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December 19th, 2013
01:49 PM ET
CNN Exclusive: Family pastor defends 'Duck Dynasty' starBy Daniel Burke, CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor (CNN) - While controversy swirled around Phil Robertson Wednesday evening, the "Duck Dynasty" patriarch was at his longtime church, praying for a young woman who suffers from cancer, the TV star's pastor told CNN in an exclusive interview. "Phil led us in prayer," said Mike Kellett, senior pastor of White's Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, Louisiana. "There were greater things on our minds than the firestorm of controversy about this article." Asked how Robertson is taking the fierce criticism of his remarks on homosexuality, Kellett said, "He's very calm, and very confident that if he serves the Lord, God will take care of everything." Robertson, 67, was suspended by the A&E network on Wednesday after the publication of comments in GQ magazine. Citing the Bible, the outspoken Christian called homosexuality sinful and compared it to bestiality and drunkenness. Robertson's remarks were a rough paraphrase of the New Testament, in which Paul catalogs a list of vices, including, in many Bible translations, homosexuality. Scholars and pastors disagree, however, about whether Paul's remarks should apply to modern gay and lesbian relationships. Gay rights groups were outraged, calling Robertson's remarks "homophobic" and "hateful." A&E said it was "disappointed" by the comments, "which are based on his own beliefs and are not reflected in the series 'Duck Dynasty.' " But Robertson, who looks a bit like an Old Testament prophet, says conservative Christian beliefs and values have permeated every corner of his life ever he gave up his self-described heathen lifestyle as a honky-tonk operator in the 1970s. "I myself am a product of the '60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom Savior," Robertson said in a statement on Thursday. "My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the Bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together." ‘Duck Dynasty’ reactions debate: Free speech or bigotry? Robertson is an elder at White's Ferry Road Church of Christ, a nondenominational church that gathers around 1,200 worshippers on Sunday mornings. That means he offers spiritual counsel, helps teach the faith, hosts Bible studies and offers charity to the poor, Kellett said. "He has literally helped bring hundreds of people to the Lord," the pastor added. Robertson's son, Alan, co-pastored White Ferry with Kellet for eight years before joining the cast of "Duck Dynasty." The show, which A&E says drew nearly 12 million viewers to the premiere of its fourth season in August, is enormously popular among conservative Christians, many of whom defended Robertson on social media Thursday. A online petition called "I Stand With Phil," garnered nearly 10,000 signatures by midday. Opinion: ‘Duck Dynasty’ suspension doesn’t violate First Amendment As Robertson's fame has grown, so has the size of his pulpit. He has preached at megachurch Pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in California. Publishers peddle "The Duck Commander Devotional" and churches clamor for guest appearances by the Robertson family. “We’re kind of the John the Baptists of the 21st century," Alan Robertson has said. "It’s how you imagine, with the wild hair and the locusts." Kellett said his church backs Robertson, whose family is nearly royalty in West Monroe, a city of 13,000 in northern Louisiana. "We support the Robertson family, and strongly believe in our Bibles and in Jesus Christ as lord." The pastor said he agrees with Phil Robertson's comments about homosexuality and is concerned about his critics' treatment of Christianity. "I think it's unfortunate that when you quote the Bible people get upset about one particular sin that always seems to get a lot of attention," Kellett said. "But sometimes the Bible is going to rub folks the wrong way." |
  About this blog
The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Ultimately this suspension is about money and loosing sponsors. Plus this is a reality show (Not really) and not a political show.
What's worse: losing sponsors or losing viewers? Neither. And it seems that A&E took a gamble on a fundamental Christian family (to give the appearance that they are Christian friendly) and it is now backfiring. The world can now see their anti-Christian bias.
Love the christian, hate the bigotry.
I do despise A&E's bigotry! 🙂
So to you L4H, it is the media company who decided not to give a platform to Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church that is the bigot because they disagree with the Churches horrid rhetoric?
Pastor. LOL
Please report NEWS. This is free publicity for a reality program, not NEWS.
This is a Belief Blog, if you don't wish to read about belief then clicking on the religion section might not be such a good idea.
Excellent point! 🙂
The biblical God is omnipotent and omniscient. It knows everything that will happen. Why would such a God ever change?
