of it, no longer applies. That isn’t to say that everything the old testament says no longer applies, because there are things in the new testament that mirror the old testament rules and therefore would still apply, but without getting too deep into theology, the main rule that Christian’s are to follow now is love God and love others. God is more concerned with our hearts, not our hair. 🙂
You are misinterpreting that passage and taking it out of context. The verse in the KJV reads:6 And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord hath kindled. Aaron’s other sons had offered “strange fire” to the Lord and he had consumed them. Aaron and his remaining sons were forbidden to uncover their heads or rend their clothes (signs of mourning) so grevious was this in the sight of God.
The fact that God gives me a choice to choose him should be enough to tell you I do think for my self. No one has ever put a gun to my head and told me to choose to believe or they will kill me. And as far as the BIBLE not being proven, you need to do some research on that before you speak, it is being proven more and more every day. Not to mention that the Bible is one of the oldest books in existence that has been translated many times in different languages and never misinterpreted. I do not judge anyone as I am not the judge. I do love everyone of God’s creations and would and have sacrificed to help others, believers and nonbelievers alike. I am truly sorry you have had a bad experience with someone who claims to know Christ but please know that there are those of us who do not judge, we just choose to believe what the bible says and live by it. God is the judge and I will let him do his job as he is the only one who can. I pray you find peace not only in your heart but with God and his word as well.
~ 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
it is pretty clear in a King James Bible 😉 New testament Ref. too. God wont let his people drag his name through the mud and not chasten them. When God saved me he changed me. He doesn’t let me get away with the simple things. When the inside changes the outside will change.
~2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
~Hebrews 12:5-8 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
The bible (at least a King James Bible) says that we should reprove those who err.
~2 Timothy 4:2-4 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
~2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
mr ryan but did you also know when Christ died on the cross the old law was done away with the old testiment was the law we followed before christ died if we had to follow the old law today not a single soul would make it to heaven
Ryan, Leviticus is in what we call the Old Testament. That was God’s first law to His people. There are a lot of good things said in the OT mostly in Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, but all that is Law DOES NOT apply to us today because Jesus came and brought a new law. Even reading the gospels you have to remember that Jesus has not yet died so some of what He says is still applying to only Jews. It is not an easy book to understand in one sitting. Try reading John then going to Acts (that is when Jesus’ church was being established). Stay away from Revelation. God has a reason for it being there but most people don’t understand the symbolism.
When you read the Bible you should put what you read into context. The Bible is many books written by many authors over many different periods of history. It helps when one understands why something was being said and by whom and to whom. I firmly believe that the scripture you indicate supports your view of unkempt hair and torn cloths have nothing to do with the appearance being sinful but rather the custom of grieving over lost love ones as was customary in that day and time by Moses. The Lord had already fried their relatives over disobedience and he didn’t want to temp the Lord by openly mourning the loss. I am no bible scholar and may be off the mark here. But I don’t think so and that is how I read it.
I bet Phil’s beard is clean & well kept!
Did you just read what was written? You obviously do not believe what the bible says, so your opinion is that of a “lost” person. While it does matter (your opinion) you need prayer in your life.
Robert, actually, Corinthians says the same thing about the hair…New Testament stuff…
Ryan, Aaron and his sons were priests and as such were given requirements by God in order to serve as priests. Phil doesn’t serve in that capacity.
Context is king. You need to read the Bible in the way it was intended to be read by the author. If God is giving commandments to a theocratic nation in a specific epic of time and region, we must be able to determine what is specific to the original audience and what is a universal truth that is applicable to all. The Bible was not written to us, but it was written for us. If you read it in a wooden literal sense, your view makes complete sense. But we need to read it literally, as in the way we should read any piece of literature. You recognize which genre of literature you are reading, and then interpret it as such, IE reading poetry as poetry, historical narrative as such, apocalytic judgment language, etc, etc. Levitical law is precisely that. I am not a hebrew man living in the times of Moses. I live in an aprtment complex, if there is a list of rules for living here, does that apply to someone living in another country 50 years from now? Of course not, but if the rules are grounded in truth we can learn from them. Hence this why even within the law you need to recognize that some of the laws were legal (for that particular government) some were cerimonial (for the religious leaders) and some were moral laws. Obviously we should overlook the legal/civil and cerimonial laws and pay more attention to the moral ones. The law was given to condemn us, more specifically it was given to help us recognize that we are sinful and have no ability at all to save ourselves or be good enough. It was given to drive us to the one who can save us. This subject is highly debated, and I think for the most part you are correct in generalizing a lot of Christians, but that by no means discredits the Bible or Christianity. It only sheds light to the already known and accepted fact that no one is perfect, we are all fallible, if you seek the truth you shall find it, and it will set you free. Unfortunately the vast majority of Christians have never read the entire Bible and even a smaller percentage have studied “how” to read it, so of course you will come across the many disagreements within the Christian community. Many will take offense to what I just posted.
Ryan, did you look up the definition of “unkempt”? tangled, disheveled, not tidy….that does not describe Phil’s beard…looks clean and actually combed…seems you’re just nitpicking…
The ignorance of thinking that the bible is unproven shows that you may want to study more before speaking about a subject you appearently have no knowledge of. And it doesn’t mean to actually keep your beard and shirt perfect.
I agree with E. Fox and that Jesus loves the sinner that’s why he died for our sins and we have to be forgiven of our sins and don’t live anymore therein and if God didn’t love everybody and hate sin Jesus wouldn’t have died so that we may inherit the kingdom thru his blood he shed and I think they should leave Phil alone and worry about themselves before God I will and all will stand and be accounted for what we have done and didn’t do to show sinners how to inherit the kingdom and it’s only thru the blood that was shed because he loved us so much to do that… I’m not worthy of nothing except a place called Hell but I accepted a plea bargain with Jesus my lawyer representing me and everyone should as we have and God Bless…
Chase in the same interview, Phil was quoted as saying that blacks in the south were better off and happier during segregation. I wonder if your Bible condones that practice.
That is NOT what he said. He spoke only if what HE saw in the fields when he was a youth. The people HE was around were happy. Please read the actual quote.
When I was 5, I thought McDonald’s was a 5 star restaurant. I guess we all perceive the world differently when we have no idea what we’re talking about.
TC- Phil was asked a specific question of whether or not growing up he had ever seen blacks being mistreated and he responded in kind that he had not – he stated what he had experienced growing up. As a child and teen I never saw that side either. So he was not being ugly. He never saw it- not saying it didn’t happen but we never saw it. In the rural south the black and white people did live – worship and work along side each other. That is the way it was.
You are so right Yvonne….that IS the way it was.
And he said they all worked together side by side and that they were godly and happy, not singing “the blues” he was talking about a time in his life. Why would NAACP get involved and others misquoting saying he was being racist and saying “blacks were better enslaved” OMG! Why do people want to make things negative when there’s alreDy enough negativity in the world!
Phil was a child during this Era and what he saw as a child. He saw people working hard and singing gosple songs. Sure there was bad things going on then but that was not things he was seeing. Obviously, everything gets turned around to something negative but the main thing is you get offended cus he is stepping on your toes. That’s called being convicted. I’m really glad he offends you.
Re=read and try to understand this time… Put that race card back in your pocket for another day…
He also said he was right there with the blacks working beside them and that he himself was what people referred to as white trash. His statement was not one of hate or discrimination
Actually God is the one that seperated us to begin with. Man was on a mission to build into the heavens so he scrambled the languages. What’s weird is everyone wants what’s in space for some reason…
TC take the time time actually read what Phil said in full. It had nothing to do with the Bible & I’m sorry but I would imagine there are alot of human beings that agree with what he said.
exodus 21: 20-21
If Christians would stand up for Jesus like atheists and gays stand up for their rights, then the schools, courts and TV stations wouldn’t be afraid to allow prayers.
Schools *do* allow prayers. You’re just not allowed to force everyone else to pray along with you.
As a teacher, schools do NOT allow prayer in school. They have a brief quiet time, but not prayer time. I do agree with the statement that if we as Christians started standing up for our beliefs we would start seeing some changes, but also persecution. Life isn’t perfect, but I for one am a follower of God!!
Amen.
I have recently retired from 20 years in the classroom. I was in a small town, public school, and I was very blessed to not only pray with my children and their parents, my class listened to Christian music all day, if another child was sick or not feeling well, my kindergarten children got together and prayed for that child. I witnessed to and counseled with parents. Not everyone has that opportunity. When I moved to another city, I refused to teach here, because I would not be allowed to minister in the way I had, and I have a Christian obligation to share Christ. Christian children have legal rights to pray in a classroom. I have found, working with young teachers over the years, and some older ones, that Christian teachers are not made aware of the rights of Christian children. There is a broad belief, across the board, that prayer is not allowed in school, when, in reality, it is. Christian children can even have a Bible study and prayer time together, and legally, can not be stopped. Children have the right to write about and talk about Christ. There are wonderful Christian lawyers who are fighting to help parents and children know those rights. If you are a Christian teacher, do your research and find out your rights, and the rights of your Christian children. They are readily available online. Teach other teachers the rights, teach parents the rights, and by all means, teach the children you are responsible to educate, their legal rights as Christians.
I live in the south and yes we are aloud to pray in school, we even pray before our ball games and other sports events. Usually right after the Pledge of Allegence,
AMEN AMEN AMEN
During that quiet time don;t they have the chance to pray? What the schools cannot do id force students to pray. Don;t get mad just because Christian kids cannot force others to listen to their prayers. Everyone can reflect, pray, meditate, zone out or fall asleep during the moment of silence, they just have to do it quietly.
I kind of get what you mean, but we should be careful not to stand up with words of hate. Ultimately, we should just love others and let Christ be seen through those actions. Also, that moment of silence is our time for prayer. They just can not call it a moment of prayer. But still in my school there are some Christian fellowship groups. Other kids actually have prayer circles in the school. I am currently in a Bible Literature class and it allows Christians to witness to others through conversation. America may try to block out Christ in some areas, but they don’t really succeed. Just focus on loving.
You forgot to address the part that offended most people. He said that gays are -choosing- anus over vagina. As if my wife is choosing my genitalia over another. He acted out the dictionary definition of bigotry. Do you really think if he only said ‘being gay was a sin,’ it would have created this fire storm? The question isn’t– is he a Christian, it is – was he rude? Was he demeaning? Is he helping so many suicidal gay teens choose life? The Bible talks a lot about the tongue. He is an elder. He should know better. He needs to do some serious repentance for the hurt he had caused.
It seems you may need to read the article before posting your opinion. He did not say “gays are choosing anus over vagina.” What he actually said was “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.”
Read More http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson#ixzz2oEJvsjLl
Thank you for posting this link. Ignorance is what’s causing all of this. Unfortunately, we can’t MAKE the ignorant click the link and read the actual commentary.
This was the only portion of the article that offended me and that I felt that he should have kept to himself (because of his status as celebrity and reputation) – he has every right to his free speech right in the proper forum – and this particular comment did not belong on the pages of any publication.
The rest of the article was a very interesting read and I didn’t really see it as anti-gay at all.
Christina, you are part of the problem with America. The right to free speech isn’t confined to an area or forum. It is free speech Period.
Putting things like well you can have free speech in certain places is actually a very unproductive though for our country as a whole.
The bible says to “Provoke unto love”. I think that may be what he did, “Provoked” with “Love” from his heart. I truly believe that he has a heart for the lost!
Totally Agree Kaly. We should stand up for Christ Shout it from the Mountain Tops but (me included) are scared of what people will think. That is something I have to pray about We should not be afraid! The Atheists and Gays are not Scared because it is so accepted in this world!
Phil is only speaking the Truth and sharing his beliefs. We should not be afraid to speak the Truth regardless if it offends people. Homosexuals and Atheist aren’t scared to hurt people’s feelings. Sin is sin regardless if the World likes it or not.
