A statement like this from anyone, let alone an elected official, reconfirms why I have decided I'm happier being a humanist than a "born-again christian" as I used to think I was. I long ago came to the conclusion that ANY exclusionary religious belief was not for me. I have seen over and over again that there is a tendency for those exclusionists (of ANY religious belief) to treat others as "less than" and often treat them with NO dignity or respect for the fact that it is our humaness that makes us brothers, NOT what religious belief we hold.

What an idiot. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The dumber that Americans get is the dumber that government officials become as well. Next thing you know gun ownership and church attendance will be mandatory, Sarah Palin will be president, and we will be in the middle of WWIII!

Ah, that wonderful, loving "Christianity" again.

he considered anyone who believed in Jesus to be his brothers and sisters regardless of color

*sigh* At least he's not a racist . . . .

Silly people and their silly fairy tales...

If you don't believe in Santa Claus you can move to Mississippi...

At least he's not calling for the beheading of all non-Christians.

What a christian attitude! This is what the "bible belt" produces?

The black man would take some heat IF he then looked at everyone else and said THEY were not his brothers....ESPECIALLY if the black man was in a position of power!

Can you imagine a Muslim politician saying something like this in the US...How tight would your panties be wadded up then?!!!

Mountaneer

If a Black man stood in front of a crowd and referrred to other Blacks as his "brothers and sisters" and implied that their was a common bond there that could not be shared with anyone else, we would celebrate that as diversity

Correct as long as he does not refer to everybody else as NOT HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS, this last statement will change the meaning of the shared bond to a racist remark. This is exactly the probem with the "governor's" statement

What if that black man was a governor of a state? I don't think that would go down any better than this gov.'s comments.

Good point Mountaineer, except this clown was elected to represent all of his state, not to pick and chose who he accepts in the inner circle of his religious clique. What happens when bills are on his desk to be signed that can benefit all of the people of the state and he won't sign them because the author is not a Christian and therefore not his "brother" or "sister" and thereby nonexistant in his mind.

PB,

You actually bring up a good point.

It's just peachy for Muslims in this country to say that all non-Muslims are to be taken advantage of, harrassed, and subjugated, but CITIZENS of this country have no such FREE SPEECH to voice their own views without having to bow to the Almighty Politically Correct Democratic Party of We-Know-It-Alls.

Personally, I am sick and tired of hearing about this crap. A person's belief is their own and NOT to be plastered all over the news for someone else's political gain. Politicians have done NOTHING except ruin this nation.

You can believe anything you want, however, when you are a politician you have to be very careful what you say.

All religion has muddied the waters of interpersonal human relations. It has been used since the creation of religion, all religions, as a tool of control by the ruling elite.

There is a great moment in Ceasar, when Crassus, coming out of the Senate buys a chicken to sacrifice from a vendor. His young companion, and new Senator, Ceasar, asks why he did this since you don't believe in the 'Gods', nor do any of us. Crassus replies, because they(meaning the masses) do.

Well, this clown certainly is not my brother.

If they were the Govenor of an American state and they said only Muslims were their brothers they would be hung out to dry!

Several of you are implying in my comment above that a Black person or a Muslim person saying such a thing would be fine as long as they did EXCLUDE everyone else. Wow - that is shortsighted, folks. I say that because I'm smart enough to realize that Blacks, as a race, have shared a common experience and history that I can never truly appreciate. That excludes me. Same thing with Muslims. I do not find that offensive. Apparantly you do - unless, of course, it refers to a belief that YOU personally hold dear.

To imply that, because of this, Alabama's governor is incapable of governing all people is just plain stupid, in my opinion.

No Bill-Weeks, you've got it backwards: Christianity's assault on all non-Christians has gone unanswered for too long. Centuries too long.

If there weren't so many pushy "religious" types out trying to convert and/or condemn everyone who doesn't agree with them, there wouldn't be so much resistance to those religions. What you label an assault is actually a retaliation. Keep your religion to yourself - where it belongs, within each individual - and we'll leave you alone to worship as you wish.

I agree with your mother: there are many paths, and each must choose his own while tolerating the others. Everyone can declare their faith to a mirror, or to their clergy, or in prayer, but keep it out of public forums and politics.

armygruntjoe:

I don't hear ANYONE saying it's okay for Muslims to take advantage of others! That's just your way of creating a straw man to make your bias more palatable. You interpret anything or anyone saying Muslims deserve freedom of religion as "giving them too much" because YOU are intolerant! Extending freedom of religion to ALL is a central tenet behind the very existence of this country. The problem many of us have with SOME self-proclaimed, "born again" Christian fundamentalists is that they think giving that freedom to non Christians somehow takes it away from them. In other words, they think their freedom of religion should include the right to deny that same right to others. THOSE are the so called Christians who rile people up.

Bill Weeks, although it's a warm fuzzy that mama said "we're all on different paths to the same end", it actually denies Christ. As a Christian (if she was a legit one), you cannot say Christ is the Way and the Light, etc. and then say honoring Buddha or nature as a god and still being a "peaceful person" is still honoring the One, True, Triune God.

And, others here who love to cite "separation of church and state" (which, btw is not the language in the Constitution), but that refers to the government itself proclaiming a national, official religion. It does NOT preclude individuals, including a politician or extant politico in office to declare his faith publicly.

I don't care how you justify it, Mountaineer. As an elected official of all of the people of the state of Alabama, it was not a smart thing to say. What was his point in saying it at all? It simply was not necessary unless he was trying to be controversial. It is not his place to "testify" about his religious beliefs as Governor. His remarks had no place at such a function. It was divisive and only served to instill a lack of confidence in a lot of his constituents. He should know that lack of confidence in government is the last thing that this country needs right now. Total lack of good judgment.

Spiritdance...

My best friend is black.
My battle buddy is Jewish.
My wife has NO religion and is Japanese.

Exactly HOW does that make me intolerant?
You should really know more about a person before you throw something so STUPID out there.

I was making a reflection on how America and its "PC" universe have twisted things. You obviously never got the point. I'm wondering if you were educated in Alabama...the worst state in the nation for education.

GDI

You are missing the point. By his last statement he is clearly saying that if you are not a Christian (as he defines it) that you will never be his brother or sister unless you convert to his beliefs. He is not saying that he wants to be your brother regardless of your religion, he is saying unless you embrace his religion he will never be your brother. If anything, his last statement makes it even worse.

GDI, he was calling for those that wanted inclusion to embrace Christianity. Thats what I read.

I want to be your brother, but I am no mans brother who has rejected Christ.

He is in a position of power and that means that he has a responsibility to put aside his personal feelings and lead. I am really tired of people trying to lead and taking themselves first. Leadership is sacrifice, and that includes keeping your mouth shut about your faith if it is going to cause division amongst the people you are leading.

He can have his faith, and he can reject me as his brother, I'm really fine with that. I see the Humanists doing more for the community than the born agains anyhow.

Answer the million dollar question:

Did he say that he would be unfair to anyone who was not his "brother" or "sister"?

If he did, there is a problem.

If he did not, then there is no issue here.

Think before dragging out the PC crap! If he does not discriminate or treat others differently in his official duties or capacities, then no laws are being broken. It is completely legal; critics would be denying him of his freedom of religion and freedom of speech (which is what the critics are using to denounce his statement).

This guy is a bigot not a racisit.

Bill M NY (He is in a position of power and that means that he has a responsibility to put aside his personal feelings and lead). Took the words right from my thoughts.

I really do not enjoy anyone, including politicians, who use situations like this to present or preach. I don't want to hear what you believe in or don't.

What year are we? I'm beginning to wonder if there's some kind of astronomical force that keeps sending planet Earth back in time.

Hey GuiKitty...

You may not think he's a racist, but, I'm willing to bet that if he knew what color Jesus really was, he wouldn't be praying to him...

This is too stupid. This was not part of his inauguration. He was speaking afterwards, at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church (anyone familiar with that?) on Martin Luther King Day. And you're pissed that he invoked religious speech? He is a deacon at his own church. What should he have spoken about? Taxes? Who cares if he didn't claim all you aetheists non-believers as his family? I would think you would rather he didn't.

In my city a selectman, happens to be black, happens to be a minister, happens to be a dem, happened to lead a group of about 200 people through downtown on MLK day, praying and speaking on the corners where there was recent violence. I dont have any specifics on what he said, but I'm pretty sure he invoked god. Do we condemn him too?

Is it the postion that an politician who is also clergy cant mention god until his term is over?

Catigula,
I would think he likes the 8 pound, six ounce baby Jesus with the golden fleece diapers as a child and loves the "Fabio" blond with blue eyes version as an adult.

EXACTLY.

HIS Opinion was put there by his ancestors being CRUSADED to be christians, his ancestors brothers and sisters were massacred and brought to their knees to be christians. So keep spreading the hate that which was put their by peace love and hate.

here we go.... will the media be happy with a religious war in the country? I don't give a fig what the man said... If he doesn't do his job as governor and he fails to address things because of someone's belief or non-belief then he can be replaced.

But let me say one thing, Christians do snub those that do not believe the way they do! I have seen it in my own community, in my own family, and in this country. Separate and keep it separated... church and state cannot nor will it ever work.

Bill M NY (He is in a position of power and that means that he has a responsibility to put aside his personal feelings and lead). Took the words right from my thoughts.

1. "Actions" can be illegal, "personal feelings" cannot be illegal until they are acted upon. You're pre-condemning someone...

I really do not enjoy anyone, including politicians, who use situations like this to present or preach. I don't want to hear what you believe in or don't.

2. You really don't follow politics, do you? I'm trying to be nice about this, but really? What politician DOESN'T "present or preach" in every situation and at every opportunity?

People, answer the question:

Was this statement illegal?

We got a lot of opinions (similar to a55holes, everybody has one) here but no facts. If no law has been broken there is no crime. Cite a law or just stick with "I don't like what he said and he should NOT be able to enjoy the same right to free speech and religion that I do", which is what you would be implying.

Separation of church and state, which also takes into account the discussion of Sheria Law. We have laws... we don't need religous laws in the USA. End of discussion.

the point is, if you are an elected official in the USA, you do not single out a group of people as your brothers and exclude all else. You can say what you want in private or in church, but not in a public speech directed at all who elected you. Doubt this FOOL is going to get re-elected.

Beer, he was in a church speaking to a congregation, not on the steps of town hall in an inauguration speech. Im sure folks who would be at Dexter Ave Baptist on MLK day understand his comments.

Mark Crab

This is not a matter of "illegal" speech. The governor has, however, demonstrated that he is unworthy of anyone's vote and that his bias renders him unable to perform his duties as a public servant in the spirit of the Constitution.

amused I re-read the article and acknowledge this was not his inauguration speech. What he wants to think and believe in the privacy of his own home/church is fine. However, when he opens his mouth and speaks it is not fine. He is an elected official. His words carry weight and apply to ALL who elected him...as such he must represent his state and electorate properly. He made a choice to exclude entire demographics in his state. It should cost him the re-election, but in the bible belt it probably won't. I feel for the minorities in his state who have to live with his prejudice.

Public servants should not show favoritism to any group. Unfortunately whether he intended to offend anyone with his comments, they were highly inappropriate. He is governor of everyone in the state and should deliver a clear message that he represents everyone equally and does not view anyone as more equal, i.e., a brother or sister, strictly because of religious. His statement may not be illegal, but it also should not be made in the political arena. Common sense says keep your mouth shut.

What blatant hypocrisy! Islam believes all nonMuslims are infidels. They believe that all nonMuslims are unclean. Where is the outrage of the Left about this? Islam favors Muslims in every society in which they have power and discriminates agains all other faiths and views. Where is the criticism of this from the Left? Pathetic evidence of the double standard once again. How can you live with you intellectual dishonesty?

Why is it when people who are offended by what this governor says, automatically are labled as persecuting Christians. That statement is so untrue it hurts just to read it. I am talking about you Mountaineer. Christians are NOT persecuted in this country so please stop playing the victim everytime a non-christian gets equal treatment.

As far as your "we get our beliefs but you can't have yours" whining, no one said one thing about this governor having his born again beliefs. What the meat and potatos of this article suggests is that the wording he used suggests that he may not be fair to non-christians, be they Atheist, Jew, Muslim, ETC. Again when people have problem with separation of church and state people like Mountaineer and her Ilk go screaming "PERSECUTION PERSECUTION!!!"

Stop playing the victim, be proud of your decisions and beliefs, let others have theirs and be happy we don't live in a theological country.

If those remarks were in fact made at his church among his peers as stated, then just how did this turn into the media frenzy it became?? He made this statement publicly!!!! Not a wise thing to do.

I know for a FACT I would do things for my brother or sister that I wouldn't do for ANYONE else and so would any of you. This man is saying that IF you are Christian then you have a CLOSER relationship with him than those who aren't and that implies that he will work HARDER for Christians than non-Christians. He needs to recognize that he is FIRST a human being SECOND an AMERICAN and then THIRD a Christian. If he puts his Christianity BEFORE his responsibility to EVERY Alabaman as Govenor then he has NO BUSINESS filling that position.

Judge not, that ye be not judged. this man calls himself a christian? and i wonder why i take an agnostic approach to life...

gary-309869
What blatant hypocrisy! Islam believes all nonMuslims are infidels. They believe that all nonMuslims are unclean. Where is the outrage of the Left about this? Islam favors Muslims in every society in which they have power and discriminates agains all other faiths and views. Where is the criticism of this from the Left? Pathetic evidence of the double standard once again. How can you live with you intellectual dishonesty?

Bull@!$%#!!! We don't live in a Theocracy so I really don't care what Muslims believe. If this man had his way we WOULD live in a Theocracy and THAT is as un-American as it gets.

These type of extremists only recognise those with similar beliefs.

Agreed!! If the meaning of Gov. Bently's words were his way of simply stating his religious beliefs then no harm, no foul. If he was giving any one who does not believe in God fair warning that he was going to show them disparate treatment then he has a real problem on his hands that I am sure the courts will deal with in due time. Personally I believe we are all brothers and sisters in the eyes of God and it is his judgement in the end that will decide which house we live in and not anyone here on earth with make that decision. So in that context what people like Bently say is simply a statement of their personal belief and nothing more or less.

This is a case of the Liberal Media taking a quote out of context. What he really said is "All my life, like many Alabamans, I've only had carnal relations with family members - and since my inauguration I want to branch out a bit. But since I don't want to be thought of as promiscuous "Only Christians are my brothers and sisters."

Thanks a bunch LIberal media for taking this rather Progressive statement and turning it into something ugly.

We are all guaranteed under the 6th article of the Constitution for there not to be a religious litmist test, for holding any job in the Government. This Governor just reversed that law with his statement. Concerned, uh, yea.

Truth4 - what an ignorant post. His statement was totally unacceptable for anyone in office. We have a specific separation of church and state and no intelligent governor would deny that. I don't care who says it - it is not acceptable. And Ronald, the statement still should not have been uttered by a governor of any state - period.

IT WAS NOT THE RIGHT VENUE TO SAY THAT!

I am offended that I'm paying taxes in this country IN SUPPORT OF THE CONSTITUTION and any fanatic may use that money to promote RELIGION and HATE!