It was a jealous and vengeful God in the Old Testament, and changed into a loving God in the New Testament. But it knew all that was going to happen.
Hypothesis 1: These stories were created by humans, reflecting our understanding and feelings.
Hypothesis 2: The omniscient omnipotent God totally changed its own character even though it could have started out all loving and set things up to make that work with human free will right from the beginning.
I'll go with Hypothesis 1, Hypothesis 2 is absurd and inconsistent with much of the observed universe.
The Bible states that God created the everything in seven days. Evolution is not the word of God and although there are many people who spend countless hours working hard to disprove God and christianity they are making an unfortunate decision. When God created Adam and Eve he did not create them as infants. The same is true with the Earth, the stars, geology, and the list can go on. There are stars that can be seen from Earth 12.9 billion light years away. if you are not in faith or in the Bible this is probably something that makes perfect sense to rationalize your "proof" that you are right and you can determine your rules in life to live by and that the Bible is pish posh, however as a Christian I view this example as just one of God's many amazing creations that when he created was not created at year 0 but created perhaps already almost 12.9 billion years old. The word of God is clear and it should not be questioned. Even some people who proclaim to be Christians try to interpret the Bible to mean things that it is not but it is men like Phil Robertson that read it and preach the Word for what the Word says. It is men like Phil Robertson who will find salvation in heaven and he is just witnessing to the rest of the world.
Robertson is a bigoted jerk, and your twisting of your already sicko bible tales to try in vain to make them fit a reality that they obviously do not fit, is ludicrous and stupid. Have a read here, stupid:
http://www.businessinsider.com/phil-robertson-duck-dynasty-two-americas-2013-12
That's the beauty of claiming your god is omnipotent. Even the most overwhelming of evidence against his existence can be explained away by claiming it was all a magic act by him.
@Colin : That's the beauty of claiming your god is omnipotent.
And that's the beauty of claiming to 'follow science' – you always have the out of 'we don't know yet'.
Exactly, Colin. Like.
L4H, admitting to what is not known is the courageous, honest response.Religion is for weak cowards such as yourself.
L4H – saying "we don't know" isn't an out. It is a fact. Science says "we don't know, so let's find out." Religion says "we don't know, so let's re-brand our ignorance as "god."
@Colin : Religion says "we don't know, so let's re-brand our ignorance as "god."
Well, you're entitled to your viewpoint.
Live4Him, Saying we don't know isn't an out. Humans by nature seek answers. Accepting you don't yet have them in the face of this instinct is the hard decision. Making up an answer is little different than shooting up heroin to fill an emotional need.
Why would god create a world that could so easily be misinterpreted? Sounds like kind of a devious guy.
MB
Right and he created all the geological, fossils, cosmological, biological, and pirates just to give his creations something to do, while he got around to making his encore, tardiness in a god is so rude. The nice thing about the Flying Spaghetti Monster is He is just so cool.
RAmen, may his noodly appendage touch you and get you thinking right.
People are not trying to disprove god. They are working to understand the world and universe around us better. With every new discovery, your god gets smaller and smaller. The god has gotten so small now there is really only one use for him, which is the start of the universe. And that's only because it is impossible to prove the origins. The god may be your explanation, but even then it doesn't seem plausible when you use any rational thought.
"People are not trying to disprove god."
Exactly. The question of god doesn't usually come up at all.
It requires no work to disprove God and Christianity because you have no evidence to support your belief. I could believe in the flying spaghetti monster and it wouldn't make that true either.
Your statement would be funny except you really mean it. Religious people rationalize, scientists weigh evidence and make conclusions. Your God is obviously false. There may be a God out there, but the biblical God is obviously man made. You were probably put under a spell by your parents, and it is strong.
What ever, Old southern Christians will someday be a thing of the past. They will die off and most of their kids wont care about crucifying a particular group of people. They will be too busy voting democratic and spending the inheritance.
As long as there's a "Conservative" brand of Christianity they will need some enemy to banner under. Every vast majority with all the power in a society needs one to justify all its actions, and that goes back even before the days of little men with tiny mustaches. After gays are fully accepted I suppose they'll switch to us atheists full time, or back to the Jews or moderate Christians.
