Much Internet raving has been done over the past 48 hours in regards to comments made by reality show star, Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty. The comments were, at worst, homophobic and racist; at best, a perfect example of what the privileged don’t get about being privileged. As a social worker and advocate who tries to practice in an anti-racist, anti-oppressive way, I was of course bothered by yet another example of hateful rhetoric in the media. But should activists and social workers really be giving time to reality television stars? Does engagement in this realm cheapen our work? I decided to hang back.
But then this morning I came across this piece on “The Matt Walsh Blog,” and that familiar feeling came over me: that fire, that shattered feeling that led me to social work and advocacy. And I realized that while engaging the comments of a reality television star may seem like a waste of energy, the conversation is happening, and I’m not allowing misinformation to reign.
Walsh’s blog post is a letter to the network A&E, which has suspended Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson after questionable comments he made in an interview with GQ. In regards to homosexuality, Robertson likened it to bestiality and had the following, uh, not-so-delicate insights to share: “It seems like, to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. 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.”
He went on to say, “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.”
Now, I’m curious about the seeming exemption, by default here, of female prostitutes, but I won’t read into what that may mean about Robertson. He has also angered readers by saying that in all of his years living in the south, he has never witnessed a person of color being treated unfairly, detailing his experience of farming alongside them, and how “they’re singing and happy.” It’s all just a charming mix of “But I can’t be racist because I have a Black friend,”.
So Walsh’s letter to A&E, which airs Duck Dynasty, begins with a paragraph that includes the sentence, “You punished the Christian guy for being a Christian because you got some angry emails from a bunch of whiny gay activists who lack the spine and maturity to deal with the fact that there are still people out there who have the guts to articulate opinions that they find disagreeable.” As if coming out against anti-gay rhetoric doesn’t take “guts,” given the climate in which this whole fiasco can still happen. Walsh goes on to claim that Duck Dynasty is the only programming on A&E keeping the network going, and that by distancing itself from Roberston, has also alienated a majority of its viewers. Walsh clearly takes the stance that the Christians are the victim here, being silenced for sharing their beliefs.
What is unfortunate is how Walsh conflates Christianity with anti-gay rhetoric. As we know, not all Christians are anti-gay. He reminds A&E of the Chik-Fil-A brouhaha, calling the boycott by LGBT supporters of the chain “officially, the least effective boycott in the history of mankind.” First of all, Mr. Walsh obviously hasn’t done much organizing! If only so many of our efforts got as much media attention as that one! And whether the company was hit financially by the boycott or not, many of us still refuse to patronize Chik-Fil-A. They are now known to those of us who care to be an organization who does not support human rights. And just as their CEO exercised his right to speak freely, so have the the executives of A&E. Perhaps they will lose viewers. Perhaps they will gain some in support of their anti-homophobic stance. And without painting A&E with rose-colored strokes here, maybe enough employees and executives in that company care enough about human rights to stomach the loss of a few viewers. Which, really, seems the more “Christ-like” thing to do. Yet Walsh goes on to claim that A&E is censoring Robertson’s Christian faith. Again, this conflates Christianity with ant-gay speech. A&E did not come out against Christianity–it came out against specific remarks made by someone who purports to be a Christian.
Walsh goes on to ask A&E what they found offensive: “…you guys hate the Bible and find it to be offensive, right? Or is it just parts of the Bible? Or is it just Christians? Or is it just Christians who have the audacity to believe in the entire Bible, rather than a select few segments that pass the modern PC litmus test?” I wonder if Walsh, and the Christians throwing their support behind Walsh, keep multiple wives, or slaves, or mix different kinds of fabric when they dress in the morning, or if they eat pork or shellfish. Sure, this argument is old, and, admittedly, over-used. Yet it still seems relevant, because it still seems to be a point of dissonance for folks who use the Bible to justify hate speech.
I do agree with Walsh on one point, however. He lambasts A&E for their other programming, such as Hoarders, which he feels exploits the mentally ill, I agree with him on that point. He also brings up Disney, who owns about 50% of A&E according to Walsh’s blog post, and cites the other networks in which Disney has it’s fingers, which produce “debauchery” (Walsh’s word) like The Bachelor or Desperate Housewives, and again, I’m with him. The Bachelor is a train wreck to a feminist like myself. Absolutely. But if we’re talking about decency and vulgarity in the media, then I find it interesting that we are defending Robertson’s comments that graphically detail his disdain of anal sex.