(If there weren't so many pushy types out trying to convert and/or condemn everyone who doesn't agree with them) ..... sounds like most non religious types I see commenting on here or any other religious story they can find.... condemning the evils of ALL christians. So when are all of you non christians going to build some colesiums and gather the lions up?? Maybe you'll build some crosses to crucify christians from??

It is obvious for many of you posting you are not Christians. If you were, you would understand what he said. Also, he was addressing a church crowd. Read the article, if he was saying this as his inaugural speech that is different. He is honest with his beliefs and for true Christians, the bible say is so. Not that we are to look down upon anyone else, they are to be treated with the same respect or love as anyone else, but they are not brothers or sisters in Christ.

Are you all aware of what is going on in the world with Islam? I guess not.

GDI, Hmmm, yeah, this is only MSNBC news, no other network covered this, right? Hmmm, is it possible all networks may have covered this? Check out the link below.

As you state, he said:

"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,"

Now, I will admit he said this in a church, so he was speaking to Christians. If he were to say this in a political public forum, I'd have to say it were wrong.

But, let's turn this around a bit, and pretend he was a member of the KKK, and also a Governor. Now, if he said something derogatory towards blacks at a KKK meeting, and not in a public political forum, would that be OK?

Or if he were a Muslim, and did the same in a mosque, saying the exact words, but interchanging "Mohammad" with "Jesus Christ", how would many Christians react?

Basically, he's appeasing the crowd he is speaking to at the time, but it doesn't make it right unless you agree it is OK for an elected official to do the same in any other situation, possibly one of Muslim faith saying the same thing. Would you be OK with that?

Gary (1.51), nothing dishonest about us atheists...we don't favor one religion over another. And as far as "the left", how did islam find its way into this article AT ALL, until folks like you brought it in?

I think the guy has the right consider as his "brother and sister" anyone he deems - that's his private business. His governance, however, must not be delineated along religious lines, favoring or DISfavoring any particular religious group. As an atheist, I was not the least bit bothered by what he said - he can say what he wants, as long as he's in the confines of a church - again, that's his private right of belief - but don't make up enemies where none exist. I am not your enemy. Nor are the rest of the atheists (many of whom are conservatives). We disagree on religion, but I would defend your right to enunciate your beliefs even though I disagree with them. Would you do the same for me???

He's a preacher and Gov. of Alabama?.

Usually, this type of person is doing some kind of illegal activity. We'll soon hear. Whenever someone presents themselves in a "Perfect Light", or makes broad sweeping statements, they have a lot of dirty laundry in their personal life.

I've seen it time and time again. He is stupid.

What a big loser telling everyone to believe in Jesus Christ, or they are not accepted.

That shows how educated and worldy this flake is, "is". Tolerance? He preaches every day.

Mark Crab

This is not a matter of "illegal" speech. The governor has, however, demonstrated that he is unworthy of anyone's vote and that his bias renders him unable to perform his duties as a public servant in the spirit of the Constitution.

Opinion and assumption. What part of the (US?) Constitution are you referring to that deals with "bias renders him unable to perform his duties"?

Mountaineer67, The problem with christians in this country is they won't leave others alone to live their lives as they wish. All LAWS passed in this country that don't meet their standards, such as abortion, they do everything, up to killing people, to over turn them. They REFUSE to understand that this country wasn't founded simply for them!! There are others that do not believe as they do and they hound them constantly to change. I'm sick of them trying to change this country, and the people, all into one copy of themselves.

I'd rather see an Atheist in the White House then a Christian any day. But until we pull together and raise the money to elect one we still have to live with this crap.

Fowlow-up to my post (1.68)...

Would being a member of a political party also cause someone to be "bias"?

Hmmm....

Ronald Hussein Reagan - You made me spit my coffe on my computer. Priceless!

OK. My final thoughts on this subject. As I look above at this thread and what has happened over the few hours since I originally posted, I am amazed again. My original comment (1.10) - and my followup comment (1.24) - were both "collapsed by the community." I spoke of no hate, I was civil in my tone, and I embraced tolerance of those different than me. I did not use profanity or what I considered to be harsh language. I simply indicated that I was a Christian and gave my thoughts on the topic. Yet I was "collapsed." The folks who did that, I'm certain, would be the first ones to scream bloody murder if someone did that to them. They would lash out accusations of intolerance, bigotry, etc. All I will say here is that your actions in this case have absolutely proven the point I made in my original post. Thank you for helping me make it so eloquently.

Just because he said that non-Christians we not his brother/sister does not mean that he will not govern fairly.

Christians have stated for 2000 years that other Christians were "Brothers and Sisters in Christ"

And Yes Jesus was a Jew and Yes Christians know that most Jews do not believe in Jesus as the Christ. Some do - they are considdered "Completed Jews".

I see no problem in Christianity speech in a Christian atmosphere and a majority christian state.

So being an ex-christian, I would have to ask this person why he doesn't believe in the bible. In the bible it says that we all started from two people... so in a sense we are all related... I am sorry that he has so little knowledge of his own teachings. Unless of course the bible is wrong... no no that can't be so....

This is exactly why we need to keep religion out of politics. If you are very passionate about your religion then you have no business in politics... your judgement will be clouded... regardless of your religion. You need to be able to deal with people of different faiths, and (key words here) treat them fairly and equally

I submit to you that people like the Governor of Alabama and his ilk are more of a threat to our freedom and way of life than any outside threat of terrorism.

Mark my words on this. Lack of tolerance has been the main cause of most human suffering in all of history.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.... Brother

Wow - only in America was this not possible. I guess I was wrong. The leader of a state can get up and spew such vile is unbelievable. Why would you say such a thing in the first place if not to put the other side on the defense. This is how Hitler convinced a nation to do what it did. I suppose bigotry comes in all shapes and forms. I'm just gald there are more of us opposing this nonsense. I feel the greatest danger to America is not Aethiesm, Judaism, Islam or Communism - it is right-wing Christianity.

This is just further proof all religions are cults. People brainwashed from birth to believe in mystical beings to explain the unknown (or more like it the unkonwn to them). It amazes me that each one of these fanatics believe their imaginery higher being is superior to all other imaginery higher beings, or to simplify it for you residents of Alabama , their fake god is better than your fake god.Religion should be a guidance on how a person should live their lives and treat their fellow man. Should teach tolerance and peace. Instead it's just another way to divide us. WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS...and we share this planet together. Not one of us is better or chosen above the other. So stop trying to say you are.

bckm ( 1.66) -- I would categorically and unequivocally defend your right to enunciate your beliefs regardless of whether they correspond with mine or are 180 degrees in opposition. We can certainly agree on one thing , that freedom of speech and expression is an unalienable, bedrock right of all human beings. And, if ANY group opposed that truth, I'll stand with you against them.

First, Mountaineer. I agree your comments should NOT have been collapsed.

However ...

What this world is becoming is truly amazing. It's a place where YOU can believe anything YOU want and YOU are correct. Yet I cannot have MY beliefs because they do not coincide with yours. Tolerance and acceptance are NOT the same thing. You expect us to accept everything yet you refuse to even tolerate what WE believe.

To address this comment (which you felt a need to bold face) ... you are PERFECTLY free to believe what you like. The problem is the Christians who believe that we are a "Christian Nation" even though there is no mention of Christianity, or even God, in the Constitution, and that all the laws in our country must reflect Christian beliefs.

I'm perfectly happy to tolerate what you believe, as long as you don't try to impose what you believe on others. It's that simple.

The one thing the Constitution does say about religion -- there can be no state religion. That means government and religion are separate. The Alabama governor leads an entire state -- and that state includes Christians and non-Christians. It even includes GASP atheists!

While I don't feel the remarks were illegal, in his position and in a public place, they were certainly inappropriate and I can understand why NON-evangelicals are upset about it. Those comments certainly lend doubt as to whether non-Christians will be treated equally or fairly. Additionally, I'd be worried about the "Christian values" he try to impose on the state as governor.

• This Governor is a moron who wouldn't understand the Constitution and the First Amendment if Thomas Jefferson read it to him at church!
• He is not fit to lead the State Alabama, as it is not within his authority as Governor to advocate for the conversion of non-Chirstians.

Once again, proof that "Diversity" is a one way, PC street! He didn't "ask" anybody to be his brother & believe the way he does, just a simple statement. The reactions tell us what liberals in politics would & are doing, giving favors to their "brothers & sisters." Want proof? Hire one homosexual & in 6 mos time you'll have 20! Or how about pro football? How many white players are there? Shouldn't they be bussed or something? In the Southwest, Hispanics are running the show & what a show it is! If you're white, qualified, & apply for a job, don't even bother to fill out an app if the HR person is hispanic. I especially love it when HR is in an interview with a non-hispanic, & a friend pops their head in the door....out comes the Spanish!!!! How rude! This is not the same country I was born in 70 years ago. It's truely the end of the rule of Western Civilisation. I wonder who's going to be PC in this country when the chinese take over, overtly. They already control the economy. By the way, all of you who throw rocks at the "Crusaders", if it weren't for them, women all over would be wearing Berkas allready. It won't be long though. Oh well, I'm a real, Papal, Catholic. (GASP)!!!!!!! So, I'm used to all of the garbage mentioned above. Heard it my whole life. Lost jobs because of it. Have been physically spit on by other so called 'christians' because of it, & on & on. Any country the size of the USA that doesn't have a bare bones, bottom line belief in a higher power, is un-governable. If you all thought Hitler & old Joe Stallin, Pol Pot, were bad.....you ain't seen nothin yet! When the dust clears, the term "Facisist" will have a whole new meaning.

AngelicaS . I would suggest you go back and read the ENTIRE CONSTITUTION before you stomp on peoples cconstitutional rights.

Ronald H. Reagan -- great post! This thread was in dire need of some levity. Too funny.

As for the topic at hand, the Governor's comment was politically ill-advised at best. However, it had absolutely nothing to do with: Islam, Racism, Communism, Fascism, Terrorism or incest (sorry, Mr. Reagan), all of which have been erroneously invoked in the preceding discussion.

Everyone needs to take a chill pill. I am sooooooooo over being PC.

This past Christmas season, I said Merry Christmas to everyone and if they had an issue - OH WELL.

If someone said Happy Hanukah to me, I said thank you.

I am not a born again Christian. I respect them as I respect EVERYONE.

He must know his constituency otherwise he would never had said it.

Maybe he too is sooooooo over being PC.

This assault on Christianity has gone unanswered for too long. It's time for Christian to declare their faith without fear of retribution.

You're joking, right? "Assault" on Christianity? You mean the religion that has more net worth than any corporation on earth yet pays no taxes? You mean the religion that is an unspoken "mandate" for our national political leaders, despite the fact Jefferson, Lincoln, Adams, etc. were FAR from Christian "believers"?

If you want to see a real 'assault', I suggest opening a history book and looking at what the Romans did to early believers... or better yet, what Christians did to numerous factions of believers within their OWN SECT.

Seriously, you should be both grateful for the enormous freedoms you enjoy and personally ashamed at the same time for making such an asinine comment.

Angelica

I have to agree with Truett. As an fyi, the FIRST amendment to the US Constitution guarantees freedom of religion AND speech.

Imagine that. I'd check it out if I were you so that you will have basis for your comments.

PC = Politically Correct

Governor = Political Office

Actually on the contrary. It's probably a good time for him to start being politically correct.

I also have to agree to the poster(s) who claim that Christians are being persecuted in 2011.

THEY ARE AND HAVE BEEN FOR SOME TIME.

I think that gay people started it. Gay people claimed that Christians hated them or something. Can't remember. Don't care.

The result is that Christians have been persecuted for some time. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Mike-721160 "Mountaineer67, The problem with christians in this country is they won't leave others alone to live their lives as they wish. All LAWS passed in this country that don't meet their standards, such as abortion, they do everything, up to killing people, to over turn them"

I was struck by the twisted logic in that statement by you, Mike.

You rightly condemn people that might kill an abortion provider to prevent the killing of thousands of unborn children, but then you also condemn those that merely oppose killing thousands on religious grounds and would use lawful means of changing what they consider immoral laws.

Why is it that people who have strong religious beliefs are to be ridiculed for nothing more than expressing their views? Why do you have a problem with that?

As for the article, I find nothing wrong with ANY person expressing his religious views in his own church, and I read Mountaineer67's comment at #1.10 and found nothing offensive in it - just a statement of his views. It seems that only professed Christians are not allowed to express their religious views.

luv

Apparently ALABAMANS in general are tired of being politically correct.

They elected this man did they not?

You don't think that this governor had similar comments during the campaign?

I think he IS being politically correct. It's 2011 politically correct.

We are correctly interpreting the US Constitution starting last November.

Yee Haw!

Karen and Truett---

I don't need to go back and read anything. I know the First Amendment by heart. You two obviously don't understand what it means.

THE GOVERNOR OF ALABAMA DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO USE HIS POSITION AS GOVERNOR (WHILE HE IS SPEAKING AS GOVERNOR AND WHILE ACTING IN THE CAPACITY OF GOVERNOR), NOR DOES HIS HAVE ANY AUTHORITY TO PROMOTE HIS DISTURBING RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE BY UTLIZING STATE RESOURCES.

If he chooses to proselytize in his own private time (meaning: NOT WHILE HE IS REPRESENTING THE STATE OF ALABAMA), then so be it.

You two should read the FIRST AMENDMENT and then read the LEGAL AUTHORITIES explaining it, as you obviously have not done so.

Karen,

Please exit stage left from this wonderful state.

Judy, thank you.

Biased ignorance in politics has gone on for way too long. The mans statement is proof of that ignorance in leadership. He'll never be a true leader when he doesn't respect all of who he is supposed to represent & their beliefs whether he was elected or not.

True leaders in this country are a rare breed that we haven't seen for much too long. Many are puppets with biased agendas that don't reflect the common good of the common person.

I haven't seen many true leaders in this country that can put up with the ignorant self righteous riff-raff for too long. One person was Colin Powell. He did what was demanded in the Gulf War & was intelligent enough to pull out of a no win biased situation in Washington that he knew he couldn't win or believe in. Choosing which battles to fight or not & why is one sign of a true leader. Good morals, common sense & scrupples are others. He, I believe, has those, while most do not.

I also have to agree to the poster(s) who claim that Christians are being persecuted in 2011.

THEY ARE AND HAVE BEEN FOR SOME TIME.

I think that gay people started it. Gay people claimed that Christians hated them or something. Can't remember. Don't care.

Karen in L.A. -- Please tell me this post was intentionally obtuse and ignorant for comic effect.

I am a devout Christian and a conservative and still think this is wrong. For one, he is an elected official and should be looking out for ALL his people regardless of their religious beliefs. And two, ALL the people on earth are our brothers and sisters regardless of their beliefs. What he says goes against Jesus' teachings. We are supposed to love ALL of our brothers and sisters, not just those we like and agree with.

Do you know how many of our Founding Fathers were Ministers and preached in church? As a non-Jew, I don't know all the meanings of phrases, like "of the Tora", etc., but in the Christian faith, Brothers and Sisters in Christ is a very common phrase. In the Christian faith, we are told God wishes us to love our "Neighbors" as ourselves, but only those that believe in him can be a Brother or Sister in Christ. This is not hate speech, but is akin to saying the Ocean is a large body of water with Salt in it. You cannot be an Ocean because you are not a large body of water with Salt in it. Only You can decide what offends you and believe me, people can be offended simply because Christians exist.

