Moderators John317 Posted January 19, 2011 Moderators Posted January 19, 2011 By JAY REEVES, Associated Press Jay Reeves, Associated Press – Tue Jan 18, 11:39 pm ET 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. [Read more: The First Amendment, explained] 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. Click image to see photos of Ala. Gov. Robert Bentley AP/Dave Martin "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. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Moderators John317 Posted January 20, 2011 Author Moderators Posted January 20, 2011 This was in today's news: Quote: The pastor of the First Baptist Church of Montgomery, the Rev. Jay Wolf, said he thought Bentley's remark was misunderstood by the news media. "He was trying to relay something that is fundamental to our faith, that people who believe in Jesus are related," Wolf said. "He didn't mean that he's not part of the brotherhood of humanity." Wolf said the 67-year-old Bentley has spent his career as a physician helping people. "To say now that he's being exclusionist, that's absurd," Wolf said. The president of the national Interfaith Alliance, the Rev. Welton Gaddy, said Bentley "went too far." "I thought that with his statement he created two classes of citizens in Alabama, those that were his brothers and sisters in Christ and everyone else. As an elected official, he has the responsibility to serve all the people and treat all the people equally," Gaddy said. ....Candy Gunther Brown, an associate professor of religious studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, said Bentley was making a "theological statement" to a church crowd. She called Bentley's statements a "classic altar call" from an evangelical. "He's saying I want to be your brother. That's an invitation. But basically the way it's heard is as an exclusionary statement," said Brown, who studies evangelical Christian literature. "My guess is that expressions of shock and concern by critics are even perhaps disingenuous, because this can scarcely be the first time they've heard a similar statement. If they're in Alabama, they've heard this before, they've heard it many times before and maybe even by political leaders." It's another case of the news media getting it wrong. The governor was only saying what the Bible teaches, and he was speaking as a Christian, not as the governor. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Members phkrause Posted January 20, 2011 Members Posted January 20, 2011 Not sure about getting it wrong, but a case of spinning it to there liking. As all news, trying to get a rouse out of people, one way or the other. :( Quote phkrause When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29;2
doug yowell Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 Not sure about getting it wrong, but a case of spinning it to there liking. As all news, trying to get a rouse out of people, one way or the other. Yep. And like the modern news media attempting to portray Christians as hateful,uncaring,self-righteous idiots whenever an opportunity arises. Quote
doug yowell Posted January 20, 2011 Posted January 20, 2011 It's another case of the news media getting it wrong. The governor was only saying what the Bible teaches, and he was speaking as a Christian, not as the governor. Yes. And if he's truly a Christian,his words will someday be proven true. Quote
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