An Open Letter To Phil Robertson Supporters

phil-robertson_0

To my fellow Christians,

I’ve never been a fan of Duck Dynasty.  Let me just admit my bias right up front and start there. I watched the show once – well before all the controversial headlines – and I would rather walk barefoot through a forest of Legos than be subjected to watching it again.  But people have different tastes, and I understand that.  And when you find a TV show or an artist or a public figure who you can relate to in some way, it’s a powerful thing.  I think as a Christian, there’s something particularly alluring about seeing a fellow believer in such a prominent way in mainstream society.  And I understand that too.

Hey this is a cool!  This guy’s on this popular quirky reality show, and he’s a strong believer! What a nice change of pace!

I think we all want to feel we belong to something larger than ourselves.  We want to feel that we FIT somewhere. So when someone like Phil Robertson comes along, with his beard and his ducks and his “good biblical values”, people desperately latch onto him….. and they hold on so tight that they can’t even see what it is they’re grasping.

Oh how ardently people defend him!!  But what I’ve come to realize is that it’s not HIM they’re defending so much as the idea of the Christian ideal that they (mistakenly) think he represents. We should encourage and support and defend the rights of those who are putting themselves in the public eye as a representative of Christ-like behavior.  Absolutely.

The problem is….. his behavior is pretty much the antithesis of Christ-like love.   I’m literally embarrassed that Christians are so steadfastly standing behind this man, hailing him as a role model for Christian values.  I have to ask, because I just cannot understand, even a little bit….

Seriously?  THIS guy?  THIS is who you choose to hold up as an ambassador of our faith? THIS is how you want to represent Christianity?

Honestly, it’s no wonder that so very very many people are turned off by religion.

This is a crass, vulgar, hate-filled man who made graphic comments about what kind of sex gay people must be having, as well as comparing homosexuality to bestiality and stating that AIDS was God’s punishment for immorality.  This is not Christ-like!!  (In case you’re wondering, you can find out what Jesus actually had to say about homosexuality here.)

He blames STDs on “beatniks and hippies.”  Sex apparently is a very big issue for him, as it’s something he rails about often.

And most recently, he recounted a graphic, disturbing hypothetical story (pulled from his own imagination, for reasons I fail to understand) about atheists getting raped and murdered in their home.

Again, I have to ask:  THIS GUY?

Now, I’m one of those rare Christians who doesn’t believe that homosexuality in and of itself is a sin (and honestly, even if I did, I have better things to be concerned about then who someone else is attracted to) but even if we disagree on that, can we agree that vulgar and hate-filled rants aimed at gay people are not the answer?

I have many atheist friends whom I love dearly, and I don’t think it’s my job to convert them.  (I think it’s my job to LOVE them, and to live out my own faith to the best of my ability)  But even if we disagree on that, can we agree that graphic fantasies about raping and murdering entire families of atheists are not the answer?

Can we agree that if we’re really going to represent Jesus, we need to start with LOVING people, instead of damning them all to hell?

Can we agree that if we’re going to hold someone up as a role model for our faith that it should be someone who models kindness, and grace, and actual love towards mankind?

My fellow Christians, I think we need to take a collective step back, and take a good long look at what it is we’re doing, how we’re representing Christianity, and who we’re hailing as our heroes. For me, I’ll look to Jesus for my example.  But if you need a human example, there are people out there to emulate.  There are kind people, loving people, people who use their platforms to spread positivity, not hatred.

I ask you though, in all sincerity, to stop looking for them on Duck Dynasty.  Stop telling yourself (and others!) that Phil Robertson’s words or actions represent the true nature of Christianity, because they do not.  He doesn’t represent the God that I know.  He doesn’t represent the Jesus that I know.  He doesn’t represent any of the loving, giving Christians that I am privileged enough to call friends.

The state of American Christianity has gotten so far off the mark that I don’t even know that it is fixable anymore.  I see the worship and admiration of people like Phil Robertson, and I genuinely fear that we’ve lost our collective heads all together.

Let’s bring humanity – and some common sense! – back into our faith.  Let’s give a little more effort towards “loving your neighbor as yourself”, and a WHOLE LOT LESS credence to sad, confused reality stars who are bent on persecuting others.

Sincerely,

Fed Up and Frustrated

(Visited 94 times, 1 visits today)

18 Comments

Filed under faith, hot topics, rant, religion

18 Responses to An Open Letter To Phil Robertson Supporters

  1. chelsea

    While I do not agree with most of what he has said, I do believe that he was quoting the bible when he referenced homosexuality. It was taken out of context, but what he actually said was a paraphrased jumble of: Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians6:9-11).
    But the only thing picked up on was what could offend people.
    Peraonally, regarding the STD thing, I do feel that promiscuous lifestyles are the cause. I believe that had I waited until I was married I would have avoid contracting HPV and precancer on my cervix.
    Most importantly though, I DO NOT believe that any of this, any of my opinions or views give me rights to hurt people, to be least like Jesus. I want to be like Jesus and He loved everyone and that is my goal. Regardless of my view, regardless of my choices, regardless of my opinions, regardless of my own convictions. We each have a walk with Christ all our own. I will walk mine and will never intentionally hurt you with it.

    • jen

      A lot of people defended the homosexuality comments in the same way you did… that he was just quoting the bible. But it wasn’t the bible verses that bothered me. I mean, I don’t think the bible should be used as a weapon, but if all he really did was quote from the bible, fine. It was his personal commentary that I found disgusting. For example, “It seems like, to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.” That’s not exactly biblical.

  2. Sheila Gibson

    If you could HEAR from the other side of my keyboard, you would hear applause and cheering from me! Yes, yes, yes! Kuudos, Jen! Great post!

