New Ala. gov: Just Christians are his family

[Jenn! 918]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley told a church crowd just moments into his new administration that those who have not accepted Jesus as their savior are not his brothers and sisters, shocking some critics who questioned Tuesday whether he can be fair to non-Christians.

"Anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother," Bentley said Monday, his inauguration day, according to The Birmingham News.

The Anti-Defamation League on Tuesday called Bentley's remarks shocking.

"His comments are not only offensive, but also raise serious questions as to whether non-Christians can expect to receive equal treatment during his tenure as governor," said Bill Nigut, the ADL's regional director.

Speaking at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church after the official inaugural ceremony, Bentley told the crowd that he considered anyone who believed in Jesus to be his brothers and sisters regardless of color, but anyone who isn't a Christian doesn't have that same relationship to him.

"If the Holy Spirit lives in you that makes you my brothers and sisters. Anyone who has not accepted Jesus, I want to be your brothers and sisters, too," Bentley said.

After his speech, Bentley said he did not mean to insult anyone.

Responding to questions about it, Bentley's office released a statement Tuesday saying he believes "he is the governor of all of Alabama."

"The governor clearly stated that he will be the governor of all Alabamians — Democrat, Republican and Independent, young, old, black and white, rich and poor. As stated in his (inaugural) address, Gov. Bentley believes his job is to make everyone's lives better," the statement said.

Ashfaq Taufique, president of the Birmingham Islamic Society, told The Birmingham News he wasn't sure how Bentley's remarks were intended.

"Does it mean that those who according to him are not saved are less important than those who are saved?" Taufique said. "Does he want those of us who do not belong to the Christian faith to adopt his faith? That should be toned down. That's not what we need. If he means that, I hope he changes it. We don't want evangelical politicians. They can be whatever in their private life."

The official with the Anti-Defamation League, which fights discrimination against Jewish people, said it sounded like Bentley was using the office of governor to advocate for Christian conversion.

"If he does so, he is dancing dangerously close to a violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which forbids government from promoting the establishment of any religion," Nigut said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_alabama_governor_christians

[^_^ 5,021]

I am sure Muslims and Jews and Hindus and atheists all over Alabama are shocked to learn they are no longer related to their Governor.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm guessing he meant that they don't share in his kinship through Christ, but he's taken a more literal approach by translating that to mean he can't share any kind of kinship with anyone other than Christians, which is sad, because that's what Jesus exampled when He dined with prostitutes, tax collectors and other social outcasts.

Edited January 19, 2011 by 8TBVBN

[^_^ 5,021]

I really like New York Magazine's headline for this story.

Alabama Governor Insults All Seven or So Non-Christian Alabamans

[^_^ 5,021]

From WTVC:

Here are Bentley's full comments that caused the controversy:

''I was elected as a Republican candidate. But once I became governor ... I became the governor of all the people. I intend to live up to that. I am color blind. There may be some people here today who do not have living within them the Holy Spirit. But if you have been adopted in God's family like I have, and like you have if you're a Christian and if you're saved, and the Holy Spirit lives within you just like the Holy Spirit lives within me, then you know what that makes? It makes you and me brothers. And it makes you and me brother and sister. Now I will have to say that, if we don't have the same daddy, we're not brothers and sisters. So anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother."

[LaL 418]

I really like New York Magazine's headline for this story.

Alabama Governor Insults All Seven or So Non-Christian Alabamans

[one...two...tree 2,762]

From WTVC:

Here are Bentley's full comments that caused the controversy:

''I was elected as a Republican candidate. But once I became governor ... I became the governor of all the people. I intend to live up to that. I am color blind. There may be some people here today who do not have living within them the Holy Spirit. But if you have been adopted in God's family like I have, and like you have if you're a Christian and if you're saved, and the Holy Spirit lives within you just like the Holy Spirit lives within me, then you know what that makes? It makes you and me brothers. And it makes you and me brother and sister. Now I will have to say that, if we don't have the same daddy, we're not brothers and sisters. So anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother."

Jesus just did a face palm.

[^_^ 5,021]

Jesus just did a face palm.

Jesus: I am not your daddy

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Jesus: I am not your daddy

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I'm guessing he meant that they don't share in his kinship through Christ, ....

up to that point you were on the nail--afterwards, way off! He was quoting the Saviour as per Matt 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21 (all of which refer to same incident).

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Within context, I fail to see the issue.

[Jenn! 918]

Within context, I fail to see the issue.

I don't think it's wise for a politician to alienate a portion of his constituents in such a way - regardless of whether the context of the statement was personal or political.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I don't think it's wise for a politician to alienate a portion of his constituents in such a way - regardless of whether the context of the statement was personal or political.

That is the political climate that we live in today. You essentially have to be Tim Pawlenty and say nothing of substance to avoid upseting some.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Guess politicians will be forced to not sermonize while in church. They must always say only what at that moment in time is politically correct to say. In fact they need to have the thought police review anything that may be said for correctness before it is said. Only then can one speak.

[james&olya 1,121]

Guess politicians will be forced to not sermonize while in church. They must always say only what at that moment in time is politically correct to say. In fact they need to have the thought police review anything that may be said for correctness before it is said. Only then can one speak.

I am very glad to see politicians truly speak their mind. I wish more of them would be honest about what they truly believe and what motivates their actions. While this honesty would no doubt end many political careers, it would bring about a great improvement in the quality of our elected officials. I don't hold any illusions that this honesty is likely to occur anytime soon! PC speech is not required of politicians, rather it is their choice to engage in dishonesty in order to achieve elected office under false pretenses!