I've read the article.
I've heard the talking heads discuss the situation.
I've read the blog posts speculating on what happens next.
I've watch my facebook feed fill up with support for the Robertson family.
I decided maybe I, too, have something to say. Something a bit different.
Many of you know that I work with the company that is handling the Duck Commander Cruise. What most people don't know, and I do not publicize, is I'm friends with one of the key cast members. We've gotten to know one another over the past year and a friendship has formed. I don't post pictures of us on facebook and I don't talk about it because she gets enough of that from people who don't know her. When this firestorm over Phil's statements hit the media, I reached out to say “I'm praying for you and the family.” My heart aches for the family. We tend to forget these are real people, with real lives and real families. While they may be on TV, it still hurts when people throw rocks.
I've watch Facebook fill up with support for Phil and family — and I love that!
It's wonderful when the church stands together in support of a family.
As for me, I stand right in Phil's camp. Sin is sin and whether it's homosexuality or adultery or lying or stealing –it's sin. And we have all sinned. I ask forgiveness of my sins regularly.
While I love watching the church rally around Phil and the Robertson family, it breaks my heart to see the meanness that accompanies much of this support.
Let me explain —
With every post in support of the Phil and his right to speak, there is another that attacks A&E, the gay and lesbian community, the media, and others.
Why does it feel like Christians, as a collective group, are spoiling for a fight? We attack the enemy with such a vengeance it's frightening.
Duck Dynasty has a national platform — they are living out their faith before the entire world. Phil's words are resonating around the world. The support of Phil is heard all over. And that's wonderful! But the attacks from the Christian community are also heard. I've read some incredibly venomous attacks on the A&E, on the gay & lesbian community, and on the writer of the article. Sure, they were written in support of Phil Robertson and his right to speak his mind — and I support that right. But can't we support Phil and the Robertson family without attacking others? Can't we love the Robertson and love the enemies of the Robertson family?
This is our chance! The statement issued by the Robertson family encourages us to love one another. Let's show the world how a person of faith responds to such an attack. Let's embrace Jesus' teaching in Luke 6
32 “Do you think you deserve credit for merely loving those who love you? Even the godless do that!
And if you do good only to those who do you good—is that so wonderful? Even sinners do that much!
And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, what good is that? Even the most wicked will lend to their own kind for full return!
“Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don’t be concerned about the fact that they won’t repay. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as sons of God: for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are very wicked. Luke 6:32-35
What if we just stood beside Phil in support WITHOUT attacking the media?
What if we refused to say unkind words about the gay & lesbian community?
What if we just love them? What if decide to act like the sons and daughters of the Most High?
Can you imagine the difference we would make?
Beautifully said. Truly, WHAT IF?
Loving everyone equally is all well and good. But you can’t preach peace and tolerance while spouting off that being gay is a ‘sin’. You’re literally saying ‘you’re wrong and you’re going to hell for being who you were born to be, but I love you anyway. ‘
Until people stop seeing homosexuality as a choice and a sin there will never be peace and love.
Stop hiding behind religion. I too am Christian, but I don’t believe being gay is a sin. But I do thing judging others for who they love is.
Thanks for your comment. I respect your right to your opinion. I’m not hiding, I’m just stating my opinion. We can agree to disagree and move forward in peace and chose to love one another and all.
Beautifully said. Good job, Mary.
Aw shucks! thanks!
I give all my support to the family, and have kept my opinion to myself, however, I do believe that if you are a Christian then you believe the bible came from God and tells us how to live. So if I believe the bible then I have to believe certain things are a sin because God said it was so. But, the judging is God’s job not mine. However I will never decide just because something has become acceptable in this society that it now is no longer a sin.
Love you Mary.
Love you back!! And you’re so right, it’s not our job to judge! And I love what you said about just because it’s acceptable doesn’t make it no longer a sin.
Well said Mary! 🙂
Thanks girl!!
My beef is with A&E for suspending Phil. He is a Christian and has the right to state his beliefs. I believe if the gays have that right, that the Christians have that right also.
A&E and everyone who know who Phil and his family are,know they are CHRISTIANS and believe the bible,he just said how he believes/ understands the bible! surely to goodness A&E would think that one day someone or they would share how they believes/ understands the bible!We all have our opinion on how we believes/ understands the bible!That why we live in the good old USA…or I thought I did!!!!!
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Amen sister. Amen.
I disagree, Mary. Yes, we love, but we have to stand up for our right to believe what we believe. The other side screams until they get what they want – bakeries shut down, photographers forced to witness and artistically document what they believe is morally wrong through a camera lense, homosexuality taught to our preschoolers in school. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! You’re asking us to keep our mouths shut and keep smiling. At some point we have to fight back or it will be illegal to be a Christian. And don’t fool yourself that there aren’t those out there that wouldn’t love to make that a reality in the near future. We’re where we are at in our culture because we (Christians) DIDN’T do a good job of holding back the tide.
Jenna, I agree that we, as the collective Church, must stand up for what is right and what is true. We have to stand on our beliefs. I also believe we have allowed the world to take away our rights, as believers. But I STAND on the statement that we should love people — not hate. We can disagree and dispute with grace. I do NOT think we should keep our mouths shut, just the opposite, but I think we can disagree with a person or entity without being mean. I disagree with members of my family, but it doesn’t mean I don’t love them. I disagree with dear friends, but I don’t attack them. We are called to grace. We are called to love. We can do both without attacking.
CAn you hear my standing ovation???? Yes, Good job, Mary. You are right on target! Thank you!
Aww, Diane, thank you so much!!
Mary Snyder, you are a gem! Always the voice of reason, the bringer of peace! I agree totally. Phil’s statements are his honest, open opinion, and he has been vocal about his beliefs while he had been a national persona. I haven’t minded the support for him because I can’t imagine how hard this has been. As a fellow small towner, I can’t imagine how some folks from West Monroe, La deal with the spotlight. I have been, however, offended by the negativity and the judgmental posts I have seen. You said it so well. Support with love. Come visit! I still miss you!!
You should know that you do not love or speak from a place of grace when you insinuate that I made a choice to be gay. I made a choice to live authentically and wholeheartedly but not to love a person of the same gender. I choose to live honestly for myself and those who struggle. If I let people like you pretend to love me but still at the root of it all – judge me for something I have no control over – then you win. Not fair. It’s not a game. It is my life and many other lives. You are truly so narrow that it is infuriating. Straddling the fence isn’t loving or encouraging. It’s actually cowardly.
I have no pity for Phil – I have pity for those gay kids who feel less than deserving because you feel like you have the right to judge them. Remember that love is love is love. Put yourself in the shoes of a person who’s child is telling you they are gay – or a person who is gay and contemplating suicide for feeling so wrong because you said so – or a person who’s child killed themselves because they were afraid to be the person they were…
Love me for me, Mary. Just like I love you even though you too are “flawed” in the eyes of many.