Duck!

I get a kick out of the TV show Duck Dynasty.

If you’ve never watched, there’s no way to describe what happens. Mostly it’s just silly fun. I admire the Robertson family’s ingenuity and creativity. They don’t take themselves seriously, but they’re very serious about their faith in Jesus.

Recently, Phil, the family patriarch, got in some trouble for some rather harsh comments published in an interview. He was suspended by the network. Suddenly, it seems everyone has an opinion as Phil Robertson becomes one more lightening rod for the divisive, angry rhetoric that automatically polarizes us along social, religious, and political lines. He’s either a homophobic hater, an ignorant redneck, or a crusader for truth, justice, and everything American.

I don’t know Phil Robertson. I can’t see into his heart. But I have read a bit of his story and I wondered about traveling a mile in his camouflage boots.

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My take: Phil’s published comments were unnecessarily hurtful. He says what’s on the top of his mind, unfiltered—that’s who he is. He’s not a polished media guy. I think he intended to speak truth, and I believe he went too far.

Phil has the right to state is opinion. Those who feel offended have the right to object. His employers have the right to suspend him. His supporters have the right to boycott.

Everybody has the right to call everybody else names, to categorize and demonize, to use Phil’s comments as an excuse to trot out the same tired left versus-right-rhetoric. Everybody has the right to fill their Facebook streams and Twitter feeds with angry, polarizing stuff.

And we also have the right to wonder why civil discourse becomes increasingly impossible in our society, while refusing  to look in the mirror for a piece of the solution.

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My take: Justice is not about my rights. Justice is about what’s right.

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As part of RICH’S RIDE, part of my mission is to share a message of hope in the name of Jesus. I wonder how frequently I get it wrong.

I’ve done media interviews. I’ve been surprised by questions, wandered off topic, gotten carried away, and said things I later regretted. Since I don’t have Phil’s big platform, my mistakes don’t attract the same attention or create the same uproar. But I think I understand how he might feel.

I read Phil’s response to the furor. He said in part:

“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…”

“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.”

Yesterday over at Bouncing Back I listed some principles to use when I’m tempted to jump to conclusions.

Allow for the possibility that your initial reaction is off the mark.

Always be wrong in the direction of grace.

I’ll bet Jesus never says, “Hey, wait. That’s just too much love!”

That’s how I hope others will respond when I mess up.

I‘ll take Phil at his word. You?

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