Duck Dynasty is the most popular reality-TV program in cable history with an average 10.5 million viewers per episode.
Last December, Phil Robertson was suspended “indefinitely” from Duck Dynasty by A&E officials because he criticized homosexual behavior in an interview for GQ magazine. Robertson said it was illogical and sinful for a man to prefer another man’s anus over a woman’s vagina.
When asked what was sinful, he said, “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.” Robertson then paraphrased Corinthians (I,6:9-10), “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.”
A&E’s suspension of Phil Robertson sparked a national debate over free speech and religious liberty, and caused a massive backlash from supporters of the program. In reaction, A&E ended the suspension after 10 days.