'Duck Dynasty' Family Releases Statement on A&E's Suspension of Phil Robertson, Suggests Show Could Be Canceled If Not Reinstated

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The Robertson family has defended its patriarch and Christian faith in a first official media statement since A&E's announcement on Dec. 18 to suspend Phil Robertson, following comments he made about homosexuality in an interview in the January edition of GQ magazine.

On their website the family thanked fans – thousands of whom on Thursday took to social media and online petitions to decry the suspension – for their "prayer and support" and reiterated a strong commitment to their Christian faith.

"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," read the statement.

While the family acknowledged that Phil's comments were "unfiltered" and "coarse," it defended them as "grounded in the teachings of the Bible."

When asked to define what was sinful, Robertson said it started "with homosexual behavior and just [morphed] out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men."

"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," he added.

The Robertson family's statement also defended Phil as a strong Christian and said he "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'."

The Robertsons also hinted that the future of the show – with a fifth season set to premiere in January 2014 –could be in jeopardy if A&E goes through with its indefinite suspension.

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"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. We are in discussions with A&E to see what this means for the future of Duck Dynasty," it said.

"Phil would never incite or encourage hate. We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right."

The Robertson Family's statement can be read in full below:

We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E's decision. 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. While some of Phil's unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible. 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.We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right.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. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.



