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On December 18^th, Phil Robertson of the hit reality show Duck Dynasty which airs on A & E gave an interview with GQ magazine and discussed his views on morality. From reading the interview it is easy to see that he was asked to give his opinion on morality and gave one based on his faith. He talked about homosexuality being a sin and acknowledged that only God judges sinners. He never actually compared it to bestiality but mentioned it and adultery. While he expressed his views in a manner that was in artful to say the least, his belief is reflected by the majority of Christians. His comments about blacks being happy prior to the passage of the civil rights law was misguided as it seemed to evidence a lack of understanding as to the gravity of that era, yet his point seemed to be that they were Godly people who loved others including poor whites in spite of the circumstances of that time. But looking at the theme of the Duck Dynasty show, the focus of the show is about faith and Phil's family. So why would A & E be surprised that Phil when asked would express the views shared by Christians and why did they suspend Phil in the first place? 

The reason involved the workings of two of the most radical homosexual advocacy groups that masquerade as reasonable; GLAAD, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and the HRC, the Human Rights Campaign. Both groups promote homosexuality, homosexual marriage and an end to heterosexualism, the assumption that someone is heterosexual. Both called for Phil's ouster. GLAAD in particular labeled Phil’s comments as vile; GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz: "Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil's lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe. He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans — and Americans — who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil's decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to re-examine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families."  George Orwell would be proud. In essence, GLAAD is saying that they know better then Christians what Christianity should stand for and what Christians need to believe. Any deviance from GLAAD's prescribed view is bigotry driven by hate. But GLAAD is doing the very thing they have accused the Duck Dynasty star of, pushing a vile and extreme stereotype of those who they disagree with and exhibit a willful ignorance of what Christians believe. The issue is not about tolerance, it is about silencing the only group that stands in their way of altering public policy relating to sexuality, expressive behavior and marriage.  

Whether Americans like it or not, our country has been in a cultural war for the last three decades. On the target list is the state of marriage and it’s definition. The number of children born out of wedlock is approaching 40%. Marriage is the building block of society as it gives children an advantage to grow up in a stable environment. Having both a mother and father imparts important traits to a child. Having the financial means to meet the cost of raising a child reduces the pressure on parents and allows for quality social interaction. Elton John acknowledged the importance of a mother when he indicated his regret that his child will never have a mother. With the recent trend toward redefining marriage to mean two men or two women, the paradigm of marriage has shifted to anything goes as long as it’s called Love. The truth is love is a choice and sex is not love. The battle cry is equality yet there is nothing equal with the union of one man and one woman. The problem with equating other relationships to marriage is the elimination of the boundaries. This concern was proven when a federal judge recently declared a portion of Utah’s prohibition against polygamy unconstitutional. How does this serve the public good? 

Christians believe that sexuality has limits. They disagree with adultery, homosexuality and pre-marital sex. These views are based on the teachings found in the Bible. In particular, the book of Genesis which teaches that God created the heavens and earth. Genesis which is the first book of the Bible defines marriage as between a man and woman in which both shall cleave together or become one. The same book also described how God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah due to their sexual sin. More explicit teachings related to homosexuality are found in the old testament book of Leviticus and the new testament book of Romans. But there are many other sins outlined in the Bible and it is never acceptable to hate. Any discussion pertaining to morality must be done in love and without hypocrisy. These beliefs are also considered common sense by many based on the consequences of such behaviors. This is evidenced by the Centers for Disease Control which released current statistics on sexually transmitted diseases which they link to promiscuous sexual behavior. Yet any effort to address this issue publically is defined as hate. How does this promote the common good if we as a society are unwilling to address health concerns which can affect us all? It is extremely important to acknowledge that our history and our laws are based on morality which is derived from faith. Its interesting to note the silence on the part of GLAAD and their allies in regards to the teachings of Islam. Christianity expresses disagreement over what they view as sexual sin and Islam calls for death.  

Changing public policy should never be contemplated without consideration to the consequences. Americans were told that covering sexual behavior in anti-discrimination laws would never lead to a change in the definition of marriage. When marriage was redefined in several states, Americans were told that it would not harm those of faith. Yet now there is no right of conscious when declining to make a wedding cake or photograph a wedding or how to use church property. A member of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission actually stated that homosexual marriage trumps religious liberty. Even gender has been changed. It is now defined by the individual, is considered fluid and ever changing. Boundaries are considered discriminatory. Its dictated by a feeling. The proponents of these changes are now using the law as a bludgeon to attack, demonize and destroy their opponents. A prime example is when the so called Human Rights Campaign illegally obtained donor lists of the National Organization for Marriage and tried to pressure employers to fire those who donated money in opposition to homosexual marriage.  In testimony before the Senate Judiciary committee, the Attorney General testified that the recently expanded hate crimes law which now includes sexual orientation does not protect a preacher who is physically attacked for equating homosexuality with sin.

The effort to silence Phil is just an extension of the activities of these extremist groups and the ever raging cultural war. Only this time the extremists over reached and the People spoke. A & E backed down and the sponsors of the show backed common sense. Americans need to understand that freedom can only be achieved when we stand up to bullies. Let freedom ring!