The cable network A&E suspended Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame a few days ago after the reality television star made some disparaging remarks about homosexuality that were published in GQ magazine.

In my life I’ve heard people say some pretty ignorant things that have gotten them in trouble with the public, with their constituents, and with their employers. Believe it or not, I’ve said some pretty stupid things myself. I even worked for a few people who said ignorant things that landed them in hot water.

I hunted ducks as a kid, and I listened to my dad’s 33 1/3 rpm record about duck calling.  I practiced enough with my duck call that ducks actually came when I called them. I never knew someone could make millions from making duck calls. I think I missed out. It seems that Duck Dynasty stuff is everywhere these days.

The Duck Dynasty show is not on my regular schedule so I watch it when I think about it. It is funny – and their life story is remarkable. The first time I watched it I thought that down the road they would probably crash and burn because people probably won’t understand the Robertson family and their beliefs.

Several folks said that Phil Robertson suffered an attack on this freedom of speech rights. These people are wrong. I don’t think Robertson had his free speech rights attacked. Phil Robertson has a right to his opinion – and he has a right to express it. He did. His employer, A&E, did not like what he said, so they suspended him.

That seems fair to me. Phil Robertson was not jailed, beaten, or exiled by our government for his speech. As far as I know, Congress did not meet to make a law to abridge Robertson’s freedom of speech.

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

While it would be easy to go into the debate about Phil Robertson’s remarks about homosexuality, all I can say is that when I read the article, I thought he went too far. I was a little shocked. As a Christian I know that people interpret the Bible differently. That’s between them and God. I know that Christians are far from perfect and that includes me. I know that some Christians are very judgmental. I also know that I have been hurt more by Christians than homosexuals.

The good news is that God will judge Phil Robertson and He will judge homosexuality. He will also have the final judgment on you and me.

Looking at the big picture, I think the Robertson family will be just fine with or without the Duck Dynasty show, although I’m thinking it’s more lucrative for A&E to keep the Robertsons around.

Maybe they could bring Phil Robertson back and base the first show on the Bible story about the prodigal son…

### MERRY CHRISTMAS ###