Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty clan, isn't backing down from his racially charged and homophobic comments that appeared in GQ last week. According to an exclusive in the Daily Mail, Robertson led a Bible study group in his hometown of West Monroe, La., and told attendees: "I will not give or back off from my path."
The 67-year-old doubled-down on his comments and defended his position that, homosexuality is akin to bestiality, and said that Jesus could save gay people, the Daily Mail reports.
The Dynasty star claimed that all of his comments came straight from the Bible and stressed that he loves all people. He then suggested that homosexual men suppress their homosexuality and find themselves a woman.
"I have been immoral, drunk, high. I ran with the wicked people for 28 years, and I have run with the Jesus people since, and the contrast is astounding. I tell people, 'You are a sinner, we all are.' " Robertson said. "Sexual sins are numerous and many, I have a few myself. So what is your safest course of action? If you’re a man, find yourself a woman, marry them and keep your sex right there."
Robertson led the group in prayer and shared, "I will not give or back off from my path because you conquered death, Father, so we are not worried about all the repercussions."
A&E suspended the star indefinitely after gay rights groups slammed the avid hunter's views.
Buzzfeed broke the news that Scott Gurney, the creator of Duck Dynasty, starred in The Fluffer, as a gay porn star in 2001. Gurney has not commented publicly since the news broke.
Jay Dardenne, the lieutenant governor of Louisiana, has even gotten into the mix, declaring that should A&E give the show the ax, he would "use his influence among Louisiana’s growing motion picture industry to seek out alternative production options,” Rawstory reports.
Dardenne claims that regardless of Robertson's stance on blacks and homosexuality, Duck Dynasty has been wildly popular in attracting tourists.
"Duck Dynasty has been an important representation of the state of Louisiana, inspiring prospective visitors and investors since its debut. Their show draws tens of millions of viewers each year, reaching an audience eager to visit sportsman’s paradise," Dardenne said.
The Southern food chain Cracker Barrel was all for banning of Duck Dynasty tie-in products at their stores until customers reminded them whom they serve, Good Morning America reports. The Cracker Barrel moratorium on Dynasty items lasted barely 48 hours.
"When we made the decision to remove and evaluate certain Duck Dynasty items, we offended many of our loyal customers. Our intent was to avoid offending, but that's just what we've done," the company wrote. "You flat-out told us we were wrong. We listened."
The Robertson family released a statement, saying that they couldn't imagine continuing the show without Robertson, while at least two stations, Christian-affiliated Hunt Channel and the outdoorsy Pursuit Channel, told TMZ that they believe in the freedom of speech and would like to air the show.