Since when does being a Christian entitle you to be judge? Why would anyone listen to you if you were? Because you’re a Christian? The church is full of liars, cheaters, theives, drunks, adulteries, molesters (that love BOTH anus and vigina), con artists, and snakes. Not all Christians are bad but a lot live in glass houses but love throwing stones. Christians have also been responsible for more persecution, murder, genocides, and war than almost another group in human history.
Jt…I’m a pastor and you are certainly right about what you find in the church. but think for a minute about what you just said. The church is a place for the spiritual sick, just as a hospital is a place for the physically sick. would you expect to see a totally well person lying in a hospital bed when there was nothing wrong with them? Then what you should expect to see in church are liars, cheaters, drunks, adulteries and snakes. they are all these things but what they shouldn’t be are “practicing” those things which they have been saved from. A Christian isn’t free of sin but free from it. The soul of man must be saved progressively, that means little by little and day by day (Luke 9:23).
Truth is, we as people judge all the time. I judge if a sitter is good enough and trustworthy enough to watch my kids. I judge whether I get along with a person well enough to be friends and spend time with them. I judged my husband before I married him to determine if I should marry him. I judge my children’s actions to see if discipline is necessary. When God says not to judge, he doesn’t mean just let anyone watch your kids, or just marry whoever you come across even if they beat you, etc. I think you see where I’m going with that. Human beings have.discernment. It’s there so I can protect my kids from a sitter who would neglect or hurt them. It’s there so I have friends that are good to me. What God expects from us, is that when that person you thought was a friend does you wrong, don’t hate them. Do you have to still hang out with them? No. But isn’t that judging then? Yes. It is. God expects us to love others even if they are not worthy of our love. That doesnt mean we have to sit quietly by and take abuse or mistreatment from them. God is not mad at me when i come to that friend and tell them they hurt me. He expects me to do.it.in love however. Pointing out someone’s sin because we care about them is what God expects. Yes it’s judging and yes its offensive. Jesus pointed out sin, with lots of love. It is offensive sometimes to call things what they are. But let’s call judging what it is. God does.not expect us to sit idly by without every using discernment to make decisions. I said all this to say, your definition of judging based on scriptural teaching is misunderstood.
You are correct. But the Church is a hospital for sinners not a museum of saints. If we were all perfect and lived sinless lives we wouldn’t need Christ now would we?
Don’t make the mistake of lumping those who call themselves Christian with those who actually live out the Christian life. True Christianity has never been involved in murder, persecutions or genocides. It would appear that you may have a hard time telling the difference between a real Christian and one who only gives lip service.
Your interpretation of his words is not accurate. Just because he honestly stated that to him a vagina should be desirable, does not make him a bigot. Get it right Craig!
Why do you think it’s his job to “save” suicidal gay teens? As a follower of Christ, he should NOT preach acceptance of a sinner’s actions. Hel-Lo…? Anyone knows that.
Yes it is our responsibility to “save” gay suicidal teens. Christians are called to LOVE! Only God condemns. It is not our job to cast judgement but to love. Like said in this article we are called to LOVE all people. Jesus said “do not judge.” It can’t be more clear than that.
I’ve read Phil’s original statement and people were offended. They were judgmental. So whether he meant to offend or not, he should have been more conscious of how people might react to his words and decide if they should be spoken.
Rebekah homosexuals were around before religion and I pretty sure the latter invented persecution of the former.
Gay children are dying due to fear and lack of support from their families and in some parts of the world governments. It is horrible. Like the article said, we are all sinners and each is equal. Don’t turn your back onour children.
Heather, he was being interviewed. He was answering honestly and he wasn’t sitting around thinking about each question before he answered. He was speaking God’s truth and guess what?? That truth offends people. If I worried about everything I say not offending someone then I might as well crawl in a hole and never speak!
Actually, is it his right to answer the questions truthfully or is it his job to sugar coat himself for the world? The world is harsh get over it. Christians have been purscuted for a longer period of time than gay person. Suicide is a choice and life is a choice. It can either be led by the devil or by God. Choosing suicide is giving into the devil. Living in sin is choosing to live and die and go to hell. Jesus died for our sins so we could have eternal life with him but he does not allow perversions of evil nature into his kingdom. What are you choosing?
He owes no one an apology – Get your facts straight – Confusion is of the devil and that is one of the tools being used – Confusion because those voicing their opinions don’t even know what they are talking about. Quit allowing yourself to be used in that way… BTW, It’s not your job to call ANYone to repentance… Why do you think so many gay teens are suicidal? And yes, every time someone calls homosexuality a sin it causes a firestorm with those that are guilty… Do you watch the news or read the paper? We have become a society of the ‘OFFENDED’…
Comparing black people to white trash is not a good thing.
He did not say they are “choosing” one over the other. You obviously have not read what he said, only the liberal regurgitation of it. And yes the firestorm is because he said it was a sin. They hate that God considers what they do a sin. Unfortunately, we do not get to choose what God considers a sin.
Craig, was it not a true statement?
I agree with you concerning Christians loving people but the Bible that tells us to love everyone doesn’t say stand around and wait for someone to ask you what you believe, we as Christians are commanded to go into the world and share the gospel. I think the message of the world is just keep it to yourself, if I want to know I will ask. We need to remember Jesus did not say we would be liked or loved by this world, he said we would be hated and persecuted.
I agree Danny. Also, people are forgetting that this was an interview. Don’t ask the question if you don’t want the answer.
I completely agree with your article- I really couldn’t agree more. Thank you for wording it in such a way that people may understand more clearly.
Phil Robertson may have said some things that were “rude” and “off-putting” to say the least but, reflecting back on this article: Phil is a sinner. Just like you and me. He makes mistakes, HE IS NOT PERFECT. Only Jesus Christ our Lord is so. We have covered this.
Yes, I feel terrible for Phil and his family. I mean, as average people we say “rude” and “ridiculous” things all the time to hurt those around us. But, Duck Dynasty, being the most popular show on television, he hurt a few more than just a few…
Is it fair that people fault Phil when they’ve sinned before, too? Was it ‘okay’ for Phil to say that about gays, national television, or not?
I am not in the position to judge.
What did he say that was rude? He stated what the Bible says about not just homosexuality but a whole range of sins. He did not claim to be sin free himself. If we as Christians do not tell the truth about what God considers sin, that would be truly hateful. It would be like saying I know your behavior is going to condemn you, but I won’t tell you that because I want you to burn in hell.
Well said Chase and thanks for saying it. I agree with what you said and with what Phil said. As the Robertson family statement said the way Phil said what he said was a little coarse but that doesn’t make it wrong. The reason most non-believers get so offended when they hear the truth of the Bible is they know they are not following that standard so they have to lash out at the messenger, in this case Phil Robertson. As you stated the Gospel is offensive to those who do not believe and Jesus was and is not tolerant of sin at all. Another point that most non-believers do not comprehend was in that list of examples of sinners Phil included himself, as Christians know, we are all sinners and in God’s eyes a sin is a sin. There is no degree of a worse sin. Anyway thank for sharing your thoughts. I suspect they will resonate with many. God Bless!
You are right.. We all need to keep praying. I am so encouraged at how many have comments show support for Phil, and Christianity, and also, have shown their dis-taint with A&E and Cracker Barrel for their disbelief… I am so dismayed at Cracker Barrel, I used to frequent Cracker Barrel and always buy Christmas and Birthday gifts there, because of their uniqueness…Also loved to stop there while traveling, for their wonderful meals…..Not sure that will be happening anymore.. I had always thought, because of their merchandise, they were Christian based… Their comments and actions, Offend me, much more than anything Phil, had to say…
I’ve read a lot of the replies here and let me say that there are attacks, in these replies, from both sides but mostly from those that claim to be Christians. The way you go on is as if only Christians have a monopoly on the Bible and on the teachings of Jesus therefore stand above everyone else. I am a Christian but I don’t take the stand that all that believe in the teachings of Jesus are all heterosexuals and if you aren’t then you aren’t a Christian.
What is missing in all these discussions, is that your employer has the right to terminate you if you say anything that does not fit in the company values. I cant stand up in the middle of my office and say the things that Phil said, I would face some amount of discipline or termination. He has every right to freedom of speech but freedom has its limits too. I have the freedom to walk around naked in my home but do I have that freedom to walk outside that way? Of course not, I would be arrested for public nudity.
A lot of discussion have gone on about misinterpreting the Bible but where it says in the Bible that a man must not lay with another man as he would with a woman does not explicitly state that it was a sex act, it is all left up to your interpretation, and how you want to use it as a weapon.
I support Phil’s freedom of speech but I also support A&E’s right to terminate an employee that goes against company policy, regardless of what anyone says about what they perceive as a trend with A&E.
I don’t believe I said that A&E did not have a right to fire anyone. If I did, I misspoke. It is not really a free speech issue more of a free thought and discussion in the public arena issue. Phil was asked about his beliefs and then expanded on those beliefs with his opinion. He was not asked about A&E’s beliefs. If he had said anything other than what he did he would have been lying and that is another sin just as is homosexuality. In God’s eyes a sin is a sin. I suggest to anyone who is confused about that to go to the source and read the Bible. Don’t take Phil’s word or my word for it.
I don’t believe that people are upset over what they don’t understand about the Bible but about what they do understand.
Excellent article. Christian ideals are under attack as never before, first fostered by the media media
media, then, unfortunately, embraced by the government, and now causing many in this country punters
country to rethink traditional definitions of right and wrong. We forget those
“traditional” concepts of what is morally correct is rooted in the word of God. Perhaps
this Phil Robertson thing is a blessing in disguise because it’s given many of us the
opportunity to state publicly “as for me and my house, we serve The Lord”. And, I think,
our voice is being heard.
See that is the problem, do you find that quote as a verse in the bible…nope…see the bigger problem here is perception and understanding. ..unless you are gay…you might emphasize but not truly understand the impact of Phil’s words…take out the verses..and read the other statements…they are prejudice…and the biggest problem is thus…not ever Christian sect believes in the same interpretation of these verses…so saying to be Christian or all…is just plain fallacy…I could go on here…easily…but it comes down to simple concepts…the first admendment gives you protection against government…not as an employee that breaks a company’s policy and social responsibility statements..when you move from a source you want to quote then that is opinion…although opinions that espouses fallacy and prejudice…are not God’s love, tolerance, or the tools of spreading God’s lessons…and it remains hypocritical to deem them as such…
I have seen several comments similar to this on various articles that question the interpretation of Bible verses as they relate to homosexuality. Romans 1 clearly speaks to this issue. In the midst of an entire discourse about sin, in verse 27, Paul states:
“And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Romans 1:27 KJV)”
Praise God His Word is direct! Thanks to the clarity of this passage, we do not have to wonder what’s being addressed. While some are angered by this direct pinpoint, I am grateful. As individuals accountable for sin before a holy and just God, I’m glad I know what makes God’s list of sin! Of course, if one continues reading down further in Romans 1, the news doesn’t get better for the sinner. After the full list of sins given, we can only conclude that apart from Christ, we have absolutely no chance of “measuring up” on our own. Jesus and His perfect sacrifice is our only hope! Praise God for the love and compassion of His Son toward us vile sinners!
Exactly this. The word is not open to interpretation. It – and God – is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I love EVERYONE, for the record, as my God loves EVERYONE. Calling a sin a sin is not (should not be) controversial. But that’s the world we live in now.
Lev chapter 18
Lev chapter 18 is OLD testament….the Old Testament (which most people do not realize) is there to teach us History, and prove that Christ was of the lineage of David, and so the true Messiah as prophesied by Isaiah and the other prophets. We now live by grace, which is what the NEW Testament was written for. The NEW testament is what applies to EVERYONE, Jew and Gentile (anyone not of Jewish descent). If people would get this part right, and go from there, then I think that there would be MUCH less confusion. A true Christian believes what God says, and he outlines what we, as sinners, have to do to get into the Kingdom of heaven. He says all sins are equally wrong. It’s black and white, you either choose to accept the gift of salvation, or you don’t. If you don’t accept that gift, then you accept the consequences of your actions, in this case it is a horrible afterlife in Hell. Plain and simple. He also states that EVERYONE that is human is a sinner…be they saved or not…the gift of salvation is there to FORGIVE you of those sins…like a parent looking over what their child has done and not punishing them for it when all is said and done. He commands Christians to hate the sin, but not the sinner. That is why, I believe, a true Christian can be friends with a thief, or a murderer, or a homosexual. Because they can not like the sin, but still love the sinner for the person that they are. Yes, homosexuality is a sin, but so is telling a little white lie, cheating on a test, and lusting after someone’s things…it’s all the same to God…a sin…and should be all the same to Christians, a sin. Phil pointed this out when he was DIRECTLY asked a question on what he believed. He wasn’t comparing being homosexual to practicing bestiality, he was listing what he saw as sinfulness. Also, no where in this world does anyone have the right to not be offended. Things are going to happen that offend you (general not you specific), things happen to offend me ALL the time…you know what you can do…ignore them, change the channel, walk away, etc…you will be much happier in the long run.
P.S. – Everyone who bashes the Bible, and Christians…I challenge you to read the New Testament, so you know how to support your position in debates against Christians. Follow that with the Old Testament to learn the history of the New Testament…then you will have the knowledge necessary to hold your beliefs….I recommend the NIV or the NKJV, both of those have taken the wording and made it easier to understand.
Tolerance??? Just how tolerant to you think God is of sin???
All true Christians believe what Phil says. It is only in the last decade or so that some people claiming to be Christians have decided to reject the word of God and try to rewrite the Bible. These are largely the same Christians who are now denying that the Jews are the chosen people of God- conveniently forgetting that Jesus was a Jew. To Christians that know their Bible this is no surprise. The Bible says that as we draw nearer to the end times that the bulk of the church will be in apostasy. They will turn their backs on the Word of God and substitute their own wisdom for God’s. This is what is happening now. God also states through the Bible that we are not to tolerate sin. To love someone does not mean to condone sinful behavior, it means to show them the Way to get right in God’s eyes. The reason gays find this hurtful is that they do not want to believe that what they are doing is a sin. If I were gay, I would want to believe this too. But it just ain’t so.
All true Christians. …really…thankd for making my point…please judge some more…great love and tolerance here…can someone say double standard…I stopped reading after the first sentence…your way is the only way..got it
I think it is sinful to use the term “true Christians” as it places you on a pedestal and that is something that Jesus did not like and preached against. He wanted everyone on a level playing feel so when you term one human as lesser than you simply because of who they choose to love does not make you a “true Christian”. Why is it that the so called “true Christians” always focus on sex? If you focus on the love between two people you rather than the sex act then you would be a true Christian. I don’t see in the Bible such a focus on sex as much as a focus of love, tolerance, acceptance, charity, etc. The so called “true Christians” spend too much time with thinking about sex. Next time you are in church, look around you, there are a lot of gay people right there with you accepting the Word and living as Christians. To be heterosexual does not mean you are the only ones that believe in God and the teachings of the Bible. Gay virgins do exists and so are gay people who live a life of abstinence until they are in a committed, and now, matrimonial relationship.
When you constantly rail against a group of people you only strengthen their resolve to fight back and gain their rights as humans. To make anyone but a Christian and heterosexual person feel less than human with the right to live and love is no different than denying African-Americans their rights because the bible was used to justify slavery. Hitler treated the Jews as less than humans that were dispensable.
Words carry meaning and can be the cause of physical attacks on others, its been shown over and over again throughout history. What Phil did was abuse the Bible and those that support him aren’t as Christian as they think they are, if you were then you would show more tolerance, love, compassion, etc. for others.
Tolerance as defined as a respectful disagreement. Not accepting everyone’s view as truth. Hate is not defined as disagreeing with someones behavior. Because I believe the practice of homosexuality is wrong, does not equate to me hating you. My wife smokes cigarettes, I think it is wrong, I wish she didn’t do it. She obviously smokes, that doesn’t mean I hate her or all smokers. I do not need to judge anyone.
I think you worded this correctly. We as Christians have an opportunity to share Jesus love with others. We need to look at this situation as that and not lash out at those her persecute us. Jesus did not last out at those who persecuted him. God loves us all and hates our sins, not matter who we are or what those sins are. God Bless and Merry Christmas!
I am a Christian and highly saddened that Freedom of Speech only applies to liberals. If Mr. Robertson had said that he was gay there wouldn’t have been such a big news story, just my opinion.
Freedom of speech refers to the freedom to say anything without the «government» stopping you. It does not refer to your right to say anything without repercussions at your job or in other parts of life. If he had said rude things about Christians, I bet you wouldn’t be so forgiving.
May–I can’t tell you how many times in the work place, in the media and through what entertainment industry delivers on the big and small screen I here Jesus mocked and Christians slandered. It’s the “in” thing to do, apparently. And I’m expected to “take it” and I do. It should cut both ways.
Our society on a daily basis says not just rude things about Christians, but vile and disgusting things. The government pays to displays crucifixes submersed in urine. Another artist smeared elephant feces and pasted pornographic photographs on an image of the Virgin Mary and hung it in the Brooklyn Museum of Art. You are correct that this is not a first amendment issue, however it does seem to border on religious discrimination which is illegal.
I very much enjoyed this article! Thank you for making much of Jesus!
Regarding the overall issue, I’ve read many articles about this, and I’m bothered by the double standard that exists in the exercise of the First Amendment. Before anyone jumps on me about personal comments vs. rights of employers, please read my full viewpoint –
Most say that A&E has the right to terminate its relationship with Phil Robertson due to a fundamental disagreement in beliefs. I agree – this is their right as a mere business decision. But, why are Christian business owners not afforded this same right? Christian florists and bakers are not allowed to exclude homosexuals from wedding services. Does not a Christian business owner deserve the same liberty to make business decisions in conjunction with personal fundamental beliefs? It can’t go both way, folks. Our nation is leaning, and if you think it’s toward liberty for Christians, I’m sorry to say that you’re mistaken.
Exactly!! Well said!
There is a difference in who you employ and who you service. There refusal to service homosexuals is likened to Jim Crow laws where whites refused to service blacks.
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Is. 5:20
Amen…please see the love of Phil’s words in his own video….very Christian of him….yes gays are godless, arrogant, evil creators…sure he does not judge…you will find theses statements in the bible….I think not
http://m.youtube.com/results?q=2010%20phil%20robertson%20sermon&sm=
Nowhere does the Bble say you are ;not to judge, Read the whole passage and you will find that it implies that you judge not unless you will be judged by the same judgement you dispense. On layman’s terms, You own judgement shall apply apply to the judger as unto the judged. That’s simply why Jesus had to become a man in order to experience temptation like we all do and yet without sin. Being sinless makes him the righteous judge and that He is still today. The love comes in forgiving, the truth comes in the judging.
Well said. This should clear some things up for a lot of people. I myself have the exact same view as you do. Thanks for posting. You probably stepped on some toes but you are so right! God Bless.
The Fox New commentator was absolutely right. Equating homosexuality with sin is not only hurtful, but it’s extremely ignorant. Gay people are who they are biologically and cognitively, and suggesting that that is a sin is obtuse.
Whether an individual acts on homosexual desires because of societal or biological influences does not change the fact that the Bible calls these desires sin. You can believe the Bible or not…that is your choice. At some point in time we will all learn who are truly the ignorant ones.
Will someone please show where in the bible it is directly quoted from (not interpreted verses that we want to support it) “Homosexuality is a sin”. The exact word for word quote….I am waiting….
1 Corithians 6:9-11
Andrew–The Bible tells us that we are ALL sinners–it’s who we all are. The sin of homosexuality is no greater and no less than my adultry when I lustfully look upon a woman who is not my wife (Jesus defined it as such–he’s actually a TOUGH God). We are all so corrupted by sin that God sent Jesus to live the perfect life none of us can and then die as our perfect sacrifice (He’s also a graceous and loving God). Salvation through Jesus is just as free to you as it is to me or anyone else. BUT, we must make Jesus the Lord of our lives; willing to give up the idols of our hearts to serve the living holy God. God asks you and me to take up our crosses and follow him. That doesn’t mean anyone is ever totally free of sin (it’s in our spiritual DNA) as long as we walk this earth. Christians should not be interested in converting someone with homosexual desires to someone with heterosexual desires because a sexual conversion cannot SAVE you! Christians are called convert a slave to sin into a slave of Christ. Christians love Jesus so much that they are willing to set aside anything that doesn’t honor him. This can be true for anyone, regardless of the sin, and that includes you.
There are people who are have a biological compulsion to steal and people who because of biology think that it’s a thrill to rape or hurt or kill someone. Does that make any of those actions OK?
The Bible says that homosexuality is an abomination – It is sin – plain and simple. Homosexuality is not biological – Please do not try to confuse others on what the Bible CLEARLY states. It is sin – just like lying, cheating, stealing, adultery, blasphemy…
a·bom·i·na·tion [uh-bom-uh-ney-shuhn] Show IPA
noun
1.
anything abominable; anything greatly disliked or abhorred.
2.
intense aversion or loathing; detestation: He regarded lying with abomination.
3.
a vile, shameful, or detestable action, condition, habit, etc.: Spitting in public is an abomination.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English ab ( h ) ominacioun < Late Latin abōminātiōn- (stem of abōminātiō ). See abominate, -ion
Related forms
self-a·bom·i·na·tion, noun
su·per·a·bom·i·na·tion, noun
Synonyms
2. hatred. 3. corruption, depravity.
Andrew you are absolutely incorrect. Equating homosexuality with sin is redundant because homosexuality IS sin. You are not born gay. It is a lifestyle choice.
AMEN!
Exactly, God does not contradict Himself! Why would He call homosexuality a sin and then turn right around a create a child that is thus!
thank you!
So I guess when I was 10 and was attracted to my same sex best friend it was a lifestyle choice?
trust me on this, You can be born with it, or, at least, have that as your Greatest Weakness, whatever you want to call it. It was something that started when I was really young, before I hit puberty. I was/am raised in a strong Christian family, I have been described as a devote Christian many times in my life. I did not chose to be gay. I have learned to live with it, and work around it. I have found a Beautiful women with whom I plan to marry because I do love her in every way. However, I am still attracted to men also, and fight every day against it, because it is against what the Bible says and what I believe.
It doesn’t matter if homosexuality is nature or nurture. God’s Word is clear that the world and each and every one of us is corrupted by sin. Whether is it our self-will or the degradation of our DNA since The Fall doesn’t matter, it’s all the consequence of sin. The world is not the way God created it but will be restored at the end of days; when God creates a new Heaven and a new Earth for His followers. And that new life is there for each and every person who will make Jesus the Lord of their lives, setting aside the idols of the heart for a heart for God.
L, I feel sorry for you and what you are about to put that woman through. You cant fight who you are attracted to, and I am not referencing sex at all, but you will end up hurting her emotionally in the long run. You should research the facts of countless men who succumb to societal, and not Biblical, pressures to live a life that they deem Christian, then after having children and raising a family then end up with who they are truly attracted to but hurt the family he or she created. You can suppress the attraction but it will never go away, and it is more sinful to hurt others than it is to accept who you are. I know others that have tried what you are doing and it didn’t help them or the family they created.
You say you are Pastor and say something so ignorant and uneducated?
“So because of JESUS, I am no longer on the list. Apart from Him I am the epitome of the list– stuck in sin and shame. But because Jesus saves me from sin and death, I can rejoice that God the Father looks at me and sees Jesus instead of my broken, sinful self. All glory to Jesus!”