PDK,

No, I have seen her posts before. She unfortunately is being serious. Sad isn't it?

I see no problem with his comment. I feel the same as he does. I know there will be a lot of people that do not understand the text. He is stating his belief in Christianity and saying "Don't try to change my mind". As I have an atheist friend, he is just that. A friend, not a brother in Christ. My life, my choice. Doesn't make me leave him out of our life. Him and his wife celebrate our Anniversary with us, every year, and they are welcomed. Of course the media will paint a different picture because they want to get the ratings up and get all the right and left, arguing with each other.

Karen in LA

I would have love to have seen where his political career would have gone had he stated this little "Politically Correct" speech prior to the election.

...we are told God wishes us to love our "Neighbors" as ourselves, but only those that believe in him can be a Brother or Sister in Christ. This is not hate speech, but is akin to saying the Ocean is a large body of water with Salt in it. You cannot be an Ocean because you are not a large body of water with Salt in it.

ZipZag -- I find your post highly offensive . . . not for religious reasons, but for it's shabby treatment of metaphor as a literary device ;)

PDK,

No, I have seen her posts before. She unfortunately is being serious. Sad isn't it?

luv - if she were my "sister in rationality" I would indeed think it sad. Since she clearly has not accepted Logic as her Lord and savior, however, I simply find it hilarious ;)

GDI- stated...

"...If you read the entire article, the press is leaving out the last part of his statement in order to spin the story in a negative light. The entire statement (as printed in the article) says;

"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,"..."

or you could perceive this as he wants to convert everyone to his beliefs...if you do not believe as he does he does not recognize you and will try to "make you christian"

just another way of looking at it...but I am an atheist so you probably don't want to listen to me...hopefully my savior will be the people of planet earth!

This man is NO CHRISTIAN. MY BIBLE says to love ALL people, wonder what HIS says?

PDK, thanks for the support! Literary analogies are not my specialty, but I tried!

The Bible teaches us to love all people Grunt, but you don't seem to love this guy. Why is that? Where does it say we are all brothers and sisters in Christ in your bible?

PDk,

So True.

He said what he said. Move on people. Good grief!

Out of context speaks the masses who have been stirred into violence. First we will make them fear their own leaders, who thru trickery and intimidation will think that they have brought peril upon their own bretheren. We shall make them doubt their own brother. We will march with them this day, against them the next. We will make them believe that their laws have no true bearing, their ownership meaningless. We will rip away their land, their fathers land, and their generational homes. We will search them, and intimidate them when they travel about. We will mis-lead them with words, and when men are driven mad by their own failings, they will wreak terror upon the innocent. With words, and rules we will contain them and breed them so that they all believe they are the same, and not one is an individual who is worthy or more than the morsels of sand we will feed them when they are hungry. Then when they rise up against their brothers we will take them into camps where they will be re-trained into our concepts for sucess. They will give up their worth, and will be enslaved by their own greed, hiding in their caves afraid of the day for it is to perilous, fearing the night when the darkness steals their soul,with promises of false fortune upon rocks and mud that are blown with the wind. When they have nothing they will beg at our door for more of our sweet vine, yet with a bitter taste it will not quench their thirsts. Then when they have forgotten all that was, they will bow down and worship death, and pray that it swiftly takes them into the grave.

OR

We could stop the hate. Stop the deciet amongst our brothers. We could speak of beauty, and share our neighbors burden. We could rebuild our towns, and take in our homeless. We could find the cure for hunger, disease, poverty. We could walk down the street and greet everyone we see with a warm smile, a strong handshake or a hug. We could sweep away the dirt and grime that pollutes our streets, we could make our carbon footprint smaller and start respecting and rebuilding our natural process cycles that maintain our lives. We could make our education stronger, support and help train the needy.

Also for those saying he broke the 1st amendment (the correct wording does not have STATE in it) The governor is allowed to speak as he did, nothing prohibits him from that.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

And for those saying he destroyed the 6th amendment (the right to a fair and speedy trial)

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

His personal belief has no consequence in individual cases. I can't recall at any point, nor find any literature where a Governor was allowed to act in local, county, district, state, or us supreme courts cases. They are executive, not legistative branch in their scope of duties.

Lastly for those who claim the governor does not understand the constitution, I ask that you please cite specifically in what manner that he is unqualified.

Like my ole buddy smokey the bear says, Only you can prevent forrest fires. STOP THE RHEOTORIC, THE HATE MONGERING, AND THE POLITICAL BASHING. ONLY YOU CAN SAVE OUR COUNTRY FROM THE ABYSS.

PDK, thanks for the support! Literary analogies are not my specialty, but I tried!

Haha, my pleasure, ZipZag. I understood what you were trying to say; just poking a little fun. Kidding aside though, I respectfully disagree with your analogy since you're comparing a subjective/rhetorical matter of faith (i.e. only fellow Christians are my "brothers & sisters"), to an empirical fact of nature (i.e. oceans are salty). The former is debatable, while the latter is universally irrefutable.

The new governor is a Talibaptist from Talibama!

@roman after further booth review your statement has been overturned, you have been charged a time out, and the result of your post will be to re-read the direct wording in your argument.

wording of the Article VI paragraph 3 as follows:

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

This was an addendum because,
A variety of Test Acts were instituted in England in the 17th and 18th centuries. Their main purpose was to exclude anyone not a member of the Church of England from holding government office, notably Catholics and "nonconforming" Protestants

The TEST is just what it says. There can be no pre-qualifying test of church (theology) to prevent or allow the individual to be elected into this office.

LUV

You're just mad because you were not logical and I pointed that out.

The man was elected. PERIOD. That is a fact.

People DO NOT CHANGE OVERNIGHT.

Therefore, there is no doubt in mind that he said similar things during the campaign.

HE WAS ELECTED INTO OFFICE. That is a fact.

You can leave CA now and please let the door slam on your butt on the way out the door.

And to PDK - I AM TOTALLY SERIOUS. The only time I joke is in the office and then it's a situation comedy.

I think the real fervor against Christians emanated from the gay community AND IT IS A FACT THAT MANY TIMES WHEN GAY PEOPLE ARE POSTING ON NEWSVINE, THEY ARE PERSECUTING CHRISTIANS FOR THEIR BELIEFS.

I especially love it when HR is in an interview with a non-hispanic, & a friend pops their head in the door....out comes the Spanish!!!! How rude! This is not the same country I was born in 70 years ago. It's truely the end of the rule of Western Civilisation.

Kathleen ... you did, in your 70 years, figure out that SPANISH, and South America are just as much a part of Western Civilization as the United States and English? Maybe more so.

Or perhaps you didn't learn that.

The true reason for the uproar: Jesus Christ being preached.

"Now to you who believe, this stone (Jesus) is precious. But to those who do not believe, "the stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," and, "a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message-which is also what they were destined for. I Peter 2:7,8. -Give the Stone a chance to become precious to you.

The true reason for the uproar: Jesus Christ being preached.

Not at all. Preach all you want. But be courteous enough to preach to those who want to hear it. AND be aware enough of the Constitution not to try an impose religious based laws on others.

The other problem is the APPEARANCE (I do not believe the governor's comments were illegal in any way) of being unbiased by a state leader. That's a problem since everyone in the state is NOT an Evangelical Christian.

Whether he is, or isn't, the fact that people THINK he is biased is the problem.

Funny thing, this guy cheated to get in office. Accepted money from a fake PAC who's sole purpose was to get revenge on Bradley Byrne for calling them out on corruption. Unfortunately this didn't come out until after the primaries... Too Late to do anything about it.

Also, he did not make comments like this during the campain. Wish he had, maybe then he wouldn't have been elected...

On the bright side, I doubt this one is going to get indicted for anythig.

Respond With Another Blog Post

EVERYONE!!! If you are not directly responding to the original post...

Please start a new BLOG POST!

If you don't it makes it difficult to respond to individual posts. I'm looking at post #1.117... yet, most of the posts do not address #1. Remember how long it took you to get to the point where you could reply. If your post has nothing to do with the original post... Start A New THREAD!

By doing this people won'tneed to continually spend time trying to follow the discussions taking place. It'll be easier to respond to an individual post and save time for all of us...

Also, this country allows for freedom of speech...just because you don't agree with someones post, don't collapse it.

I AM A CHRISTIAN…. but not the right type of Christian… I practice the Catholic traditions. Therefore, I suspect I would not be considered one of the governor’s sister’s. Many of us non-Protestants, even though we believe in Jesus, we are not included in the “inner circle” I have been told straight out I am going to hell by more than one “True Christian”.

As for all you Christian “Victims”! Christianity is the predominate religion in this country. Christians are the standard in which all other religions must stand up to… when you cry…

“I believe all religions in this country deserve equal protection under the Constitution. Christians have not received this guarantee of equal protection.” (written by Bill Weeks)

The Christians offer the protection and guarantee of equal protection to all the other religions. This is a NATION OF CHRISTIAN! Many prefer to say a CHRISTIAN NATION. No matter how you say it, Christianity is the religion of the United States of American! The smaller, less powerful religions fear for their position in America.

In other words, it is up to the Christians to follow the Constitution, protect, and allow for the protection of other religions.

Since emergence of the “Religious Right” and politicization of Christianity, those who are not considered “True Christians” or “Born Again” whatever you want to call them, have begun to marginalize other Christians.

I as a Catholic have been concerned that I may one day be disenfranchise, I can only imagine how religions such as Mormons, Jews, Muslims, Hindu, Buddhist, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc…etc…etc… feel.

In the country… Christians are Goliath and when a governor makes the kind of statement he did… he told everyone, all but “born again” and “true Christians” they do not count. I believe his statement excluded me… even though I believe in Jesus…

I doubt this was his intent… but those were his words.

Beth

It is clear that you don't live in So Cal. How would you feel if you could not find a job because EMPLOYERS REQUIRE BILINGUAL APPLICANTS?

It disgusts me for many reasons.

Our state constitution states that English is the official language.

Karen,

It is clear that you don't live in So Cal. How would you feel if you could not find a job because EMPLOYERS REQUIRE BILINGUAL APPLICANTS?

Why is that? Because I made the ACCURATE comment that Spanish and Central/South America has just as much claim to "Western Civilization" as the United States and English do? (Along with, I might add, German speakers - which make up five percent of our linguistic background.)

History is history. It has nothing to do with "official" languages or your inability to get a job.

And to PDK - I AM TOTALLY SERIOUS. ...I think the real fervor against Christians emanated from the gay community...

Wow, Karen. If nothing else, I have to commend you on your unwavering commitment to ignorance.

The Christians offer the protection and guarantee of equal protection to all the other religions. This is a NATION OF CHRISTIAN! Many prefer to say a CHRISTIAN NATION. No matter how you say it, Christianity is the religion of the United States of American! The smaller, less powerful religions fear for their position in America.

Actually, pacangel. you are incorrect. This is NOT a Christian nation, no matter how you want to spin it. There is NO religion of the United States of America. None. If you doubt this, I refer you to the Constitution of the United States of America -- in specific the First Amendment. I have conveniently posted the relevant clause here:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

That clause VERY CLEARLY states there is NO state religion. It is also clear that everyone has FREE EXERCISE of religion. In other words .. as they please.

In other words, it is up to the Christians to follow the Constitution, protect, and allow for the protection of other religions.

Yes, it is up to Christians to follow the Constitution ... and Buddhists, Atheists, Muslims, Jews, Wiccans, etc. Christians have no special entitlements under the Constitution.

Karen - I know many who speak no Spanish who have great jobs in San Diego and LA.

I have lived all over the country, and have had to update my skills to match the local job market many times. So what????? Why all the feigned rage over learning a bit of Spanish? What kind of jobs are you appling for? Bus driver?

If you have a good resume and references, you can find work. Even in LA. or San Diego. Good pay too. Work for a bank or credit union - they have to check ID to comply with federal bank regulations, so you will be sure that all your co-workers are legal - if THAT is the source of your stress.....

Personally - I speak 3 languages, and it has enriched my life immensely. English, German, Spanish, and I can read French and Portugese a bit too....I am a White female, so don't start on that line of conversation either.

People need to quit obssessing about what they think are obstacles, and get positive, maybe learn something new and broaden their view of life's opportunities. Life is a journey...fill it with joy and wonder and quit worrying about things you assume are causing you issues.... That can be a self-fulfilling act.

Dorfy -- lucky you! I struggle with other languages, but my successes make life -- especially travel -- so much better.

Instead of complaining about languages, our school systems should begin teaching them at a much earlier age -- like almost every other country in the world.

AngelicaS . yadayadayada....so once he is elected he gives up his constitutional rights to free speech and freedom to practice his religion in a church....LOL

Angelica

I was required to memorize the constitution and write papers on judicial review for my constitional law class.

Please be advised that your viewpoint on the First Amendment is FAULTY.

Quick - when was the last amendment passed and why?

Governor Bently: You may want to be my bro, but that doesn't mean that I want to be your bro. In the end, I think that you spoke what you truly feel, and I would rather deal with that than with a phony, as long as you learn to keep your religion to yourself.

Hey Karen, mi amigo. Although I speak Spanish, what kills me are the telephone customer service greetings that say "For Spanish, press 1. For English, press 2." If these corporations could only provide good customer service in one language, I'd be happy, but they DON'T. It's part of the dumbing down of America. In addition to the dumbuing down of our public educational system, which is already a horrifying reality, they also want to dumb down our healthcare, but we won't allow that to happen. Have a nice evening. Hope I'm still su amigo.

catgoddess: I was never a "born again" anything, but I totally agree with you. There are certain religious sects that are less tolerant of others' beliefs, and we cannot lose sight of that. Need I name them? I will never tolerate intolerance.

Beth - I have a job which is why I can not post numerous posts on Newsvine like you.

To the person who speaks three language, SO DO I. English, French and Spanish.

And like my buddy Waterdog, it ticks me off to no end to press 2 for English. I had to press 2 for English when I called Quebec once.

I think American English is the best language in the world. In includes words from many languages and cultures.

HOWEVER, I THINK ABOUT MY FELLOW CALIFORNIANS WHO HAVE TO COMPETE AGAINST ILLEGAL ALIENS AND THAT IS WHY I SAY SPEAK ENGLISH.

Este es los estados unidos. Nosotros hablamos ingles aqui.

This is the United States. We speak English here.

Beth - I have a job which is why I can not post numerous posts on Newsvine like you.

Well Karen, t seems as though your job allows much time on Newsvine as a cursory glance shows 10 or better posts just today. Isn't it nice to have such flexibility?

However, I'm not sure what your problem is as I've not taken issue with speaking English, Spanish or Swahili for that matter. This seems to be YOUR bugaboo! I simply stated (and now for the THIRD time since you seem to be determined to miss the point) that those of a Spanish/Latin American/South American heritage have as much claim to "Western Civilization" as those of United States/English backgrounds. Frankly, I fail to see how you tie that into a tirade against Spanish, jobs and California.

I'm not sure how I can make it any plainer for you. However, three times is my limit .. and please feel free to have the last word as I can see it's important to you!

And as far as MY employment -- well, that's up to you to assume what you please.

Beth

Language brings a unity to a culture. If you don't want to be American - SIANARA - and that is Japanese for see you later.

Americans speak English. Thank you and have a nice day.

I really don't care about Central or South America. Adios and that is good bye in Spanish.

