In 1987, Andre Sarano took a photograph of Christ on the cross in a jar of urine. It won the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art’s “Awards in the Visual Arts” competition, which was sponsored in part by taxpayers.

Outraged Christians were told they didn’t have to see it. They did not have to go to the museum. Their money, of course, had to fund the National Endowment for the Arts, but they themselves just needed to ignore it. Christians needed to show tolerance to for the diversity of others’ thoughts.

Robert Maplethorpe spent many years touring the United States with artwork depicting, among other things, people drinking urine, bondage and sadomasochism, and a picture of himself with a whip inserted in that part of his body Phil Robertson does not find very attractive.

Conservatives offended by this were instructed to be tolerant, not go to the exhibit, and just turn the other cheek.

In 1996, Chris Ofili created a painting of the Virgin Mary. He pornographic images and elephant dung. Rudy Giuliani, then Mayor of New York City, tried to yank funding for the Brooklyn Museum because of the painting. Giuliani was pilloried in the press for doing so. Tolerance was demanded. Christians did not have to go to the museum if they wanted.

And now we’ve reach a new level.

Phil Robertson is an evangelical Christian. He called sin illogical, stated his preference for women, and lumped gays in with other sinners such as drunks and terrorists. It is that last one that has really caused all the problems. Nevermind that Phil Robertson said Christians are to love everyone and not judge anyone. Nevermind he made it clear he was not condemning anyone. He just stated his belief.

He did not make anyone convert. He did not attack anyone. He did not harass anyone. He answered a question. But the kids at GLAAD, now dominant, have gone from demanding tolerance for all to silencing good people.

Christians were once told they did not have to look or listen. The militant gay rights movement and the secular left will not abide by their own prescription. Those who dissent or think differently must be silenced.

The members of GLAAD, which also took it upon itself to tell America what Christians really should think and believe, could simply not watch Duck Dynasty. But the hysteric whiners can’t leave it at that. They cannot leave well enough alone. They must punish and destroy.

Evil must, when it is able, silence good because good serves as an ever present and ongoing witness against evil.