GLAADly Shooting Ducks and Boycotting A&E

Just step back for a minute.  Just a minute.

Don't try to judge whether or not Phil Robertson's comments were good, bad, or indifferent.  Don't make this about free speech or freedom of religion.  Don't try to judge whether or not A&E's decision to suspend Phil Robertson was good, bad, or indifferent.  Don't make it about someone trying to push a particular agenda.

Step back to try and grasp a big picture scene.  Try to see the competition between several worldviews clearly clashing in this ordeal.  There are at least three that I can see, probably more.

First: GLAAD's worldview and how it plays out:

“Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe,” GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz said in a statement. “He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans – and Americans – who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil’s decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families.”

Essentially: if you do not agree with us, then you are unclean "a stain" and those who associate with such a person should reevaluate their "friendship status."  GLAAD also quite happily approved of A&E's decision to suspend Robertson affecting his financial status.

Worldview: Our way is the right way, and if you don't agree with us, there should be punitive measures taken to deal with you.

Second: The response by those supporting Phil:

Boycott A&E until they bring Phil back!  We have freedom of speech and freedom of religion!  Phil is suffering persecution by the PC police!

Worldview: If you do something to someone we care about, we will take retributive steps against you.

Third: Phil Robertson's worldview:

Homosexuality is a sin, and as a culture we have begun having a much higher tolerance for things the Bible calls sin.  However:

“We never, ever judge someone on who’s going to heaven, hell. That’s the Almighty’s job,” Robertson told GQ. “We just love ‘em, give ‘em the good news about Jesus – whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ‘em out later.”

and


“I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together.  “However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”

Essentially: I may disagree with you, but I can respect you without judgment.  We are all created in the image of God, and we would be better off if we loved God and loved each other.

Tell me, which worldview do you want to live in?

Note: There are considerably more worldviews out there.  For a worldview which is atheistic and pro-gay yet still take GLAAD and A&E to task calling for respect read here.