This doesn’t give you free reign to do as you want. You can’t go out and kill someone and think that just because you have Jesus that you are still going to heaven. You still have to walk the walk and put in the effort to be as Christ-like as possible. Does this mean you are perfect? No. Does this mean you are better than anyone? No. And I am not saying that you don’t already know that. I am just clarifying for others who may not understand.
Thanks for the response. I definitely am not condoning any type of sin. I agree 100%!
Your curiosity was piqued, not peaked.
Touché.
No I don’t feel he or any of those ducks are its all about money. They worship the allmighty dollar. They done this at christmas so they would sell out their products and people would watch a&e to see how all this plays out. Walmart says their sold out of the duck junk and now I seen where phil is gonna come back jan. 15th. These celebs. Want to make money they start saying their of god just like joel olstien and all these outher million dollar preachers.they so about god well let them give their fortune to St. Judes then will see what their about the bibe states no man should live beyond their means. Like the man who hit the lottery for 400 million and gave it all to charity because he already lives a good life. Now that’s goddly and these million dollar preachers and those ducks need to take lesson from him.
You have to read to learn the facts. Read their story from I Am Second. They were dirt poor and all pitched in to make money for the home. Miss Kay fed people. Phil himself was a drunkard. He found God and God knew he was gonna do his duty as to follow Christ and teach the word of God. We are all blessed. God has given the Robertsons the amazing opportunity to spread the word to millions. But a&e didn’t like that. This is not a money maker. They could care less about money, they had money before the show. He was asked the question on his mind about sin and gave gays an example.
But I loved this article. Thank You.
Amen
So we only evangelize to Christians? How in the world does that advance the Kingdom? Christians will tune in to Christian stations. To reach the lost, wouldn’t you rather they evangelize on stations that lost people watch??
If their purpose is to evangelize then they should air themselves on a christian based station, not A&E. I don’t expect to see my daily mass broadcast there.
A&E were the ones who offered the Robertson the show, the Robertsons didn’t seek them out. So, for you to say they should keep their evangelism on a Christian station doesn’t make sense. They weren’t offered a show on a Christian station, they were offered it on a secular station. If you don’t want to hear them speak about God, then don’t watch the show. They are not wrong for speaking their beliefs just because they are different from yours.
FYI…the products sold in Walmart, etc. are A&E products. They might make some money from it but it’s A&E that are getting tons of money. Their PERSONAL ‘duck’ products are sold via Duck Commander.
Great read! I so hope MANY MANY MANY more read and get the TRUE facts about this situation! Thanks for the article!
Bigotry is the state of mind of a bigot: someone who, as a result of their prejudices, treats or views other people with fear, distrust, hatred, contempt, or intolerance on the basis of a person’s opinion, ethnicity, race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, etc.
Contempt or intolerance of opinions? Sounds like a lot of the people that are calling Phil a bigot to me… Hypocrites? I think so.
Hypocritical you say…watch the hate speech here…and then let me know how many of these statements are in the bible….talk about judging….
http://m.youtube.com/results?q=2010%20phil%20robertson%20sermon&sm=
I have known the Robertson clan for many many years and one thing about Phil..he has always been blunt and leaves no room for interpretation on his opinion. He speaks how he feels and can back up anything he says through direct scripture. We are all sinners saved by grace when we commit to following our Lord and Savior. Everyone is going to try and interpret the Bible to pertain to the 21st Century but I know that following direct scripture and living my life the way God instructs me to, will not leave me pleading to Jesus to allow me to enter into His Kingdom. Im gonna do it Gods Way.
THE WORD OF GOD WILL NEVER CHANGE……………………. You can dress it up or dress it down or whatever you want to do to it, however, it will not CHANGE TRUTH.
FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST & His Word do NOT hate anyone……. we love the sinner, but hate the sin. God spoke of the sin of homosexuality in the Old Testament & the New Testament.
If everyone of you put as much time & energy into stopping our corrupt government as you have into the conduct of an actor in a TV show – he wouldn’t be having this problem !
To many, this may be a hot topic issue based on differing opinions. There are those offended on both ends of the spectrum. The core issue is not a “differing of opinions” nor is it a matter of “politically correct” behaviors. If every opinion in the world was respected and if we coexisted in a tolerant society, never judging and only embracing the beliefs of all people, we would all be better off right? Think about it! What a wonderful world it would be! Are you smiling at the thought? Think. Really truly dig deep and ponder this grand possibility! I’m not sure how many people read this article but maybe, just maybe there is an adult that can breath a sigh of relief that he\she can come out and not be ostracized for the way they were made! Are you still smiling? For a moment be open minded, suppose he/she has had their eye on a certain someone at the playground. Sure, just a kid but nonetheless, it must be love. All the signs are there.. Fun, passion etc. and after lots of time spent bonding one thing leads to another and something special happens. Finally, after much convincing, you reap the profit of all your hard work. Finally, tolerance and acceptance for my choices! Without that freedom no one would be able to freely walk amongst the population with their 8 year old lover… Still smiling? Sound good to you? Fact is, there IS a moral standard. There IS a definite line between right and wrong. The question isn’t where WE need to draw the line it’s about where the line has ALREADY been drawn. ITS A GOD ISSUE. Who is your God? If God is not worshiped and acknowledged for who He is then be prepared to be tolerant and accepting of ALL people. Murderers, molesters, alcoholics, me and you.. We all have an opinion. God didn’t mumble.. He makes the rules. Without Him.. There is no moral standard. God is God. Period.
With all due respect, sometimes the Truth IS hurtful to hear. If I commit adultery, I probably really don’t want anyone telling me how wrong it is. If I fornicate (have sexual relations with someone I’m not married to), then it may be unpleasant for me to be confronted about this wrongdoing. God has a design for sex (between a man & woman within marriage), and if we deviate from this plan, it is rebellion against God, which is commonly referred to as sin. Even though we might not enjoy our sins being illuminated, it is the only way to come to the realization that some things we do are simply wrong, & that they need to be changed if our desire is to live a life pleasing to God. As a biological & cognitive heterosexual, I am acutely aware of what God expects as revealed in His Word, the Bible, to not act on any desire that is contrary to God’s best plan for me(and for the world). See Hebrews 12:4-11 and consider it a blessing to be “rebuked” by God, since the Lord disciplines those He loves as a father the son he delights in. (Prov 3:12). If God didn’t love us, then He’d simply let us live our OWN way and not care about the destructive consequences of our behavior. But instead, He is patient and forbearing with us, not willing that anyone should perish( from going our OWN way), but God wants us ALL to come to repentance(II Pet 3:9). So if you are intellectually honest with yourself, you must consider what the Bible teaches in terms of how God wants us to live, and to consider the chastening of God as His way of pursuing a relationship with you, desiring repentance and right living before a Holy God.
Wow! You know how to decipher Phil’s blatant hate and channel it into “acceptable” mainstream homophobia. Congratulations!
Phil clearly expressed his love for everyone in the interview. It is quite possible to love the sinner while hating the sin, which is what Christians are called to do. Like Phil, I am not a homophobe, but rather a “sin-a-phobe”, so to speak. I find that what offends God likewise offends me. Living a lifestyle contrary to God’s design is offensive to Him, regardless of whether it’s two people living in adultery, an unmarried couple living together, practicing homosexuality , getting drunk, thievery or just WHATEVER is clearly taught against in the Bible. God loves us and desires the best for us, but this can only happen when we make life choices that are in line with His blueprint.
as a Christian, this article makes me really sad. I believe that Phil was fired because he publicly discussed a women’s vagina and a man’s anus, AND made remarks about which one he felt should be desirable. the discussion of another’s sins is something we all together do not have have the right to have. and lastly, during Christ’s time on earth he discussed other people, how to help other people, how to love other people, he wanted us to talk about loving each other. Christ never ONCE mentioned homosexuality. So to be a “Christ”ian, we love. we love and have faith, that’s it. your opinions on gay marriage are irrelevant. its not your job to have an opinion, and voicing it, quite frankly, hurts the christian mission.
Please reread his comments in their entirety and pretend either you or your child was a well adjusted and successful gay person. See what he is really showing us in his words and then let us know if it was really about a man’s anus and a woman’s vagina. Hint: it wasn’t.
I am clearly asking if Phil demonstrates the love of Jesus Christians are so proud of. Did you ever read of Christ parading about talking about gay sex in order to relieve oneself of the need to scapegoat and denigrate as I firmly conclude was this public figure’s actions and words?
It would not surprise me if this entire episode of gay bashing was premeditated to garner more ratings and backer support. I think it backfired, if so.
You do not make money in America by humiliating people any longer. The day of the bigots cashing in on their bigotry is swiftly coming to an end, we can seem to observe in the parable of Phil Robertson gone astray in hate, and quite possibly, greed.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
WGMK
“Does that mean we should shove our beliefs on others? Nope. Does it mean we should stand on the street corner and scream at people and tell them they are going to hell? Nope. It just means we should be humble, loving and compassionate toward others.” -chasegentes
I display all of the above mentioned characteristics without a belief in an omnipotent being. I fall under the categorization of Humanist, Freethinker, and dare I say Atheist?
To be quite honest it is because I was raised in a primarily christian neighborhood with christian parents who took me to church as a child. I have read the bible and studied it’s teachings and found that even the most devout Christians knew very little about what was written in the bible. Upon further investigation into the history of humanity as a whole I became much more aware of other religions that existed before Christianity and their obvious similarities. I read. I thought. I questioned. Then read more.
Atheists aren’t angry at Christians in any way. We simply believe that if it’s your personal belief then it should be just that. Personal. Christians should realize that we live in a diverse world with people from all walks of life and they have no control over what others think. I know your belief requires you to spread the word but that s no reason to be upset that others don’t think the same. In America we are supposed to have what is commonly called “Separation of Church and State” because this country was founded on that very principle. I would suggest researching the subject if you question me. I’ll leave you with a quote from a really interesting character you may have heard of.
“Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause. Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those which are caused by the difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be depreciated. I was in hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy, which has marked the present age, would at least have reconciled Christians of every denomination so far that we should never again see the religious disputes carried to such a pitch as to endanger the peace of society.”- George Washington
~ Peace. Love. Unity. Respect.
Beautifully said. Thank you so much.
Krampus–Your point of view is based upon faith being a “private matter”. How do I live out my faith in what I think, say and do if it is not public? Jesus called his followers to be salt and light. I submit to you a quote: the last command from Jesus our God before he assended into Heaven–the Great Commission–to make disciples. That is impossible if we are silenced. Are you afraid of dialogue, free speech and freedom of religion? No, you come across as offended by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As for agruments among the faithful about non essential points (and sin isn’t one of them) I agree this unprofitable. The apostle Paul was clear about this in Titus 3:9-11.
So…the almighty God needed to send a human being to give his life, basically suicide, to “wash” away our sins? Why would such an omnipotent being such as God need to do all of that to cleanse us of our “social injustices”? Because “sins” are social crimes, as such in the eye of man. Its peculiar that many Christians don’t perform socially in the way their bible commands them too, they pick and choose what they want to believe. Instead of just personally choosing their beliefs, they believe everyone else must adhere to their version of the religion. Its amazing that for a religion whose savior taught love and compassion there is so much hate among its followers.
By and large, I think most people’s goal in life is to live a good life, show kindness toward others, and one day make it to heaven (or whatever good form of afterlife in which they may believe, if they believe in an afterlife at all). I’m gathering based on your comment, that you believe there are multiple ways to achieve this – i.e. through various forms of religion, or perhaps no religion at all. If what you believe is true, then I as a follower of Christ should come out just fine in the end. If however, the Bible is true in its teaching that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life”, where does that leave you?
Christians don’t intend to be vicious exclusives. Those who believe the Bible simply realize that they must present Christ for who He is – “the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world”.