I say again 'Only in America' and all the other sink holes of the world. This duck hunter guy is so backward that looking forward is out of the question. This loser should be charged with hate crimes and put in jail. Jeeze he is just a god loving loser who clearly has not read a newspaper, book, magazine or other information material in the last twenty years or he would know that God never said those things, the losers who pretend to speak for him or her do. God did not write any bible, koran or other work of religious intent, people did and like the duck guy loser, their opinions are hardly those real and good people want to live by. Where are the charges, where are the cops and, for god's sake, where are all the sensible god-loving people to put this guy in his place, a jail cell.
God-loving is part of the problem, not part of the solution.
Where does the bible compare being gay to bestiality? That was what he said in the interview, so don't gloss it over.
@J Y : Where does the bible compare being gay to bestiality? That was what he said in the interview, so don't gloss it over.
According to the Bible, ALL sins are equal – be it gay, bestiality, road rage or even getting angry thoughts about the other driver.
What a disgusting "morality". Even among some pretty bad other religions, Christianity sucks.
Well, I'm content with my choice. Are you content with yours? If so, then why attack differing viewpoints?
That's an idiotic comment, Live4Him. You don't live in a vacuum, dummy.
Commandment #11: Thou shall not rageth on the road.
I'm glad he has religious beliefs but its 2013 and law, medicine and public opinion all prove his comments are out of ignorance. Not to mention a lack of intelligence because he's making millions through those same principles. The bible teaches respect to all god's creatures. How about showing some respect?
For everyone that hates the fact that A&E (Arts and Entertainment, mind you) suspended a redneck for speaking his mind.... would if an atheist worked as a sound engineer for a mega-church, but never expressed his views because he didn't care he worked for a church, and it was a good job. It's not hypocritical, it's just because he really needed employment. One day he's caught on an atheist blog, he's confronted on his beliefs, and is fired because of it. I doubt mosty people would even argue for this man, because it seems to be 'hypocritical' in nature for the atheist to even work for a mega-church.
How many people to not understand how strong the LGBT community is in arts and entertainment? AND.... both sides had to know what they were dealing with. The rednecks AND A&E.
You will be included until you speak divisively. So if people would just shut-up and collect a paycheck, then we wouldn't even know about half this stuff. But they don't shut up, they go to a magazine and speak their divisive thoughts. And if it's from the Bible, then BAM.... it's already going to jacked-up.
you will be surely "tested" if you stand up for "The Lord" and HIS principals. Duckman will be alright, im not worried at the least, and that ladies and gents is "REAL TALK"
Why would an omnipotent being need you to "stand up" for it?
Or is your "god" one of those less-than-omnipotent ones...better make yourself a better god next time.
Eh, sin is all God's fault per the Bible, anyway. So I guess he does need cheerleaders to gloss over the many failures.
Oh, he prayed for a woman's cancer? Yea, that helps. Better idea. How about takes some of that $200,000 / episode and pay for her cancer treatments? Has a much better tract record.
Oh, he's brought "hundreds" of people to "the lord"? Yea, that helps. Better idea. How about takes some of that $200,000 / episode and open up a woman's shelter? That would be better for society.
What evidence do you have that he HASN'T done such?
He has expended at least some of his resources in useless ways, in bringing people into his pathetic cult.
Prove to me he has. What I am saying is that he's wasted time and resources that could be put to better use.
Thank goodness for bible believing Christians who don't defend evil and state the law of the Lord and how we will be saved and have eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour who died on the cross and shed his blood for our sins. If the Lord be for us, who can be against us!!
My God is bigger than your god.
chubbygal, the whole Jesus-sacrifice thing is a steaming pile of bull-do. How is it again that your omnipotent being couldn't do his saving bit without the whole silly Jesus hoopla? And how was Jesus' death a "sacrifice", when an omnipotent being could just pop up a replacement son any time with less than a snap of his fingers? Pretty pathetic "god" that you've made for yourself there.
Ask the questions. Break the chains. Join the movement.
Be free of Christianity and other superstitions.
http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/
Why is everyone ignoring what he said about black people?
Oh, wait.... the bible allows owning slaves too.
My mistake. Nevermind.
