Phil Robertson has spoken out about his homophobic comments for the first time since his GQ magazine interview went live saying: ‘I will not give or back off from my path.’
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The Duck Dynasty patriarch led a small Bible study group in his hometown church in West Monroe, Louisiana on Sunday, in a British gossip mag exclusive.
During Sunday’s speech, he defended himself, saying he was simply quoting from the Bible and even went so far as to say Jesus could save gay people.
“I love all men and women. I am a lover of humanity, not a hater,” adding, “We are a bunch of rednecks from Louisiana, but I am not uneducated, I have a degree from Louisiana Tech. But this week I have been called an ignoramus. This week I have been asked, ‘Is this the first time you have brought up sin?’ I said, ‘Are you kidding? I have been traveling to and fro spreading this message. ‘Then he said, ‘Well do you invite yourself to go and get your Bible and tell people what you are now sharing with us?’ I said, “No they are inviting me.” Last week Robertson set off a still-blazing media firestorm with his comments in GQ magazine’s January issue calling homosexuality a sin. “I love all men and women. I am a lover of humanity, not a hater,” Robertson said Sunday. Leading a prayer he said, “I will not give or back off from my path because you conquered death, Father, so we are not worried about all the repercussions,” without direct mention of A&E and the Duck Dynasty show. Later during the church’s service, son Alan Robertson addressed the media firestorm swirling around the Robertson clan: “Well we’ve had a quite a quiet week, shot some ducks, done some shopping, ignited a national controversy.”
The 67-year-old has been slammed by gay rights groups after saying: ‘It seems like, to me, a vagina – as a man – would be more desirable than a man’s anus.
Just before Sunday’s Bible study class started, one church-goer actually thanked Robertson for his comments.