  3. Melissa

    First of all, I am not a Duck Dynasty fan – never even watched one episode. But I had to share Romans 1:26 & 27 – “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.” It makes sense that AIDs and STDs are the recompense that they receive in themselves. I agree, though, that we should treat everyone with love as Jesus would.

    • That makes no sense – children with hemophilia were also affected by AIDS when blood products were contaminated with HIV; many children in the world are born with HIV when their mothers acquire it from their fathers; plenty of heterosexuals transmit STDs as well; a monogamous homosexual couple is not going to transmit HIV to one another.

  4. Jackson Reed

    Jen,
    I’m comforted by your words and I’m glad to know that there is someone out there who feels the same way I do. I’m a Christian, a social worker, and I work at a church. I work at a non-profit within a church that helps adults with mental illness. We help them mentally, physically, but most of all spiritually. We often discuss the topic of homosexuality and I use the same logic. Jesus broke bread with sinners, prostitutes, and the sick and I have yet to see anywhere in the bible where he judged any of them. He loved the least of these and if we call ourselves Christ followers then we must do the same. The God I have a personal relationship with welcomes all to his throne and he rejoices when we show Jesus to others through our love. Many Christians fail to understand that we are missionaries everyday, and not just through our words but through our actions! I prefer to show kindness and compassion instead of using scripture as weapon. In our modern age over half of our population in the cities we live in won’t step foot inside a church because they witness this kind of hate from people who claim they follow Jesus. Everything in our faith can be summed up in one great commandment, from the one true example; love God and love others. I would hate to think my God is measuring sin as if one sin is greater or less than another. Even if we argue that homosexuality is a sin is it not the same as cheating, lying, or being unfaithful? Is anyone here not guilty and in need of grace, love and forgiveness? I would respond to this kind of hate with simply saying, “let he without sin cast the first stone”! Thanks for your opinion Jen, I hope there are more loving Christians out there spreading the gospel the right way, the way Jesus intended us to!

    • jen

      Thanks Jackson! This especially resonates with me: “I prefer to show kindness and compassion instead of using scripture as weapon.” Exactly. I so wish more people would take that to heart. The world would be a different place!

  5. Serenity

    I love your stuff Jennifer! I am not religious but I can read your posts and I never feel alienated or that it does not apply to me. This guy is a quack with a mic and it scares me how many people watch and agree. Thanks for letting us unbelievers know that there are loving Christians out there!

  6. Christians who do not believe loving same-sex relationships are a sin may be rare in some places, but in my church and state (Episcopal Church, Massachusetts) there are many of us. There are plenty of Christians who have prayerfully considered the Bible and decided the example given in the life of Christ is welcome for all God’s children, and that God’s love and grace is what we are supposed to be about. The Bible is not a simple book, and faithful people have come to different understandings of Scripture for thousands of years, usually in response to new situations and new insights. It’s one of the things Jesus himself does, and I believe it continues to be the work of the Holy Spirit leading us into all truth. Phil Robertson certainly doesn’t speak for me, or my church. You are not alone.

    Rev. Suzanne Wade
    Rector, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
    Westford, MA

    • jen

      Yes, that’s true, and encouraging! I’m so glad to know that there are forward thinking, accepting churches. I grew up in a very conservative church, and unfortunately in those circles I am VERY much the minority.

  7. Erika

    Thanks for this! I too am discouraged by the defense of this man and a certain interpretation of the Bible. In all this time have we not learned to place things in historical and cultural context? It’s really frustrating! But I know that I am becoming less “rare” because as much as some sects of Christianity may defend this man and those beliefs, I see many other Christians asking WHY? And that is encouraging.

  8. Eli

    Not trying to be rude but has anyone thought that God could have put him in this spot to show Christians like you that you are just as wrong as him?

  9. Katrina

    Thank you for speaking up for intelligent, concerned Christians! I am grateful that you are the majority, and your voice should be heard over the quacks giving Christianity such a bad name. We atheists have our fundamental crackpots too…I suppose everyone does, but if we all can try to focus on love and respect (as your article suggests) instead of hate, we can muddle through this life together.

    • Dusti

      I really don’t understand why some vocal Christians speak so horribly about atheists. Like Jen, I have friends who are atheists and they’re nice people (as you probably already know! :-)) I apologize on behalf of rational Christians.

  10. Dusti

    I feel like I’ve just exhaled. I could have written this. Thank you.
    I’m paraphrasing but someone asked Jesus which Law was the greatest and he said, “Love God with everything ya got The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. All of the prophets and Law hinge on these.” I feel like this and the sermon on the mount sum up Christianity most succinctly. If I can follow these teachings of Jesus (for whom Christianity is named), the rest should follow. Additionally, if I’m loving my neighbor as myself, I’m not condemning him.

  11. Pingback: My God Won’t Leave You Stranded On The Side Of The Road | The Path Less Taken

  12. As the Christian mother of a gay son, I could go on and on about the way my son has been treated in “churches” and by “Christians”. I am amazed that the love of Christ is able to transcend that hatred and manifest itself in such a way that my son very much believes that he is loved and treasured by his creator. Having said that, it has left a pretty bad taste in his mouth for the whole church establishment, and for that I cannot blame him. There is so much of this weaponization of scripture all over the place, and it hurts my heart so much to see it. Jesus was once asked why he was spending time with all the unsavory people and his answer is the one I still use today: “Is it not the sick that need the physician?”. Maybe we should do as Jesus directed and go learn what that means.

    Another great post, Jen. God bless you for having a heart for the hurting, and for recognizing that Jesus’ love and grace is for every human, not just the select few who claim to have insider knowledge of it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.