I consider this to be an abuse of office:
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.
Substitute any other religion and you can quickly see what is wrong with Governor Bentley’s remarks. It is easy to pander to Christians in any state in the union, but particularly in the extremely devout Deep South. It takes no courage to tell the people of Alabama that you see something wrong with anyone who is not a Christian. But in pandering to the majority, the governor has sent a chilling message to the religious minorities in his state.
Of course the governor apologized but the message was sent. He’s on the side of Jesus, and his opponents are not. This is the cheapest political discourse imaginable, and it comes with an unacceptable cost.