So, now that I’ve presented my beliefs, IF Jesus truly is the only way to heaven, are “close-minded” Christians actually being hateful or loving by attempting to direct others to the only way of salvation? True love and friendship is based upon honesty; if I’m in trouble, I hope someone is loving enough to warn me of danger, no matter how offensive it may be.
Your curiosity should have been piqued. Just saying. Did you want me to continue reading?
Love this my brother. I feel like people often forget or fail to even realize that the Gospel is offensive and that Jesus called us all out. And yet His gift of Grace is what changes our lives and transforms us into something new, not just something better, but reborn with a new mind!! Great job my man
Okay first of all you need to get your facts straight. Sorry they are all messed up. somebody asked Phil his opinion on homosexuality and he answered it by saying that being a man, a women’s vagina is more desirable than a mans anus. I completely agree with him, as humans made in the Lords image we are made to be man and woman. God said in the bible that being gay is a sin. So when you said “If someone asks you what you believe about something, tell them. If they are offended by it they shouldn’t have asked you. Let’s grow up and just be real!” that is exactaly what Phil did. somebody asked him a question and he answered it. but you are being a hypocrit by being offended by it. grow up. Yes i am a Christian and see where you are coming from but you are just in the wrong place.
What about a woman’s anus? Is he aware many heterosexual couples engage in anal sex?
So growing up means we just let people slam, bad mouth, and condemn us? Wow! Which Jesus are you following?I
William/Michael, the only slamming entity here is the Word of God itself. It’s not PEOPLE who say homosexual behavior is wrong, but rather God (Lev 18:22 and Rom. 1:26-27). Jesus came to SAVE the world since we are CONDEMNED ALREADY without Him in our sins(John 3:17-19). Jesus wants to save us from ourselves and bring us into living a life according to HIS precepts, not our own whims, lusts, desires, etc., which can ultimately prove detrimental if we choose to reject Him and His ways & go our OWN way.
i dont know let me call him and ask him.. geez idk im not a stalker
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Leviticus 20:13 – “If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”
It is no ones job to save anyone. It is our own job to save ourselves. We may ask for help from Jesus, God, family, or our best friend, but ultimately the choice is ours to save ourselves. I dont care what you believe, follow or worship because in the end im gonna follow/worship/believe what i choose. I am only a sheep to Christ and no one else.but im certainly not gonna judge you if your not with me…only God can judge you plain and simple
I agree. Call sin, all sin, by its true and rightful name. But as Christians, hate the sin, love the sinner.
I don’t judge and decide what is sin. God does that and He plainly tells us what sin is. It is not up to each person to decide what is right or wrong God does that. Also the New Testament tells us that if a person engages in same sex sex they will be turned over to a reprobate mind. God is love for a fact, but He doesn’t tolerate sin. He won’t even look at sin. He hates sin so much that He rejects the person that commits it. God is NOT about unconditional acceptance. He is a jealous God who is not beyond showing His wrath. Phil Robertson is right. Engaging in the sin of same sex sex will not be tolerated by God, and I personally think that as a Christian it means I am to live a Christ like life and not accept people who engage in this sin either. Now if, however, these same people turn from their evil ways and repent, then I have no problem accepting them then. Being gay is evil. It comes straight from satan. I am not being hateful to say this. I am just believing the Bible when it tells me this. God does not lie. He tells only the truth and that truth is in His word. I don’t think I’m brave enough to tell God he is a liar. God is so powerful that He spoke the world into existence. I can’t do that, so who am I to argue and say I know better than God. We, as His people, are to live as God tells us to live. Our life is not our own. We belong to Him because we give ourselves to Him without question. When I say that engaging in a homosexual lifestyle is an abomination, I am only repeating what God said. If you call me narrow minded for repeating that, well then you are saying God’s Word is narrow minded and that you know more than God. I’m just not that egotistical.
I totally agree with you and thank God for people that still beleive in GOD’S word we are to hate the sin and love the sinner!! We don’t want to stand in front of God one day and hesr him say depart from I never knew you !!God is love and so are christians that serve him we don’t do things to hurt people we just try to guide them in the right path and I to say if this ofends you then I am sorry but it is GOD’S word not mine !!!
This is absolutely amazing…..one of the best, if not the best, articles I’ve read. People don’t seem to realize there is a bottom line to all this. God calls us to LOVE everyone, as you said, and as HE said. No exceptions, we love as He loves. However, when it comes to being IN LOVE WITH someone, that is clearly stated to be between a man and a woman. People say you need to be free to love who you want. Of course, love who you want, love everyone…..but keep romantic relationships between man and woman. I’m tired of hearing the words “tolerance” and “bigot.” Why should I tolerate views that blatantly spit in the face of God? If believing in God’s word and commandments, having conservative views and traditional values makes me an intolerant bigot, I will gladly be that!
Reblogged this on ewingyouniqueboutique and commented:
So very true
thanks for the Re-blog!
I just read TRASH! God so loved the world he gave his only SON, you are NOT HIM! Phil had the RIGHT to say what he said, A&E had the RIGHT to fire my because he had a contract and broke that contract, YOUR A SINNER and So AM I, SAVED BY GOD’S GRACE< YOUR NO BETTER THAN ANYONE ONE ELSE! By the way, why would you put your two pennies worth into this, Oh your a Christian and have nothing better to do at Christmas. Food pantries, homeless shelters, churches, they all need volunteers this time of year. Good luck!
You that say homosexuality is a choice….is not biological…..how do you know that?
If homosexuality was a choice, there would be more for me to date. 🙂
THIS REALLY IS IGNORANT… EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN BELIEFS, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT. HOWEVER, WE ARE ALL GODS CHILDREN AND THERE IS NO JUDGEMENT. YOU WANT TO SAY THAT CHRISTIANS LOVE EVERYONE… IF THEY LOVE EVERYONE, HOW IS IT THAT THEY CRITICIZE SOMETHING THEY HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT!!!! HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT A CHOICE!!! THEY ARE PUT ON THIS EARTH FROM GOD HIMSELF!!!! GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES, ONLY PEOPLE DO….. HOMOSEXUALITY CAN NOT BE CHANGED. GOD WANTS LOVE AND PEACE AND AS LONG AS THERE IS LOVE, WHY SHOULD ANYONE CARE WHO IT IS WITH???
First of all, there is judgement. People want to use Matthew 7:1 and say, “Don’t judge,” when in reality, Matthew 7 says that you should first remove the sin from your own life and then you are to rebuke the sinner. Christ himself never said, “I love you, keep on living in your sin, the sin you were born into.” Christ said, “Go, and sin no more.”
You talk about love, but what is love? According to the Bible, God’s Word, love is obedience to God. John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments; 1 John 5:2–3
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.; 2 John 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
Love for others is sharing God’s love with them. We are not to hate others, we are to love them. I have many homosexual friends. I would hope they know I love them. I have some who feel they were “born this way” and I have others (the majority) who feel like it was a decision, on their part, to live this life.
I have worked with small children, who were born addicted to cocaine. Does that mean it was meant for that child to use cocaine for the rest of his life? No. I have had children who were kleptomaniacs by the age of 3. It was an illness and due to a chemical imbalance. Do we allow that child to steal for the rest of his life? No, I had a child who, by the age of three, would hold girls down, force them to kiss him, and try to put his hands on them. He had a very conservative family and had never “seen” this behavior in their home, or on television (they didn’t own one and he was an only child). The doctors told the parents he was born with an overabundance of testosterone. Were we to look the other way when he exhibited this behavior? No. All of these children (and this was just a very small sampling of the things I have seen) were born with problems that are not acceptable in our society. Does that mean that God made a mistake? No. One of these children is now grown and has fought the battle their entire life. Do you know that, to the glory of God, this person is now using this battle as a ministry for others who are going through the same thing.
Many want to say that these things can’t be compared to homosexuality. One thing I can tell you is that two of my friends who knew from a very early age they had these desires, lived the life for many years (one until his 40’s and the other until her 50’s) and came to such a strong faith in Christ, they have chosen to no longer practice this life. I also have another friend who deals with the desires she has. Through the work of God in her life, she has become a conservative Christian. She is what some would call an “extreme” conservative, a mother of 6, who loves her husband very much. Has the lesbian desire completely left her? No, but she knows when those feelings are there, that they are not the working of Christ and she prays and has her friends pray, and through the power of God, she is able to not succumb to those desires. The thing with all of these people is, they feel they were born this way. Guess what? We are all born with a sin nature. There are not degrees of sin. You, and everyone else is born in that sin. The Good News is that God, through Christ, can give you the power to overcome that sin.
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Galatians 5:16
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Ephesians 5:3
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
James 1:13-14
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
We want to focus on homosexuality as the “evil of all evils,” but what about the liar, the one who is flirting with women or men outside their marriage, the one viewing porn, the one who takes a pen from the office, sin is sin. We have all “earned” hell..but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. But when we receive that gift, we will look different from the world around us.
Really great response! Thanks!
You talk about loving the sinner…hmmm is this an example
http://m.youtube.com/results?q=2010%20phil%20robertson%20sermon&sm=
It would be the ultimate hatred to come across a burning building with people inside and not warn them about the fire, yes? This is what Christians are doing. It is up to those in the burning building to hear the warning and seek safety. Christians love others enough that we seek to snatch some from the fire. We are all corrupted by sin: whether nature or nurture does not matter–it’s still sin. Whether by self-will or through mutated DNA does not matter. That’s why God in his love and grace provided a Savior for all who would put aside the idols of the heart and make Jesus Lord of their lives. I shout “FIRE!” (SIN!) because I, too, am a sinner saved by the grace of God. And I pray you come to know the depth and breadth of God’s love.
Read this opinion piece. I felt it was an accurate representation of anti-gay evangelical Christianity. No one seems to address the fact that Phil Robertson compared me to a terrorist and a drunkard. While that might be flattering on a day I feel especially hard on myself, it really isn’t true. People need to realize that just because someone has a reality program doesn’t mean they have a degree in Theology or have good manners. I was always taught that even if you disagreed with your neighbor, you didn’t pick a fight. Mr. Robertson apparently didn’t keep this principle in mind when he lumbered into the minefield of commenting on other people’s sexuality. I also find it hilarious that he used to be a Hippie. Unfortunately, I think Phil missed the message of love in two movements, the Hippie movement, and evangelical Christianity. Hopefully, as he becomes humble, he will reach out to Gays and Lesbians and find out they are not sinners. They are simply different and in a minority status. As this commentator states, “Let’s get real”. If we are going to get real, we will allow the vast overwhelming evidence that homosexuality has always been part of the human experience as well as thousands of other species of animals here on earth. It isn’t going away any time soon and if God doesn’t want it, heterosexuals need to stop having children because the vast majority of Gay people come from the union of two straight people. Just saying. Time for the Christians to lead the way and give up sex. LOL. Peace Out…
This is your experience in life and no one can deny you that. Carry on.
Get a bible !! Read it and learn, you are quick to judge but probably have never read the bible to be able to judge a christian with full knowledge! ^ You get angered when you read about gay post because you know that you are in the wrong! You know your sins are not justifiable!! They will never be, its not a lifestyle its a choice, and a wrong one at that! I do not hate gays nor do I love them, they are just people to me just like a stranger on the streets is a stranger, BUT I will pass the Lords word, as it tells me to. Gay or not , just do your self a favor and read the Bible, you may not agree with it, but before you go on dissing it and its holy word, you should inform yourselves with some of the knowledge behind it! Your wisdom should allow your mind to grow, but make sure its in the right direction with facts behind it, not something that pleases your mind and eases your worries!~
A concept I struggle with is sin. Not mine exactly but that sin is sin. We all have em and there is no little one or big ones, just sin Christ died for them all. I believe that gayness is a life style…some embrace it and others do not. But the Bible calls it sin so I must as well. Do I hate them? not at all. My hair dresser is and so are my vets and my cleaning ladies as well. I have worked with several and most are good workers. Do I hate the sin God calls an abomination? Absolutely! because He does I must. Let’s all read Gods word people and love the sinner but hate the sin
Sorry. Gay people aren’t willing to be treated as second class citizens that are tolerated but not really accepted. Did you ever consider updating your understanding of God and what the Bible is and is not? Maybe that’s the answer. Rejecting the three dimensional reality of the fact Gay people are everywhere, equal, and not sinful, is not going to get you anywhere but an asylum, which is where many religious people end up unfortunately.
