Willie Robertson Addresses Phil Robertson Controversy; Says He Believes in Literal Interpretation of Bible
Willie and Korie Robertson, stars of the hit A&E reality show "Duck Dynasty," recently addressed their father Phil's controversy over comments he made regarding homosexuality. The couple agreed that ultimately, they believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible and added that they certainly don't profess to be perfect, sinless people.
The Robertson couple sat down for an interview with CNN's Kyra Phillips to "clear the air" regarding the Phil Robertson controversy in December 2013, when the family's patriarch told GQ Magazine that he found homosexuality to be a sin as he paraphrased a verse from Corinthians: "Don't be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers – they won't inherit the kingdom of God. Don't deceive yourself. It's not right."
Robertson's comments gained wide media coverage at the time and he was temporarily suspended from his reality show, only to be reinstated eight days later.
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When Phillips asked Willie Robertson to "clear the air" regarding his father's comments, Willie replied: "Oh my father, he made Christmas very interesting for us."
"I remember doing that (GQ interview), and this guy (interviewer Drew Magary), I think he already had what he wanted to put, and he was certainly asking specifically this and that, and Phil just said what he thought, what was on his heart … [Phil] did some paraphrasing there."
When Phillips asked Willie what he thinks about the Corinthians verse his father recited to GQ Magazine, Willie responded: "I believe what the Bible says … You have to read the Bible and make up your own mind. You have to decide, and God will ultimately decide then. We don't profess to be God, and we certainly don't profess to be perfect because we have our own sins that we deal with."
Willie's wife, Korie, then chimed in by saying: "Anybody who knows [Phil], any gay, straight, black, white, anybody who knows Phil knows that he is about love and his message is about God's love, God's grace and God's forgiveness, ultimately."
When Phillips asked Willie and Korie if they believed in a literal interpretation of the Bible, they agreed that they do.
The couple added in their CNN interview that if their hit reality show were to end unexpectedly, they would be satisfied with their accomplishments on the show because they feel it helped them spread the message of God to viewers. "We were able to use that platform to get out God's message, and if it ended right there, it ended right there. I felt it was pretty much what God prepared us to do," Willie said.
"Duck Dynasty" wrapped up its fifth season on March 26 with an emotional episode that detailed the medical struggles of Mia Robertson, daughter of Jase and Missy, who has endured multiple surgeries for a facial cleft. The show follows the lives of the evangelical Robertson clan as they produce duck calls with their Duck Commander business based in West Monroe, La.
