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.
Well, the good governor doesn’t really care, now does he? What he said hit the bulls-eye with his intended audience. And it fit perfectly for them. And that is all that matters, that his political allies-in-the-faith were served.
As for those who do not fit into that camp, he really couldn’t care less. Because in his world and among his Christian friends, those people are the enemy. And they have faith that their god will deal with them in a fitting and appropriate way, as only their righteous, omnipotent and vengeful god can.
I have to think that Martin Luther King would be mortified at what this douchebag said.
absolute abuse of office.
I’m happy to be unrelated.
That was my thought, too. Beyond that, my other thought is that these terms really ought to be reserved for blood relatives, or occasionally to describe extremely close friendships. Invariably otherwise they are used as either a cheesy cliche or a way to divide us and them.
I have to thank Mr. Bentley for refraining from adding another idiot to my family. Having him and his Christianist zombies as my brothers and sisters would make Invasion of the Bodysnatchers look like Sesame Street. Any ETA yet on when Jesus is going to swoop down and get these Christanist jerkoffs out of here? So far all we get is promises.
.
So be it, brother!
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence.".
Google was prompted and came with an ad “Jesus Loves You – here is a prayer” WOW!
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."Well Dave, according to the latest info coming down the god-wire hot-line you might not have too much longer to wait.
Good News at last. Do you think the Saved will leave their house keys under the mat for the poor sinners?