GOP Governor: Christians Are My Brothers And Sisters, Others Not So Much

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) commemorated the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, telling a gathering of Alabamians that he didn't see skin color as a divisive factor. When it came to religion, however, the recently-inaugurated governor raised some eyebrows with a comment on his view of non-Christians in his state.

"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," Bentley said in his address, according to The Birmingham News, after telling the congregation that he was "color blind."

Questioned by The News about the suggestive nature of his statement, communications director Rebekah Caldwell Mason clarified, ''He is the governor of all the people, Christians, non-Christians alike."

While Bentley himself promised to become "the governor of all the people" on Monday, the new governor was never shy about his Christian faith during his campaign (he is a deacon at his Baptist church in Tuscaloosa and has been supported by a number of religious leaders). Since winning in November, he has also continued to tout his religious credentials on a variety of issues.

Comments

[Ryan Helfenbein]

12:54 AM on 01/22/2011

Impeachment? Hardly. This man has a constitutional freedom of religion and freedom of speech that is no different than any common citizen. What is more problematic, a governor speaking his faith in the Baptist Church on a Sunday morning, or, apologizing to critics for his rhetoric on Monday morning? If he apologizes, then he jeopardizes something far greater than his political career, and sets a terrible precedent for religious freedom that is already marginalized in American culture.

The governor can be Christian if he wants; no one has the right to take that away from him. As far as Alabaman politics, any Huffington Post readers actually been to the Southern beltway? He is right in line with his constituency. The crimson state will likely give him more cheers than jeers, even among non church goers.

[Schalaine]

11:47 AM on 01/22/2011

And that's just sad.

[steelej]

05:13 AM on 01/21/2011

He ain't heavy,
He's my Chrisitan.

[Ipanemagirl]

01:48 AM on 01/21/2011

Gee I'm so glad he's not my brother or sister, creepy!
Why do people vote for such creepy religious freaks? How is this person going to have the right attitude to vote for what 's good for everyone , and not just his fellow "brothers and sisters?"
Alabama folks, you got a long way to go before reaching the 21 century...and we may already be in the 22 century by then! ha ha

[poobah]

12:28 AM on 01/21/2011

What is it that makes that statement sound UN Christian?

[Ipanemagirl]

01:49 AM on 01/21/2011

didnt Jesus say to embrace everyone, love everyone, not just your chosen few?.

[MikeHermit]

12:03 AM on 01/21/2011

To be honest, I don't want anyone from Alabama to think of me as their brother. He is doing me a service.

[livesimply]

01:35 AM on 01/21/2011

I'm sure there are some fine people from Alabama, bless their hearts. ;)

[Lesann]

03:50 PM on 01/24/2011

You do know that you can talk smack about anyone in the South as long as you follow it up with "bless their hearts" :>)

[rjaxone]

11:47 PM on 01/20/2011

I'm sure there are multitudes of Christians who are thankful they are not the Gov's sisters or brothers...

[sttbs73]

11:39 PM on 01/20/2011

why are all republicans fools?

[Ipanemagirl]

01:50 AM on 01/21/2011

hey, with Limbo as their revered God, what can you expect from these folks?

[sttbs73]

11:38 PM on 01/20/2011

If this guy's Jesus is anything like him, then no thanks. I will take science over myth anyday.

[Super007]

11:37 PM on 01/20/2011

This is why we're supposed to have separation of State and Church. I think he forgot about that and so did the voters who elected him. The voters can be forgiven, he shouldn't. Tsk Tsk.

[medic628]

11:01 PM on 01/20/2011

Do people like the Gov. still have their tent meetings with the big party afterward?

[crosshatchaz]

11:20 PM on 01/20/2011

the ones with the burning cross and white hoods?

[LeFlaneur]

10:37 PM on 01/20/2011

As a non-Christian I'm okay with that. He doesn't deserve me.

[Joe Krumbach]

10:29 PM on 01/20/2011

I love the smell of moonshine and the sound of banjo music in the morning.....

[Erica Anderson]

10:10 PM on 01/20/2011

If Ghandi was alive, I suspect he wouldn't like this bozo from Alabama.

[poobah]

12:32 AM on 01/21/2011

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mohandas Gandhi


With a quote like this, you can bank on it.

[crosshatchaz]

10:05 PM on 01/20/2011

So the Alabama gov. said that non-Christians aren't his "brothers and sisters". Okay, so I guess he won't be sleeping with them then.

[Henri101]

09:38 PM on 01/20/2011

If Jesus was not a forgiven person what would he do to this creep ? Please Jesus, please make an exception to this guy.

[JimWind]

10:39 PM on 01/20/2011

He would remove him from the temple, like the "money mearchants" and the other s who follow false prophets.