Phil Robertson fans support 'Duck Dynasty' star's 'freedom of speech,' Twitter explodes on A&E after homophobic, racist remarks lead to network suspension AND petition [POLL]

"Duck Dynasty" star Phil Robertson's racist, anti-gay remarks in GQ magazine are currently going viral on the web. Need a recap?

- "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."

- Paraphrase from the 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."

- "It seems like, to me, a vagina - as a man - would be more desirable than a man's anus... She's got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes... But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man. It's just not logical."

- "I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once... Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I'm with the blacks, because we're white trash. We're going across the field... They're singing and happy."

- "I never heard one of them, one black person, say, 'I tell you what: These doggone white people'-not a word!... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues."

Robertson later went on to release this "official" apology:

"I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other."

Still, the A&E network ultimately suspended Robertson indefinitely from the popular reality series. A rep for A&E stated:

"We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson's comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series 'Duck Dynasty.' His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community."

And several fans are NOT happy about it. Thousands of supporters believe that A&E is denying Robertson of his freedom of speech, so they started a Change.org petition:

To: A&E

Please Bring Back Phil Robertson To Duck Dynasty,

We admire Mr Robertson for his old-school, refreshing, simple and straight-forward honesty. While you may not agree with his beliefs, punishing him for being a Christian who believes in the Bible and the fans of Duck Dynasty for them is persecution and down-right un-American.

Millions of people agree with the Bible, but we face the same ridicule and hatred of those who complain of the same treatment. We don't fear gays, we disagree with their lifestyle, we love the sinner, yet hate the sin. We stand behind Mr Robertson's sentiments as they are straight from the Word of God. This country came about because of the need for religious and political freedom. Now in 2013 a Christian cannot state his beliefs, without being ostracized.

Reconsider your decision

Respectfully
Fans Of Duck Dynasty

The petition already has over 3,000 supporters.

According to TMZ, one fan put A&E on blast, writing:

"As a gay male, is what he said wrong and not educated about how gay people really are? Yes it was. Does he have the right to speak on what he thinks YES HE DOES! Was I offended NO I WASN'T he is a smart man and could learn the truth about things he has no idea about. He's old school you can't hate on him for his beliefs DO NOT GET RID OF PHIL ON THIS SHOW! KEEP HIM!! I will no longer watch if he's gone!!!"

And what does Sarah Palin think? The former VP-nominee wrote on Facebook:

"Free speech is an endangered species. Those 'intolerants' hatin' and taking on the 'Duck Dynasty' patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us." 

And things get even more intense on Twitter.

Do Mstars readers think the network should #BringPhilRobertsonBack?