As far as freedom of speech goes, seems like you can say whatever you want as long as it does not offend, critizise or belittle anyone. Now if Phil had taken a supportive stand about the issues he spoke of, I bet the ratings of his family's show would have gained a whole new following and soared to record ratings.
As far as freedom of speech goes, anyone is welcome to express their opinion, critical or not, and not face legal repercussions. However, when you represent a brand, the owner of said brand also has the right not to pay you when you express an opinion that reflects negatively on that brand. He did not get incarcerated for expressing his opinion which means his right to free speech is still intact. If any of the rest of us said something similar while representing our employers, we would probably get fired, not just suspended. This has nothing to do with the right to free speech, just what most employers would consider a harassment case. Suspension was an appropriate action in this case.
Right? It would be like Ronald McDonald saying "I have no problem with hispanics but I'd rather they didn't eat at McDonald's".
For those new to the forum:
Here are some words that are blocked. If your post contains one or more of these words, then your post will not be placed on the forum.
h.o.m.o – as in ho.mo.se.xual
s.e.x – as in ho.mo.se.xual
a.p.e – as in ra-pe
c.u.m – as in doc-ument
t.i.t as in ent.itle or consti.tution
If you break-up the word to avoid the filters, then you can post them. However, if you become offensive, then your post could be deleted for abuse (when others report it).
Or just pray to baby Jesus right before you hit "Post".
Funny!
One time, I did a lengthy post. It kept getting rejected and I could not for the life of me work out what the offensive word was. I checked all the "usual suspects," many of which you pointed out, (t.it cu.m s.ex j.ap) and it wasn't any off them. After an hour or so, I finally worked it out. The offending word was "Ch.ardonnay."
Huh? But if you look carefully enough, you will see why.
@Colin : The offending word was "Ch.ardonnay." Huh? But if you look carefully enough, you will see why.
That's a new one! I'll need to remember it.
sp.ic and j.ap tricked me up for a long while. It's weird, many of the words banned here can be used openly on other parts of the CNN site.
What u doing for Xmas?
@Colin : It's weird, many of the words banned here can be used openly on other parts of the CNN site.
I wish that CNN would change their process and REMOVE the offensive word rather than deleting the entire post. That would serve the same purpose AND cut down on the frustration of many.
@Colin : What u doing for Xmas?
Staying home and taking it easy. Yourself?
Visiting with family in New York.
@Colin : Visiting with family in New York.
We did that at Thanksgiving (but in VA), so we're off the hook this holiday.
I got caught with "drif.twood" the other day.
Seems that "F.T.W." is super naughty
@Doc Vestibule : I got caught with "drif.twood" the other day.
Another new one!
maybe it's because when chad used to be here, he was constantly called ch.ard
Except when he was Rachel 🙂
jimmy,
No, it's not "chard" that gets flagged, it's the "h.ardon" part of "Ch.ardonnay".
Thanks, Colin, I'll add that one to the list.
#12 Religious Trauma Syndrome: How Some Organized Religion Leads to Mental Health Problems
Posted: Dec 18, 2013
http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/more/tarico20131218
Well now it all makes sense. Robertson is a member of the Church of Christ, one of the most hypocritical and hateful denominations in the south. Many of the KKK were or are members of the church; they believe they are the only ones that go to Heaven and they pick and choose what they take literally or not. Hell, even the members of the Church of Christ can't get along; you will often see two or more of their church's on the same street due to "differences".
So, your standard is that any Christian who diligently follows Christ's teachings is hypocritical and hateful?
Live 4 Him: That's not what I said at all. I stated that those who pick and choose are not Christians. Nowhere, in the Bible did Christ EVER say gays were evil, blacks were substandard or that we are to espouse hateful speech. Show me where and I'll take back my comments about the Church of Christ and those that believe like them. Christ was very clear about why He was here and what we were to do. Judging others, making hateful comments and espousing racial hatred was not any of them. If you choose to believe based on the Old Testament, then you fail to comprehend what Christ was here for.
@jp ceire : I stated that those who pick and choose are not Christians.
According to the Bible, we are NOT to judge another person's servant. Yet, you are attempting to judge Christ's servant with this statement. While I agree with you that the better Christian will NOT pick-n-choose, I would never declare that they are not a Christian (Because only CHRIST can make that determination).