Walsh, and others supporting Roberston are crying “free speech”–what seems to be lost is that freedom of speech does not equal freedom from consequences. Robertson does have freedom of speech, and he exercised that right. Unfortunately, he used it to cast all Christians as sex-negative, homophobic, and unaware of racial prejudice. The executives at A&E are using their freedom to speak as allies of the LGBT community. Walsh’s blog post is not well researched and instead traffics in hyperbole (seriously, Mr. Walsh, if you want to talk about boycotts that may actually qualify as “officially the least effective boycott in the history of mankind,” I’ll send you a list! Rejection is a part of being an activist, and I have a long resume we can chat about!). It also does a great disservice to those Christians who believe that all people are equal and deserve protection from hate speech, regardless of who they find sexually attractive.
Lastly, LGBT kids are watching TV. They are reading the Internet. As a social worker, and a friend and family member of LGBT people, I know that growing up in a culture that consistently puts you down makes for serious problems later in life. When Chik-Fil-A supporters rallied and ate copious amounts of fried chicken in the name of anti-gay sentiment, a young gay boy saw that on TV. He saw a veritable festival of people rallying against him. That is terrifying, that is isolating, and that is damaging. That is why I decided that this debate matters. One can say whatever one wishes, all of us can, and I am choosing to be a voice of dissent against oppression.
Written by Mary-Margaret Sweeney
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Your statement Ms.Sweeney was very long, so I see stopped midwaymidway. As a retired Social Worker, African American female, Practicing Christian, avid reader, one who luv chik file la, I was not and still not offended by the remarks. I am also a fan of the show. This to me is “much ado about nothing”.Phil Robertson is a self proclaim “red neck”. He and his wife live in the woods in a trailer surrounded by animals of all kind. They have no neighbors because they own all of the land and water miles around. They eat off the fat of the land and water. They go to Church with their “own kind”. They socialize with their own. They have only branched out since their new found popularity. So why I’d it that everyone eee expects him to say or believe any different and why should I care. He lives by his beliefs. His family appears to praying family. Their Children are very manerable, polite, obedient, respectful of their elders. The oldest, Willie and his wife have adopted a biracial boy and Asian girl, which doesn’t spell racist to me. Is he misinformed, yes. But ignorant, no. It is my understanding he and all of his sons are college graduates. As you can see, I watch Duck Dynasty, regularly and will continue to do so if they stay on the air. I am glad the family did not surprise me and leave Phil standing alone. So whatever decision the family makes, they have my support. We have become a nation of whiners, nonbelievers and when we see a family such as the Robertson standing together in prayer, we try to destroy them but I don’t see that happening this time. They were rooted In prayer and the word of God before their fame. As an African American Women Social Worker and I am not offended.Its time for Duck Dynasty marathon… Have a very blessed Christmas and may God forgive us all.
I just have a question or two for you Gwen. You state that you are a Social Worker so I would like to know, do you have a master’s in Social Work and are you a Licensed Social Worker? Many people call themselves a Social Worker but in our State, you can not claim that without the degree and license. It is against the law. I question you on this because what I learned in graduate school must have been very different than what you learned in graduate school.
Gwen does not have to have an MSW to have an opinion. She stated her opinion with passion and that is all you have to respond with? Are you an MSW Gwen because if your not your not entitled to an opinion as a SW? Really? I think you just marginalized Gwen.
Sharon Onelove, you are just like everyone else that is screaming about free speech and you miss the point. Never did I say Gwen did not have a right to her opinion. My concern is with people calling themselves Social Workers and representing the profession as such. If you use the profession or as Phil Robertson did, represent your employer, you do have to be careful of the things you say because there are consequences. As a Social Worker, I would never tell anyone that they don’t have the right to their opinion. You inferred something in my statement that was not there.
Ms Sweeney
You questioned Gwen’s credentials without even offering a counterpoint her points. Further, you said it yourself, credentials vary from state to state, so I don’t see how this is part of your discussion. You lose points, which is a shame because your article was fairly articulate.
I do agree with parts of your original post towards Mr Walsh’s blog.
Most states allow Bachelor level social workers to become licensed as an LBSW.
