No doubt you’ve heard that PhilRobertson of Duck Dynasty fame has been suspended from the popular A&E
series for expressing his views on homosexuality. It’s quite a stance A&E
has taken on behalf of the gay community, but it’s not a surprising one at all.
I’m actually more surprised by the people who are surprised than I am by what
actually happened.
But this post is not about whether
A&E should have suspsended Phil. (Disclaimer: I DO like Phil and Duck
Dynasty; it’s a funny show, and the Robertson men are all eerily similar to my
Dad in so many ways.) This is about all the gobbledy-goop that floods the world
wide web in response to a move of this sort.
When a news story breaks online, it is
customary for readers to post their comments. We live in a Facebook world where
quick, witty comments that are devoid of actual information are the fashion.
This exhausts me. Reading comments on websites makes me want to run to the
nearest bookshelf and grab a good book to wash the unintelligible mish-mash out
of my brain. I feel like I need a shower - - no, a detox bath, to brush my
teeth, and have an intelligent conversation with my 5-year-old, who makes more
sense than the general populace.
I think our culture
is pretty rotten. I also believe Christians can impact the culture for good and
for change. But in order to do this, we have to be able to speak effectively
and give the crowds a reason to agree. If they can’t read what we are typing,
or understand what we are saying, or if we are full of hypocrisy or hatred, we
will have no impact.
Take a look at this
comment on A&E’s Facebook page (bleeped):
A&E u guys should be ashame of yourself. The only *@#$
reality show that my family and I can watch with no cussing, &*$ shaking,
morals, and teach there family and other what respect is. It is SUPPOSE to be a
FREE COUNTRY but for CHRISTIANS people ITS NOT ANYMORE. Christian have to watch
what they say but other people can say WHATEVER the HELL they want to say about
Christians. REMEMBER JUDGEMENT DAY is coming soon and i don't think you IDIOTS
will be ready for what GOD have to say that day. I WILL NEVER WATCH A&E
AGAIN. WILL be taking your WHACK $%# station off my satellite.
Ignore, for a
moment, the horrendous grammar, spelling, and creative punctuation. This person
also speaks as if she is a Christian, but stoops to name-calling and threats of
hell and damnation. She claims to want a family show with “no cussing,” etc.
(ahem) and then cusses! She’s pretty much shot down any chance she had of getting
her point across.
Sadly, this kind of
comment is SO normal online.
I guess these comments are the
equivalent to texting a bunch of friends over a table of McNuggets and fries at
the local Mickie-Dee’s. Just say what you think, try to say something funny or
shocking, and move on. There’s very little substance, not to mention facts or
common sense.
So when I finally come across a
well-worded, intelligent comment I want to put a big gold star on it and say,
“Well done, sir!” or “Way to use your noggin!” or something like that. The real
thinkers out there are so few, I want them to know they’re appreciated.
If you only have a few lines to
contribute to a story, or better yet, want to make your voice heard, there are
a few things to remember. For illustration purposes, I’ve borrowed some more actual
comments from A&E’s Facebook page in response to this Phil Robertson story.
#1.
Be clear and to the point.
" My family and I
have watched a lot of A&E programming over the years. We have appreciated
your variety and balanced programming. Now, I see you are not only wanting to
censor the members of the Robertson family, you are now suspending Phil
Robertson for answering questions about his beliefs. He has every right to do
this. Just because it does not appear politically correct, doesn't make it
wrong. Liberals do not receive this treatment. They can say whatever they think
and livehowever they want to in front of our children and society
and are protected. I say give a voice to the majority and help us protect our
values.
[VERY CLEAR:]As a result of your decision to suspend Phil Robertson,
my family will no longer watch your channel. I will also be contacting my cable
provider to let them know that my family want A&E removed from the standard
cable line up. [POLITE:]
Please reconsider and bring Phil back on
the show with his family in a timely manner.Thank you for taking the time to read my view.
#2
State your feelings, coupled with facts.
·Suspending Phil Robertson indefinitely for expressing his
opinion?! Really?! [FACT:]
Everything about the Robertsons, including their beliefs, values, and opinions,
are what made Duck Dynasty the phenomenon it is today. And aren't you profiting
from those same beliefs, etc? People tune in to watch this show because they
like what this family represents, and yet you are going to suspend the man for
the very same morals that draw viewers in???
·Your
recent suspension of Phil Robertson just shows how much your network does not
support the Christian family atmosphere, which has made the show so popular. I
hope the rest of the family joins Phil and takes the show to another network
because my family will no longer watch any A&E programming. From what I
read regarding his comments, hate and bigotry was not mentioned. [FACT:] He just stated his beliefs regarding what the Bible
teaches about homosexuality.
#3
Use complete sentences and proper grammar. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.
·Your
resent actions towards phil Roberson after his GQ comments is to say the least
sad and outrageous you had no problem with him or his believes when he was
making you millions but just because they are some having a fit and causing a
little problem and it wont be for long be cause these kind of people have no
morales or mindset to last but for a while so since you was so quickly to jump
on the band wagon just to smooth things over in stead of supporting phil I am
like so many others I am contacting to boycott your tv channel and all of your
programs I hope that you as a company will see the error in your judgment and
support phil if not my only hope is that you are cut from the air I know Aleast
you will be from my home as well as others thank you
Okay, this person just lost me. You see? It’s one
loooooooong sentence! This is why language arts instruction is so important,
Moms! Do you want to be the joke, or the one who makes a valid point? The
A&E people are probably rolling their eyes…
#3 Don’t preach. Just share your personal beliefs as what
they are: personal beliefs.
·Duck
Dynasty made A&E very popular. It is no secret that the Robertson family
are Christian [PERSONAL
CHRISTIAN BELIEF:] and the Bible is clear on it's stance on
homosexuality. We are very disappointed that you would suspend someone for
voicing their Christian beliefs. We will be boycotting your entire channel
until you give the respect for religious views. Christians deserve respect and
the right to an opinion just as much as the homosexual community does.
Actually,
Christians don’t “deserve” respect. See below. But we need to remember that our
beliefs are not the world’s beliefs, so trying to argue with non-Christians
using scripture is just ineffective.
·I hope and pray that Phil stands firm!! I'm so tired of
people thinking that they can change what the bible says just to suit their
needs. We Christians should not be punished just because we state our beliefs. [OOPS – biblical error; see John
15:18-19] I thought that we as Americans have freedom of speech without
having fear of retaliation!? A&E, I hope you get your act together and
rethink your punishment of Phil because I think that most of the fans of Duck
Dynasty watch because of their strong faith. Phil, we Christians support you!!
Actually, Christians have been punished and persecuted
throughout history for their beliefs. Jesus warned His disciples that this
would be the case. America
is not special in that sense. Don’t get me wrong. I believe America is
special. I love it. I love our freedom, and I try pretty hard to keep it. That
doesn’t mean that the Constitution can protect me or any other Christian from
religious persecution.
So, what would YOU say to A&E? What should you say? What will you share with
your social media audience? If you just want to rant, then any ol’ comment will
do. But if you want to impact the culture, think carefully, speak clearly, and
stick with the facts.