Dear Mr. Governor: Thank you for retracting your offensive and dangerous statements!

Dear Karen--- I wholeheartedly agree with your comments about illegal immigration--- Americans should not have to compete with illegal immigrants--- that is an OUTRAGE (although your comments are off topic). However, your understanding of the Constitution/First Amendment is entirely lacking.

Au Revoir-- That's French for Good-bye. Francaise est la plus belle langue du monde! C'est mon choix parler francais. I don't want to be forced to speak a foreign language. Doing so, should be my choice, and my choice alone!

As an Illinoisan, I really don't see the big deal. It's not like he broke any laws or anything.

**WINK WINK**

ooohhhh did he say something and then have to apoligize because he hurts peoples widdle feelins. Good grief!

I didn't think he needed to apologize but he did. I hope you all calm down and stop persecuting Christian people for exercising their First Amendment rights.

To those of you who have strayed far from the topic with regards to language. I must say that we all, and I mean the whole planet, need to speak one language. This planet has a choice of three which are the most widely spoken. They are Standard English, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish. All others should go to the trash bin of history and be left for the scholars to learn.

The way the world is going, the next empire after the one of the United States will be the Chinese Empire. So everyone will probably have to learn Mandarin. I actually prefer English since as a prvious poster pointed out it has managed to add words from many different languages over the centuries. Languages such as Latin, Germanic, Celtic, French, and the Nordic Languages, which is actually where the basis for our democracy actually originated. You all look it up for I have not the inclination do do it for you.

See, I am a retired professor of history and don't much care anymore. You know what a pain in the butt it is to translate script from ancient Greek, Latin, or early Arabic, geesh. I won't have to learn any new languages since by the time it matters, I will be long gone.

I have posted on Newsvine many times upon many different topics and have tried to enlighten everyone to certain things, but it seems a waste anymore.

Here is the bottom line. Those in power do and say whatever is required to attain and keep power. Over the many thousands of years of human civilization, they have used religion to manipulate the masses. Christianity and Islam are just some of the most recent attempts, for there are others that are far older. Christians need to look at examples from other religions about their saviors and Jesus, such as Gilgamesh, etc. All born on or around the 25th of December, though of course it was not referred to December in those times. All killed and rising from the dead, etc.

The essential point here is that you don't want to be lead around because of a religious belief. If you want to believe in a religion, then believe, but do not let them rule you based upon those beliefs. Allow everyone to believe what he or she wishes to believe. Pick leaders who will truly want to improve the lot of all humanity. For if we do not, civilization will just go through endless cycles of ups and downs, even the one we live in now. It will eventuall fall back into anarchy because of those you all choose to lead.

I don't hold out much hope for this current cycle of civilization. I predict that events will eventually bring ut down and it will fall back into anarchy and it will have to start all over again.

This guy should have the word bigot written in bold letters across his forehead! I'll bet this guy is an ardent admirer his50's and 60's era predecessor George Wallace!

Karen Los Angeles! I agree with your statements!

I see nothing wrong with Alabama Governor's statement.

I do take offense with Eric Holder's statement about his PEOPLE!!!!! And just as right as Obama's telling conservatives to get in the back of the BUS!

He quoted the bible. Study more.

jeanpaul is right --- like the Pharisees you want to use scripture to justify your perversion

If that moron believes when he dies he's going up to the Spirit in the sky then he is definitely NOT my brother. If he was I would disown him. People just don't get it. ALL religions are cults, some just more clever than others.

Richard, please share chapter and verse he was quoting so that we might have some frame of reference for his hateful comments. And while you are there looking up whatever quote he is taking out of context, look up Romans 10:12 - "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all ..."

The Bible does not support nor preach divisiveness. It is about togetherness, loving and helping your fellow man. Likewise, it doesn't suggest we ignore differences, but we are told to love one another while acknowledging those differences.

For there is no difference ... exept the ones made by man in his own insecurity.

How quaint - Still following a religion started in the Bronze Age.

I wish they would use the same fervor when "preaching" the Constitution of the US of A.

Jesus would be ashamed, and would have a long talk with this guy...its completely un-Christian to do anything less than love your neighbor and even your enemies.

Chris...Probably unfortunate comments, but the Govenor's statements need to be understood in context. The Book of John says that not everyone is a child of God (John 1:12). It goes further to say those who accept Jesus are, those who do not are not. There are many other passages that speak to how to treat others--even enemies--with kindness. What Gov Bentley demonstrates is a profound understanding of the Bible...some detractors show by their comments that they don't understand the complex point. Governor Bentley's comments are the polar opposite of hate and unacceptance of others...but they are easily misconstrued by people who still think some of Ben Franklin's quips are actually in the Bible (for example: God helps those who help themselves...not in the Bible). It's like getting in a argument regarding a point of law with a seasoned attorney when you have an anecdotal knowledge of law. I remember how Jimmy Carter was ridiculed for the statement "I have lusted in my heart" in a Playboy article during his Presidency. Again, President Carter had a profound understanding of the Bible based on years of careful study. Governor Bentley perceived he was offering a gift to those who haven't accepted Jesus.

I think the governor's (and President Carter's) comments were unfortunate in that they generate controversy because they deal with complex issues best left to discussion inside the church. Result: many people think they will not be treated fairly when in reality, Governor Bentley's comments strongly affirm the exact opposite.

Many politicians--including President Obama--routinely call on the Christian God to bless America, events, and they even say "this person (fill in the blank) is in my prayers." Separation of church and state is not in the Constitution...just one framer (Thomas Jefferson) wrote a letter to the pastor of a certian Christian group assuring them that there will be no nationally-endorsed Christian Church (like the Church of England). At the time of the Revolution, loyalists and patriots were pretty much divided along the lines of their flavor of Christianity. If Governor Bentley is endorsing Christianity as the official religion of Alabama, then he is wrong to do so. What the Constitution does include is the freedom to practice religion.

Consider how the bible was "born" there are always passages that can not only uplift but also promote "superiority", "divisiveness" and out right hate. Like the constitution it depends on which "version" he believes is the true bible.

thewordsmith...Your point is the point, but not how you intend it. God is the God of Jew and Gentile, assuming they accept the substitute for their sin, which is Jesus Christ. Anyone who believes that is a child of God. It's very simple. Check out Romans 8. I didn't see anything 'hateful' about his comments. Our society is so full of moral relativism that it is so shocking when someone claims an absolute truth? Wow.

seperation of church and state.........

Richard in Florida, I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that if he quoted the Koran, you'd have much different feelings about the whole thing.

@thewordsmith

Out of context. Romans was a letter written by Paul to Roman followers of Christ (not to all Romans in general). He is telling the Jews following Jesus that they shouldn't look down upon Gentiles entering the faith. Remember that Paul was a Pharisee. Jews of the period still considered Gentiles unclean...had nothing to do with them. Paul was exorting the Christian Jews and Gentiles to understand there was no difference in the Christian family between them. That verse actually supports Governor Bentley's statements.

@Chris:

"lol. No. No, it's not."

Yes. Yes it is.

Unless you know more about Christian doctrine than Governor Bentley does (it's possible)...but I don't see that in the posts.

Left Lane,

So basically this is another news story like that woman in GA...The DEMOCRAT-OWNED news took things so out of context that they basically LIED to the public to create an uproar.

I get it.

I'm just wondering when the people will get wise enough to get rid of the fatcats in Congress and give it back to the people. I've most definitely had enough of this sort of thing.

While campaigning, did he ever say that he only wanted the Christian vote.? Non Christians can vote for the other guy.?

Why are you foamers-at-the-mouth inferring more than what he said? To say "non-Christians are not my brothers" does not suggest turning a back on fellow mankind. "Bretheren in Christ" is a completely different context and implication than say, what Muslims frequently say nowadays. His comment was immediately following with the sentence, "But I want them to be my brothers." This demonstrates his lack of ill-will or hatred.

Just because I tolerate you and live with you peace, does NOT mean I have to agree and accept your lifestyle choices or beliefs.

@armygruntjoe:

Many left-leaning (see my handle?) American Democrats are Christians. Christianity has nothing to do with government or politics, but has to do with 2 things: Your relationship with God and his Son, your relationship with others. It's a personal thing. People have to understand that before they can understand Governor Bentley's statements. Having said that, Democrats who are also Christians will still tend to vote for the candidates who they can most closely identify with their own beliefs. Christianity is not a hat or a coat that can be removed before you hit the polling place. We've had a dearth of good candidates recently. As far as the press is concerned...it's almost universally politically-inspired (as it has been throughout our history--nothing new there from either side).

Viscious and intolerant anti-Christian rhetoric of the past decade and a wandering social agenda is beginning to box more and more Christians out of the Democratic Party.

Left-lane - Excellent post!! Much truth in your statement.

"Seperation of church and state" was ANYWAYS a one-way street. No government run religion (as opposed to The Church of England) was the intent.

Never was "Seperation of church and state" meant for the banning religious influences on government

You have restored some of my hope that the US still had some intelligence and understanding of history. Thank you, sir or maddam.

jesus crusaded the NON BELIEVERS they were NOT enemies until the Crusaders declared them enemies. those that do not believe as me are my enemies. ancient history shall not be negated.

jesus crusaded

I'm not sure that "crusaded" is an accurate term to describe Jesus's actions.

The crusades were an answer to the Moslem's converting entire nations by the sword. While you're citing history don't forget Soliman, the Islamic conquerer.Or is it only wrong when it is a crusade, but jihad is fine? There is no spirituality in either.

Jeanpaul and company, those of you who rely on belief that God is all loving all forgiving in order to assuage your consciences and excuse your behavior need to read a little more. Heres a couple quick Bible verses for risk analysis:

Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Luke 11:23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Those who object apparently ignored the rest of what he said. He is correct - only those who accept Jesus as their Savior are "brothers and sisters in Christ." But, the Bible also clearly teaches that Christians are to treat everyone fairly. There is no bigotry in Christianity other than what non-Christians try over and over to put in it. You who are so uninformed ought to try reading the Bible before you spout off.

He is not distorting it, it is being taken out of context. The ADL followed this man *into a church* and tries to take a quote where he is addressing *a group of fellow Christians* using the language *of Jesus* and tries to stir the pot by casting an entirely different meaning on it. That is the real scandal here, IMHO

This governor *does not say* he will not lead or care for non-Christians. He is not standing at a government podium. He is expressing affiliation for fellow believers of his faith, to whom he is speaking in a place of worship.

Some people have asked for the bible reference about Jesus' use of the familial terms 'brother' and 'sister'. Here is one such occasion Jesus uses those terms to designate affiliation with fellow believers, in this case the disciples:

Matt 12: 49-50

⁴⁹ Pointing to his disciples, Jesus said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Prof

There are none so blind as those who will not see. How many wars involving Christians have been fought over religion? How about the bigotry of two Christian religions in Ireland? How about the tens of millions of anti-Muslim Christians in this country? We all know what the Bible teaches, but we also know how few Christians follow those teachings when it becomes inconvenient even to the slightest degree.

This governor raised his hand and swore to uphold the Constitution, then made statements that indicate that he doesn't really believe in the Constitution and that his own flawed view of Christianity has some credibility.

Sadly, he was pandering to Christians when he made his statement and based on this message board there are many who claim to be Christians who find nothing wrong with his message of exclusion.

don, what specific statement did he make to that congregation that leads you to believe he wont uphold the constitution or doesn't believes in the constitution?

Dear People,

This man is a Christian. True Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship with Christ. Christ died for the sins of the entire world, some accept that and some don't. We who do, are known as brothers and sisters in Christ. I have dear friends who aren't Christians that I love dearly, but they're not my sister or brother in Christ. Doesn't mean that I love them any differently, or treat them any differently. This man spoke at his church about his own faith. I don't know a Christian who believes that because of God's love, their sins are forgiven, wouldn't want that for everyone. Doesn't mean I have to push it on anyone, and some do, and turn people off, but I want the very best for my family, my friends, neighbors, those on this board, even those who don't agree with me. That's my belief. I think the man was saying the same thing. I want the very best for you, I want you to be my brother. I don't know whether he's a Democrat or Republican, or whether he agrees with his political views, but either way, he's a brother in Christ with President Obama, I am his sister, and it doesn't mean he's not the President of the United States.

There is no bigotry in Christianity

Yeah right. Tell that to Andrew Sheppard and all the other gays who have been bullied and persecuted by so called "christians". Tell that to the members of the Westboro Baptist Church who carry around signs proclaiming that "God Hates Fags!"

A Governor is never not at a government podium and has to be very careful what he says wherever he goes. After reading Left-Lane's comments I understand what the the Governor's context was. But as a political figure it's not wise to spout one's personal beliefs. They will be taken out of context and this will spread doubt in the Governor's intentions.

It's correct that one's own convictions will be taken into the voting booth. A person's beliefts will obviously influence their political decisions. But you will cook your own goose if you try to publicly validate them based on scripture. Better to act on your convictions and keep quiet as to their origins where government is concerned.

Left-Lane, the only context in which these dangerous remarks need to be understood is the context of common sense. Those remarks are disgusting as they constitute discriminatory and hate speech. This man may call himself a christian but he is anything but christian. His remarks are far more in line with those of Satan.

GDI, Hmmm, yeah, this is only MSNBC news, no other network covered this, right? Hmmm, is it possible all networks may have covered this? Check out the link below.

As you state, he said:

"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,"

Now, I will admit he said this in a church, so he was speaking to Christians. If he were to say this in a political public forum, I'd have to say it were wrong.

But, let's turn this around a bit, and pretend he was a member of the KKK, and also a Governor. Now, if he said something derogatory towards blacks at a KKK meeting, and not in a public political forum, would that be OK?

Or if he were a Muslim, and did the same in a mosque, saying the exact words, but interchanging "Mohammad" with "Jesus Christ", how would many Christians react?

Basically, he's appeasing the crowd he is speaking to at the time, but it doesn't make it right unless you agree it is OK for an elected official to do the same in any other situation, possibly one of Muslim faith saying the same thing. Would you be OK with that?

I don't understand what you mean by "saved" Christians....

If you look at all the teachings of Jesus and the apostles of the New Testament it becomes easier to make sense of the Governor's comments. Jesus referred to people who did the will of His Father as His mother, and sisters, and brothers. The apostles referred to members of the different congregations they wrote to as Brothers. There are multiple references to the "Family of God" referring to those who have acknowledged their need of a Savior and accepted Jesus as that Savior. There are also multiple references to being "adopted" and being "sons" (even women are referred to as sons because culturally, in those days, the sons were the ones to receive the inheritance but the Lord does not discriminate in that way.) When the Governor said that those outside of this "family" (not having the same "daddy") were not his brothers or sisters, he wasn't demeaning them any more than I would be demeaning my neighbor if I informed him he wasn't my brother (naturally). And didn't Jesus say to pray for those who persecute you and to forgive those who despitefully use you? Remember Jesus was the one who originally coined the Golden Rule: to do unto others what we would have done to us (and I think if we are honest, we all want people to tell us the truth.) And who told the parable of the Good Samaritan? Jesus really ruffled some feathers there as the Samaritans were outcasts and He put one as the hero of the story and religious leaders as the bad guys. So you see, it is really ignorance of the whole that has caused people to be offended by this man's comments. You CAN have that belief and still love your neighbor, even if that neighbor is NOT you brother.

