Duck Dynasty, freedom of speech, and the direction of the USA

There is a popular television program that I have never watched titled Duck Dynasty. And while this post is NOT intended to be any type of endorsement of that program, it does have to do with one of its main characters, Phil Robertson. Phil Robertson (shown third from the right in the poster above) was suspended yesterday by the A&E Network for statements that he made. Sarah Palin has came to his defense:

December 19, 2013

Sarah Palin says the suspension of one of the stars of the show “Duck Dynasty” over recent anti-gay comments he made is an attack on free speech.

Palin re-posted a picture of her meeting with the stars of the A&E show on her Facebook page Wednesday night, writing that “intolerants” were behind the suspension of the show’s patriarch, Phil Robertson.

“Free speech is an endangered species. Those ‘intolerants’ hatin’ and taking on the Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us,” Palin wrote.

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Robertson was suspended on Wednesday by A&E after comments he made in an interview with GQ.

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We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty,” A&E said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”

In the article, Robertson was asked what is sinful.

“Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men,” he told GQ, before paraphrasing the Bible in Corinthians. “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers — they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”

Robertson also made controversial comments about race relations in the Deep South when he was growing up. http://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/sarah-palin-duck-dynasty-defense-101319.html#ixzz2nwqOuq5W

While I did not see the article in GQ, nor will I make any attempt to defend possible racist comments that Phil Robertson have made (cf. God’s Grace is For All), I will say that I did see this suspension discussed on the news last night.

One commentator, who described himself as a ‘gay Jew,’ continually supported the suspension and indicated that he was opposed to this expression of free speech. Basically, he said that speaking against homosexuality is hate speech and that people ‘hide behind religion’ to put forward their hate of homosexuals.

This homosexual man also stated that having the views that Phil Robertson indicated he held were not Christian as Christians are to love another as they wish to be loved, etc.

Those of us who believe the Bible believe otherwise.

Of course, it is true that Christians are to love.

But it is NOT love to condone homosexuality or other biblical sins. Those who participate in them cause harm to themselves and others. So, it is not HATE speech to properly teach the truth.

Here are a couple of passages in the Bible that deal with homosexuality, starting with the one that Phil Robertson seemed to refer to in the portion of the interview shown earlier:

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man — and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:18-32)

Notice that Romans 1:32 even says that those who approve sins such as homosexuality deserve punishment.

The Bible clearly also teaches:

1 Cry aloud, spare not;
Lift up your voice like a trumpet;
Tell My people their transgression,
And the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1)

The time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) is coming and the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies will be affected.

Before getting back to the USA, it should be understood that early Christian leaders, after the New Testament was written, including the second century Polycarp of Smyrna, also condemned illicit sexual behaviors including homosexuality:

Knowing, then, that “God is not mocked,” we ought to walk worthy of His commandment and glory …For it is well that they should be cut off from the lusts that are in the world, since “every lust warreth against the spirit; ” and “neither fornicators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God,” nor those who do things inconsistent and unbecoming (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, Chapter V. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).

Being opposed to the practices of homosexuality is not a new idea. It is not hate speech hidden behind religion to speak out against homosexuality.

Homosexuality is not God’s way.

Yet, many do not wish to hear that nor believe that approving sins such as homosexuality will help lead to the destruction of the USA.

More and more, in the USA at least, there are limits on free speech. Canada has its own problems as it allowed someone to be fined for publishing an advertisement that quoted scriptures against homosexuality.

Being opposed to homosexuality and ‘same-sex marriage’ is something that many want suppressed–and various governmental regulations as well as ‘interpretations’ of those regulation are intended to intimidate those who will speak out against it.

The ‘founding fathers’ of the USA were concerned about governmental restrictions on speech, and hence introduced and approved a set of amendments called the ‘Bill of Rights.’ Here is what the first amendment to the Constitution of the USA 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.

Notice that because it also discusses religion in the same amendment that obviously speech that involves religious beliefs is supposed to be a basic right. Yet many in the government and media do not want true freedom of speech or religion.

That being said, private companies such as A&E can suspend whoever they want for almost any reason that they want. But since it does not look like Phil Robertson was suspended for the racial comments or poor job performance, but instead because he stated religious beliefs that seem consistent with the Bible, the suspension is of course morally wrong and in basic violation of Romans 1:18-32.

My concern is that other ‘celebrities’ will decide that they too have to keep quiet in what is becoming an evil time (cf.Amos 5:13) .

The Bible warns of time that standing for moral principles will be difficult. Notice:

20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20-21)

The time is sadly here now when many call good evil and evil good.

Notice also the following:

13 Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. (Proverbs 17:13)

Those associate with A&E and/or who agree that one who calls homosexual behavior a sin, need to think about the above scripture. And while I did not see most of the comments that Phil Robertson made, he should not have been suspended for being opposed to homosexual behavior.

The Bible teaches that a famine of the word is coming (Amos 8:11-12; cf. Romans 10:14-15). The time will come when the government will stifle the message of the Continuing Church of God, probably in the name of “tolerance” and/or calling parts of the message “hate speech” (they may also cite national security and other such concerns). What happened to Phil Robertson is not even really a foretaste about how bad it will get. But it does show how bad things are heading in the USA.

The overall direction of the USA is not good, and without national repentance (which is unlikely), it is doomed.

All of that being said, it is possible that this suspension by A&E will make Phil Robertson more popular than he was. But the implications for many others in the limelight will be to refrain from taking positions that the homosexual lobby and its supporters disapprove of.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality? Can homosexuals change?
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine. What does the Bible really teach?
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There is also a YouTube video on this, titled Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
Why Marriage? Soon Obsolete? This is a booklet from Herbert Armstrong on this important topic.
Here’s the Plain Truth About OLD TESTAMENT POLYGAMY by Herbert Armstrong. He explains various passages in the Old Testament and New about why polygamy is not God’s way.
Love, Marriage, and Sex It is important to get them in the right order.
God’s Grace is For All Is being Jewish a hindrance to salvation? What about not being a descendant of Israel? What does the Bible really teach?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. A video of possible interest may be Will Will USA Spying Help the Beast Power?
Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What about Jerusalem? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people? Here is a link to a video titled Will the USA and other Anglo-nations be Divided and Their People Made Slaves? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Serán divididas las naciones anglosajonas?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?
Was the Commandment to Love the Only Command? Some have stated that John’s writings teach this, but is that what the Bible really says?
The Ten Commandments and the Early Church Did Jesus and the Early Church keep the ten commandments? What order were they in? Here are quotes from the Bible and early writings.
Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism? Was the millennium (sometimes called chiliasm) taught by early Christians? Who condemned it? Will Jesus literally reign for 1000 years on the earth? Is this time near?