The other day a man laughed at my when I told him I was earning my MSW. When I asked him why, he said,” You could do better.” He then said,” I used to do social work, I was a paramedic.” When I told him that was not social work, he stated, “Sure it is, its helping people that don’t deserve to be helped.” I smiled and said, “I’m glad you are not a paramedic anymore.” Its true that the title social worker is thrown around so loosely. I do think that BSW’s are social workers as well, in response to the comment stating you should have an MSW and a license.
I am a Social Worker and have been doing this work for over 15 years in family preservation, let me add I am a LBSW. We had a director that was also LBSW.
Social Work is a stigmatized profession.
Sorry about spelling errors. Trying to get used to my very sensitive tablet.
I suppose we can put ol’ Phil up on a cross now and stick a spear in him since he’s the new martyr for the Christian Right. Last year, it was the Chick-Fil-A Chicken being branded as the new saint of Christianity for standing up for all that is Holy Matrimony in the eyes of the Church. These folks want to be on the wrong side of history with their public criticism of homosexuality but cry fowl (pardon the pun) when their own bigotry is examined in a public light. Batter and fry all the nonsense at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2012/08/holy-rollin-poultry-on-cross-chick-fil.html
Total agree with Gwen, God Bless You
I always find it disheartening when people who know the bible also believe that makes them an expect on other subject matter specifically sin/ the sinner. This gentleman has a right to his opinion and it’s just that his opinion but when he tries to throw in false logic to back it up is where I take issue and I think that’s the part that pushes people’s buttons. Christianity has been around for a long time and I don’t see it going anywhere. People should stand on the word not their opinion/ interpretation of it.
This is a very well written article. It’s truly disheartening how so many members of the “Christian Right” complain about being persecuted and refuse to see that that’s what they’re doing to people every day when they call them “faggots” or “queers”. Or to take the lgbqt element out of it: when they claim that all African Americans are “happy and singing”. They consistently oppress people and then cry about how they’re being persecuted. Well welcome to everyday life for millions of Americans.
This is going to be a slightly juvenile comment, but I just love how eloquently this is written and how horribly miss Gwen’s writing is. Yea I get it, new tablet, “blah blah blah.” Fact is statistics show a correlation between intellect and progression. Usually, not always, but usually more intelligent people have more progressive views. I already can hear the comeback of “didn’t you hear, I used to be a social worker too.” Again, “blah blah blah.” Do not confuse education with intelligence. Sure, I too am a highly educated woman of minority with my Master’s degree. While my education has given me more opportunity to discover my intellect, it has not turned me from dumb to smart. I loved this post and appreciate the support of a social worker doing actual “social” work.
What got me was the “I only read half your article”. Like if you want to argue read the whole thing. How else are you supposed to argue? I read that repulsive Matt Walsh blog although it made me sick to do so.
As is usually the case. A lot of Christians agree with half of what the bible says. The irony is she is arguing her point using the very same logic that is clearly expressed in this article as being asinine and as you mentioned she didn’t even read the entire blog! Then again, what do I know? I am a sinner and will be banished to hell for being BORN the way I was born. LOL
Quoting the Bible and asserting his Christian faith does not give Mr. Robertson (or Mr. Walsh) a free pass to bully and degrade gay and lesbian citizens. What was Mr. Robertson thinking when he publically expressed such hateful views? Gay and lesbian citizens, as well as society, are harmed by the hostile environment hate speech creates. Bullying and harassing people based on sexual orientation is damaging and it leads to poor health outcomes in physical health and mental health (including suicide). LGBT people should not be stereotyped and condemned because they are different. They deserve our respect and consideration. LGBT people are “us;” they are our family, our friends, our colleagues, our children. I wish that people who spoke of their religion or faith beliefs used empathy, kindness, and were accepting of all people, as they would want to be accepted.
So Robin, out of curiosity, What would you call the LGBT community in Colorado that have bullied a baker into making their cake for a wedding that they did not believe in due to their spiritual beliefs? Or the T-shirt maker in Kentucky that refused to make t-shirts for a similar group because it was against their spiritual beliefs (and they recommend 3-4 other places that would be willing to do the work)? You act like everyone should bend over backwards to accommodate this group yet I do not see them doing the same. If I go to a place to get a t-shirt or cake or anything else done and I am told that they can not/will not do it for one reason or another I go someplace else and spend my money.
