Update: The governor later apologized.
(CNN) – Alabama Republican Gov. Robert Bentley is kicking off his first term in office with a bit of controversy, telling a church audience Monday that he only considers Christians to be his "brothers and sisters."
"Now I will have to say that, if we don't have the same daddy, we're not brothers and sisters," he told parishioners at a Baptist church in Montgomery Monday shortly after being sworn in. "So anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother."
"There may be some people here today who do not have living within them the Holy Spirit," Bentley also said, according to the Birmingham News. "But if you have been adopted in God's family like I have, and like you have if you're a Christian and if you're saved, and the Holy Spirit lives within you just like the Holy Spirit lives within me, then you know what that makes? It makes you and me brothers. And it makes you and me brother and sister."
Rebekah Caldwell Mason, Bentley's communications director, was not immediately available for comment but told the Birmingham News that Bentley "is the governor of all the people, Christians, non-Christians alike."
Bentley also celebrated the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. in his speech and said he will govern in accordance with King's teachings.
'I was elected as a Republican candidate. But once I became governor ... I became the governor of all the people. I intend to live up to that. I am color blind," Bentley also said.
From CNN Politics
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Well, racist bigot governors are nothing new in Louisiana. Sad. He's obviously an old fool.
You can find a Islamic extremist version of this over in Pakistan...
This is one crazy nutjob but nothing new from the republicans. I guess we should wonder if he won the election had the non-christians not voted for him. Cant believe we have such people living in 2011. He is no different than an Islamic fundamentalist. But its fine in America, just because he is one rich, white, Christian Republican. Thank GOD its happening in Alabama, no one gives jack about that place anyways...
Unbelievable. Jesus felt ALL people were brothers and sisters, not just the ones who belonged to the same sect. "I am color blind," Bentley said. It's obvious to me that he is simply BLIND.
What an idiot. Wait until he finds out his great-grandmother's aunt on her father's side was Jewish. Or Muslim. Or Hindu. Or...
He made the comments inside a Christian church while talking to
a Christian congregation. Where's the controversy ? He may be
a Governor but he still goes to church and states his religious beliefs.
Where's the foul in this, CNN ? He wasn't on the floor of the State House
in Alabama making a speech.
OK... How many christains agree with this man's statement. The christian belief is that we DO all have the same father whether we acknowledge it or not. His is an ignorant and useless statement.
thanks for removing all doubt that you are an idiot
This reminds me of George H. W. Bush saying "I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots." Anyone who agrees with Bush, or the Alabama governor, needs to read the Constitution.
How far has America fallen intellectually and morally when influential politicians, including a president, don't think that non-Christians are full citizens? Thomas Jefferson and George Washington would be ashamed.
this is disgusting
So let me get this straight. He claims he is going to live in accordance to Dr. King's phylosophy, yet has already stated that people who don't believe in Jesus, aren't his brothers and sisters.
Ladies and Gentlemen, here is yet another reason why I prefer to burn in hell, then to spend eternity with these types of people...
And that, in a nutshell, is the major problem with organized religion. It is EX-clusive. Rather than inclusive. If you are not in my religious group (which, of course, has 100% of the Truth), then you are not my brother. Which means, of course, I am not your keeper. Which means, of course, you are the Other (cue sinister music). Which means, of course, war and bloodshed. All in the name of God.
Last time I checked Jesus Christ, or Jesus of Nazareth or whatever is the way you call him, lived by (among many others) the line 'WE ARE ALL SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD'. He was against any form of discrimination ESPECIALLY those who used 'GOD' as an excuse.
It's in the Bible Mr. Governor, why don't you check t before using your faith as an excuse to your 'Hollier than thou' attitude?
He says he is Governor for everyone. It does not sound like it. It sounds like non-Christians need not apply. I am sorry, but statements like that make him unfit for office and impeachment proceedings should start immediately. This country is not a theocracy. If he wants that he should go to the mideast.
What a freakin' idiot. Get your damn religion out of Government!!! You're not elected to preach, you're elected to carry out the will of the people and unfortunately, most are not religious. Oh, yeah, they say they are to appease you fanatics. It's time for all non-religious people in this country to stand up to any politician that even mentions God, Jesus or the Bible in any way shape or form. You can't govern from a fictious writing. Try the constitiution!!!
This is what people in AL have to look forward to the next four years. Frankly, they would probably be better off with the Gov. from Wasilla....nooooooooooooottt!!!!!
"So anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother."
And who says the separation of church and state is settled law? It seems pretty clear that the Governor of the state knows who his people are and who they are not.
And everyone who doesn't believe the same things that I do is condemned to hell and shall be burned as a witch.
This is news? These statements are merely stating what a Christian is. Apparently CNN is unaware of what a Christian is, despite the fact that 99% of our founding fathers were Christians, despite the fact that the majority of Americans consider themselves Christians, and despite 2000 years of history. It is CNN that is the oddball here, not Bentley. Hey CNN, step out of your bubble once in a while and visit the real world.
Everybody has the same daddy if you beleive what you read the Bible, even those you consider to be your enemies. As Jesus said, "Better are those who have never known me than those who have known me and turned away."
We're all equal, it's just that Christians are more equal than the rest of us.
Why is it wrong to discuss the Christian religion in a church.
How paranoid are we supposed to be in America now a days ?
How do people like this get elected? Oh its Alabama. Sorry to all the educated people there, both of them.
What were the voters of Alabama thinking when they voted for this antagonist? That is just it, they were not thinking. The voters got swayed by the glimmering generalities and simple solutions to complex issues the republicans for infamous for. They are now stuck with this fella for the next four years. Good luck.
'I was elected as a Republican candidate. But once I became governor ... I became the governor of all the people. I intend to live up to that. I am color blind," Bentley also said.
So, is he saying that the before being elected, as part of the Republican party, he wasn't color blind?