Ducking the issue of those who voice hate toward others

Published: Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 12:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 3:18 p.m.

I am sitting here the night before my deadline debating on what subject to write about. If you read my previous column on procrastination, you will understand the anxiety I am going through right now.

While deciding on what this particular column will be about, I am saying to myself that the recent controversy regarding the "Duck Dynasty" patriarch will not be my topic. While not surprised by the comments, I've seen countless articles and Facebook posts supporting and denouncing Phil Robertson's views and reaffirming that this issue has been exploited. I will not become sucked into the great debate as to whether his being suspended from the show was violating his right to free speech or if it was a racist and homophobic rant deserving of punishment from his employer. Now that A&E has lifted his suspension, I said to myself that this topic has been beaten down.

Therefore, I will not say how horrible I felt as so many people came to his support. It is obvious that his First Amendment right to free speech wasn't violated. If he wasn't allowed to speak his mind, the interview wouldn't have appeared in one of the largest national magazines. There were no charges brought, no handcuffs and no arrests.

It is also obvious that if he lost his job with reality television, the man wouldn't be starving and on the street. The business his family owns has made millions of dollars, and he is set for life. What was (and is still) running through my mind is why the man garnered all the support from so many people?

I will admit I became sucked into that great debate on my social networks. I found myself being accused of twisting the truth and told that if I didn't accept Jesus as my savior that I must believe Christianity is wrong. Opinions on the issue eventually transcended into ugly positions on religion, family,and any other low blows we could hurl. It turned into an all out mud-slinging contest with tempers rising and feelings getting hurt.

However, I am happy to report that emotions got back in check, and we are all friends again with the tacit implication that we will agree to disagree. "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." — Proverbs 27.

OK, so I am going to write about it. The support for lifting the ban on "Duck Dynasty" has been festering inside my gut. I believe society will support demoralizing specific portions of our society if it's packaged properly. History has proven that every time a portion of the population is unjustifiably demonized, it leads to tragic results. When providing this support in the name of religion makes it even worse. Here is a man who proclaims to be spreading the word of Jesus and with his next breath provides a list of sins that he judges to be worth mentioning.

I truly don't understand the religious rampage toward homosexuality. The fact is Jesus never mentioned it, but he did mention the sins of divorce, adultery and gossip. Wouldn't one then have to conclude that this blatant attack on a particular segment of our population is based on hate rather than religion? Aren't we, once again, using the holy book that preaches love and acceptance as a rationalization for prejudice? What kind of example are we providing children when we support hate propaganda? How is it there are over 450 animal species that exhibit homosexuality, and only one (humans) exhibits homophobia?

Recently, I heard a preacher state "being a good person will not get you into heaven." Apparently, he believes you can molest children your entire life, rape, murder, steal and torture but have better odds of entering heaven than the Dalai Lama or Mahatma Gandhi as long as they are born again before they die.

What kind of example are we setting for our children when this philosophy is endorsed? Isn't this simply a type of "get out of jail free" card? If you read the GQ interview, you will see Robertson never atoned for when he had to flee Arkansas because he severely beat up a bar owner and his wife. As he stated, "I didn't dredge anything back up. I just put it behind me." Is this man really a role model to be supported?

The next time one wants to rally support for someone who spews hate against a minority group, perhaps we should consider the quote from pastor Martin Niemöller, who survived another period of history when it was fashionable to hate a group of people:

"First they came for the Communists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Socialists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for me,

and there was no one left to speak for me."

I thought the Bible teaches us that we are not to treat anyone as inferior. I can assure you many felt very inferior when Robertson spoke, and even more inferior when their friends rallied support for this man.

Ken Lack lives in Lexington and has provided services as a consultant and volunteer since moving here in 2009. He enjoys writing, cooking and exploring the beauty and fun of North Carolina. He can be reached at


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