Alabama GOP Gov. Bentley: If You're Not Christian You're Not My Brother

Alabama GOP Gov. Bentley: If You’re Not Christian You’re Not My Brother

WingnutsJanuary 2011 • Views: 20,347

The people of Alabama may have thought they were electing a Governor, but they got a Republican Ayatollah.

Alabama Republican Governor Robert Bentley said in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day message Monday that he does not consider Americans who do not accept Jesus Christ as their savior to be his brothers and sisters.

“There may be some people here today who do not have living within them the Holy Spirit,” [Gov. Robert] Bentley said shortly after taking the oath of office, 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.”

”Now I will have to say that, if we don’t have the same daddy, we’re not brothers and sisters,” he continued. “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.”

It’s not often that top GOP politicians come right out and say stuff like this, but this kind of Dominionism is a very strong influence in the current conservative movement. Normally they’re a bit better at hiding it.

In Alabama, though, Bentley’s bigoted remarks probably won’t be much of a problem.

During the Alabama GOP gubernatorial primary, candidate Bradley Byrne was attacked for allegedly suggesting that evolution, as opposed to creationism, “best explains the origin of life.”

His response was to deem the ad awash in “despicable lies” and insist, “As a Christian and as a public servant, I have never wavered in my belief that this world and everything in it is a masterpiece created by the hands of God.” He went on to tout his efforts to ensure creationism be taught in public schools.

Governor Bentley is also a creationist; it’s the default position for right wing politicians.

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62 comments

iossarian Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:35:53pm

I don't want to be this fuckstick's brother.

jamesfirecat Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:36:55pm

"it’s the default position for right wing politicians."

I'm a lifelong liberal democrat and now even I feel sorry for the non socon republicans....

Obdicut Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:37:39pm

"Gee, I wonder why Jews vote for Democrats?" Part XVII

Also: His use of 'daddy' to refer to God is kind of creepy.

JeffM70 Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:38:31pm

Is it just me or do Southern conservatives make democracy look bad?

webevintage Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:38:58pm

why do they have to be such assholes?

Lidane Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:40:18pm

re: #5 webevintage

why do they have to be such assholes?

I've been asking that question for over 20 years now. No one's ever given me a good answer.

Lidane Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:41:25pm

re: #4 JeffM70

Is it just me or do Southern conservatives make ~~democracy~~ ~~conservatism~~ sane people look bad?

FTFY

albusteve Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:41:25pm

get some, Robert...

Youtube Video

S'latch Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:43:22pm

As a general rule, I avoid the use of profanity. But, Alabama Republican Governor Robert Bentley sounds like a genuine asshole and I can't think of a better word to describe it.

albusteve Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:44:23pm

piss poor upbringin...he should have been out cat fishin and stealing cars back in the day and now look what he is...a wasted youth

wrenchwench Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:45:16pm

From the link at the link:

''You know, (for) a lot of people, it's hard to trust a Republican governor," Bentley said. ''Let me tell you. I want to tell you today that I promise you that I'm going to do everything I can for everybody in this state."

Brought that one on yourself, Gov.

albusteve Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:47:24pm

re: #9 Lawrence Schmerel

As a general rule, I avoid the use of profanity. But, Alabama Republican Governor Robert Bentley sounds like a genuine asshole and I can't think of a better word to describe it.

he's not an asshole...you just don't understand the language of Christian enlightenment...don the armor of the lord and come to daddy, there is time for you

wrenchwench Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:49:15pm

If You're Not Christian You're Not My Brother

Next he's going to tell you you're heavy...

albusteve Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:49:19pm

“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.”

sounds eerily like a fundy Islamist

brookly red Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:50:23pm

re: #13 wrenchwench

Next he's going to tell you you're heavy...

I have been strapping the feed bag on lately...

(I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was) Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:50:57pm

Correct me if I am wrong here: Shouldn't he, as a Christian, believe that all humans are created by the same god and therefore all god's children?

reine.de.tout Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:53:10pm

re: #16 000G

Correct me if I am wrong here: Shouldn't he, as a Christian, believe that all humans are created by the same god and therefore all god's children?

That's one of the lessons I recall.

re: #14 albusteve

“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.”

sounds eerily like a fundy Islamist

Yep.

Decatur Deb Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:53:25pm

There must be an avenging God, why else would evil Tranzi Progs like me live in Alabama?