@jp ceire : Nowhere, in the Bible did Christ EVER say gays were evil
First, the Bible declares that all sinners are evil. Thus, we are all evil – unless we are saved by his grace. Second, a gay person's lifestyle is condemned in scripture and Christ declared that he didn't come to change the law. Thus, Christ reaffirmed that condemnation. However, the homosexual lifestyle is no worse than other sins: promiscuity, drunkenness, theft, murder, etc.
@jp ceire : If you choose to believe based on the Old Testament, then you fail to comprehend what Christ was here for.
Christ didn't change the OT Law – He fulfilled it.
If you profess to be a Christian then you must also believe in the Bible as the unerring word of God. I know Pope Francis does and obviously follows God's word as stated in Matthew 7:1-3 as all who are Truly Christians should.
Matthew 7 1-3 King James Version (KJV)
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
@ Al:
read the next 2 verses. Jesus clearly expects us to actually follow through & call one another out on our failings. by your read, everyone should just stand there with junk in our eyes blinding us.
Jesus is not saying "never judge other people" but rather "remember you need a savior, too, when you are calling people out."
Exactly. Many Christians don't realize that we are prohibited from claiming a person is not saved (i.e. judgmental condemnation), but we are encouraged to judge a person's actions to assist with them walking as Christ walked – i.e. without sin. When we so-judge, we can only use the Biblical standard – else we create our own standards and declare ourselves 'god'.
Would that be the same "Biblical standard" where Jesus never said a word against gays, but said numerous things against no-fault divorce, which is as popular with Conservative Christians as it is with everyone they assume is going to Hell? For people who claim to be following WWJD they appear to be only following what the Pharisees likely deemed important. Ironic, eh?
First, the Bible declares that all sinners are evil. Thus, we are all evil – unless we are saved by his grace. Second, a gay person's lifestyle is condemned in scripture and Christ declared that he didn't come to change the law. Thus, Christ reaffirmed that condemnation. However, the homosexual lifestyle is no worse than other sins: promiscuity, drunkenness, theft, murder, etc.
Live4Him
We are human, which means that everything we do can be interpreted as "evil" by some, good, selfish, selfless or a host of other things by others. Why does Christianity only choose to call us all evil?
If Christ only reaffirmed the OT Law why is circ_umcision and not eating pork, or pizza not an issue for Christians? The OT makes no distinction between any of the individual laws, so why pick and choose?
Russ
Why does your lot always bypass Luke 6:37
"Judge not, and you will not be judged, condemn not, and you will not be condemned, forgive, and you will be forgiven."
Dozens of other examples, if you know your bible. Nothing about how to judge, just leave it up to god but you can't stop can you.
BS alert from L4H
1 Corn. 11-31
Romans 2:1
Psalm 75:7
A few more, look them up.
@ Charm quark: just a quick perusal of the Bible shows over & over again people being held accountable by others.
is judgment ultimately God's? of course.
does that mean he tells us never to judge one another? certainly not.
the key is that Christians are supposed to expect the world not to get it. we are called to judge other Christians.
Paul may say it the MOST bluntly: "what business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? is it not those inside the church we are to judge? God judges those outside. Cast the brother out from among you." (1 Cor.5:12-13)
It also says to kill gays, witches, and unruly children.
your an idiot
Mr. Know...
"your an idiot"
It's hilarious when you are trying to put someone down and you goof it up yourself by not knowing the difference between "your" and "you're"!
Too darn funny... 'your an idiot'..... ahahahahahahahaha.... priceless.
@ Jake: it's actually worse than that. the cross says we ALL deserve death – at the very same time that it says he loved us enough to die in our place (even though he was the ONLY one who didn't deserve it).
It isn't WHAT he said, (although, religious ignorance is bliss) it's HOW he said it:
He wasn't expressing his religious beliefs...
He was ON; He was being himself, he thought he was being FUNNY.
He gets paid A LOT to be FUNNY.
Noone in Phil's family will ever have to work again because they are FUNNY.
Funny, or laughable?
Hwy, in today's world you take the good with the bad. You make a stupid comment, just because you are rich and famous does not mean we will not take offense.
Can't stand the heat, go make a duck call
Freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from consequences.