@ Christian College Prof, I'm in my late fifties, and I haven't read fairy tales for more than half a century. Why would I, or any other person capable of critcal thought, want to do so now?

Read his comments. He loves the citizens of Alabma. Governor can work for them. Brother and Sister is entirely different. Who can question a person's faith. If a divorced person be elected as a governor, does it mean that every body had to divorce and then got marry. Think of the peace for United States America. Wait and see whether the morale of Alabama is going to be good or bad. Then comment on him " fool" or what ever.There is no question about faith in the 1st Amendment.

Left-Lane, I was thinking exactly what you articulated so well! One of the problems we have in America is that people think they know things when they are really clueless about them.

If one reads the bible (even if you don't believe it), you will see that christianity really is about accepting the death of Christ as atonement for your sin and living in a relationship with him. This is a FACT that you really can't dispute if you bother to read it. It's not hidden... It's not ambiguous. It is the central theme and message.

The problem comes when those who have no idea what the bible really says speak from what they THINK and what they've heard. There are no multiple paths to heaven, according to the bible ("I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except by me."..... Jesus) It is also clear that those who accept Christ as their savior are considered "brothers and sisters in Christ" and that those who do not accept him are NOT part of this.

I am a Christian and have many brothers and sisters in Christ and I love them because of this bond (although some of them, I have to admit I don't LIKE all that well!).... I have other people (including some of my closest friends) who are NOT brothers and sisters in this way. I love them. I pray for them. And I'd like them to become Christians, but whether that happens or not they have a special place in my heart (they are in essence my human brothers and sisters)....

This man was speaking completely about the brother relationship in Christ. Nothing else. Those who are foaming at the mouth, I challenge you to pick up a bible and read it (you won't die. I promise.) and learn what Christianity REALLY is (and is not).

I guess it OK for the elected Tucson sheriff to voice his personal opinions and not a goveneror..... Funny how that works. I take neither side DEM REP people get to caught up in politics but I am one for equality.

Example: The Video of the Palin song performed by 2 old people. They are being critisized left and right and so is Palin because these 2 old people made up a song about her. But the people in the Media are forgetting when Obama was elected, Teachers were teaching thier students songs about him and kids were wearing camies and marching to an obama song all singing his praises North Korean style. But when 2 80+ yrold people sing a song about Palin the media gets all faint and weak in the knees and have to put on a dog & Pony show.

Only in Alabama. Home of the Ignorant Crackers. Where in the hell did this creep come from? Yes, Alabama is getting exactly what they voted in. I have never seen such un-christian behaviour in my life than in Alabama coming from the people who are just like this man. It's some of the worst hypocrisy I have ever, ever experienced.

Don-

Your second paragraph is so wrong. We are constitutionally guaranteed the right to freedom of religion. He was practicing his constitutional right, not demeaning the constitution.

His "pandering" was from a Christian - to fellow Christians. This isn't pandering. It is supporting those of like minds in a time when ONLY THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY has to repeatedly appologize for being who they are. His address was to support, encourage, and embolden those who stand up for the work of the LORD. There is no shame in standing up for GOD to a true Christian!

If this guy was gay and a politician in southern California - speaking at a gay pride event, he would be applauded and praised for speaking up and supporting this group. Why is he butchered for being a Christian - speaking to fellow Christians?

Why the double standard? It is nothing more than religious destruction. The lefties will not be happy until all mention of Christ / GOD is wiped away from the face of the earth. Don't you understand that dedication to a higher power is what keeps the Christian in line? We understand there are consequences for our actions. If we get away with wrongdoings in this life, we will pay in the next life. Things like this keep us from marginalizing those who don't believe like we do. We reach out in love because GOD said this is what we are to do.

'Blessed is the man who, when his master returns, is found to be doing the master's bidding'.

Let not your light be hidden.

Yes Jesus did love His enemies. However, love can come across in ways that are unexpected. For instance, Jesus called the Pharisees a "brood of vipers" he told people that if they did not hate their brothers and sisters they were not worthy to follow Him. Jesus said things that we would consider offensive, yet he loved everyone. I think we need to readjust our view of what love is. Sometimes it is offensive. Sometimes it is not what we want to hear.

Ok...so I'm responding to a response...

Please understand the context of Romans 10:12 and do not take it out of context yourself. According to chapter 1:7, Paul was writing to the "saints" to Christians, not to a random group of people from various belief systems. Next, look please at the end of chapter 9. Paul is talking to Christians in Rome about how it is that God sent salvation to the Gentiles when the Jews had been hisorically known as God's chosen people. Now look at 10:1- and see that Paul referrs to the Christians as "brothers" and goes on to say how his hearts desire is for them ( the Jews) to be saved. Isn't that basically what the Governor said? Now please read verse 11 ( verses 9-10 are important too) where Paul says that "For the Scripture says that "Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.'" NOW comes the part you want to quote "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek." So first, Paul is talking ONLY to Christians when He speaks of no distinction. AND he is meaning it in terms of salvation being available to all people.

I encourage all people who want to make statements using Bible verses to really look at the context and use the whole counsel of the Word of God before doing so. It will help those who are confused to be confused no longer and it will help us all not look stupid arguing among ourselves.

___________________________________________________

Richard, please share chapter and verse he was quoting so that we might have some frame of reference for his hateful comments. And while you are there looking up whatever quote he is taking out of context, look up Romans 10:12 - "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all ..."

The Bible does not support nor preach divisiveness. It is about togetherness, loving and helping your fellow man. Likewise, it doesn't suggest we ignore differences, but we are told to love one another while acknowledging those differences.

For there is no difference ... exept the ones made by man in his own insecurity.

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#2.5 - Wed Jan 19, 2011 9:20 AM EST

mark (2.33) thats funny: Okay, so what he said wasn't all that bad after all. But.... lets make up some pretend bizarre scenarios, invoke the KKK and islam, put the gov in it, and see if we can demonize him anyway. Great plan!

I've got one: Lets pretend he sat in a church where the pastor preached racial hate and anti-government hate for like 20 years (and he didn't have the decency to simply stop going to and supporting that church); then when elected governor we expect him to set all that hate aside and govern responsibly. Think he could do that? That would be bizarre, eh?

@EAB - Do you not see the whole "My god is better than your god" cult mentality in that?? That thinking started a couple thousand years ago and is still the root cause of 90% of the grief on the planet. Can you not see why I don't buy into into any of it? I can tell you for a fact my life is a much happier place NOT falling for that cult crap.

Jesus loved his enemies, but that didn't make them his brothers. We are brothers and sisters in Christ if we are saved.

What's with all the critics??? Is it that they feel EXCLUDED as his 'brother' or 'sister' IN CHRIST?

MOST IMPORTANTLY, how does being excluded as a brother or sister PRECLUDE equal treatment? I have very few brothers or sisters of any kind but can treat all people with dignity, respect, and equality.

Sorry jeanpaul, but your #2 post is a distortion of Christianity too.

You obviously don't understand....just as all other non-believers.

Devon, what I see is you would deny someone else his belief.
Because you infer "...the whole "My god is better than your god" cult mentality in that" doesn't make it so. Maybe you infer-er is malfunctioning.

My infer-er is functioning just fine thank you... Anyone is welcome to believe what they wish, but do not tell me I'm wrong because I don't. Bottom line no one knows for sure, so those who do believe need to get off of their high horse and stop judging those whose choose not too.

You people are so obtuse. Christians use that as a figure of speech "Brother in Christ", if you attend church you hear the pastor say "Brother so and so please lead us in prayer" or Sister so and so. It's a figure of speech, saying that we all belong to a family, a Christian family...not a blood family.

You liberal people are jumping on this without taking into consideration he was talking to a group of people at a Church. He said that if you are saved you are my brother in Christ, if not I welcome you to become one. Where in that statement does it say...if you don't become a Christian then I will not serve you, and where in the Constitution does it say that when you are elected to an office you have to drop your religion and loose freedom of speech? I don't recall seeing that.

Separation of Church and State means that the Government (Federal or State) can not force you to study, or become part of a religion. They can't punish you for your religious practices. The problem is that you people that are not Christians are using that statement to punish the Christians, and forcing us to practice our religion in hiding!

BOOOM! Nailed it Kelly

Considering the forum is hosted by MessNBC, the whole line of "fairness" is rank projection.

Jesus "loved" His enemies? You obviously never read the bible... how does that square the fact that scripture tells us that Jesus came to bring the sword? The poll question was skewed for secular consideration... Hardly objective. We are not a secualr nation, never have have been, we have more factual record of elected officials speaking candidly about their faith under color of authority in years past until the secular advances in technocratic circles int he late 60's ~ now they seem to feel it's common place, it is not.

Ok, first of all, cut the crap about how lefties like me are destroying the faith. Intellectual liberalism and religion are not inversely proportional (that means that you can have a lot of both).

Secondly, cut the crap about how religions are all elitist cults. Religious belief is not a sure sign of hatred and singularism. Just because I think I'm right doesn't mean I hate whoever is wrong.

And finally, cut the crap about how public insults are oh so Christian. When one person is talking to another person, then yes, it is definitely our obligation to tell people when they are sinning. But public servants should know that misquotations are assured in our media world. He was indelicate and impolitic, and he wasn't being particularly kind to people who he should at least consider to be "the least of these." (That is, the poor ones who we are sent to)

What I read does not imply he only accepts "saved" christians. He only states that he has accapted Jesus Christ and is a saved Christian. And that all who have done the same are his brothers and sisters. And he also stated he wanted to be brothers and sisiters with all. Now, I have to admit he is being bold and going out on a limb saying so but, I guess he feels compelled to do so. This is the bible belt area, maybe he thought it wouldn't hurt? Another point I must try to make is Jesus Christ loved all, even his enemies. He had mercy even when he was nailed to that cross to the man beside him. And if he is truly a christian he would show equal treatment to all. That is what being a christian is about. And it is not very common these days to love thy neighbor as we should. I myself don't think he would show any kind of favoritism. But this is just my thoughts on the subject.

Kelly,

He shoudn't haave brought Christianity into his address, especially when he's speaking to his consituents who are made up of people from all religions. I am a Christian and I follow the 'second greatest commandment'- to love my neighbor as myself.

Tax211, You should watch how you bandy about the term "non-believer", it's used in pro-Islamic rhetoric in case you didn't know.

Kelly, when JESUS (you know, the REASON for the religion) was told his mother and brothers were outside the house of the sinners he was visiting, Jesus said 'these are my mother and brothers'.

Gov. Bentley should learn his own religion and what it REALLY MEANS. Not what he wants to USE it for.

If you read the first sentence he was speaking to a "CHURCH CROWD", in a church.

Secondly, this is the media they took a portion of the speech and made it exactly into what they wanted to make it into...a lets hate the new Republican leader...make him look bad...twist his words.

He still has freedom of speech.

He did not say that he did not love the non-christians. He only said that they were not his brother in Christ. Stop trying to twist his words! Read the article slowly. Then maybe you can understand it!

@Richard: Can you kindly tell me what verse was quoted, I'd really love to know?

Was that really a time or place to comment on that issue...no. Was what he said stating he wouldn't be fair to everybody...no. He was simply stating that those who are in Christ are his brothers and sisters, which is true. He then states that he would love others to be the same. People who get offened over stuff like this and claim "offensive comments," need to stop whining! The truth is offensive at times and besides, these same people do it towards others too.

@Kelly,

You assume that everyone knows the "insider" church speak. To someone who is not familiar with that or of a different religion (or denomination for that matter), it can come off as very disenfranchising. To shame those who didn't know what that means...and that the statement is benign in a christian church setting...is quite presumptuous and insensitive to others not entrenched in Christianity

rightly amused - I wasn't trying to make up a story to demonize the guy, I was making exactly the point where you ended up going in your response, and you did it without any help. Your response proved the hypocrisy.

See, it's funny how people will believe it's OK to demonize (your word, not mine) others who don't believe in their beliefs.

I wasn't saying the Governor said those other things, but just like you brought up Obama's past with a church in which a priest (or whatever he is or was) spouted out his beliefs, it was a big deal somehow to you, right?

Now, read the part that I agreed that the governor was speaking in a church, and speaking to christians, and it's OK to do so. But, I brought in the other scenarios, because the christians get all huffy (like you just did) when someone speaks against them in public.

Look, my point was, I don't really give a hoot what anybody says or believes, it's the hypocrisy that drives me crazy. My point was, if a Muslim elected official would have said the same thing in a mosque, as asked in the first thread "Would you be OK with that?"

Your response says idiots like you would be all over him (or her).

So, before jumping to conclusions, actually read what is written.

Agree - - Jesus would NEVER have said something like that -- besides - people of other faiths are NOT an enemy - just people who believe in another way to worship their (our) creator. Sigh - when will we all stop making divisions betwen us?

I live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and did not vote for this jerk. This man has made a number of bizarre statements during the campaign that were off-putting to some, but seemed to fly right over the heads of most Alabamians.

1) He wants "parity" between the University of Alabama and the University of Birmingham at Birmingham (his alma mater.) This means that the two universities should not offer same or similar courses. He advocates for making UA students drive 50 miles one-way to attend classes in Birmingham. He wants to close down a newly enlarged School of Nursing at UA despite the huge shortage of nurses in Alabama.

2) He has stated that his parents sold off 2,000 acres of land that they didn't need to put him through medical school. He wants everyone to do the same thing and advocates to eliminate all state funding for scholarships and grants.

3) He says he will not accept a salary as governor until the state's unemployment reached 4% (which has not happened since WWII.) But he also notes that this frees him of many legal ethics restrictions on income since they are tied to receiving a state salary. He has declined to comment on what "other sources of income" he intends to tap. But under state law, by refusing a salary, he is free to accept money from lobbyists and favor seekers.

4) Sen Shelby of this state likes to remark at every opportunity that his family once owned 170 slaves. Sen Sessions likes to remark on his connections to "heritage organizations" (including the KKK and Aryan Nation.) These are ways of telling racist white Alabamians that they are with them on race issues without actually saying so. (It cost Sessions a federal judgeship when this was brought up at his confirmation hearings.) Bentley is just following suit.

5) If you read the entire speech, you will see that it was carefully worded so as to apply to race as well as religion. People will read into it what they will, but most Alabamians will assume that Bentley also did not have a black daddy. And many people elsewhere do not seem to realize that anti-Semitism is alive and well in the south, especially in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.

6) The previous governor started a major anti-gambling initiative and closed down numerous casinos and "bingo" parlors. The rumor mill says that he received $15 million from Indian-owned casinos in Mississippi to shut down Alabama gambling. Apparently the deal was brokered by Mississippi's governor, Haley Barbour's lobbying firm.

7) There is currently a huge investigation going on about gambling and money laundering using casinos (especially one near the state capital called Victoryland) and fake bank accounts to disburse the money. Apparently Colonial Bank would set up bogus accounts and issue ATM cards with fictitious names on them to politicians. Victoryland would do something similar by issuing special "gaming cards" to politicians. When these were inserted, the slot machine would pay off within the next 10 pulls. Not only were many politicians involved, but it appears that most of Auburn's football team were also getting both bogus ATM and gambling cards. This investigation currently involves the FDIC, the FBI, the ATF, the Alabama gaming commission, and the IRS. There is currently a gag order in place that includes all newspapers and ESPN and the news channels on cable to keep from blowing an ongoing investigation. Much of it started surfacing prematurely because it appears that Cam Newton and Nick Fairley at Auburn were among those involved.

