IStandWithPhil.com launched a petition to reinstate Papa Phil Roberson of Duck Dynasty after he was fired over anti-gay comments.
The full petition is pasted below but the website reads in part:
“I am asking your network to immediately reinstate Mr. Robertson to Duck Dynasty, and to formally apologize to him, his family, and the millions of viewers who tune in every week, stand by him, and share his worldview.”
PETITION TO THE A&E NETWORK DEMANDING THE IMMEDIATE REINSTATEMENT OF DUCK DYNASTY’S PHIL ROBERTSON — #ISTANDWITHPHIL
Dear A&E Network,
I am writing to you regarding your network’s intolerant, discriminatory, and punitive treatment of Mr. Phil Robertson, star of A&E’s #1 hit show, Duck Dynasty.
Mr. Robertson’s comments in GQ Magazine are simply reflective of a Biblical view of sexuality, marriage, and family – a view that has stood the test of time for thousands of years and continues to be held by the majority of Americans and today’s world as a whole.
Many members of the LGBT community may not agree with this view, but the notion that a free-thinking American should be discriminated against simply for expressing a perspective that is in conflict with another is patently un-American and flies in the face of true tolerance and civility. A&E’s position, which in your own words is “championing” the gay and lesbian community — which I believe you have the freedom to do — excludes the views of Faith Driven Consumers and effectively censors a legitimate viewpoint held by the majority of Americans.
As a Faith Driven Consumer, I am signing this petition to demand that my views be treated with equality and respect in America’s rich rainbow of diversity.
I am asking your network to immediately reinstate Mr. Robertson to Duck Dynasty, and to formally apologize to him, his family, and the millions of viewers who tune in every week, stand by him, and share his worldview. While the LGBT community may be offended by his opposing viewpoint, your rash, discriminatory, and unfair treatment toward Mr. Robertson — a recognized symbol of the faith community — is a slap in the face to Faith Driven Consumers and everyday Americans alike.
There are 46 million Faith Driven Consumers in America today who spend 1.75 trillion dollars annually. Should you refuse to equally respect and welcome our legitimately held views, we will gladly stop watching this and all other A&E programming and turn to any reformulation of Duck Dynasty on another network – while simultaneously supporting brands that stand with the show and the Robertson family.
Signed,
John Q. Public
There’s also a new Facebook page in support of Phil that has garnered over 500,000 likes in a span of a few hours.
Your thoughts on this issue in the way of comments are greatly appreciated! Comment section below.
LANCASTER COUNTY, SC. (THECOUNT) -- The body discovered in a wooded area in Lancaster, South…
MERCER COUNTY, OH. (THECOUNT) -- Anthony George Cole, 47, of Celina, was killed in a…
LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) -- Aubrey Plaza, known for her role in "The White Lotus,"…
LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) -- In a heartwarming turn of events amidst the devastation of…
North Yorkshire, UK. (THECOUNT) -- Off-duty police officer, Rosie Prior, and driver, Ryan Welford, perished…
LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) -- The ongoing California wildfires have wreaked havoc, particularly in the…
View Comments
Looks like freedom of speech won after all. Even if A&E were just looking at their bottom line $$$
People just don't seem to understand that this is NOT about "free speech" so much as it is about fringe groups such as GLAAD attempting to flex their muscle and SILENCE anyone that doesn't tolerate their view on homosexuality. A&E would have never done away with the patriarch of their top show had it not been for the actions of GLAAD. A lecherous small group that is definitely a MINORITY fringe group in the USA. Are you sure you want any minority dictating to the majority?
This "petition" is just so much justification of the white right so called "religious" people to justify their animosity and hatred towards a groups who have really done nothing to them but continue to be at the hurtful end of their bias and anti Christ beliefs. You cave to these people and you can expect no patronage from me.
Phil & his family are an icon in this country we need, people with Morals….A&E
Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty you are a GOOD man! .. Keep your faith & your beliefs alive! .. let no entity make money off of you while suspending you at the same time as A & E seems to be doing every night.....
Oh the gay and lesbian community are showing their distaste for the speakings of the bible now... That's a argument the will never win. We are not allowed to think the way we do now a days, are we being forced to turn our tolerance into acceptance...? that will never happen .. keep rocking the boat, tolerance is a 2 way street!
"Intolerant, discriminatory treatment" in the very first sentence?
Bwa hahahaha haha !!! That is rich. If he's a supporter of intolerance and discrimination, why should he have a problem being subjected to it?
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
I support Phil and his whole family. The L&G agenda is pushed down our throats. The stuff we have to hear from the media is really disproportionate based on the population. Every TV series, movie, and news outlet has something to say non-stop about the L&G lifestyle and why everyone should approve. And, if you don't agree you will be told you are uneducated, primitive and/or backward and you probably live in the south and God forbid a conservative Christian, most likely over the hill to boot. The vast majority of Americans can't all be a bunch of bigots or uneducated oafs, yet we are being forced to keep any opinion we have to ourselves while the special interest groups can blast away and say we are just a bunch of haters. I am glad Phil had the backbone to say what he believes to be true based on his study of the Bible. It is a shame when the voices of an immoral minority are heard the loudest. The ability to express our opinions whether we like hearing it or not should be precious. How many times have you heard disclaimers such as the opinions heard are not those of the network blah, blah, blah. Why not just say that A&E, but the trouble is A&E was making a boatload of money off the show and they were afraid (in their opinion) his comments might cut into their pocketbooks. It isn't about their own values. I doubt A&E can spell the word. It is about the money and being able to bully someone because you own a network. Finally, I think the silent majority may have begun to speak up and it is about time.
If A&E dont want to associate themselves with someone, they have the right to suspend and/or fire the person. That si their right, just like it is Phil's right to believe and say whatever he wants. However, he mus also know that there are consequences as well. "Right of Free Speech" means that the GOVERNMENT cant do anything because of what you say, however your employer also have the right to now work with someone who does not agree with them. Say what you want about Phil and his beliefs, even your own beliefs, but A&E are using their rights just as much as Phil used his.