Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson has been suspended by the show's maker, A&E, after criticising homosexuality in an interview with GQ magazine.

He told the magazine: "Everything is blurred on what's right and what's wrong ... Sin becomes fine.  Start with homosexual behaviour and just morph out from there.  Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men."

Phil and the rest of the Robertson are devout Christians who have often spoken openly about their faith on and off screen.

In the interview, the 67-year-old goes on to paraphrase Paul's exhortation in 1 Corinthians 6, saying that people should not be deceived about homosexuality.  

"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," he says.

Robertson, who has been married to wife Kay for nearly 50 years, went on to state more explicitly: "It seems like, to me, a vagina - as a man - would be more desirable than a man's anus.  That's just me.  I'm just thinking: there's more there!  She's got more to offer.  I mean, come on, dudes!  You know what I'm saying?  But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man.  It's just not logical." 

Although the rest of the Robertson family will continue to appear on the Duck Dynasty show, A&E said Phil would be off the show "indefinitely". 

The network said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly: "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.  The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely." 

Gay rights group GLAAD has reacted angrily to Robertson's comments. Spokesperson Wilson Cruz told E! News: "Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil's lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe.

"He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans - and Americans - who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples.

"Phil's decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families."

Robertson has released a statement in response to the controversy in which he says that he would never disrespect anyone because of their sexuality.

"I myself am a product of the Sixties. I centred my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Saviour," he said.

"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."