It was the trial and conviction of Birmingham's mayor, Larry Langford that brought much of this into the daylight. Apparently numerous politicians are running for the hills to try and turn state's evidence to avoid prosecution, but apparently the FBI is not allowing this because they already have sufficient evidence from wiretaps and bank records.

Bentley is going to be trouble for Alabama where racism is already finding a new and invigorated voice in the GOP and where corruption is rampant. Alabama is considered to have the 4th most corrupt state government in the country. These people have been raping the state for around 150 years and pretty much feel themselves immune to prosecution. I surely hope they have a surprise coming.

comeon people! - I agree with you 100% here. Couldn't care less what the guy said, people need to stop whining when faced with offensive comments.

I mean really, all those Santa Claus believing christians can take the criticism without whining when I mention they are lunatics for believing in some crazy azz book called the bible that was written by a bunch of guys who wanted to control their lives somehow.

When I mention that I understand the church has more known pedophiles and closet gays than anywhere else I personally know of, they can take that, right?

And when I mention there really isn't a god, and that he is make believe, that never upsets them, right?

Whew, now that that's settled, and we are all on the same page, we will now stop whinning about who believes what cray stuff, right?

Thank Darwin that's over....

Sounds like Alabama voted in a real winner there Chris.

@blue4225

Anyone that can't read a comment and draw their own conclusion is obtuse..they took the headline and ran with it instead of READING and COMPREHENDING it themselves.

If you read the comment "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" that's an invitation to join his family, no where in that is there anything hateful.

It's not hard to figure out...all you have to do is read it and you will see what he is saying...you don't have to be familiar with the lingo to be able to figure it out....

@ Rachel-352453

"Speaking at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church after the official inaugural ceremony"

this wasn't his official ceremony, it was him speaking to a crowd at a church...if you can't express your religious beliefs at church then please tell me where is the right place to express them?

Kelly-2948329

Secondly, this is the media they took a portion of the speech and made it exactly into what they wanted to make it into...a lets hate the new Republican leader...make him look bad...twist his words.

Kelly, I agree with you in many regards, but no where in the article posted on MSNBC does it mention that the new governor is Rupublican. So I believe you can complain that "the media" turned it into a 'let's hate the new Christian leader', but that is certainly not synonymous with 'let's hate the new Republican leader'.

I am a Christian but according to my Republican brothers and sisters, nothing close to a Republican!

Be careful of such transference.

@stuball69

you are exactly right, I did go back after I wrote that and noticed that was not in there, but it was too late to change it...either way you look at it the media is trying to twist the words for what ever reason....and it worked

MikeyMike says "members of the Westboro Baptist Church who carry around signs proclaiming that "God Hates Fags!" is his example of Christians. Mikey, the guy that runs this is a Lawyer and his family is all in this with him. They are not Christians, but are actually Democrats who are looking for people to object to them, so they can sue. They first go to get permits and if they are denied they sue. If they get them, they attend these funerals simply to aggitate the morners into doing something they can sue them for. Do not take them as an example of anything but left wing democrat lawyers out for a quick buck and sensationalism.

Rachel, it was not a public address, but speaking to his fellow Christians in a church! The picture you see is of him during his inaugeration, NOT when he was inside a church speaking as he was to fellow Christians. Please do not feel he was saying that to the whole state, nor that any politician should have every word said in conversation to his most private members of his family, apply to all under his jurisdiction!

Blue, read the article again, he was speaking INSIDE a Church, only to other Christians! Let me make an analogy you may understand. Say you're elected to office and you go home to make love to your wife. You may say things to her in bed that you would not like others to hear, but let's say a Reporter from MSNBC peaked in through your window and wrote down what you said, then wrote an article claiming you said things that other women would find offensive. How would you like that???

He's a Governor. It doesn't matter if he's in church or the Piggly Wiggly.

"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.

In other words, in order for me to be considered "his" equal *(brother and sister) I need to meet "his conditions". He certainly has a right to his spiritual beliefs, but I for one will NOT live up to any public servants "conditions" in order for me be considered "their" equal, nor would I as a public servant do it to anyone else. It doesn't matter where this statement was made, it was inappropriate statement made by a public servant.

I believe EVERYONE has the equal right to their thoughts and beleifs! I abhore the concept that people need to conform to the thought and beliefs of others in order to be considered equal human beings!!!!!!!!!!!!

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.

In other words, in order for me to be considered "his" equal *(brother and sister) I need to meet "his conditions". He certainly has a right to his spiritual beliefs, but I for one will NOT live up to any public servants "conditions" in order for me be considered "their" equal. It doesn't matter where this statement was made in my opinion, it was an inappropriate statement made by a public servant.

I believe EVERYONE has the equal right to their thoughts and beliefs! I abhore the concept that people need to conform to the thoughts and beliefs of others in order to be considered human beings equal to themselves.

Rubytuesday,

He said absolutely nothing about being "his equal". He was referring to a brother and sister in Christ. Not that he thinks you "less than". If you had a Canadian friend, who you loved, and was equal with you, would you consider yourselves as "fellow Americans", no.

Rescue...I see your point, but the Governor still made an inference that is hard not to interpret any other way than how it has been....we aren't talking about different countries....we're talking about bringing religion into politics.

Tina - 282657

you are talking about removing his right to speak freely in a church. Everyone seems to think that because he is an elected official he doesn't have the freedom of speech or the freedom of religion. When did that become the case???

The people that are angry about it just want to look find something to complain about. He clearly stated that he wanted all to be his brother and sister, that's nuts. You people need to get a life and stop twisting his words. If the guy that wrote the original piece didn't want to hear a religious speech he shouldn't have attended church.

In private he can be however he wants, but he represents more than himself now. He represents the State of Alabama, and there are more than just Christians in Alabama.

History proves that promoting one's personal views regarding race or religion when one is in a position of power doesn't really work out so well (see Hitler). Hey, it starts somewhere.

But honestly Kelly, as Governor...he knows already what he can and can't do publicly.

pigly wigly tina? really? rotfl oh man that has to be the funniest comment of the day, does NEWSVINE vote on that ?

Got to keep it light sometimes Mr R....lol ;)

He excluded no one. He quoted the bible. Who's a fool?

What is the quote Richard?

Matt. 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21; Romans 8:14-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Hebrews 2:9-11

Quoting the bible makes him a fool...don't you get it?

Soon it will be easter, which story is more plausible? A bunny who hands out candy or a guy who rose from the dead just like the egyptian gods before him?

I go with the bunny...

Beatle - Try the following: There are many such references.

Romans 1:13; 8:12; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 6:8; James 1:2; Matthew 12:50; Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Phileman 1:2; James 2:5 and Mark 3:35.

We the Corporations - I believe you will be proven very wrong and your remarks will come back to haunt you. I will be a fool for Christ any day!

According to the source of your quote, eliathin, (The Declaration of Independence) those rights are endowed by our Creator (with a capital "C"). Which God do you believe these founders were referring to, if not Jehovah of the Jews and Christians? And according to the quotes in the previous post, we are one family in Him through Jesus Christ.

Beatle Baby,

There are a number of quotes which distinguish who is (and therefore who is not) a child of God. All of God's children are in the same family, and thus, are brothers and sisters. One does not have to agree or even like this, but it IS Biblical and part of traditional Christian belief.

1 John 3:10 "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister."

John 1:12 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God"

Romans 8:14-17 "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."

Galations 3:26-27 "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

Hebrews 12:7-8 "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all."

The Bible is clear that we are to love all humankind, even to the point of loving our enemies and seeking peace. Just because you are not in my physical family does not give me the right to treat you as less than another human being. And just because someone is not in my spiritual family does not excuse me from loving them. In fact, I am instructed by my Father to love all the more since anyone can easily be adopted into the family of God, just as I was.

We can argue all day over the perceived rightness or wrongness of this, but this is what the Bible says, and that is the question you asked.

Who cares, you religious nuts? Quote the Bible all you want. It is not even relevant to a vast amount of citizens of this country. Believe what you want. Just quit expecting everybody who is a rightful citizen of this country to have the same beliefs as yours. If you had your way, only Christians would have any rights in this country at all. Get off your self-righteous soapboxes. It's getting sickening.

According to the source of your quote, eliathin, (The Declaration of Independence) those rights are endowed by our Creator (with a capital "C"). Which God do you believe these founders were referring to, if not Jehovah of the Jews and Christians?

And the Muslims or do we forget that by mistake?

No one is arguing that most of the founders believed in a higher power. What people are arguing about is that the governor's statements have no place with him as leader of his state, a state that is not wholey Christian and has a very real and recent history of killing people who are not like them.

Have your faith, but when you lead, you lead everyone. That means you keep that faith to yourself.

People keep using their own book to "prove" themselves. Hey, I can write a book, too. My book says that religion is for the comfort and knowledge of the follower, not for everyone else to force their beliefs on others. Therefore, that's all the proof I need to say he's wrong and full of hooey. The governor and his "family" can stay in Alabama.

Stuball69

First, thanks for taking the time to respond with such vigor. I do have one question about your first bible quote

1 John 3:10 "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister."

Doesn't the very last sentence contradict what the governer said?

exactly. all that did not see as the Crusaders saw became lesser humans and were extinguished. that is the peace and love being talked about. today does not negate the past. denial doesnt work as long as History exist. try to rewrite it and cover it up, altar boys have mouths to tell what happened and we have history to tell us.

Sorry Zapper. but I dont see how talking about ones beliefs is FORCING anything on anyone....

Exactly. Separation of church and state is not a constitiutional issue. It was the opinion of one man, not the framers of the constitution. Our country was founded on the freedom to choose whatever CHRISTIAN religion a person wished. It was not founded for others. We allow them here out of love for them, but they have no right to turn this country against God.

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!! Sorry, that was me laughing. We allow "them" here out of love for "them"? Who is "we", anyhow? If you are truly a college professor, I feel very sorry for your students having to listent to your intolerant, incoherent psycho-babble.

Professor,

I respectfully don't agree with you. This was created as a Godly nation, who acknowledge a Creator, and although I do have a personal relationship with Christ as my Savior, I find your statement somewhat offensive, and I'm sure non Christians do. It does no good to turn people against our beliefs. God so loved the WORLD, that he gave His own begotten son.

Larry and CCP - Christianity does not have a monopoly on God. God is understood in different ways by different people all around the world. If we have freedom to worship God as we see fit that means in any way that doesn't interfere with the rights of others. Christianity is not specified as the only choice, nor is it the only religion or the only valid way to approach God.

Christian College Janitor.....
You are so ignorant it hurts. "Our country was founded on the freedom to choose whatever CHRISTIAN religion a person wished."
Where EXACTELY did you get that line of bullsh*t from?

Oh and I assume you know that Islam worships the same god as Christianity RIGHT? If you don't understand that FACT then you are more ignorant than I thought.

Judy,

You are in error in your statement,

"Quote the Bible all you want. It is not even relevant to a vast amount of citizens of this country. "

Since over 75% of the US population identify themselves as "Christians", I would have to say the Bible and what is says are relevant to a majority of US citizens. But you, as an intolerant, ignorant, non-believing, hater; can't stand that fact and it shows your true ignorance and lack of understanding of the Christian faith. Further, since Judism follows the Old Testament and Mohamed took some of his ideas from the Bible, I would Christians, Jews, and Muslims make a fairly large percentage of the American population for which the Bible is relevant.

The fact that you are allowed to live peacefully in this country with your visceral hatred of Christians, and probably all people of any faith, is a glaring contradiction to your statements. If you lived in a Muslim country like Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, etc. and spoke that way about Islam, you would be executed for "Blaspheme" or "Crimes against The Prophet".

Perhaps it is YOU that should get off your "soapbox". Funny you should use such a Marxian image as they were the first to coin that phase as Communist agitators often used soapboxes as their "platform" and everyone know how anti-Christian Marx and his followers were. How dare there be any authority high than the all-knowing Marx and his Communist governement.

Htdbpf: So that means the other 25% are to be written off by their elected leaders?? Keep your bible out of politics. Talk about un-American. More like the Taliban to me...

How does being excluded as a brother or sister PRECLUDE equal treatment? I have very few brothers or sisters of any kind but can treat all people with dignity, respect, and equality.

AP,

Nothing I posted said that anyone should be "Written off by their elected leaders" as you say; and nothing in the Governor's speech said that either. I merely rebutted Judy's claim that the Bible didn't matter to a large percentage of the US population.

NOTE: The last line of the Governor's "controversial" statements directed to all non-Christians. "I want you to be my brothers." So even thought the Bible told him non-Christians weren't his brothers or sisters, he says he still wants them to be treated that way. Sounds pretty inclusive to me.

BUT, like most non-religious, liberal, hypocritical, haters like you and Jane, you want to tell other people how to live their lives, while screaming that they should stay out of yours. You read the exact opposite into his remarks, because YOUR own biases and hatred.

Oh, BTW. I never said I was a Christian. You just ASSumed it, so guess that makes you the A$$.

de·moc·ra·cy

noun \di-ˈmä-krə-sē\

Definition of DEMOCRACY

1

a : government by the people; especially: rule of the majority b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections

the absence of hereditary or arbitrary class distinctions or privileges .

the common people especially when constituting the source of political authority : the principles and policies of the Democratic party in the United States <from emancipation Republicanism to New Deal Democracy— C. M. Roberts>

de·moc·ra·cies

I thought the USA was a republic not a democracy (as in 'And to the Republic for which it stands'. . .)

RetREMF wrote:

How does being excluded as a brother or sister PRECLUDE equal treatment? I have very few brothers or sisters of any kind but can treat all people with dignity, respect, and equality.

That is a ridiculous statement. If you were in a position to do something favorable for your brother or a complete stranger, I wonder who you would choose? Sure you can show people dignity, respect and equality, but most tend to show favoratism towards family over strangers.

I hope Bentley doesn't discriminate against non-Christians but his words suggest he will. His statement alludes to the fact that he favors born again Christians over non-Christians. Unfortunately for Bentley, if he did have some sectarian agenda he was going to push it will now likely be scrutinized and shot down before it can take flight. It does seem that most politicians with religious agendas can't help letting the cat out of the bag at every opportunity. Luckily the Bentleys of the world are their own worst enemies when it comes to turning their sectarian dogma into law.

htdjpf wrote:
...NOTE: The last line of the Governor's "controversial" statements directed to all non-Christians. "I want you to be my brothers." So even thought the Bible told him non-Christians weren't his brothers or sisters, he says he still wants them to be treated that way. Sounds pretty inclusive to me. ...

I suppose you could take it to mean he wants everyone to be treated equally, but by first saying that non-Christians aren't his brothers suggests otherwise. I have no problem with Bentley's choice to be a Christian, but he makes it obvious that he doesn't approve of people that choose not to be Christian in his statement. He didn't have to make a statement like this. He could have just as easily told the congregation how much he loves Jesus and given credit to God for anything good that comes out of his administration. I'm sure the congregation would have loved it. Instead he decides to single out non-Christians. In light of this I think most people would agree that the last part of his statement more or less implies that he wants non-Christians to convert to his beliefs. And don't you think it is a little disingenuous to imply that you might not be a Christian. Your opinions on this matter clearly reflect that you are at the very least sypathetic to their cause. I will admit, I am not a Christian and have no desire to be born again, but many of my Christian friends would agree with the points I have made. Bentley won't win any converts with this kind of statement.

