In his first public comments since getting suspended from his family’s top-rated reality show, “Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson defiantly defended his anti-gay remarks during a Bible-study class Sunday.
The Cajun quacker refused to apologize for calling homosexual behavior “sinful” and comparing it to bestiality and adultery — instead saying his controversial comments came straight from the Holy Book.
“I will not give or back off from my path, because you conquered death, Father, so we are not worried about all the repercussions,” Robertson said, according to an online report.
‘The acts of the sinful nature are obvious,’’ he said, at times reading from the Bible.
“Sexual immorality is No. 1 on the list. How many ways can we sin sexually? My goodness. You open up that can of worms, and people will be mad at you over it.
“I am just reading what was written over 2,000 years ago,’’ he said. “Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom. All I did was quote from the scriptures, but they just didn’t know it. Whether I said it, or they read it, what’s the difference? The sins are the same. Humans haven’t changed,” he added.
Wearing his trademark camouflage headband, the bearded, self-described “redneck” spoke to a small group at White’s Ferry Road Church in West Monroe, La., for about 45 minutes, the Daily Mail reported online.
Afterward, Robertson, 67, joined the church’s 1,000-member congregation for a religious service during which his eldest son, Pastor Alan Robertson, made mention of the firestorm his dad touched off by speaking his mind to GQ magazine.
“Well, we’ve had quite a week. Shot some ducks, done some shopping, ignited a national controversy,” Alan quipped.
Meanwhile, Louisiana Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne vowed to help the embattled clan find a new TV deal if their show doesn’t survive Phil’s suspension by the A&E network.
“Regardless of one’s views on Phil Robertson’s statements, ‘Duck Dynasty’ has been an important representation of the state of Louisiana, inspiring prospective visitors and investors since its debut,” Dardenne said in an e-mail statement reported by The Associated Press.
Meanwhile, the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain caved in to public pressure Sunday and said it would resume selling merchandise featuring the family of avian assassins, a day after yanking the stuff from its shelves.
The company’s about-face came after about 32,000 comments were posted to its official Facebook page, many of them blasting the Southern-style eatery’s decision to stop selling the merchandise and threatening a boycott.