“Colorblind” Alabama Governor, non-Christians are not my brothers

Crystal Bayne
1/21/2011
4:09

On Monday the country celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Many speeches were given around the country however none caught the attention quite like newly elected Alabama Governor Robert Bentley. Governor Bentley sent mixed messages to his audience on Monday. The governor first address that unlike so many others he is colorblind and sees everyone as being equal to one another. He went on to say that he is a Governor of all people. However as the Governor continued on with his speech he began to contradict himself. "Now I will have to say that, if we don't have the same daddy, we're not brothers and sisters. 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.”
Governor Bentley continued on with his religious speech, arguing that Christians are apart of his spiritual family unlike those who are of other faiths. The Governor received very negative responses from both religious and non-religious communities. It should be noted that Robert Bentley is a former deacon at his Baptist Church.
While I am Christian myself I think that Governor Bentley was in the wrong. While I do agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I think he went to far. First it was not the time nor place to discuss that. Yes Martin Luther King Jr. was a religious man, but he also believed and taught about tolerance. Not just tolerance of other races, but tolerance between all of mankind. I do find it ironic that he made those comments on MLK day, a day in which we remember what Mr. King fought so hard for. This also plays a particular role in the separation of church and state. I can see where this would obviously make non-Christians feel uncomfortable. Which is shame because no one should feel persecuted because of their beliefs. Overall I think he should have just avoid the topic of that all together.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20028777-503544.html
http://www.examiner.com/atheism-in-los-angeles/alabama-governor-says-non-christians-are-not-his-brothers-and-sisters