Beatle Baby,

First, thanks for taking the time to respond with such vigor. I do have one question about your first bible quote

1 John 3:10 "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister."

Doesn't the very last sentence contradict what the governer said?

That's a thoughtful question.

Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church (where he made his comments) has a predominantly African-American congregation (and where Martin Luther King was pastor for 10 years). His comments were made the day after Martin Luther King day. The audience and the intentionality of the timing seem to be lost in the discussion.

Without knowing the man, I can only say that I could see his comments as being VERY loving of his brothers and sisters, who until recently were not considered so by some white in-name-only Christians. He was clearly attempting to reach across the racial divide, in a church context (not part of his inaugural speech as quite a few have mistakenly stated). He is clearly trying to tear down a wall in the state of Alabama. Noble and loving if it was truly heartfelt.

He is also inclusive, inviting anyone to become part of the family. However, he might be so sheltered that he has no idea how that sounds to someone outside of the Christian faith, and therein lies the rub.

What he said in that church was very loving. How it can be rightly misconstrued among those outside the Christian faith should have given him pause, and now is probably one of 27 hard lessons of his first day in office.

I say, give him a benefit of a doubt and watch him closely to see if loving actions follow his words, or if they were just more political pap or appeasement.

#3.11 - Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:12 AM EST

In traditional Christianity the view is this. God created and loves all people. Some people have accepted His love, His forgiveness offered through Jesus atoning death on the cross and are His children. That makes them brothers and sisters since God is now more than just Creator, He is Father. God expects us to treat all people, even our enemies with fairness and respect, as they are all created by Him, He loves them all, and they all have the potential to become His children. We have had some excellent verses quoted above so I won't start quoting more.

But I have a very serious concern from so many of the letters I have seen. We have here an elected official speaking at a non-official, non-political meeting in a religious place, a church. He is using religious language understood by himself and the people of that church. Someone from outside that church attended also, which is fine; but then they either out of ignorance or out of a desire to stir up trouble, took religious language spoken to religious people out of context and created a problem.

Take this to it's logical conclusion, and you will have a situation where elected officials cannot ever speak of their religious beliefs, even in a place of worship, except in the most general and politically correct terms. Are we truly to the place in our society where becoming an elected official means giving up your freedom to express your faith even among those who share it?

It does not matter if you are Christian, Jewish, Buddist, etc. Being elected to public office should not mean silencing or watering down your beliefs or giving them up. If this were a Jew and someone followed him into a synogogue, or a Buddist into his temple, and he used a term inclusive to those who shared his faith, and someone created a problem by reporting it out of context, we should be just as concerned.

Either religious freedom applies to all of us, or in the long run, it applies to none of us.

EAE-886609 wrote:

It does not matter if you are Christian, Jewish, Buddist, etc. Being elected to public office should not mean silencing or watering down your beliefs or giving them up. If this were a Jew and someone followed him into a synogogue, or a Buddist into his temple, and he used a term inclusive to those who shared his faith, and someone created a problem by reporting it out of context, we should be just as concerned.

Can you honestly say that if you heard a Muslim politician quoted as saying, "I consider all who submit to the will of Allah and accept Mohammhed as his only prophet to be my brothers, but all infidels who don't believe this aren't my brother. However I hope that someday they submit to the will of Allah and become my brother" that it wouldn't concern you even if it were said in a Mosque. I would be concerned if I were one of his non-Muslim constituents because I would consider a statement like that a slap in the face. You can say that Bentley's statement was taken out of context, but IMHO in any context his statement is clearly exlusionary towards non-Christians. It doesn't concern me that Bentley is a Christian, it concerns me that he clearly thinks his religious POV is superior to a non-Christian's and that people who don't share his view are second class citizens. And I agree that religious freedom should apply to all of us, but Bentley's statement makes me question if he feels the same way.

hdtbf: You claimed that because there's a Christian majority, his statements on the bible would be "relevant". The point is, he is an elected official of ALL of his constituents, and their religion or lack of it, or the numbers that share his beliefs, or even the number who voted for him have absolutely nothing to do with it. His remarks were abhorrent. We don't have government sanctioned religious tests for citizenry in any state in this country.

There's also nothing in my post that says I'm not religious. That tirade of yours speaks volumes about the distorted lens with which you view the Governor's comments, which even he has quickly had the common sense to now apologize for.

he's entitled to his belief in the "basic principal of Christianity", but seems to me it would have been far wiser of him to ACT on the basic principals first before he spoke. more often than not, I HEAR "christians" spouting their beliefs and rarely see the actions of "love".

The law says church and state are separate and if that is to be true, then he should have kept his beliefs to himself and not made them to the whole state of Alabama.

It is one thing to exercise your rights and tell others what you believe but the comment he made and how he made it puts church and state together as one by telling non followers they basically aren't welcomed.

His belief might be Christianity but what about other religions in that state. His comments will create a mass outburst.

JollyRogers: #4 - "He was just stating a basic principle of Christianity."

Actually, it appears he was just stating a misunderstanding of prinicples of Christianity... a misunderstanding put forth prior to the 11th century, expanded on by zealots in the 11th century during the Crusades (which saw the slaughter of tens of thousands of innocent non-Christians in a misguided attempt to 'save the world') and embellished upon throughout the ages since.

Truth be told, the Bible advocates kindness and compassion to all without regard to their religious or ethnic background. The teachings of the Bible are, after all, not about 'the other guy'. They are designed to be a guide for each one of us, individually. It's not about what the other guy does, it's about what YOU do. How you act toward t-o-g, and react to his actions.

In Romans 10:12, it states, "For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all ..."

So how does it happen that two millenia later we have an established concept of distain for and judgment on those who are not of the same religious inclinations as we? In two thousand years, we have managed to forget the true teachings of the Bible to love our fellow man and we have built up walls of hate and cruelty all in the name of faith.

And the angels of Heaven weep.

Thank you. Well said.

i wonder what the world would be like if christians lived like their christ? hmmm... let's see, first of all there would be no need for politicians, as we would all be our brother's keeper's. there would be peace, enough food for everyone, (which there actually IS, btw), there would be enough room for everyone to live comfortably and with dignity, (which there actually IS, btw), and our world history would be drastically different than it is now. no crusades, no witch hunts, oh, and no churches! since jesus supposedly said you would not find god in a church but you would be better off going out to a field to find god. god is not religious, people are. people have assigned human-like attributes to god, rather than assuming god-like attributes to themselves. hence, here we all are having this discussion....

There is no law that says church and state are separate. The Constitution includes the following in the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

And the Anti-Defamation League spokesperson misquotes it dreadfully. I don't think Bentley made a very politically correct statement...but maybe what we need right now is a little less political correctness and a little more honesty from our governance. Even if that honesty doesn't agree with what you believe, or what I believe. I don't think it has anything to do with how he will govern the state.

thewordsmith

I would agree with you that God is the Lord of all as you quoted, but you did not even quote the entire verse and certainly misconstrued the context:

Romans 10:11-13 "As Scripture says, 'Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.' For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

Thus, the passage you quoted brings all people, of whatever race, together into one family, if they believe in Him. It does not mean we are all in one family.

I have no disdain for and no judgment on those who are not Christians. My Father commands me to love them, which is what I do every day. But my Father does judge!

Personally, I am happy to see some conservative morality and good Christian values once again. First, Arizona stood up for what was right not once, but twice....now him. I hope we get this thing rolling a lot faster. It would be nice.

tnem - your reply is so totally right on the mark. I am actually surprised more people have not replied - thanks - you give me hope there are actually people out there thinking!

Thewordsmith -- point take, however, stop spreading the implication that Christians during the Crusades were the only "bad guys."

People who cite the Crusades fail to ever learn the historical context. Did you know Muslims aggressively invaded and killed Christians across the MIddle East, nortthern Africa and southeastern Europe withing 50 year after Mohammed's death in the 7th century?

Mohammedans invaded well into Europe, even occupied Rome, the seat of Christianity and they continued to persecute Christians all across their realm of occupation.

Only after 300 years did the Christians finally stand up to the Mohammedans to secure safe passage for pilgrims to travel on land to the Holy Land. 300 years, dude. While war is always horrible, to say the Muslims of the day were benevolent, wonderful souls is misleading and irresponsible.

The Crusades occurred as the direct (overdue) belligerance and bullying of Muslims for a long time frame.

Letting the Christian Taliban come out from a leader is appalling to the ones trying to keep it under wraps.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion

tnem...awesome post, but you forgot no more war. In the coming kingdom swords will have been beaten into ploughshares, which is probably one reason all will be fed.

gimmeabreakoradrink...Christians arent allowed to use the "they started it" or the "at least we're not as bad as them" arguments. Christ sets the standard, no one else, and God doesnt grade on a scale. Jesus said "love your neighbor as you love yourself" not "treat your neighbor as youve been treated".
And when speaking specifically of enemies Jesus said (in Matthew 5)
43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

tnem:

your post was probably the wisest and most insightful on this thread.

I rarely see most "christians"(lower case c for the hypocrites) following everything Jesus taught. They pick and choose based on their own beliefs.

The bible contains many stories that contain excellent examples of how to live and treat others(except some the violent and hateful messages in the Old Testament).

The fact is, I've never needed the bible to tell me what is right or wrong. Harming anyone in any way, is wrong. Treating others like you want to be treated, is right. Most of us(who aren't sheep) don't need organised religion to live good lives, and tell us how to treat others.

No one living knows what "God" is or wants. They would like to believe they do, by following the writings of other MEN thousands of years ago.

People believe what they want to, and call it faith.

By the way, the virgin birth, miracles of a the "savior", sacrifice by execution/crucification, and resurrection, were all part of the mythologies of at least 2-3 non Christian religions, that were around long before Christianity started.

Those who wrote the bible, plagiarized from other mythologies.

I think we should repeal tax exemptions for all chriches and religious institutions.

The Crusades were a series of religiously sanctioned military campaigns, waged by much of Roman Catholic Europe, particularly the Franks of France and the Holy Roman Empire. The specific crusades to restore Christian control of the Holy Land were fought over a period of nearly 200 years, between 1095 and 1291. Other campaigns in Spain and Eastern Europe continued into the 15th century. The Crusades were fought mainly by Roman Catholic forces (taking place after the East-West Schism and mostly before the Protestant Reformation) against Muslims who had occupied the near east since the time of the Rashidun Caliphate, although campaigns were also waged against pagan Slavs, pagan Balts, Jews, Russian and Greek Orthodox Christians, Mongols, Cathars, Hussites, Waldensians, Old Prussians, and political enemies of the various popes.^[1] Orthodox Christians also took part in fighting against Islamic forces in some Crusades. Crusaders took vows and were granted a plenary indulgence.^[1][2]

The Crusades originally had the goal of recapturing Jerusalem and the Holy Land from Muslim rule and their campaigns were launched in response to a call from the Christian Byzantine Empire for help against the expansion of the Muslim Seljuk Turks into Anatolia. The term is also used to describe contemporaneous and subsequent campaigns conducted through to the 16th century in territories outside the Levant^[3] usually against pagans, heretics, and peoples under the ban of excommunication^[4] for a mixture of religious, economic, and political reasons.^[5] Rivalries among both Christian and Muslim powers led also to alliances between religious factions against their opponents, such as the Christian alliance with the Sultanate of Rum during the Fifth Crusade.

This was taken from Wikpedia, and before you discount it, other sources and writings about the Crusades corroborate Wikis info.

tnem- Wow.....you hit the nail on the head with that one.....Religion constantly gets in the way of true belief. And as far as some of your comments, you are completely right. The basic human nature is "survival of the fittest". This means that even though there is enough land and food, since we as a people tend to only worry about ourselves, we hoard it. It is a sad and shameful truth. And no, there would be no churches because searching for God is a personal experience that must be accepted by a person without another groups' interference, like with all of these rules of the different denominations. Even though there is some scriptural backing behind it, the rules that affect everyday lifestyle are completely human made.

For example- In the pentacostal denomination, men's hair must be kept short, keep legs covered(no shorts), and women must wear skirts only, never wear makeup, and never cut their hair. There is no room in life to watch TV or go to public events(such as football games). I respect their beliefs as a group, and I believe that there is merit in sacrificing something in respect for God, but when a Preacher delivers a sermon to me stating that I'll bust the gates of Hell wide open if I wear shorts, that's wear I draw the line. (I know I'm bashing pentacostals, but I get this information from previously being one)

This is just one of the dozens of rules that man has established in order to turn God into "Religion"

If anyone takes offense to any of these comments, please inform me and I shall apologize.

American,

The fact that you got your "facts" about the "Crusades" from Wikipedia would explain why you left out ONE very important fact of why the Christian Catholic powers of Europe wanted to regain control of the "Holy Land".

That is that when Muslim forces took control of that region they not only slaughtered the Jews and Christian living there, but Pilgrims traveling there from Europe. Further the "Muslim" rulers began destroying Jewish and Christian "Holy Sites" and building Mosques on the ruins in an effort to "Purge the Infidel influence from the land and the world", to quote Mohammad. They also told the Pope that any Infidel trying to enter, this now Muslim holy ground would also be executed. Seems that didn't go over so well.

htdjpf:

I posted the most generally accepted view of the Crusades(non partisan). Wikpedia summed it up fairly well.

Of course you would probably see the Crusades as "the Muslims fault". Most close minded and bigoted people are all about blaming others not like them.

The Holy Roman Empire(Pope and other leaders), couldn't stand the thought of "heathens" controlling the so called "holy land" and/or birthplace/deathplace of Jesus.

Add to that, the fact that they were looking to fill their coffers with more riches and gold, plus were hoping to gain more converts(to extract tithes from).

You can try to change the reasons to "the Christian leaders were trying to save people" story, but most scholars and historians disagree.

The Crusades was about power, land grabbing, wealth and new converts.

And what did the crusaders do when they regained control? They slaughtered all the muslim men, women and children assuming that would be the end of it. That worked out well huh? Isn't this eye for an eye crap fun?

The Christian Taliban rule this country and try to slam us into Sharia Law. It is quite hilarious when one of them slips up and lets it out.

Sooooooo many people's feelings seem hurt cuz they don't feel included as a 'brother' or 'sister'. What difference does it make?

How does being excluded as a brother or sister PRECLUDE equal treatment? I have very few brothers or sisters of any kind but can treat all people with dignity, respect, and equality.

DEAR Governor Robert J. Bentley:

YOU SIR, were seated to TURN UNEMPLOYMENT AROUND. There is no room for your political agenda neither for your personal vendetta.

Where do you peole find these wackos? Much less, ELECT THEM!. Wow! The weirdest part is , I guess, in religion THE SELLING NEVER ENDS. This all underlines the major flaw with all religions- it puts the wrong thoughts into heads that can't handle them.

Funny though...Jesus was arrogant enough to accept himself as lord and savior, and people bought it

I agree, John Skaggs. Being a Jew myself, I think his statement was very alienating. This is just another example of someone, intentionally or not, putting a wedge between Americans rather than bringing us together.

We the corporations?

Funny though...Jesus was arrogant enough to accept himself as lord and savior, and people bought it.

