Douglas County Sheriff Phil Miller added his support to controversial statements made by a “Duck Dynasty” star, asserting that he would no longer work with the network that suspended the star from the popular show.
“I don’t choose to do business with them as sheriff,” Miller told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday. “If you can’t speak about what’s in the Bible, that’s wrong.”
The A&E network suspended “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson after he made comments critical of homosexuality to GQ magazine.
The show is not filmed in Douglas County, but the network has filmed a half-dozen other programs with the assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. The shows have included episodes of “Beyond Scared Straight,” a show that attempts to change the behavior of young criminal offenders.
“They’re not coming into my jail,” he said.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office had no plans to work with the network prior to the flap, he said.
Miller’s comments, which first appeared on his Facebook page Friday, have drawn considerable attention. Almost 400,000 have viewed the story on the website of the Douglas County Sentinel.
Miller joins a large backlash against the network for its actions. Miller said he agrees with Robertson’s point of view that the Bible sees homosexuality as a sin. But he stressed that he does not want to disrespect homosexuals.
“That’s what makes this country. There’s a lot of different beliefs,” he said. “If that’s the kind of lifestyle they chose, that’s America. I’m not judging anyone.”
Miller said of Robertson’s statements, “It was about a man stating his Christian beliefs without malice or judgment, and losing his job. That’s wrong.”
On Thursday, Phil Robertson's family issued a statement hinting that they might leave A&E.
Miller said he would not cooperate with A&E on productions, but if the network was working in Douglas County and needed some traffic control, “I’d assist them, but they would have to pay the officers.”
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