The 67-year-old patriarch of the "Duck Dynasty" family reportedly told a bible study class on Sunday that he's "not a hater," adding "I will not give or back off from my path."
Robertson was suspended from the A&E show indefinitely for inflammatory comments he made to GQ Magazine. The duck hunter-turned-reality TV star compared homosexuality to bestiality, among other things. He also said African-Americans were happy under Jim Crow laws.
According to the Daily Mail, which said it was granted access to the Bible study group, Robertson defended his comments, saying he was quoting the Bible.
"I didn't think much of it at all, but it seems a lot of other people did," he said. "I love all men and women. I am a lover of humanity, not a hater. ... I have been immoral, drunk, high. I ran with the wicked people for 28 years and I have run with the Jesus people since and the contrast is astounding."
At White's Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, where the Robertson family prays and preaches most Sunday mornings, people showed their support by wearing T-shirts that said "I support Phil Robertson." They said it's unfair that A&E suspended Robertson.
Some major sponsors of the show have been hanging tight. Cracker Barrel, which announced last week it would remove "Dynasty" merchandise, back-pedaled over the weekend.
ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