Or, He is actually is who He claims to be, which doesn't make Him arrogant at all. This IS an alternative reading of His actions, and the one that I am persuaded of. Can you allow that many are likewise persuaded, or is yours the only possible reading?

Jesus was God Incarnate, it's irrelevant he was "only a Jew." That is such a first grader rationale to answer a simple question. Jesus was also a man, probably had a beard, olive skin, two feet, had a sweet tooth or liked roasted lamb. It's all nice, but means nothing in the conversation about how Jesus Christ, as Messiah, fulfilled the Jewish prophesy and fulfilled the Jewish covenant. Arguably and factly, Jews today reject Jesus as the Messiah, and they continue to wait for the messiah, even though they are descendants who missed the boat 2,000 years ago.

This belief is not rooted in naziism from the 20th century. I do not wish to harm Jews, kill them, etc. How many of you Christians and non-Christians alike pray for Jews? There are many Jews nowadays that love to condemn Catholics, but fail to realize that the Catholic Mass, for centuries includes a specific prayer for Jews in the canon of the Mass. Praying for someone is much different than wishing to kill them (gas chamber or car bomb, or missle into Israel).

"Jesus was God Incarnate..."

Or not.

shhhh logic does not over come faith.

the bible was written by man, and scrolls were deciphered by of course men. They decided what to include and what not to include in the bible. There has been recent discoveries of Jesus and his family's tomb. He was married to Mary Magdaline and she more than likely was also a prophet. They evidently had a child.... The Catholic church put an end to additional testing and discovery in that tomb. How is that for religion. Cover the truth, lead through lies and deceit.

For ages and ages there has been miscontent and wars fought over religion. I for one will continue to look for scientific evidence.

All of the disciples of Jesus were Jews, and there are Jews today who accept Christ as they're Savior, and are still Jewish, they're Jewish and acknowledge Christ as their Messiah. You all just don't understand. We're no better than you, I'm a sinner. you may be kinder than I am, a better parent, a better neighbor than I am, I'm not, nor ever will be perfect., The only difference between me, and the non Christian is my belief that my sins are forgiven and when I die and I will spend eternity with God, I want the same for everyone.

It has nothing to do with your rights, or your TV, or your books or which political party you belong to, whether you dance or smoke, it's accepting Christ as Savior. Christian believe in the Bible and should try to follow it's teachings, but we all "fall short of the glory of the Lord." everyone of us.

bspurloc, that's only because logic is anathema to faith. Faith doesn't encourage, let alone allow, for critical thought. That's because critical thought, when applied to faith, leaves faith in it's dust by miles and miles. The only way that faith can continue to exist and continue to spew it's twisted view the world in childish simplicity and stupidity is to refuse to pretend that logic doesn't exist.

From what I've read of the bible(I was baptised catholic. went to catechism, and later went to Christian sunday school), after reading it at least twice, Jesus never says he is God(and I wouldn't believe the writers of the bible if they did say it).

Jesus said to accept his words as truth about what his Father wants. Christians have turned it into a sentimental/spiritual act of "accepting Jesus(literally) into their hearts and souls".

Didn't Jesus(and the ten Commandments) say only to worsip/pray to God the father? Nowhere does it say to pray to or worship the son(Jesus).

Question for PalinHyp: If you "think his statement was very alienating" maybe the problem is with you. Why is it alienating exactly?

Does the Gov have an obligation to include you as his brother or sister? Do you have the RIGHT to be included as his brother or sister??

How does being excluded as a brother or sister PRECLUDE equal treatment? I have very few brothers or sisters of any kind but can treat all people with dignity, respect, and equality.

rescue dogs62
All of the disciples of Jesus were Jews, and there are Jews today who accept Christ as they're Savior, and are still Jewish, they're Jewish and acknowledge Christ as their Messiah. You all just don't understand. We're no better than you, I'm a sinner. you may be kinder than I am, a better parent, a better neighbor than I am, I'm not, nor ever will be perfect., The only difference between me, and the non Christian is my belief that my sins are forgiven and when I die and I will spend eternity with God, I want the same for everyone.

Can you understand why it concernes MANY non-Christians that your SINS are forgiven when you die? You see I try to live a good life and not hurt people because it is THE RIGHT THING TO DO but you have VERY little reason to do the right thing because whatever attrocity you commit will be washed away by your belief in God. I'm sorry but I don't think I want to go to a place where a pedophile or mass murderer can get in by making a death bed confession.

You see I am a TRUELY moral person because I respect other people's rights without the threat of hell or the promise of heaven. Far too many "Christians" act morally because they don't want to go to hell. I don't consider them to be moral at all because they EXPECT something (heaven) for acting right.

RetREMF - His comment is alienating some of his constituents. Do you believe all voters in Alabama are Christian? Well, they aren't, and these are the people who voted him into office. I think it unwise for a politician to exclude a portion his constituency. I'm sure if this was Eric Cantor stating that only Jews were his bretheren, there would be some Christians who would have a problem with that as well. It's simply unwise to alienate constituents in this political environment - everyone needs all the votes they can get.

Huh? Why are you attacking Jewish people here? Another anti-semite...or do you think the Anti Defamation League is Christian? You might consider a quick Bing search of the ADL to understand what challenges they respond to for all Jews.

I agree - the biggest scandal here is that the ADL followed this man *into a church* and tries to take a quote where he is addressing *a group of fellow Christians* using the language *of Jesus* and tries to stir the pot by casting an entirely different meaning on it.

This governor *does not say* he will not lead or care for non-Christians. He is not standing at a government podium. He is expressing affiliation for fellow believers of his faith, to whom he is speaking in a place of worship.

Some people have asked for the bible reference. Here is one such occasion Jesus uses the familial terms to apply to fellow believers:

Matt 12: 49-50

⁴⁹ Pointing to his disciples, Jesus said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

So you see the bigotry on the part of JEWS who he excludes??? Amazing the lengths you will go to to justify someone as long as they're a Christian. This is ridiculous. The man was just elected GOVERNOR not Pope--For goshsakes learn something about your own country.

So what! He is violating the Constitution - some of you ought to read it sometime.

He should be impeached!

Jesus never said any such thing to a person. He said it about people who refused to keep the Lord's commandments. Strange how so many Christians quote stuff the Bible never actually says, like "God helps those who help themselves." Maybe y'all should spend more time actually reading and studying the Bible than telling others what you think it says. It would also help if y'all could conduct yourselves with the humility, compassion, selflessness, and honesty of Christ rather than acting like modern-day pharisees.

And btw, I DO believe in Jesus and study the Scriptures.

Don: How is reporting what this tool actually said being "speculative hate mongering rhetoric"? Isn't that for US as citizens to decide? As a recovering Catholic and someone who has Jewish ancestry, I know that I am in the category of not being his "sister." As an alleged "leader," it's up to him to explain himself and his statement to his constituents who, like me, cannot be considered his brother! Separation of church and state is in the very constitution that Repubs like this allegedly revere (while wanting to completely rewrite it to more closely match their political ideology). Keep your Bible and keep YOUR religion out of my government! What's really pathetic is the fact that this ... zealot ... believes that it was actually a good idea to say something so controversial in the first place, and that anyone would actually defend it! Would it be okay to you if a Muslim or a Jewish person had been elected and said basically the same? Somehow, I really, really doubt it.

Flikfreek, you need to read it. There is no violation of the Constitution. It does not in any place state a separation between church and state. The Anti-Defamation League rep misquotes the First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

If anything, people protesting his expression of his religion is a violation. It wasn't a politically savy thing to say...but he has every right to say it. That is the beauty of our Constitution...

@flikfreak:

Perhaps I should also re-read the Constitution. Can you please point me to the section that mentions separation of Church and State? Thanks.

Michelle,

The "reporting" was done in an extremely irresponsible manner in which the entire speech was not included. It was taken out of context to create division, plain and simple. The more I have this thing explained, the more I read from all of you, I wonder if this story was written by the same a$$hat that accused a woman in Atlanta of being racist...he took her comments out of context as well and twisted the hell out of it.

Eactly, left-lane, the US Constitution nowhere lists "separation of church and state." It was a phrase coined by politicians of the day. The Constitution merely states that the federal government cannot/shall not designate an official state religion.

Being in Washington, DC or other capital city does NOT mean you must abandon your personal religious or other belief systems. Although, most seem to when it comes to moral responsibility.

The term "Christian appears in the Bible only to identify those Jews who chose to follow Jesus.

army: I don't see anything "irresponsible" of the media repeating what this man actually said. How, EXACTLY, do you see this statement as "out of context"? As a taxpayer, I have the right NOT to have a POLITICAL leader proselytize to me. And, in this country, a political leader should not ever be proselytizing on anything, anyway. Leave it in church where it belongs! Of course, if a leader had said something similar from the agnostic, atheistic, or Muslim point of view, for example, I doubt that you'd be defending him in the same way ... would you?!?

mankind paraphrasing some book written by mankind for mankind is why there are so many versions of the before mentioned book.

the christian taliban are intolerant pompous palin stupids setting up madrases across the united states trying to drag in more followers.

Hey Freek, how EXACTLY did he violate the Constitution? "Separation of church and state" (phrase used by Jefferson in a letter) is NOT STATED IN THE CONSTITUTION. The Establishment Clause of the 1st reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion".

The Gov came nowhere near establishing a religion !! And religion is NOT BANNED from the public square or anywhere else. The REST OF THE AMENDMENT reads, "Congress shall make no law...prohibiting the free exercise thereof [religion]".

You people just cannot stand someone exercising their right to free speech and the free exercise thereof THEIR religion.

To those who keep saying he should "leave it in church:" he was in church! A Baptist church where Dr. Martin Luther King once pastored.

They did not give the whole speech, but it sure sounds like the tail end of a Baptist sermon, the part called an invitation, for those of you who are not familiar with Baptist services.

Micky-2945934 there is NO National Religion. That is what the 1st Amendment is a about. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion".

"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, just moments into his new administration, according to The Birmingham News

The governor stated that there is a "condition" (they must take Christ as their Savior) that must be met to be considered his equal (brother & sister). He has a Constitutional right to practice his beliefs but that doesn't give him the legal right to discriminate constituents based on their spiritual or religious beliefs. It is the duty of a public servant to have respect for human dignity and diversity and the value of every person should always inspire the exercise of authority and responsibility.

And would you show just where he "discriminated" against anyone....REMEMBER he was in CHURCH speaking.

Unless you SERVED in the MILITARY in COMBAT you are not my brother nor can you be my brother till you do. Now did I discriminate against you

He is descrimating against anyone who has not taken "Christ as their Savior". It doesn't matter whether he is in a church or not. How do you think someone in the church would feel if they had not taken Christ as their Savior?

Unless you SERVED in the MILITARY in COMBAT you are not my brother nor can you be my brother till you do. Now did I discriminate against you

Unless you _________you are not my brother or sister, nor can you be a brother and sister until you do.

If you are a public servant that serves a community anything that you want to fill in that blank with would be a "condition". It would indicate that whatever condition any human being does not adhere to is undeserving of dignity and respect. People find it offensive when someone trys' to force their will upon them. That is not what the government is supposed to be about.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Just where in the constitution does it say that when one is elected to office they give up their right to freedom of religion? What is military except public service? And when talking in military terms of brothers and sisters at arms we are talking of those who have had the same experience as us and when a Christian is talking in a Church of brothers and sisters in Christ we are talking again of those who have had the same experience as we have. If you have not had that experience you cannot be of that brotherhood, PERIOD.

He has a Constitutional right to practice his beliefs but that doesn't give him the legal right to discriminate constituents based on their spiritual or religious beliefs.

I never stated that after one is elected they lose their Constitutional rights to practice what ther beliefs.

Human beings are born and die as individuals. People share experiences with people that they have in common. But no two people go through life having the same exact thoughts, feelings and experiences at the same time.

It appears to me that you feel as though humanity outside of your personal experiences need not be considered your fellow brothers and sisters, for me they are. Not only that I have respect for my fellow animal brothers and sisters. I could even take this a step further but I see no point in continuing.

You are free to love your fellow Christians and combat brothers and sisters. I am not suggesting that people should no longer have relationships with the people they care about after they become a public servant. When a person becomes a public servant they should not alienate their constituents.

He didn't say anything wrong, it is simply the fact that there are those out there who are looking for any reason at all to throw a kindergarten type fit.

Perhaps as a Christian you did not take offense with what he said, but there are people of different faiths that did take offense with what was said and a public apology was issued.

Perhaps you see this issue as menial issue but some would consider it a public relations issue in a diverse society.

Only because you refuse to look at it in context....

Truett, what about the context makes this any more acceptable? Yes, he was speaking in A church. He was not speaking at a regular service in HIS church. He was giving a MLK Day speech AS GOVERNOR. This was not a private religious comment made during a religious service. This was a statement made while he was serving in an official capacity. That makes it not acceptable.

Thank you Kitty.....

Only because you refuse to look at it in context....

Pray tell what 'context' makes it ok for such a divisive and condescending statement from a governor?

The context of he was in a Church speaking to a Christian group in the context of Scripture. YOU nor the government have any standing in interfering with the free practice of ones religion. I speak all the time to Veterans Groups and in that context they are my Brothers and within a brotherhood that those who have not served can not be a part, and it is the same in the Church, unless you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and have that one on one relationship with God you can not by my brother in Christ. You might be my brother in the human race (but that was not the context of his reference).

Sorry, but now that he has donned the mantel of GOVERNOR, it over-rides his public xtianity, he is now a role model for all state employees.

He is welcome to open his mouth, and demonstrate his ignorant, offensive bigotry all he likes, now we know what kind of a person he REALLY is. Only wish he'd done it BEFORE the election, so all could have been better informed as to his lack of morals.

So you only support the parts of the Constiution that you like...there was not bigotry simply a statement of FACT.

So you only support the parts of the Constiution that you like

Not at all. He is welcome to say whatever he likes without any legal entanglements whatsoever. There is NOTHING illegal about what he did (hence, the Constitution is NOT being ignored).

But now that he has opened his mouth and demonstrated the darkness of his soul, the rest of us are Constitutionally allowed to comment on his comments and bigotry. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist (just as with your 'god,' just because you DO think you see it, doesn't mean it exists).

Fact, unless you know God, you are not a spiritual brother....SIMPLE, but then you most likely still won't understand it.

Exactly and his comments go against the bible because it says it isn't okay to judge others so he doesn't follow his own faith. It is hard not to judge but he shouldn't have made that inflammatory comment. He knew it would bring criticism and I think that is what he wanted to do.

You are both a good example of how a little knowledge can be dangerous.

Richard: Care to explain exactly why you believe that is? Do you somehow think your interpretation of this "leader's" words and your beliefs trump the very real concerns his idiotic statement brings up? Or is it that you agree with him and therefore everyone else MUST be wrong? This is a common problem among those who believe they are "saved," and it's this very arrogance that puts people off from all organized religion in the FIRST place. Since you two are believers, that means no one else matters?

Which God? You said "we're ALL gods children." Which god? There are many gods, I'm just trying to figure out which one you think we must all be forced to follow.

Zapper - There is only one God who is Father, Son and Holy Ghost according to the bible. We are neither God(s) nor creators, but some of us have been chosen to accept the Truth. All other gods are false gods.