There has been much talk today about free speech. Seems as if a television reality star stated his beliefs as regards to homosexuality. He did this in an interview with a magazine reporter so when it came out the network broadcasting his show suspended him immediately. No doubt this was in reaction by gay/lesbian advocates. Supporters of the "offender" are raising hell, claiming his rights were being violated. Oy!
This is really a simple matter. The best I can tell the TV star stated his opinion without fear of incarceration. His opinion was based on his religious beliefs so no one abridged his right to exercise his choice of religion. So it is really not a free speech issue. However, there is no constitutional protection from consequences for what you say. He really has no constitutional right to a job. So the network, after determining the economic impact of their association with him decided to cut him loose. That is totally legal. Only time will tell whether their calculation will prove accurate.
Look, Phil Robertson and I are contemporaries. Granted he lives in Louisiana but I dare say that we probably aren't far apart on the issue of homosexuality. I usually don't judge people by a couple of sentences in a magazine article. We read the same Good Book. And perhaps his faith is stronger than mine in that he publicly voiced his belief where I doubt I would so vociferously. And, as far as I know, he is not whining about the suspension. He made a choice and it cost him.
To be a Christian is to endure persecution. Been that way for over 2,000 years. His attitude toward homosexuality is mild when compared to that of the billion or so Muslims in the world but, for some reason, they get a pass from the media. There is an open season on anyone and anything related to Christ so we Christians have to recognize that going in. Most of us have been cowled into public silence as the homosexual minority flexes its political muscle. Each time a state approves same sex marriages it is trumpeted loudly and proudly by the press. At the same time the genuine good works of millions of Christians across the country are discounted or ignored and they are deemed intolerant.
Like I said, it really is a simple matter. Economics is what drives the suits at A&E network and they made a business decision. It's up to the supporters of Phil Robertson to determine if their calculations were correct. When a business mistreats me or mine it will be a cold day in hell before I darken their door again. If enough people take that attitude I think the network will be proved to have miscalculated. Won't be the first time. Anyone remember New Coke?
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