Duck Dynasty's Robertson family has released a statement in response to the A&E network suspending patriarch Phil Robertson. In the statement the family indicate that if Phil is not reinstalled then they "cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm."

The statement offered support to Phil, describing him as a "Godly man," although at the same time the family admitted that his comments had been "coarse."

Phil Robertson was blasted by gay rights activists and organizations after his comments on homosexuality to GQ magazine for the publication's latest issue.

He was asked in the interview to define what was sinful. Robertson responded by saying that it started "with homosexual behavior and just [morphed] out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men."

He added, "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."

Duck Dynasty's 5th Season is set to premiere in January 2014, although with A&E recently "indefinitely suspending" Phil Robertson for his comments, any future episodes now appear in serious jeopardy.

Hundreds of thousands of Duck Dynasty supporters offered their support to Phil on Thursday, joining various campaigns to boycott A&E, as well as posting streams of comments criticizing A&E on blogs and forums for its decision to suspend the Duck Dynasty patriarch.

The Robertson Family's statement reads:

We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E's decision.

We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word. While some of Phil's unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible.

Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart" and "Love your neighbor as yourself." Phil would never incite or encourage hate.

We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right.

We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty.

Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.