The Binary Biker

Phil Robertson from the popular A&E show Duck Dynasty set the world ablaze this week because of his statements about homosexuals, promiscuity, and black people.  His remarks concerned A&E significantly enough for them to pull him from the show indefinitely.

This is what Phil Robertson said on homosexuality:

Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.  Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.

The Left has decried this as insensitive and homophobic.  Liberals are calling his statement crude, rough, and inappropriate; and they agree that A&E took the right action.  After all, in this day and age the only thing we should never tolerate is intolerance, right?

The Right has supported Robertson’s statements as his right and accused people of attacking Christianity.  Most on the conservative, Christian, side applaud Robertson’s opinion.  There is a raging debate over the scriptures Robertson used and if he interpreted them correctly.  There are cries of persecution.  Most on the conservative Right believe A&E should not have done anything about Robertson’s statements and are offended that they did so.

This issue, in a nutshell, summarizes the current polarized sociopolitical environment in the United State right now.   People getting overly offended for reasons that, if they sat down and thought about it, are the wrong reasons to be upset.  The claims of closed-mindedness (from the left) and accusations of restricting of religious expression (from the right) creates a chasm between both that is impossible to navigate.  And it’s all distraction, people; a red herring.  This isn’t about religion or freedom from it.  It’s not even about tolerance or intolerance.

His Opinion is Wrong, in My Opinion, but that doesn’t matter

Everyone knows I, personally, support LGBT equality and defend vigorously the right for everyone, regardless of race, color, creed, or orientation to be treated equally under law.  And that’s the clincher – “under law.”  Phil Robertson’s personal remarks are indicative of nothing more than his personal views and have no bearing on law.  His belief is based on his religion, but he is not using his religion to persecute you.  Stating his opinion is not an attack.

He has an opinion, like my grandmother does, that homosexuality is a sin.  If I don’t like that opinion I can walk away or not watch him.

I think Phil Robertson’s opinion is a misinformed opinion.  I think it is WRONG.  But I will fight to the death Phil’s right to have that opinion.  It is his to have and his to share.  This is what America is about, people.  He thinks homosexuality is a sin based on his religion.  He says so.  I disagree.  End of discussion.

But It’s Not Homophobia

It is not a homophobic statement either.  Homophobia is an extreme or irrational fear of homosexuality and homosexual behavior.  There’s nothing extreme about his opinion.  It is a belief consistent with his religion; shared by hundreds of millions of people.  Regardless of my personal belief, this does not qualify as extreme or irrational.  His statement is, therefore, not homophobic.

I had premarital sex.  That’s a sin in the bible as well.  My grandparents did not approve and they said so.  They don’t have an irrational fear of premarital sex; they just don’t approve of it.  It did not stop me from having premarital sex.

I’m pretty sure Phil Robertson’s statements won’t stop anyone from being gay, since being gay is not a choice.

This Issues is of Speech and Consequences

In this case, the Right is more correct than the Left – but for the wrong reasons.  Highlighting our national polarization, both sides are assuming righteous and morals position on the issue.  There is a secular/religious battle going on over Phil’s statements – AND THAT IS THE WRONG ARGUMENT.  It is the giant red herring in the room.

Seriously folks – this is an issue of free speech and the consequences of it, not the right to be religious or the right to be free from it.  Phil has the right to say anything he wants – and A&E has the right to do with it what they will.  It’s not a religious issue.  Two entities, one a person and one a corporation, having a difference of opinion.  A dispute that has made its way onto the national stage where the court of public opinion rages impotently and for the wrong reasons.  It’s become some twisted rally cry for both the Right and the Left.

If I walked up to any American, bar none, and asked if they should be allowed to have an opinion regardless of the popularity of that opinion – they would all agree vociferously with that they should.  They agree – until someone actually expresses an unpopular opinion, it seems.  Don’t equivocate and say some opinions are inexcusable – because then you get into thought policing.

Come on people – it’s the opinion of one man and the response of one entity.  It’s not that big of a deal.  I am not upset at Phil Robertson for his opinion; it is consistent with his life and his beliefs.  I may not agree with it, but I respect his right to have it and to share it.  And he has to deal with and accept the consequences of his publicly stated opinion.

Stop drawing moral and religious battle lines on a protected constitutional right you all agree with.  There is never a better time to defend free speech as there is when someone speaks an unpopular opinion.

This is a boon for Duck Dynasty and A&E

A&E is a business trying to make money.  Phil Robertson knows this and knows that there is no loyalty when the dollar is threatened.  He chose to get in bed with the network – he has to deal with the conditions of that and the consequences and repercussions of his actions in their eyes.

Last parting thought – A&E is in the business of profit.  Have any of you stopped to think how much this just boosted the ratings and viewership of Duck Dynasty in particular and A&E shows in general?  I wouldn’t be surprised if this entire debacle was staged.