I’m sorry that you feel that gay people are considered 2nd class citizens. That feeling is probably justified, my first thought is that dumb Kansas church who promotes “God hates fags.” Let me speak on behalf of anyone who has actually read the bible,.God does not hate gay people. Never has, never will. And it’s pathetic that some have been so mistreated for being gay, all in the name of Christ. let me also say as someone who has read the bible, homosexuality is clearly defined as sin in the bible. There is no “update” that can change that. The way Christian’s have gone about sharing that is disgusting and wrong, but the word of God itself stands true and no matter how much a sinner wishes his sin was okay so he can continue to do that sin without feeling convicted, or whatever other reason he may have, that does not change what the Bible says
Defined…or interpreted. …please see my earlier challenge….I am looking for direct quote…”Homosexuality is a sin” from the bible…not several verses that are interpreted…not a cherry-picking…where the verses before and after are deleted…the exact quote….still waiting…
Romans 1:27
In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
1 Timothy 1:10
for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers–and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine
Genesis 19:5
They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”
Leviticus 20:13
“‘If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
how many more do you want?
Laurie V, you are full of pure shite, the word “homosexual” and the it’s understanding as a GROUP of people was not even coined until the turn of the century, your “Quotes” are from new age “bibles” that have been retranslated to say what you hatemongers want it to say to justify your “beliefs”. The BIBLE never mentions homosexual nor homosexuals as a group of people as the word didn’t even exist as a societal concept, and Jesus never said ONE WORD.
As for this guy, whatever, personal interpretation is all anyone can say on this issue and aside from OBVIOUS statements, (Gay NOT being one of those), so is “Who is sinning and who is not, when, and where”. Being Gay is not a sin, nor is being in a Gay relationship nor having sexuual relations within that relationship. Nor is there any statement to the contrary in the Bible.
Russell T Morris–It’s true that the word “homosexual” doesn’t appear in the original Greek and Aramaic–because the word is a modern construct. But the words in the original Greek and Aramaic match the definition of homosexual and homosexual acts. This is clear in God’s Word. Mental gymnastics only bends you into a pretzel and does nothing to dispute the facts. Have the courage to face the reality of God’s Word: we’re all sinners and that includes you and me. Turn to Jesus. He offers you eternal life if you will follow him.
Well said.
Reblogged this on Citizen Sportsman.
I am long over due with atleast one long status (twice a year so I chose to about Phil, etc. After all of this talk about Phil, I guess I will put my long input in it and then move on.
Phil didn’t state his opinion; he stated the word of God. It doesn’t matter if you are big time star or a peon, we all have a right to state what we believe in. You don’t even have to believe in what I say in the following; I hope you still love me and I love you – always! Since this is my page, this is what I believe in strongly without waver. I don’t sometimes like what I believe in, but it’s what I believe in and can choose to follow or not.
We either believe in the bible or we don’t. We can twist the bible to fit our little worlds, but the bible remains unchanged. If we don’t like what is in the bible, we don’t have to read our bibles. What baffles me is, many people try to mold God, I am guilty but then I repent. We are a nation who don’t feel repentance is necessary anymore. Accountability is no such thing, anymore. If people do not choose to follow Christ then that is their right. But whatever is in that bible, Old Testament or new, it still applies.
Christ came to fulfill the law in love, but the laws are still there. We still need to uphold God’s holiness as much as we possibly can with Jesus being our undivided strength. A&E knows what Phil stood for, but he is not allowed to be himself entirely??? I don’t get that. If they want a network that supports gay rights without the bible’s influence, then they need to not have him on their network – period.
I was raised that men and women do not wear bathing suits in front of each other. I was never allowed to go in front of any boy wearing shorts above my knees. Did that hurt me? No – of course not. It was a bit over, but now I am cautious how I dress in front of men. I make a conscious effort not to cause a man to lust. My point is, I don’t go to the beach. If gays can’t handle what the Word of God says, don’t go to the beach. We aren’t allowed, as Christians to say what we feel when we’re interviewed, but someone who is gay can??? I love Phil’s stand on this and not backing down. Just like the song says, “You’ve got to stand for something or you will fall for anything”. Standing on the promises of God is every one’s hope when we choose. His promises come from His Son Jesus Christ. That’s not my opinion – that’s what the Word Of God says. We can’t serve two masters…thus the Word of God.
If I interviewed Phil and asked him how he felt about women who are loud in church and who over power the man in the house with everything including finances, he would most likely step on my toes. That’s also in the bible. I wouldn’t care what he said (in all respect). I have to care what the bible says. He is just the messenger, and that is what we are supposed to do – according to the bible. Every word spoken from the Word Of God does not come back void. I would need to ask the Lord to help me more and more until he has renewed me again.
None of us are perfect, but we are still supposed to aim for higher levels with God. Does Phil still believe that men and women should get married before they have sex? Of course he believes that because the bible says so. So why is this so offensive to homosexuals or A&E? We are all going to hell if we don’t make things right with the Lord and REPENT! There’s no way around it. God is full of awesome love by sending His Son so that we as filthy rags have hope. If we do not walk with the Lord and talk with the Lord and do not believe in the entire word of God, none of us are going to make heaven our home. If we do not believe this, then we don’t believe in the bible. God’s messengers are sent to us so that we can learn God’s ways and not our own ways – individually. And if we do not believe in the bible, then we can carry on living our life as we well please. That is our choice.
What gets me is mixing sin with God’s love. Sin and God’s love is the complete opposite. Through Christ, we have hope so that we sin less and less. We fall, He picks us up. We make a mistake, He gives us hope to run to. If it’s not like this, then there is no hope. If anything goes and no lines are drawn with no repentance, what kind of hope do any of us have? Earthly law is corrupt. Without the hope of Jesus and repentance, we would all self destruct. Then what? If God is not holy and doesn’t require us to be holy as much as we can, then I don’t want anything to do with God.
God loves us but that doesn’t mean we are on our way to Heaven. This goes for a lying tongue, people who cheat on their spouses, etc. etc. God is merciful through His Son Jesus – only, solely, entirely! That’s what the bible says. That is love! We love because Jesus is full of love. Without Jesus, there is no love. Without Jesus, there is certainly no talking to God and asking for repentance. Without repentance, God has to turn His back on us just like He did with Sodom and Gomorrah and the Flooded days. If they weren’t allowed to live as they please, what makes us think that we can? That would mean that God is unfair. He sent His Son as the bottom line of His love for us all!
Phil wasn’t stating that he was perfect. He stated from the bible. Why would they ask him questions, knowing what he stood for? They did that to Chick Fil A and so many others. If a person states that they are a Christian, the bible judges them. If Phil was wrong, then so was Peter, James, and John, Paul, and Timothy, etc. Who gives them the right to tell anyone how to live? Christ came just so that we all can live how we want to live, no lines, and there is no such thing as sin because love covers all. That is very clear in the:
New Testament:
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (I Cor. 6:9-10).
The verse that requires us to repent:
The words “repent” and “repentance” occur 56 times in the New Testament. It is similar in meaning to the word translated “convert” or “turn”, which is also common. The main theme of the preaching of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the coming of Jesus, was: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2). The first recorded words of the public ministry of Jesus are also “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). Jesus declared that the purpose of his coming and ministry was to call “sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). When Jesus sent out his disciples to preach, we read that “they went out and preached that people should repent” (Mark 6:12). After his resurrection from the dead, he declared that “repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). He declared that unless people repented they would perish, and in order to enforce the message, he repeated it (Luke 13:3,5). In each of Peter’s two recorded sermons after the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was given, he told people to repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19). In Paul’s recorded sermon to the Athenians he said that God “commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). 30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
He said that the message he declared to both Jews and Greeks was that “they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus” (Acts 20:21). Peter declares that God is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). It is obvious from the above references that if Jesus and those he trained knew what they were talking about, none of us will find a meaningful relationship with God unless we do what the Bible calls “repent”. That being the case, it is important to find out what it means. Also read Revelations 2:5.
These scriptures apply to me too. None of us can escape these scriptures unless we choose not to believe in it – In Him. I am also against the lifestyle of homosexuals. Does that mean that I am judging them by just stating that? I also am against a lifestyle of fornication, lying, cheating, etc. etc., those sins are very clear not to do. Overeating, drinking a case of diet coke a day, etc. etc., The bible has certain sins that are clear and are stated by God’s messengers. All of the other sins that are not as clear is up to God whether I go to heaven or not. I know I need His help every day. Does it say in the bible that if I continue to drink diet coke that I will not make heaven my home? Is it clear? I know it’s not good for my body, but does it say that I cannot enter the Kingdom of heaven? If you see me sitting at the pub with my 5th glass of beer and hanging over a married man, would you be judging if you told me that that was wrong and that I needed to go back to my husband? Wouldn’t that be love or would that be judging me? Isn’t it love to spread the gospel so that we can dig deeper into the Word for ourselves?
We really can’t judge someone who drinks a glass of wine, but the bible clearly says that drunkardness is wrong and to run away from it….thus should repent. Stating the Word of God is not wrong, but opinions that are not 100% clear in the Word, they are just opinions. You may correct me if I am wrong. I will not get offended and erase you from my life. Can you imagine this world without any preachers, sermons, christian believers who speak the truth. If it’s not true to you, argue with them. Why abandon them? If we are arguing with the Word of God, there is no argument. If it’s in the bible, it’s in the bible. That doesn’t mean that God loves Phil more than us. It means that Phil loves us enough to share the good news of Jesus that He sets us free from these things! Give the guy a chance to tell his entire story. If you don’t like his story, don’t watch him or have him on your network. If I don’t like the gay lifestyle, I don’t/won’t watch.
I posted the above days ago on my Facebook page. I agree with your article and very well said. Thank you for posting this! I sometimes wonder if I am wrong, but then I keep going back to the bible – it is quite clear!
“judge not lest ye be judged”… I quote this because all this chaos around something Phil said is exactly what the bible tells us not to do (judge)! May you possibly not entirely agree with ones views or opinions, but by talking and dwelling it is judging! I believe in God and Jesus Christ my savior and as I’ve gotten older I’ve learned not to judge, because truly only god can! You never know what kind of day another human being is having,but you won’t either if you continue to judge instead of try to love and accept the fact that god will sort them out that’s his place not ours!
ANG–Read the entire set of verses covering what Jesus said about judging in Matthew 7:1-5. It’s one of the most misquoted in Scripture. Jesus is warning that we’ll be judged by the same standards by which we judge others. He goes on to say we should look for the log in our own eye SO WE CAN HELP ANOTHER WITH THE SPLINTER IN THEIR EYE. We are called to judge (and help others) but after examining ourselves so that we all become more godly.
there is a difference in judging and judging rightly. Christians are called to judge other Christians because we are held to the same standard, but if you judge another Christian you need to take the log out of your own eye so you can take the splinter out of your brothers eye. meaning, check yourself before you go judging other people. we are not called to judge a non-christian, because they are not held to the standard of the Lord as Christians are, we are supposed to spread the Gospel to them not judge them. Phil did nothing wrong. he stated the truth (the word of God). if that is what he believes in then he needs to stand his ground (which he is). all of these people on here claiming to be Christians but saying that it is ok to be gay and Phil is rude and should not be saying that. are in the wrong place, they are choosing parts of the Bible and believing them and then taking other parts and blowing them off. if you are going to believe any part of the Bible then believe the whole thing.
