A&E has suspended Phil Robertson indefinitely from Duck Dynasty due to offensive anti-gay comments he had made in a recent interview with GQ magazine.
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"We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson's comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty," the network said in a media statement obtained by People.
"His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely."
Robertson, a 67-year-old bearded reality TV star and devout Christian, said he feels what's right and wrong has become blurred in society and homosexuality is on the same level as terrorism, alcoholism and bestiality. He told GQ he "never, ever" passes judgement on such people but God will eventually sort out the "homosexuals, drunks and terrorists."
In response to his suspension, Robertson released the following statement to People: "My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the Bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity."
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Duck Dynasty will return to A&E with new episodes in January. Robertson will reportedly appear in the upcoming episodes but will not be able to film any new episodes for an unspecified amount of time.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski