Huckabee Transcript Regarding Phil Robertson's Interview Provides Opening For A Better World

Below is the transcript of Mike Huckabee's opening monologue from his FNC program regarding Phil Robertson's interview with GQ that expanded into a lot of controversy about Phil's TV program "Duck Dynasty," the A&E network, & Cracker Barrel.  I have studied the Huckabee transcript – it goes into many more issues than just those brought up in the GQ interview.  For instance – check out the first sentence.  Tackling all of the issues found in the transcript gives us an opening to work on our own solutions & improvements to make a better world in 2014 & beyond.

 

--- Transcript - Huckabee Opening Monologue – December 21, 2013 ---

 

Remember when America was a free country? Religious liberty is so foundational to our nation's origin that faith was embedded in the very first amendment in our Bill of Rights. The GOVERNMENT is forbidden to prefer or prohibit an expression of religion. Religion is free to express; government was NOT free to infringe. In recent days, a small, but vocal and militant group of same-sex marriage advocates have co-opted religious liberty to force industry and government to go beyond tolerating homosexuality, but to APPROVE it. I'm told to shut up advocating for traditional marriage, but those who force acceptance, approval, and activism of same sex marriage allow no deviation from their view. Wedding caterers and wedding photographers are being forced by government to serve same sex weddings, even if it violates the conscience and religious convictions of the provider. It's not just government. A&E network found a successful formula to save it financially from its beginnings of "Arts and Entertainment." Reality shows have turned it into a cash cow, but none of its shows has ever rocketed it to the stratosphere of green and gold like its most popular show ever, "Duck Dynasty." Elites have never understood its popularity in "fly over" country, but for those of us who live in that part of America, Duck Dynasty wasn't about the beards or the ducks, but the strongly knit sense of family that the Robertson clan embodied. Their Christian faith is apparently too real for reality TV. They live life "happy, happy, happy." They are not straight-laced snobs or Puritans, but people who laugh, play, and pray. They reflect a family who loves each other. And they also believe a view of marriage that has been the standard for all of human history and the norm for Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. A&E tossed Phil Robertson off TV because he believed what he said and said what he believed. A&E is insulting and snobbing the millions of Americans who hold the same view, albeit perhaps expressed in less graphic terms. I doubt very many members of a gay rights group even watch Duck Dynasty. Gay rights groups used to lobby for tolerance; now they lobby for intolerance. Reality TV has given us such high brow viewing as Jersey Shore, Temptation Island and Cheaters. It's okay for shows to glorify adultery, binge drinking, teen sex, and serial promiscuity. But if someone on a reality show should actually reflect the reality of his Christian faith, then God better help him because the network won't. Just who do the suits and A&E think those millions were who watched Duck Dynasty? Muslims aren't criticized, ostracized or banned from the public square and their views are far more harsh and intolerant of homosexuality. Most Christians I know (including me) are respectful and tolerant of those who are homosexual and engage in friendship with, employment with, and social interaction with people who are openly gay. I can accept anyone, but I shouldn't be forced to embrace a view of sex that is at odds with my faith. I have friends who accept me and love me, but think I'm a religious nut for believing the Bible and in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Are militant homosexuals so insecure so they are incapable of tolerating anyone who disagrees with them? Can we maybe get back to free speech and religious liberty? Or will we one day be told by the government what we can and can't say or believe. It starts in the marketplace. It ends when it is enforced by the state. We're getting close.