Dr McSpiffy Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:54:37pm

I'm a Christian and I am a brother to all who would have me.

Jackballs like these make Christians like me look bad to non-believers or those of other faiths. I never proselytize, and if someone asks me questions about my faith I try to answer in a way that can be construed from multiple points of view, using scripture when I can.

Sigh - cats like this and other fundamentalist zealots make my junk itch.

albusteve Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:54:49pm

I've got the will lord, if you've got the toe...
drop kick me Jesus through the goalpost of life...

Youtube Video

albusteve Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:56:01pm

re: #16 000G

Correct me if I am wrong here: Shouldn't he, as a Christian, believe that all humans are created by the same god and therefore all god's children?

it's a flexible concept, depending on who you are preaching to

CuriousLurker Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:57:51pm

Sort of OT, but not really. Some background on another Republican Ayatollah, Bryan Fischer, including a round-up of some of his more hateful pronouncements:

The Liberal Media’s Conservative of the Month
How did Bryan Fischer, a radio host in Mississippi with a small audience, become a media darling?

[...]

You might think that attention in the form of mockery is not what a public-policy organization would want. But when your business is waging a culture war, there is no such thing as bad publicity for ideological or rhetorical extremism. Being criticized by liberals in the media raises the profile of a socially conservative organization, and burnishes its credibility among the base. Just ask Sarah Palin, or her fans. Fischer’s critics also benefit from the twofer of his being both entertaining and threatening. “[Fischer] is filling a role in the media right now of Christians who say ridiculous and outlandish things,” says Tim King, a spokesman for the mostly left-leaning Sojourners, which calls itself “a Christian social-justice organization.”

Full article at Newsweek...

albusteve Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:58:00pm

re: #19 Dr McSpiffy

I'm a Christian and I am a brother to all who would have me.

Jackballs like these make Christians like me look bad to non-believers or those of other faiths. I never proselytize, and if someone asks me questions about my faith I try to answer in a way that can be construed from multiple points of view, using scripture when I can.

Sigh - cats like this and other fundamentalist zealots make my junk itch.

brick

abolitionist Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:58:10pm

And it makes you and me brother and sister.

And presumably, in this guy's ideal world, all sex would therefore be incestuous.

My head hurts.

Dr McSpiffy Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:59:23pm

re: #23 albusteve

Are you suggesting I hurl a brick at this guy?

Not a shabby idea, but two problems:

1. I have more respect for bricks than that.

2. Shite splatters.

SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Jan 18, 2011 1:59:33pm

I don't understand why this person thinks I want to be his sister, or why he feels his religious sense of family and fellowship is interesting to anyone outside his religious community.

albusteve Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:00:09pm

re: #24 abolitionist

And it makes you and me brother and sister.

And presumably, in this guy's ideal world, all sex would therefore be incestuous.

My head hurts.

junk ichting
heads hurting
LOL
why?...have you never seen a Jesus freak before?...all new?

albusteve Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:00:55pm

re: #25 Dr McSpiffy

Are you suggesting I hurl a brick at this guy?

Not a shabby idea, but two problems:

1. I have more respect for bricks than that.

2. Shite splatters.

ah no...I suggest your joke sucks....like an airball

Prononymous, rogue demon hunter Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:01:12pm

Well Mr. Bentley, I don't even like sharing a distant common ancestor with you. So I guess the feeling is mutual.

SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:02:33pm

re: #24 abolitionist

And it makes you and me brother and sister.

And presumably, in this guy's ideal world, all sex would therefore be incestuous.

My head hurts.

There is a distinction between physical and spiritual siblinghood.

But that's not exactly this guy's problem.

Dr McSpiffy Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:04:23pm

re: #28 albusteve

Thank you, good to meet you too.

re: #27 albusteve

junk ichting
heads hurting
LOL
why?...have you never seen a Jesus freak before?...all new?

Oh sure I've seen plenty. But when said Jesus freaks are in a position of power and have voices that reach a metric fuckton of people it makes me want to gag. It's like the gift that keeps on giving. Besides I won't allow myself to become complacent to the presence of monkey wrenches like him.

BongCrodny Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:05:01pm

My (admittedly sacriligeous) view of The Man:

Mojo Nixon

Youtube Video

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:05:59pm

Oh shit, the duke of rubes ISN'T my brother? HOW WILL I GO ON?!?!?!?!?!?!

That's just going to keep me up at night, I'll cry myself to sleep railing against the horror of not being spiritually related to some drivelling good ol' boy that the rabble appointed chief witch doctor

Decatur Deb Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:06:34pm

re: #29 prononymous

Well Mr. Bentley, I don't even like sharing a distant common ancestor with you. So I guess the feeling is mutual.

He doesn't think you do--Young Earther.

SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:06:41pm

Seriously. Thinking about it.

Nope, still can't get there. If the promise of life eternal and the forgiveness of sins hasn't been enough to make me become a Christian, does he actually think the offer of the governor of Alabama, who I have never met, being my brother, is going to be the clinching argument?

SanFranciscoZionist Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:07:14pm

re: #34 Decatur Deb

He doesn't think you do--Young Earther.

We're still all descendents of Noah, and through him, Adam and Eve, in this guy's conception.

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:08:32pm

re: #35 SanFranciscoZionist

Seriously. Thinking about it.

Nope, still can't get there. If the promise of life eternal and the forgiveness of sins hasn't been enough to make me become a Christian, does he actually think the offer of the governor of Alabama, who I have never met, being my brother, is going to be the clinching argument?

We're moving there right now to BE HIS BROTHER, I've got to launder my ceremonial robes

Lo! A prophet appeared and his name was Governor!

Decatur Deb Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:08:44pm

re: #36 SanFranciscoZionist

We're still all descendents of Noah, and through him, Adam and Eve, in this guy's conception.

Yeah--but those are near cousins for us evil human paleontology sinners.

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:09:41pm

re: #29 prononymous

Well Mr. Bentley, I don't even like sharing a distant common ancestor with you. So I guess the feeling is mutual.

Can I just giggle like a hyena that this guy's a haughty republican and his name is MISTER BENTLEY

because I'm doing that right now

Decatur Deb Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:11:27pm

Next month we have a re-enactment of Jefferson Davis' swearing-in on the AL statehouse steps. It'll be interesting to see which side of the street Gov Bentley stands on.

God of Binders with Women Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:15:56pm

I tell ya what, after this clown and Sen. Jim Demint (R-Confederacy) saying that you can't be a fiscal conservative without being a social conservative first (yes, he really said that a month ago), it's a shock, SHOCK! that the next generation of voters just isn't down with the GOP's vibe.

freetoken Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:15:58pm

BTW, the new governor appears to be trying to carry out the spirit of the "I am not ashamed" effort being put forth by Ken Ham:

[Link: www.answersingenesis.org...]
[Link: iamnotashamed.org...]

It's "evangelicalism" based around creationism and rejection of homosexuality.

Ham is trying to convince other self-declared "christians" that the best way to convince others of the reality of God is that the devotee believes the universe and all that's in it were literally created in 6 days a few thousand years ago.

To Ham, that is how he is going to save the world.

The Governor though seems to be off talking point compared to the fourth Ham poster.

webevintage Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:19:06pm

If only he was Muslim then we would see a veritable freak out of crazy from Palin and Geller and Malkin and Beck...

BongCrodny Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:20:33pm

Sometimes I think the creationists are on target, because I have a hard time believing guys like Bentley evolved from anything.

Jim Moss Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:21:25pm

This isn't hard to understand. Bentley is playing to his base. He'll gain a lot more votes than he loses for saying this.

God of Binders with Women Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:24:21pm

During the Alabama GOP gubernatorial primary, candidate Bradley Byrne was attacked for allegedly suggesting that evolution, as opposed to creationism, “best explains the origin of life.”

After that quote, I'm assuming Byrne lost in a landslide.

wrenchwench Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:25:23pm

re: #45 Jim Moss

Welcome, hatchling.

freetoken Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:25:37pm

Speaking of creationism:

Astronomer at heart of evolution controversy settles suit against UK

It took $125k to buy him off. Let's say 1/3rd went to the lawyers, that leaves him with around $80k (before taxes.)

I'm kind of sad when cases like this get settled so quickly out of court. It's as if the issue was not really resolved.

Slap Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:34:41pm

re: #18 Decatur Deb

There must be an avenging God, why else would evil Tranzi Progs like me live in Alabama?

Prog?

Youtube Video

...more Italian Progness from the wonderful Banco.....

nines09 Tue, Jan 18, 2011 2:39:09pm

re: #16 000G

Correct me if I am wrong here: Shouldn't he, as a Christian, believe that all humans are created by the same god and therefore all god's children?

