(Mail Online, UK): Duck Dynasty: Sounds Like He's Back

EXCLUSIVE – Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson breaks his silence: Reality show star says he’s 'a lover not a hater' but REFUSES to back down from anti-gay comments

• Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson is sticking by controversial comments he made about homosexuality to GQ magazine
• He told MailOnline that he was simply quoting from the Bible in saying that homosexuality is a sin
• In the GQ interview, Robertson said: 'Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong… Sin becomes fine. Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there... Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men'
• Fans and supporters in his hometown of West Monroe, Louisiana have been vocal in support of Robertson
• TV network A&E suspended Robertson from the show over the comments
• A source close to the situation says they have no plans to fire him
• Cracker Barrel pulled Duck Dynasty items from its shelves but quickly reinstated them after customers complained
• Duck Dynasty regularly pulls in more than 12 million viewers

By Will Payne In West Monroe, Louisiana
PUBLISHED: 16:56 EST, 22 December 2013 | UPDATED: 19:40 EST, 22 December 2013    

 

Phil Robertson has spoken out for the first time since his homophobic comments in a magazine interview went public and refused to go back on his controversial remarks, saying: ‘I will not give or back off from my path.’

 

The Duck Dynasty patriarch led a small Bible study group in his home town church in West Monroe, Louisiana on Sunday, granting MailOnline exclusive access.

And the deeply religious outdoorsman stood by his incendiary statements – which saw him call homosexuality a sin and led to his suspension from the hit reality show by network bosses at A&E.

United: Phil Robertson (center), patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family, leaves church in Louisiana with his family today

Under fire: Willie Robertson (center) leaves church today with his father (not pictured), who has been suspended from their reality television series for comments he made about homosexuality last week

Supporter: Howell Henderson of Joplin, Missouri, poses for a picture outside the Duck Commander store in West Monroe, Louisiana Saturday

During Sunday’s speech, he defended himself, saying he was simply quoting from the Bible and even went so far as to say Jesus could save gay people.

‘I love all men and women. I am a lover of humanity, not a hater,’ he added.


For the rest, see:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2528043/Duck-Dynasty-family-seen-today.html#ixzz2oGBwCJoz