WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Phil Robertson believes sexually transmitted infections are a punishment for homosexuality and other forms of "sexual immorality."
The 68-year-old Duck Dynasty patriarch is well-known for his negative stance on homosexuality, and reiterated his beliefs in an interview with Family Research Council president Tony Perkins on Tuesday.
"Do you think it's a coincidence that all of these debilitating -- literally that can cause death -- diseases follow that kind of conduct?" the reality star asked. "God says, 'One woman, one man,' and everyone says, 'Oh, that's old hat, that's old Bible stuff.'"
"But I'm thinking, well let's see now," he continued. "A clean guy -- a disease-free guy and a disease-free woman -- they marry and they keep their sex between the two of them. They're not going to get chlamydia, and gonorrhea, and syphilis and AIDS. It's safe."
"Either it's the wildest coincidence ever that horrible diseases follow immoral conduct, or, it's God saying, 'There's a penalty for that kind of conduct,'" he reasoned. "I'm leaning towards there's a penalty for it."
Robertson made headlines in January for declaring homosexuality a sin and akin to bestiality. He was temporarily suspended from Duck Dynasty as a result, but restated his beliefs in an Easter sermon in April. Duck Dynasty finished a sixth season on A&E in August.