I have no issue with Phil hating the sin of homosexuality. I’ve dealt with that almost my entire life being raised southern baptist and being a gay man. My issue is with how he chose to word his statements. The words he used were crass, crude and completely unacceptable to be said as a public figure.
I found it demeaning to be told that my choice of sexual partner wasn’t logical, honestly love isn’t logical. Romance isn’t logical. Emotions are not logical. I’m sure Phil has done quite a few illogical things when he was courting Miss Kay, and a large amount of the stunts that they pull on the show aren’t logical either.
I respect Phil’s right to speak as he wishes, but when attempting to spread the gospel disrespectful words are going to close the ears of those that need to hear. Phil’s only crime in this situation is failing to temper his words to the audience that it would reach. Brimstone and fire is fine in the right audience, but not when trying to reach the masses.
Nicely put. That is the most sensibly put counter to the whole situation I’ve heard. I will say this. I asked my husband about the wording “illogical choice.” My husband is a straight man, and he can’t understand or wrap his mind around a sexual or intimate relation with another man. To him, it’s illogical. He is attracted to the female body and intimacy with a female.
Although it may seem logical to you, it’s hard for a striaght man to understand.
The mechanism for physical intimacy is different for everyone. My point was more to the fact that we do a lot of stupid stuff when we are trying to attract a mate, wether that mate be gay or straight. The emotions that god has given us make us illogical beings, and we make illogical choices everyday, not just about sex.
First reply to this whole issue I’ve heard that uses scripture to back it up! Great article. Well articulated. Scripture was point on.
Well written article defending Phil Robertson, but most importantly the understanding that the gospel and Christians are being persecuted in the United States of America. It has happened in other countries for year now we all see what is happening right in our own back door. I too believe every word of God’s Word.
Your Definition of Christianity is WRONG!! to be a Christian literally means ” To be Christ like” and to my knowledge Christ was neither homosexual nor did he condone it !!!!!!!! get it right !!
Reblogged this on Black Sheep Confabulations About Everything! and commented:
I am a Christian and I share the same beliefs as Chase. In fact, I couldn’t have said it better myself so I decided to re-blog Chase Gentes’ post about the Phil Robertson controversy.
Thanks!
Thank you for your thoughts on this. Your post is the best I have seen in explaining the madness that has come from the situation.
Thank you for this. It is all about loving the sinner not the sin. Just because you don’t agree with their lifestyle or beliefs doesn’t mean you don’t care or love them.
I enjoyed reading your post. I find it interesting that individuals want to attack ideas they don’t believe in. Remember the basics, the USA was founded with the belief in our creator, and that we are all allowed freedom of speech. That is freedom of speech weather we support it or not. I find it “interesting” that GLBT want that freedom protected for them, yet all others can NEVER express a comment that does not support their views. Remember there has been many a Christian that have died protecting this freedom.
You do realize that Duck Dynasty is fake right? Just Google search before and after photos of the Robertson family. They look like yuppies! They grew their beards and started dressing in camouflage for the show. That doesn’t lend a lot of credibility for them being a “true” anything.
Sooo when you wear a costume to a party or in a play that makes every aspect of your life fake? Look, I could couldn’t care less about the show. I’ve never watched it. Probably never will. I’m perplexed by all this attention and pushback about a sin that’s so clearly defined in God’s Word. I’d much rather have a frank discussion among fellow Christians about the low view of biblical marriage evidenced by divorce among Believers. The church at large needs to invest more in preparing those who chose to marry for a biblically sound marriage and support couples throughout their lives together–for the glory and honor of the God we say we love.
Bottom line on all this that one day everyone will bow down before GOD and account for the life that you have lived, and the ones that do not believe in GODS WORD WILL NOT ENTER HIS KINGDOM !!!
Great read on what Jesus said about homosexuality: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/22/what-jesus-says-about-homosexuality-_n_4489452.html
Isn’t if funny how non Christian and all other losers know just how a Christian should live, but they can’t bring themselves to even give it a try. They hate it because they know they are guilty of thrse sins and are afraid to face up to their own life styles. Sorry guys, don’t be afraid of God, come running to Him. Trust me if you try it you will experience that conviction that burdens your heart about sin and wrong doing. You won’t have to read it, just experiment with it. You’re afraid to even call the name of Jesus. Try it and see what happens. Doesn’t even matter if you believe he exists or not, Just say His name aloud. Can’t do it huh? I didn’t think it was possible for you to say it. Try again. Feel that lump in your throat? Evil spirits cannot even say the name of Jesus and it is impossible for them to ever say “the blood of Jesus.” try that if you can. Good luck wid dat.
I am reminded of a story where a young man had an automobile crash that made him caught upside down in a small river or creek if you prefer. A man stopped to help and waded into the water in his best suit to pull the young man from the car. The boy was saved by the well dressed gentleman with no regard to how he ruined $600.00 suit. Four years later that same boy stoodbefore a judge in a capital murder case for sentencing after being found guilty of 1st degree agravate4d murder. The sentence was dictated that the defendant be sentenced to death. The judge asked the boy if he had any remarks for the court before pronouncing sentence. Te boy, who was then a man, replied, “yes your honor, I have a question for you . Tell me if you will just how you could have jumped into a creek and ruined your clothes just to save my life?”
The judge answered, “Sir, on that day I was your savior, today I am your judge. “Today, Jesus is your Savior, On that day, he will be your judge.
This is a great post! Let’s be real indeed. 🙂
Wow. So much conflict. So much confusion. After reading these comments I am overwhelmed. I am not sure where to begin but I will try. First, Jesus did not hang out with sinners. He hang out with a lot of ex-sinners. And Jesus did not mention homosexuality but He did explain that marriage is between a man and a woman and He did explain what adultery is. We are not under the law. We are under Grace and Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. Sin is sin whether in the Old Testament or the New Testament. The difference is how we are forgiven. We no longer have to offer sacrifice because Jesus is our sacrifice. But sin is sin and even though we cannot stop sinning because of our flesh, we MUST do our best to separate ourselves from sin with the help of Jesus Christ. And we MUST warn the world and other Christians what sin is. (we don’t hear many TV preachers preaching sin and hell anymore) So, pray, study the Word and make yourselves worthy carriers of the Word. And as carriers of the Word you must also be doers of the Word. As Christians we are the light of the world. As such we must be careful and sure of our profession. For if we tell someone the Word and they ignore it. Their blood is on them. But if we don’t tell someone of the word or if we tell them wrong, their blood will be on our hands. Spread the Word in love for the wrath of God is a horrible thing. But the Love of God is a wonderful thing and his tender mercies stretch from the east to the west. Wish I had more time. God Bless
I enjoyed reading your post. These were my thoughts on it:
http://faithworshiplife.wordpress.com/2013/12/24/muddy-faith
I believe in God whole heartedly! I do not want to “love everyone”, such as the pedophile that molests innocent children, or the Geoffery Dahmers’of the world!! I love people that may make mistakes but are basically ” good” people. The only thing I have against gays is that they keep shoving the gay issue to points they should not!!!!! So your gay, live with and love the partner of your choice and shut up about needing to be married, or raise children because that is just plain WRONG!!!! Oh and yes we even have GAY PRIDE days here at our theme parks in Florida, WHY?????
If you are openly in a gay relationship aren’t you showing pride in that relationship every time you are together somewhere in public????
Thank you for writing this and reminding people of how it should be. This is the time to celebrate our Savior’s birth. I pray that everyone will turn to Jesus and say his name! Satan is a deceiver. I think the devil saw his chance and has taken it to detour people away from what’s right. We all know right from wrong and if you feel guilty about something then you know it was wrong but they have to turn that on us to make themselves feel better about it. You never go wrong with the words from The Bible. It was written for us. I love God. He is #1 in my life and I am not afraid to tell anyone that. In my prayers everyday I thank God for Jesus and how blessed I am. I pray for the ones to do not open the door to Jesus. They will not know until it’s too late.
you speak truth to a point. WE are to love the sinner hate the sin, we all fall short of God’s glory yes. But in your explanation of Christianity you did not mention repentance. Not that we are perfect. But in 1 cor.6:9-11 It says don’t let anyone deceive you….. people who continue in these ways will die and go to hell, Mat 7 21-23 says, not everyone who calls me lord lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my father in heaven… You can not be a practicing homosexual and enter the Kingdom of heaven. don’t be decieved
If a man lieth with another man, they both shall be stoned,
but where are they go to get the marijuana?
wow, hilarious made me laugh so hard. not… if your are going to disrespect my God, my Lord, my Savior, everything i have strived and worked to hard for my whole life, and then come back and say that Christians are rude, in the wrong place to be mean to gays, we are trying to help you, spread the word to you so you can be one of us, so you dont go to Hell, we love you, if we didnt none of this would e happening. so dont complain that we are disrespecting gays when we are trying to help you, and you are badmouthing our religion. check yourself
Henry: I am Jewish. We Jews don’t like half educated Christians following money grubbing unordained lay Evangelists who whip people up into Klan style bigotry with our scriptures.
Get your own and use them, not ours. Ours are not meant to be used to bully minorities.
We should know, the Law was given to Moses who gave it to us, not you Christians. We don’t take Christian scriptures and use them to invade other countries or ostracize the poor, or deprive citizen’s of their human rights. Why don’t you all stop doing that?
Please give it some consideration and then check yourself before attacking a person who is making a valid point through a joke.
So remember, I used OUR scripture to make a joke that offers insight and equal rights, nowhere did I demean you or your chosen religion.
I am not here to take your hope away. Don’t try to take mine either.
Thanks. Billy
If a man lieth with another man, they both shall be stoned,
but where are they going
to get the marijuana?
I just want to say I know everyone is tired of hearing about this. I haven’t commented on this publicly, because as a Christian and believer in the Word, I wouldn’t want to be a stumbling block to anyone whether they are a Christian or sinner, straight or gay. I now want to say what is on my heart.
The big problem with this situation is that most people in today’s society have not read the Bible, so when they hear that there are these “hard line” issues quoted by Christians, they feel that this is something said Christian just spouted off the top of their head in a fit of judgement, hate, and intolerance. For those that HAVE read the Bible, there are some that think homosexuality was only an Old Testament issue and was not addressed under the New Testament and hence is under the Mosaic law, and done away with by Jesus’ crucifixion. Not so. Even Christians themselves are guilty in today’s time of not knowing the Word. It is in there, and like the writer of this article, I am as guilty of the sins mentioned here (and in the Bible) as the day is long. Have I ever had homosexual feelings or tendencies? No. That isn’t my temptation. I do have temptations that are all my own and very real. I try to live right and not give in to them, and when I have, I have an advocate with the Father through his son Jesus (as does everyone else, if they so choose.) The word also says God is no respecter of persons-he loves and cares for everyone equally: homosexual, adulterer, murderer, liar, thief, etc. That doesn’t mean I have a license to sin; I still have to TRY to do right and do it with the best of my ability. I love people and I know God loves all people as well. Love the sinner, hate the sin-that is God for you. That love is long lasting, but it doesn’t erase the fact that He has given us these guidelines to follow and that there is a very harsh, hard nosed side to it that tells us we have to keep ALL of the Word, not just pieces that fit us-and trust me, at times that cuts me to the bone. Sharper than a two edged sword.
The thing is, the execs at A&E had to have known Phil had these beliefs; it wasn’t him having the beliefs that hurt him, it was him saying something about it that did. There is the issue. For the record, I do think there was a way to talk about what he did and be a little more thought out and considerate, yet still upholding the Bible. I also think the writer of the GQ article was very cruel, across the board. Tit for tat, I suppose.
God bless all of you and Merry Christmas.
