Alabama senator tables motion in support of anti-gay ‘hero’ Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson

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Despite Phil Robertson being suspended indefinitely for making homophobic and racist remarks, Alabama State Senator Jerry Fielding plans to introduce a resolution lauding the Duck Dynasty star as a “hero”.

Robertson has been placed on hiatus from his family’s reality show after comparing homosexuality to bestiality and suggesting that African Americans were happier working the fields “pre-welfare.”

Interviewed for the January issue of GQ, Robertson said he could not understand why a man would choose to sleep with another man, instead of a woman.

“There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying?” he said. “But hey, sin: it’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical”.

Pressed to give his own definition of sin, he first suggested homosexuality, then added: “Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.”

“Don’t be deceived,” he continued. “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.”

Last week, Louisiana Republican Governor Bobby Jindal defended Robertson, saying the decision by the A&E television network to suspend him was a “messed-up situation”.

Along with Sarah Palin, who initially defended Robertson without even reading his remarks, Alabama State Senator Jerry Fielding is the latest Republican to back the 67-year-old.

“Phil Robertson’s family values are shared by the vast majority of Alabamians, who are rightfully concerned by the vitriol aimed at his Christian stance,” Mr Fielding said. “There’s a clear double standard in the media favoring a liberal worldview. When it’s used to silence and punish Christians for stating their beliefs, that’s when we must defend the rights of individuals to exercise their free speech without fear of politically-motivated repercussion. I join thousands across Alabama and our country by standing with Phil Robertson, and urge A&E to reverse their action against him.”

Mr Fielding plans to introduce a resolution condemning A&E in the Alabama Legislature next month.

It reads:-

Whereas, renown[ed] entrepreneur, Louisiana outdoorsman, and reality television star Phil Robertson has positively impacted countless lives through the powerful testimony of his steadfast faith in Jesus Christ and how it has transformed his life; and Whereas Phil Robertson, along with his family … have served as ambassadors of the love and grace of the Heavenly Father … Whereas recently, Phil has received backlash for expressing his personal views on homosexuality that were based on scripture in the Bible in an interview with GQ Magazine; ultimately, the Arts and Entertainment Network (A&E) punished him for his beliefs and suspended him indefinitely from the reality television show, Duck Dynasty … Whereas a portion of the politically correct populous [sic], which strongly encourages tolerance and open-mindedness, is now contradicting themselves with extreme intolerance and close-mindedness towards Phil and his personal beliefs, which stem from his rock-solid Christian faith … Phil should not be penalized in any way for practicing freedom of speech, but should be celebrated as a hero for courageously revealing his self-truth and Christian ideals in a world that can be unkind towards those with a conservative mind-set … now therefore, Be it resolved by the Legislature of Alabama, both houses thereof concurring, that this chamber of persons stand united in support of Phil Robertson and his family, and in opposition to the A&E Network’s deplorable action of suspending Phil indefinitely from Duck Dynasty for relaying his Christian beliefs.

Duck Dynasty follows the lives of the Robertsons, a family with old-fashioned conservative views who live together in Louisiana, running their multi-million dollar family business, Duck Commander – which makes products for duck hunters.

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