Controversial American TV star Phil Robertson says he reached rock bottom before finding Jesus and becoming a Christian.
Robertson, 67, recently hit the headlines when he described homosexuality as a sin in an interview with GQ Magazine.
His comments led to him being suspended by television network A&E – but he has since returned to the screen after several worldwide campaigns to reinstate him.
Robertson plays a leading role in reality TV show Duck Dynasty, which follows the life of his family who became wealthy from their business which makes products for duck hunters.
He holds Bible studies at his local church and regularly speaks about his faith on the show.
He said: “I myself am a product of the 60s; I centred my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Saviour.
“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.
“Jesus Christ was the most perfect being to ever walk this planet and he was persecuted and nailed to the cross, so please don’t be surprised when we get a little static.
“We never, ever judge someone on who’s going to heaven, hell. That’s the Almighty’s job. We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus – whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later.
“If you simply put your faith in Jesus coming down in flesh, through a human being, God becoming flesh living on the earth, dying on the cross for the sins of the world, being buried, and being raised from the dead – yours and mine and everybody else’s problems will be solved. And the next time we see you, we will say, ‘You are now a brother. Our brother.’ So then we look at you totally different.”
Duck Dynasty – in its fourth season – has raked in over $400 million in advertising and merchandise revenue and is one of the most popular shows on American TV.