Mr. Robinson expressed his beliefs in GQ much like the CEO of Chic-Fil-A did (on a Christian radio show if I remember the incident correctly) and both have been condemned for their beliefs. If you read further into Mr. Robinson’s comments he also stated that he would treat them with respect but that part seems to get left out of discussions (seems that news agencies want the controversy but do not want to give the whole story).
I am waiting for people to rant on his comments about blacks after he stated what he observed while working in the fields with them.
The man gave his opinion and right or wrong it is just that, his opinion. Agree with it or not, it is just his opinion.
With all of the controversy that the LGBT community causes you would think they were 30-40% of the country instead of 1-3% (at the most). If white males raised a stink every time we saw a commercial making us look dumb or every time someone insults us, we would have the courts tied up forever.
A&E knew how the family was and they are having a knee jerk reaction to his comments and in the end it will cost A&E more than it will cost the Robinson family.
If anyone really doesn’t think that he is doing harm or that he isn’t speaking out with hate-filled rhetoric, then they really need to read this and watch the video. It turned my stomach.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/12/20/phil-robertson-demonized-lgbt-people-in-2010-sermon-they-invent-ways-of-doing-evil/
For those who don’t have time to read the article I posted, here is the direct quote from a speech Phil Robertson gave in 2010:
“Women with women, men with men, they committed indecent acts with one another, and they received in themselves the due penalty for their perversions,” Robertson said. “They’re full of murder, envy, strife, hatred. They are insolent, arrogant, God-haters. They are heartless, they are faithless, they are senseless, they are ruthless. They invent ways of doing evil.”
Now we know what he really thinks.
I’ve thought of keeping quiet on this subject, but I don’t think that I can any more. The following Martin Niemoller quote keeps coming to my mind:
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Socialists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.
I do my best to be informed on all of the information and actions against or for the LGBT community. I am not a member of this, but I am part of a community that has been discriminated against all of my life, and continues to be. As an epileptic, I’ve endured first-hand what the LGBT community has been forced to endure as well, and I advocate against those actions. We, as social workers, must continue to work to educate people so that all discrimination ceases. I realize this is a pipe dream that may never occur, but I can always hope.
For those Christians who are rallying against the LGBT community, I would remind you that Christ stated to love ALL people, regardless of their beliefs and traditions. He also stated that before you try to remove a mite from someone else’s eye, remove the pole from your own eye. I am certain that all of these people passing judgement are not perfect in any way, no matter how they cry otherwise.
As a Christian I would say his comments were ungracious and crude. The bible commands us to be “full of Grace and truth.” As a Christian I would also say that the responses to him, including this, have been ungracious and rude. Most of what I am reading seems to be uniformed, hateful critics, criticizing him for being hateful and uninformed.
First to bring up Old Testament law in judgement of any Christian misunderstands the redemption story and the covenant we are now under. The old law is done and Christ ushered in a new one. So please stop misquoting the old testmant and then misunderstanding it’s place now. It shows you really aren’t attempting to understand what our beliefs are.
Second to think we live in a society that doesn’t marginalize Christians is being rather blind. We have become the group you can say whatever you want about and be praised for it. The rhetoric of our day is more tribalism than informed understanding. To be hateful toward Christians and not attempt to understand them is the only politically correct position it seems to have toward them. The general tone, particularly of this issue, has become “your with us or against us…Your with us or a hateful bigit.” That’s just not fair and not helpful. I believe the longer this tribalism persists the longer we as a society will fall away from intelligent thinking. We have lost how to discuss reality in a thoughtful, inquisitive manner. We now just want to be right and when the other isn’t persuaded by us, regardless of their logic and reason, then we label them with harsh words.
Be careful to examine yourself while you are so busy slandering another. Hateful behavior toward someone you think is being hateful doesn’t put you in the higher seat. Spend more time working to understand them not passing labels and casting them off as unfair pictures because you disagree. There are many that I don’t agree with but can understand why they think the way that they do. And you may be surprised that some people don’t base conclusions on hate. They may actually have a logical well thought out reason that just isn’t going to satisfy you. Trust me that happens.
Great to see social workers respond to prejudice and ignorance. Now is the time to make a distinction between health and sick care….Let’s report every psychiatric label and the drug cocktails given our clients…children, youth and families. They cause serious harm to our returning vets and families. Let’s throw psychiatry out of mental-behavioral health along with their BigPharma partners, clinical psychologists and clinical social workers. Looking for alternatives to these horrendous, injurious practices, visit our website that is based on evidence based health services. http://jerryvestinjuredwarrior.com
I guess you haven’t read much peer reviewed research, Gerald?
See my Bibliography and my Resume before you attack me. I have published several evidence based research articles and obviously you haven’t read my articles on the http://newciv.org or my forum.
I happen to be going to school right now because I want to be a social worker. I am also a Christian and the fact that you wrote this letter representing social workers is appalling. You she be writing this from your own personal account add this is your opinion and you are entitled to this. Well, so is Phil Robertson. I thought that everyone in America was. Obviously you have never watched the show or you would know that Phil is not from a high class family and does not live in a big fancy house, so your comments about him being privileged hold no truth. He happens to be one of the most humbled people on there. He has a multi-racial family and loves every single one of them equally. I was excited to find this group on fb as I continue on with my schooling to help and support me. Now that I know how the admin of this page really feels about it, I think I will move on. It’s sad that it’s Ok for everyone to enjoy freedom of speech in this world, except Christians.
If you think christian white males are persecuted in this country, you may have a difficult time in graduate school.
I am also a social work student.. about to graduate (whohoo)… and yes, I would stand with you on what majority christians will say about homosexuality is “biblical”
But when we deal with people… it has to start with.. are we treating EVERYONE who are MADE IN HIS IMAGE regardless of their sexual orientation, legal status, mental illness, etc. with respect and honor they deserve as God’s creation. Before their orientation, their legal status, their sickness, illness, whatever the person might struggle with.. they are human beings and there’s more to it.
This isn’t really about “freedom of speech” sure.. christians might feel discriminated to feel to say what they believe is “sinful”… but we aren’t persecuted. We discriminate gays and lesbians all the time. just look at how many schools expel kids who have christian parents. they pay the consequences for their parents… or when gay student is bullied and suicide by so-called-christian-kids… Christian rights don’t do much. What do we really call this “christ-like love”? Perhaps our definition of love is distorted.. because LBGT communities aren’t feeling it from the christian right. And Phil’s comment wasn’t the representation of Christ’s love when he narrowed down homosexuals all to their sexuality.. because it’s far more complex questions.. and they are also humans who enjoy other things. It distorts the image… when we define ourselves or others just on their sexuality.. because humans are more than that. Gays and lesbians are more than their sexuality–they are humans. And because I have bi-racial family.. because I have black friends I am not racist.. is…. something you need to probably learn. racism structure is far more than that. I had some of my black friends who understands their family history and black history really hurt by his comments. it was more than being misinformed… it’s ignorance.
sorry if my comment came off harsh sister… but we gotta tune in with other side too even with what we believe is “right”. Because we are trained to think capable of work in diversity dignity and worth of all people–not only people who have the same belief as us.
Christian schools expel*
Phil is from an extraordinarily wealthy family and is wealthy himself. They just chose to live a certain way. A statement only made to correct the idea that the family is not privileged.
As a Southern Baptist Christian .. I believe that Phil is entitled to his opinion. I know and believe the part of the bible where he is referencing. I also believe that A&E has the right to their opinions as well. I am unable to voice my thoughts and opinions daily on my job as a line worker with DSS although I have them. Because if I do I will be unemployed due to the consequences of said opinions. People of the old testament were killed regularly for their opinions and teachings and unfortunately this seems to be the tread of today. It just to me seems a little unfair that we can hear the religious views from other world religions and think its ok its just a different culture and their beliefs are that of their culture and not think the same of people living here in America. As a hands on worker in a small southern town I see how culture plays a huge role in the everyday lives of children. We as social workers are suppose to be sensitive to culture and what that means to family centeredness.
As a colleague and fellow social worker, we both have the best interests of vulnerable clients in mind. NASW has a great resource on working with LGBT youth and families at http://www.socialworkers.org/diversity/outofhome/default.asp. LGBT youth who are bullied in middle and high school suffer from an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts. A supportive social environment and acceptance of LGBT individuals promotes health, mental health and family unity and reduces suicide attempts by LGBT teens (http://familyproject.sfsu.edu/home). Our profession values the ethical principle of protection of life; in addition social workers have a commitment to equality and social justice.
Mr. Robertson was not benignly expressing his religious beliefs. He was sending a message of hatred, contempt, and disrespect creating a hostile environment. The NASW Code of Ethics clearly tells us, “Social workers should not practice, condone, facilitate, or collaborate with any form of discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, or mental or physical disability.”
Well said!
Thank you… I graduate with my BSW in the spring and will go for my MSW next. It saddens me to hear all the ridiculous comments of people who should know better. I was angry about A&Es back pedaling on this, but most disturbed by people I feel should understand what discrimination is,like my fellow students.
thank you thank you for being so articulate and representing a profession that I love <3
Phyllis,
I have a BSW, which in my state allows me to call myself a ‘social worker’.
I choose not to call myself a ‘social worker’ because of people like you. Gwen provided an honest assessment of the situation, and the best you could do was attack her credentials. This is evidence that liberal hippies will say anything, or do anything, to make their point. I don’t have an MSW (thank god) like you do Phyllis… It’s not needed to learn how to attack someone who doesn’t share your opinion.
Mary-Margaret what is at issue here is right and wrong. Is it right or wrong to have sex with members of the same sex? That is what all this “rhetoric” is about. Simple truth is very hard to sugar coat. The problem is we keep dancing around it. We bring up all sorts of hyperbole yet the fact is many folks have very strong beliefs surrounding simple reproductive type sex without compounding with recreational varieties for whatever a human desires. Yes there are “consequences” to speaking freely. Yelling FIRE in a crowded theater has immediate consequences regardless of the existence of a fire. I’m shocked that a children’s advocate or specifically that hypothetical “young gay boy” would be defending them watching TV or using the internet freely and obviously without supervision. We have established that is wrong for parents to do so for this very reason. Once again the issue is not homosexuality or free speech. The issue is right and wrong. We must answer this as we have the issue of yelling FIRE in a crowded theater. We as a nation must come to terms with how this sex issue is going to be addressed. We must set boundaries and yes develop laws, standards and codes where currently there are none or at best archaic ones. Just as we all as nation know the “FIRE” example and agree to honor it so to must we address this sex issue.
Ian,
It’s not a sex issue. It’s a human rights issue. Sexual orientation is assigned by God. If it is as simple as a choice….then I ask you to choose to live a same sex life for a year. After that year please post your thoughts about it.
BRAVO!! I have been posting several similar things on my facebook pages as well!
Mary Margaret,
I think you have a gift!
Keep writing what you do. You have an understanding what the profession is about. You get the ethics, core values and principals.
I see you as an asset to social justice. Keep on keeping on.
Learn from the challenges or challengers…they will only make you better.
There is nothing in Phil Robertson’s or Matt Walsh’s commentary that is Christian. Nowhere in the Bible is homosexuality condemned, unless you read one of the newly interpreted, false prophet’s Bible that includes the words “homosexuality” or “homosexual”. The Bible condemns certain sex acts, not sexual orientation.
Proverbs 30:5-6
“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”
The likes of Phil Robertson and his supporters are clearly liars.
Remember, it is okay to have your own personal beliefs and values as long as you can separate those from your professional values. When you are working or commenting as a social worker, you have to use our profession’s values, standards and ethics. This is a social work site, we can’t forget that and what the social work profession is meant to do for people and society. That is the bottom line. What did we all learn about religion and respecting all religions in school, and using religion in practice?
I am a social worker who has four gay friends–good friends. If you read the places in the Bible that speak of gays, it is describing their BEHAVIOR, not who they are. There is a difference. I will agree there is more lip service given to “love the sinner, hate the sin.” I wonder how many Christians know a gay person he or she loves? The Bible also condemns adultery, but Christians are not nearly as adamant in their condemnation of that.
I know only that God gave his ONLY son to die for me (and for everyone); therefore, God must think I’m a worthy person. As such, the only person I need to please is God. It doesn’t matter what others think of me; that’s their problem.
Everyone has the right to decide what kind of person he or she wants to be…and to live with the consequences of that decision. And once you decide, how are you going to get there?