Faith Will Survive While The Dollar Will Die - Response to A&E Network Suspending Phil Roberston from 'Duck Dynasty' - Written Decembr 18, 2013

"The Robertson family really believes strongly that if the human race loved each other and they loved God, we would just be better off," the reality star tells the January issue of GQ (on newsstands Dec. 24). "We ought to just be repentant, turn to God and let's get on with it, and everything will turn around."

 

Above is an excerpt from Phil Robertson's comments that PEOPLE Magazine shared online:

 

Below is a response to A&E suspending Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty for his comments.

 

Dear A&E,

Do you truly value freedom of speech and do you really value those who you allow to not only watch, but represent your company? Do you believe in unconditional love and forgiveness, as is the true Christian way? Or do you just care about the almighty dollar? Faith will survive while the dollar will die.

If you do care at all, you will bring Phil Robertson back to Duck Dynasty where he belongs and give him a chance to explain his comments in more depth than was in the article about him.

I trust there are some in your organization that are old enough to remember the whole controversy about Lucille Ball being accused of being a Communist during her 'I Love Lucy' run; she was given opportunity to explain herself and was treated like a hero for it.

America is about freedom and opportunity, yet your actions against Phil Robertson show that your organization believes in neither freedom nor opportunity. Duck Dynasty is a relief to watch compared to some of the other shows that air racy content with no thought to respecting of dignity.

The action taken against Phil Robertson not only strips him of his dignity, but it also tells the world that people are not allowed to make mistakes lest they immediately become targets for societal crucifixion. Forgiveness, not crucifixion, should be society's way.

Mark chapter 12, verses 30 and 31 say, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."

Yes, Phil's comments were slightly crass, but Phil Robertson and the rest of the Robertson clan are better examples of celebrities than a lot of celebrities out there. They rely on faith, love, forgiveness, and a lot of wonderful Christ-like qualities that I wish other celebrities had; faith is a good fuel for long-term survival.

A&E, I implore you to have a heart and reinstate Phil Robertson to Duck Dynasty with the opportunity to explain his comments in more detail than was given through the media. The media has a horrible tendency to maximize the imperfections in people and to misconstrue or eliminate the context or goodness within.

Instead of crucifying Phil for this one incident, why not look at the bigger picture and see all the inspiration that has been provided?

Sincerely,

Heather Cameron