Phil Robertson, one of the stars of A&E’s “Duck Dynasty,” is back in the headlines this week after making what some consider to be anti-gay comments while visiting his hometown church in Louisiana.
TMZ reports Robertson delivered a sermon on Easter Sunday at Whites Ferry Road Church. In his sermon, he criticized the media and quoted a translation of 1 Corinthians 6, saying:
ROBERTSON: "Neither the sexually immoral, nor the idolators, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders, nor thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." (Via YouTube / Whites Ferry Road Church)
This after seemingly referring to the interview he gave to GQ that prompted the initial media backlash. According to Radar Online, Robertson boasted: "[The news media] thought I was just mouthing off. Is homosexual behavior a sin? The guy asked me."
The sermon won applause from churchgoers but will probably cause another media uproar.
Robertson's previous comments resulted in A&E supsending him from the family's show "Duck Dynasty," a reality show that grew in popularity for its traditional family and Christian values. (Via A&E / "Duck Dynasty")
Fans quickly defended the "Duck Dynasty" patriarch, and A&E later rescinded its decision. But still, the show has seen a dip in ratings since the ordeal.
TVLine reports about 3.5 million fewer viewers tuned in to the season five premiere this January compared to the 12 million who tuned in to last season's premiere.
And the show's future doesn't look too promising, either. Radar Online notes the latest season's ratings were the lowest since February 2012, marking a 40 percent drop.
This latest controversy comes just weeks before the show is set to premiere its sixth season on June 11. (Via A&E)
A&E has declined to comment on Robertson's latest remarks.
