OpenHeaven.com - ’I Stand with Phil’ Petition Surpasses 250K Goal

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A petition calling for A&E to reinstate "Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson has surpassed its goal of 250,000 signatures.

The letter accompanying the "I Stand with Phil" petition calls the network's decision to drop Robertson for voicing his views on homosexuality "intolerant, discriminatory, and punitive treatment."

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2013/December/Robertsons- Cant-Imagine-Dynasty-without-Phil/ - Click here to see CBN's original report on A&E's decision to suspend Phil Robertson and the fan backlash.

Meanwhile, the Robertson family patriarch is still standing by his comments.

Speaking at his church Sunday in West Monroe, La., Roberston said, "I will not give or back off from my path," UPI reported.

"Common sense says we are not going to procreate the human race unless we have a man and a woman," he told the White's Ferry Road Church of Christ congregation.

Click here to see CBN's original report on A&E's decision to suspend Phil Robertson and the fan backlash.

A&E announced Dec. 18 what it called a "hiatus" for Robertson, 67, after he spoke out about homosexuality in the January edition of GQ magazine.

In a statement A&E said it was extremely disappointed to see Robertson's anti-gay remarks, which it said were based on his personal beliefs and do not reflect those of A&E Networks or the show. A&E called itself a supporter of the lesbian and gay community.

But Roberston has drawn an outpouring of support from church members and neighbors.

"The program and his comments take a snapshot and it doesn't represent the totality of what the guy is all about," said Richard Laban, the owner of Redneck Roots, a downtown West Monroe store that sells some 'Duck Dynasty' T-shirts and souvenirs.

"A&E reacted entirely too quickly," added Laban. "They really treated Phil as if he was a terrorist."

"I've known Phil for 30 years," said Mike Walsworth, the owner of another store in town called the Gingerbread Shop. "He hasn't changed for 30 years."

Despite the controversy, UPI reports that A&E will still be airing episodes of the show in January.

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