Yes. We are all Gods' children. Except for you and you and you in the back. Oh, and that guy over there.
He's just picking out the parts he likes.

Romantic Heretic Tue, Jan 18, 2011 3:08:59pm

Governor Bentley is going to be in for a hell of a surprise when he shuffles off this mortal coil.

nines09 Tue, Jan 18, 2011 3:44:47pm

Proper translation of Mistah Bentleys proposition;
"I am a blockhead. A very large vapid blockhead. You elected me knowing I am a blockhead, therefore you too may be a blockhead. Then again, maybe not. If you are not a blockhead as I am we cannot be brothers. There is only one way to blockhead. I want to be your blockhead brother, will you be a blockhead?"
I have a headache.

stockman Tue, Jan 18, 2011 3:50:05pm

”Now I will have to say that, if we don’t have the same daddy, we’re not brothers and sisters,” he continued. “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.”

I'm seriously confused. . . the man thinks Jesus is his Daddy? Is this a Trinitarian thing? As a nonrigorous Epsicopalian, I'm not certain I wanna be sharing a canape platter with this man, let alone recent common ancestors.

seaoftears Tue, Jan 18, 2011 3:53:04pm

It was bad enough when I came in, turned on my computer and had to see
the governor of the state I live in acting as if he is Palin's twin. Then I see this,
"In Alabama, though, Bentley’s bigoted remarks probably won’t be much of a problem."
It appears to me that we have a close race here for the stupidity crown.
Bentley=repub
The Bradley Byrne crybabies = repubs
And yes there are people in Alabama that sees Bentley and his mouth as a problem. Below is my comment from another site concerning this.

"As the Bible defines Christian brothers or sisters, Bentley is correct."

That may be true, but he was not elected to preach.

Since I am sure this will be reported worldwide,
I can't help but wonder how all those non-christian board members of large corporations
will feel when it comes to deciding where to open their next factory. Oh, I forgot, you are 100% republician. You ship jobs overseas.

Bentley is a disappointment to the state and the Christian Faith. BTW...You don't win hearts and souls by offending people and looking down your nose in judgment on them !

As for the ADL, they have nothing to woirry about. I am sure Bentley is bought and paid for by the 'Lobby".
I want his pay pro-rated and docked a day's pay for each time he uses the goverment platform to
preach instead of governing. If he wants to preach, he needs to save it for his own church.

Geezeeee, we are stuck with the male verision of Palin.

dragonfire1981 Tue, Jan 18, 2011 3:53:41pm

From the Bible, Hebrews 13, verses 1-3

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

Yeah this guy sure knows his Christianity.

dragonfire1981 Tue, Jan 18, 2011 3:55:29pm

Also for the record, there are plenty of sane southern conservatives out there, just not many in public office.

APox Tue, Jan 18, 2011 5:04:47pm

WWJD!

"YOU AREN'T MY PEOPLE!"

The irony.

Mich-again Tue, Jan 18, 2011 6:30:46pm

Bradley Byrne was attacked for allegedly suggesting that evolution, as opposed to creationism, “best explains the origin of life.”

Well, the science of evolution doesn't explain the origin of life. How life originated is a different question than how life forms evolved.

Peter Kaufman Tue, Jan 18, 2011 6:58:56pm

Of course, being from Alabama, means he probably is married to his sister.

theheat Tue, Jan 18, 2011 7:45:04pm

If I live to be a hundred, I'll never run out of reasons why I will not support the Party of Stupid.

This guy, and every dicklick like him, and all the screechy whiny faux feminists, and all their Christian Nation™ bullshit, and all their skewed crazy Christian ideas that goes with it, is why I will never vote GOP again. They are the party. Absolutely, they are.

ClaudeMonet Tue, Jan 18, 2011 9:46:01pm

Mark (I almost said "Cross") Alabama off my list of possible vacation states .

Guv, if only properly-vetted Christians are your "brothers and sisters", I say let your freaking family support your state.

One of my younger friends lives in Montgomery with his wife. Since he's Catholic, I'm sure he's just thrilled right now.

sffilk Wed, Jan 19, 2011 5:43:09am

I think it's time to send this "person" letters indicating that he is a bigot and an idiot.

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Alabama GOP Gov. Bentley: If You’re Not Christian You’re Not My Brother

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