Ala. governor apologizes for remarks on Christians

[ProSense]

Source: Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley apologized Wednesday for his inauguration day remarks about only Christians being his brothers and sisters and said he would work over the next four years for people of all faiths and colors.

Bentley said he didn't mean to insult anyone with comments he made from the pulpit of a church once led by Martin Luther King Jr. He said he was speaking as an evangelical Christian to fellow Baptists.

"If anyone from other religions felt disenfranchised by the language, I want to say I am sorry. I am sorry if I offended anyone in any way," Bentley said Wednesday.

Bentley, who spoke at the church during a King holiday event after his official inaugural address, said no one should hate anyone else because of color or religion.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110119/ap_on_re_us/us_alabama_governor_christians

[Webster Green]

1. Fuck that! Off with his head!

Apology not accepted.

[safeinOhio]

23. +1

I'm with ya.

[PassingFair]

2. I'm sorry, I was only saying how I really felt, among brothers and sisters...

This guy gets a big FUCK YOU from ME.

I have NO desire to be his "sister".

[Tansy_Gold]

3. And how does that make you any different from him? n/t

[PassingFair]

5. I'm not supposed to be his representative.

And if I were, I wouldn't
consider him to be less valuable
or worthy than me, just because
he's a Christian.

[Webster Green]

7. Because PassingFair actually means it.

Alabamee Gov. Bentley does not. He's just covering his dumb ass.

[PassingFair]

20. I'll tell you one thing...if I was the Gov.....

I would NEVER meet with a group of
atheists and say to them:

"These Christians, unless they renounce
their beliefs, well, I'll never consider
them to be fully human, like you and me."

[cleanhippie]

4. You can eat a shit sandwich, Bob. Apology not accepted.

If you REALLY felt that way, you would not have made those comments in the first place. I will accept your apology when I see some equivalent ACTION on your part and not just lip service.

[zbdent]

6. "I am sorry" ...

wink wink ...

[azureblue]

8. What he (and most wingnuts) say

Is this: "We want a Christian Nation. As long as it is the Baptist's version."

[HankyDubs]

9. Lake of fire!

Lies make baby jesus cry.

[AsahinaKimi]

10. "If anyone from other religions felt

disenfranchised by the language?" GEE, who would feel that???
:sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm::sarcasm:

[4saken]

11. He was clear the first time..

He appealed to an extended sense of kinship with others, not based on heredity. Which is usually a positive thing, except when you assert a separate attribute by which said kinship is exclusively extended. Turning it more into a divisive statement.

[boobooday]

12. Too late dude

You done said it. And meant it.

[Zephie]

13. And, though I am not from Alabama, I refuse his apology.

He has breached the first amendment, put down a huge portion of the population, continued the long history of oppression against non-christian faiths, and deserves nothing more than a swift dismissal from office. This is not the sort of person that anyone but fundamentalist nutjobs would want in a position of power.

[faz]

14. We need to see this in its context

To me this is just some religious prep talks in a church. No need to blow it to a disproportion. Otherwise, we would be the ones that are being radical extreme.

[Native]

15. What a guy!

[Lint Head]

16. Only you God can forgive. I think bigots will not be forgiven.

[UpInArms]

17. i'm sorry "if" not I'm sorry "that"

screw that non-apology.

bleh

[Faygo Kid]

21. Yep, yet another GOP non-apology.

Could have taken that one to the bank.

[sarcasmo]

18. To late Robert, enjoy you're one term.

[tblue37]

19. Are you kidding? In Alabama, those remarks will guarantee his

next election!

[yellowcanine]

22. "I am sorry IF I offended"...... Might as well keep quiet as to give an IF apology.

[IrishEyes]

24. He named four of his children after apostles.

His five sons are named John, Mark, Paul, Luke, and Matthew.

[Dhalgren]

26. Baptists consider Paul an apostle, too.

It is actually really funny. "I only respect people who share belief in the same myths, as I do." Yikes! Okay, if you say so....

:rofl:

[Ian David]

25. That is NOT an apology.

"If anyone from other religions felt disenfranchised by the language, I want to say I am sorry. I am sorry if I offended anyone in any way," Bentley said Wednesday.

So, it's your fault if you were offended, and he's sorry for the CHOICE OF WORDS he used to express his bigotry.

[Divine Discontent]

27. really, these types of religious folk are so crystal clear as not being anything like whatever

religion they claim to follow. It is such an insensitive statement to make as an elected offical. Could you imagine Pres. Obama saying that the night he was elected? I can't. That gov. should resign over such a hideous nasty comment towards folks who aren't his version of Baptist (essentially).

[StarsInHerHair]

28. evangelical=dominionist?

nt

[Nossida]

29. Always the same thing with that lot

They spew hatred, and vile rhetoric, and then think an apology will undo the harm.

At least he saw fitting to issue a statement of regret. but the alienation and
damage is already done.

If american christians represent Christ, who needs him?

[No Elephants]

31. Are you saying all American Christians spew hatred and vile rhetoric?

If you are, you may want to review DU rules.

Even if you aren't saying or implying that, you may want to word your posts more carefully.

[No Elephants]

30. So, will he be advocating for full equal rights for members of Alabama's GLBT

comunity? adoption, marriage--full equality? Or will they "feel" disenfranchised" from his representation?

Oh, wait:

"If anyone from other religions felt disenfranchised by the language, I want to say I am sorry.

I guess even his apology excludes many Alabama voters. And I'm guessing he really meant only Abrahamic religions, maybe only Jews and Christians.