The family behind A&E's "Duck Dynasty" issued a statement Thursday supporting Phil Robertson, after the reality star ruffled a few feathers over his remarks about homosexuals and African Americans.
According to People, the network has put the 67-year-old on an "indefinite" hiatus from filming after his comments made in the January issue of GQ magazine, exploded into a debate about free speech.
"Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Phil would never incite or encourage hate," the Robertsons said in a statement.
The family is reportedly unhappy with the cable network's decision and is questioning the future of the show.
"We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right," the statement said. "We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm."
The family said they've been spending their time in prayer since the network's decision was announced and that they will remain a faith-based family.
"We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word," the statement said. "While some of Phil's unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible."
During the magazine interview, Robertson said homosexuality is a sin and placed the action in the category of bestiality and promiscuity.
"It seems like, to me, a vagina, as a man, would be more desirable than a man's anus," Robertson told GQ. "That's just me. 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."
Robertson continued with stating that neither adulterers, idolaters, prostitutes, homosexual offenders, drunkards and slanderers will "inherit the kingdom of God." In addition to his comments about homosexuality, the reality star spoke about race and living in Louisiana before the civil rights era.
"I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once," he told the magazine. "Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I'm with the blacks, because we're white trash. We're going across the field."
"They're singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, 'I tell you what: These doggone white people,' not a word!"
A&E released a statement Wednesday:
"We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson's comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty. 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."
By Friday, more than 70,000 people had signed a change.org petition asking the network to revoke Robertson's suspension from the show.
"Homosexuals have their convictions and Christians respect them," the organizer of the petition wrote. "There is a difference between respecting someone rights to exercise free will and imposing on others what we believe. Phil has done nothing more than state what he believes in. Just because homosexuals do not agree, does not mean Mr. Robertson needs to be suspended."
The Facebook page "Bring Back Phil Robertson" has over 190,000 "likes." Robertson has also received support from Sarah Palin, who said the reality star's comments are about "free speech."
"Free speech is an endangered species," Palin wrote on her Facebook page. "Those 'intolerants' hatin' and taking on the 'Duck Dynasty' patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us."
In a letter to the president of A&E, NAACP and the Human Rights Campaign expressed their deep concern "about the recent racist, homophobic, and ill-informed remarks made by Phil Robertson.
"Mr. Robertson claims that, from what he saw, African Americans were happier under Jim Crow. What he didn't see were lynching and beatings of black men and women for attempting to vote or simply walking down the street. And his offensive claims about gay people fly in the face of science. In fact, it's important to note that every single leading medical organization in the country has said that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being LGBT."
Robertson responded to the backlash in a statement late Wednesday.
"I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me," he said. "We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity."
"Duck Dynasty" follows a Louisiana family that has "made a fortune on duck calls," according to the A&E site. Season 5 of is set to premiere Jan. 15. The fourth season premiered in August, with nearly 12 million viewers, which made is the No. 1 nonfiction series telecast in cable history. Filming has finished and Robertson is featured in the 10 episodes.
