Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson waded into the culture wars once again this week after video of his Easter sermon hit the web. The video, released on Thursday by TMZ, shows that the reality TV star is sticking by his anti-gay views despite criticism and a short suspension from his family’s hit show.
According to TMZ, the video depicts Robertson’s Easter Sunday address to his Louisiana church. During the speech Robertson referred to homosexuality as a sin and criticized the news media for what he perceived as a lack of biblical knowledge.
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?” said Robertson. “Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor the idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Robertson’s Easter comments echoed the opinions he put forth in a GQ interview late last year. In that interview Robertson said that he would prefer a vagina to a man’s anus and compared homosexuality to bestiality. He also characterized homosexuality an illogical sin.
Those comments caused an uproar in the U.S., with many Americans calling for A&E to pull Duck Dynasty off the air. The cable channel did suspend Robertson briefly, leading his family to release a statement doubling-down on their Christian beliefs and asserting that Robertson “would never incite or encourage hate.” Robertson himself also said that he is “not a hater” and said that he would not back down from his views.
The suspension was lifted just days later, with Robertson returning to his place on the reality show. Robertson’s return was heavily criticized by GLAAD and other gay-rights organizations. Duck Dynasty has seen record-low ratings in the months following the controversy.
Image via A&E