Phil Robertson controversy: Online petition for Duck Dynasty star immediate return

Faith Driven Consumer – an organization connecting Christian consumers with faith-compatible companies – asks A&E Networks to immediately reinstate Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson to the hit show and also is seeking a formal apology to him, his family and the show’s viewers.

To support Phil Robertson, the Christian organization has launched the IStandWithPhil.com petition drive.

The petition calls for A&E Networks to immediately reinstate Phil Robertson to the hit reality show, after he was placed on indefinite suspension because of anti-gay remarks he made in an interview with GQ magazine interview.

“Simply put, Phil Robertson is being censored and punished for quoting the Bible, and A&E’s treatment of him is punitive and highly discriminatory,” said Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer.

“Everyday people will not stand for this; they know bullying and violation of religious freedom when they see it. A&E’s actions are censoring faith-driven consumers and eliminating them from an entertainment choice that they have overwhelmingly supported.”

The IStandWithPhil.com online petition drive calls out the A&E network’s “intolerant, discriminatory, and punitive treatment” of the Duck Dynasty star, reading: “A&E’s position, which in your own words is <<championing>> the gay and lesbian community … excludes the views of Faith Driven Consumers and effectively censors a legitimate viewpoint held by the majority of Americans.”

The petition calls for respecting the millions of viewers of Duck Dynasty reality show, and demands that the network immediately reinstate Phil Robertson and “formally apologize to him, his family, and the millions of viewers who tune in every week, stand by him, and share his worldview”. Up to now, the petition had collected more than 4,000 signatures.

Phil Robertson’s anti-gay comments have since been slammed by GLAAD, but the reality star has drawn support from Sarah Palin and Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal.