We live in a society that is becoming more tolerant about lifestyles but which is also becoming more intolerant about opinions.
I hear people talk about freedom of speech, with the controversy which has been caused by comments from Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson about his views on the immorality of homosexuality. Of course he has every right to say what he said. The counter argument is that “just because you have freedom of speech doesn’t mean that you have freedom from consequences.” That is also true.
But why is it that when people make comments which others find offensive, instead of wanting to engage those people, the goal becomes to silence them? For the people who have views which others find offensive, regardless of if they make those views known, they still have those beliefs. Isn’t it better to know what someone actually thinks? Instead of us all to have to live as spineless shells of people who can’t take ownership of their own views?
What message do these events send to society?
Everyone has limits for what they think is appropriate. There’s a lifestyle too deviant and wrong for everyone to be able to accept.
I hear how society is changing in its views of homosexuality and how people are becoming more tolerant? Are they? Or is it that there are a lot of people still think its wrong but choose not to say anything about it because they know the flack they’ll catch for these views? Because they know that they’ll be labeled as hateful.
He wasn’t saying people should be violent towards homosexuals, he wasn’t saying God hates them because their gay, he wasn’t saying they’re the cause of all of the problems in America. He simply believes its wrong, and so do millions of Americans.The way he went about saying it was crude, yes. But was his wording what caused the uproar? I don’t think so.
I do think his explanation of his views was unnecessarily crass, but I don’t think that means the man should be silenced.
A&E has indefinitely suspended him, but the backlash against the network has been severe. In the network’s statement, they said, “”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.”
They’re not reflected on the series Duck Dynasty? It’s a show about a close-knit family in the deep south who aren’t shy about their Christian values. While views about homosexuality haven’t been addressed on the show, Robertson’s comments are completely consistent with
It’s remarkable that this is even the story that it is. The appeal of the show is the Christian values the case has. Anyone who’s ever seen the show and who has any common sensed would have been able to make an educated guess that Robertson was against homosexuality. As Andrew Sullivan of The Dish argues, “he being fired for being out of character? Nah. He’s being fired for staying in character – a character A&E have nurtured and promoted and benefited from. Turning around and demanding a Duck Dynasty star suddenly become the equivalent of a Rachel Maddow guest is preposterous and unfair.”
A&E has suspended Robertson for being the exact same person who has helped make Duck Dynasty so popular.
jrb
Josh Benner 