Being gay is neither a temptation nor sin, it is simply a variety of person we have here on earth. We have people with blue eyes and brown eyes. We have people who are straight and those who are gay, as well as in between…and there is a LOT in between the two poles of sexuality. In any case, the blue eyed people are not all going to hell. In fact, no one is going to hell, except maybe bigots. The jury is still out on Phil Robertson. If he repents of his evil ways, of judging his neighbor, of playing God, there’s a chance he’ll make it, but with all the Christians running around trying to kiss his toosh, you’re not making it easy for God to get Phil’s attention. However, I suspect Phil will see the light long before he loses a million dollars. LOL. Yep, that’s my belief, we’ll see, won’t we?
God did not put Phil Robertson on this planet to please you. God did not put you on this planet to please anyone else. Phil has the right, same as you, to voice his thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. He did so, and you’re not pleased. OH WELL. You’ll get over it and life will go on. First amendment right people, look it up!!!
I agree with all you said! In order for eyes to be opened God has to be acknowledged and His Word believed upon. Otherwise there is no moral standard. Yes we all have a right to an opinion in this world. Acceptance and tolerance, from a worldly view, is reeling out of control. Lines are blurred as to what is right and wrong. “Acceptance” sounds great but when you open up the package it’s not so simple. Should murderers and rapists behaviors be accepted because its their ” preference”? Maybe they were born that way? This is a GOD issue! If one doesn’t recognize God as their creator then His commandments mean nothing. Individuals just begin to build their own standard of conduct based on their personal preference. Obviously, that muddies up the waters between right and wrong. I do believe in loving everyone, as a Christian I no more righteous than anyone else, I’m a sinner who has been forgiven. God made the rules not us. He is God and creator of earth and everything in it. What it all boils down to is who we believe sets the standards when it comes to morality. Is it God’s or your own opinion?
Live and let live.. This should be the American Motto.. I am not trying to convince everyone my way is right, just please allow me the freedom, to say and believe what I want.. Not what you think I should want, because of you beliefs…
well I think that you have left out the fact that you have too repent for you sins through the blood of Christ it does not mean that when the lord looks at you he sees Jesus it means that through truly believing that your lord and savior died on the cross so your sins could be forgiven……that dosent mean you can keep sinin and keep going to church and asking for forgiveness
That is one explanation, but it’s completely wrong. Fired for talking too much about Jesus? Talking about Jesus was a huge part of their popularity, A&E absolutely LOVED that they talked about Jesus because it made everyone involved a ton of cash.
Losing this show, if it happens, will be an extremely difficult loss for A&E. A huge percentage of their revenue will up and disappear without notice. A&E would do anything to make this go away and get Duck Dynasty back on the air talking about ducks and Jesus.
Like most “TV Christians”, Duck Dynasty eventually started showing their true colors. And once again we have to realize that anytime a rich celebrity is making a ton of cash talking about Jesus …. they may be taking everyone for a ride. Look at the pictures of the Robertson family before they started their hugely popular show. They look just like any other rich yuppies, and their idea for the show made them much, much richer. I doubt we will see them “selling all their possessions and giving the money to the poor” anytime soon.
i get so tired of people saying a “real christian” or a “true christian”…. there was only ever one perfect Christian and he hung on a cross. I never have watched a single episode of this show. i don’t think that means i’m not a Christian. I applaud their willingness to talk about Jesus in public because, unfortunately, these days those are treacherous waters. But… I’m afraid too many people have got mixed up and think believing in Uncle Si makes them a Christian. I’m also SICK OF THEM. Their ugly mugs are plastered on everything from bath towels to band aids lately. If their show gets canceled or whatever from this, i don’t think they are gonna starve. I also don’t buy into their whining about how they are treated by the tv show. I’m a biker personality of some small popularity in certain circles…so, i have been contacted by three different people from different stations about a “reality show” about biker chicks. they never have minded that i am a christian biker… they love me and my southern accent and everything else… until i tell them i refuse to be scripted. then they drop me like a hot rock… more than likely everything they say is written by some little gay Jewish screenwriter in LA somewhere. I wish as many people spent time reading their Bible as they do watching tv.
Reblogged this on lacoax and commented:
Very similar opinions here…
Spot on, Sir. I’ve recently commented on the same story…with very similar feelings…I’d be honored if you were to check it out. If you so desire, my FaceBook page will send you to my blog. Check out, The Cause for Common Sense…I’d very much like to see your reaction
so, okay… what i am seeing here is a whole bunch of christian bloggers feel basically the same way I do.. yes, we believe in Jesus.. . yes, we think Phil was probably right. No, we don’t care to keep hearing about it constantly because it is, after all, just a tv show.
A lot of these posts keep saying that all sin is the same and that being a murderer is no worse than being a thief but that makes no sense from a moral and legal standpoint. If these acts are equal, then should we throw shoplifters in jail for life and apply the death penalty every once and awhile? Apart from this, there is no case that can be made against homosexuality. Every argument can be easily refuted and will be refuted. I know this, yet I am a 14 year old boy who just happens to be gay. I don’t know why supposed “intellectuals” are so blind from the facts that are staring them straight in the face.
in God’s eyes, all sin is the same. the only unforgivable sin is blasphemy, which is denying God/Christ. but sin is sin and we all sin, which is why Jesus said “do not judge or you will be judged”
Thank you for this well spoken article! I am a Christian but still learning more on the bible. This was very informative. God Bless you!!!
I enjoyed reading your take on this…as long as you realize it is only YOUR take, and that God doesn’t need anyone to defend Him, he has shown time and time again that He can handle His own affairs. Your ONLY job, according to Scripture, is to love everyone as He loved you, and to go out and tell everyone the Good News of Christ. That’s it, nothing more or less…God can and will fend for Hi,self as he always has.
I do take issue, however, with your proclamation that you gave up sin. No one can “give up” sin, as we are human and due to Adam and Eve’s original sin, we can never escape it. Jesus died for that sin, to make a way for us to be able to reach Heaven, but He did not, and nowhere does Scripture say you will never sin again. You can’t stop…you can just strive to be more like Jesus and pray to Him to help you to avoid sin…but you WILL sin again because as humans you can’t avoid it. Does that make him love you less, absolutely NOT. If you give your life to Him and allow Him to be the leader of your life…that’s what counts.
The King James version of the New Testament was completed in 1611 by eight members of the Church of England.
There were (and still are) no original texts to translate. The oldest manuscripts we have were written down hundreds of years after the last apostle died. There are over 8,000 of these old manuscripts, with no two alike.
The King James translators used none of these, anyway. Instead, they edited previous translations to create a version their King and Parliament would approve.
So, 21st Century Christians believe the “Word of God” is a book edited in the 17th century from 16th century translations of 8,000 contradictory copies of 4th century scrolls that claim to be copies of lost letters written in the 1st century.
That’s not faith. That’s insanity.
AMEN AMEN AMEN every word of this AMEN!!! my thoughts exactly and I couldn’t have said it any better. thank you!!!
Roger that and amen! Excellent analysis!
To the ungodly, God’s inspired Word will never make sense. Only by grace will understanding be possible. Over the years many have tried, unsuccessfully to argue the authenticity of God’s Word, just as many have tried, unsuccessfully to discredit Christ as being the son of God. Is this world and all within truly created by intelligent design? I chose long ago to accept this as fact. Were there indeed many manuscripts that were not included in our Bible? If God created the entire world, the universe and all within and without, could he not easily have inspired man to record what was important, whether it was recorded the day of occurrence or years later? In our limited understanding and abilities we try to limit God and his unlimited abilities. Darwin began a discourse about “The Origin Of The Species.” He developed a “theory” that man descended by evolution from the ape. This is even taught as fact in our schools now. It his interesting to note that Darwin, himself, voiced his belief that it was simply not possible man could have been evolved in such a way. He pointed out the simple but complex workings of the iris of the human eye and was quoted as saying there was no way this structure could have evolved even given billions of years to do so. Only intelligent design can explain the complexities of God’s creation, yet man in his arrogance continues to try to equate himself to God and attempt to explain God’s handiwork with his own limited knowledge. Can anyone explain something we commonly see? The rainbow? Sure, science tells us it is a simple prism effect. We have seen how light is separated by a prism into the colors of the spectrum, but how could those colors all line up in a beautiful rainbow and be explained? This is not a simple prism. Science is lost to explain this phenomenon. So many examples exist to prove God’s existence but the stubborn and ungodly will refuse to see what is right in front of them. Some will eventually accept the truth and some, unfortunately, will not. We as Christians are commanded to love all of God’s creation, including the unbelieving. We are, however, to hate the sin. Christ died for you and me. Just as important, he rose from the dead and made possible salvation through grace, not works. I pray daily for a better understanding of God’s will in my life and that I will set a proper example to inspire others to a better understanding of God’s will in their lives. As Christians, we have much to rejoice over. This Christmas season let us celebrate Christ’s birth and live so others can see Christ in us. God bless and reveal himself to you.
I hear it all the time, “I love eveybody, would never disrespect some one. Oh, by the way, you’re bad for loving that person, you can’t get married, there’s some jobs you can’t have, and when you die you’ll be tortured forever. Because my book says so.”
Since Christians are still sinners, then based on this mindset, if anyone else were interviewed for an article then it’s perfectly okay for that person to say that all Christians are equated with being gay, being a drunkard, having sex with animals, or even being a terrorist. Sin is sin…. so let’s just be very fair about it and put us all in that category and no one be hurt or offended. And lest any Christian who isn’t gay be offended at the person interviewed, that person can just come back and make it all better in a public statement by saying he really loves everyone and is so sorry to have hurt any Christian for equating them with a person who flies planes into skyscrapers killing several thousand people. Yeah…. that should make it better and also make it make sense.
I have read most of the posts– comments here,My understanding of a Christian means to be Christ like,how many of you can claim to be this way for real and I will tell you this,if someone broke into my home and raped my wife and daughters and then killed them,I would show them no mercy nor would I EVER,EVER forgive them,I would want to kill them my self,I no longer believe everything written in the Bible,it has been rewritten so many times by many different people over the Centuries, a lot of truth was left out and untruths added for their own agenda.
I also think Organized Religion is one of the biggest scams going,the God mention in the Bible will rain down fire and Damnation and you will burn in Hell for ever and ever,I could go on and on about the Bible but,I will not do so at this time because I am sure all the people who have read this that consider themselves Christians, are shaking their heads in disbelieve and some may even be hot under the collar so to speak,so I will end with this brief comment about my believes.
My God is a kind and loving and forgiving God,Creator of all,Alpha and Omega Sat Nam,The Supreme being, who sent his son we know as Jesus to this Planet to show us how to live,love,forgive and help others and yes he did die for us but, he has already returned to this Planet many times and because of all the paintings and drawings depicting a man with long hair and a beard,that is what most think he really looks like so most would never know him if they met him unless he chose to reveal himself to us.
The scripture that Phil quoted says the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of Heaven. We are all unrighteous until we meet Jesus… through Him and by Him we are made righteous. I loved your piece it was exactly what I’ve been thinking. Rick Warren said it best when he said in reference to offending others… ” I fear what God thinks more than I fear what you think. I can not change the Word of God.” Phil didn’t give his opinion, Phil quoted God’s Word. I was amazed when I read that whole chapter. One also must remember three things when reading God’s Word. Who is the writer, who is the writer talking to and what is taking place at the time. All scripture can be applied to our lives as well, but a few details help us understand so much more!
To the family of Officer Wood. May God constantly shine on you by way of your grief and
loss.
Dr Brian Talarico, North Bay Has been convicted of child molestation, and possession of child pornography on his computer. Sexually molesting a young boy. He had prior convictions for child molestation in 1990 and 2001. After his parole in 2006, Dr.Talarico Brian Works for North Bay Regional Health Centre, despite his background, and numerous complaints against him of abuse, fraud, negligence, and imprisonment. Dr Talarico also has a sexual preference for younger boys, he’s not to be trusted around children.