Is this a "Putrid Attitude"
 

"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.

Re: Is this a "Putrid Attitude"
 

I saw this, not real sure how to take it.

I don't believe he is wrong to feel this way, but I'm not sure it is a stance to be projected into his position.

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To me, that is a horrible thing to say, especially for a public official. How is he supposed to relate or represent constituents that do not hold his beliefs, or are not his "brothers", and how are they supposed to have any faith in his ability to do so?

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I think it's more of an asinine attitude........

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Good statement. Nothing putrid about it IMHO. He was at a church. He said you aren't my brother but he also wants you to be his brother. He also said that he wants to help everyone have a better life in Alabama--where he is governor. Not only Christians, aka. his brothers and sisters. He did not say this negative in the context of pessimism and hate speech but a statement of fact to very likely to be shared by other believers around him. The ADL and Islam thinks this is a putrid attitude but good Christians should not.

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I don't know about "putrid" but I think it was a dumb statement from any perspective.

First of all, you have to repent, be baptized in water by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ and then be filled with the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues to be anyone's "brother or sister in Christ." This guy wasn't speaking with "other believers around him." He was talking in front of a bunch of Baptists!

Alabama Governor Only Christians Are My Brothers
 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_alabam...nor_christians

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley told a church crowd just moments into his new administration that those who have not accepted Jesus as their savior are not his brothers and sisters, shocking some critics who questioned Tuesday whether he can be fair to non-Christians.

"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.

The Anti-Defamation League on Tuesday called Bentley's remarks shocking.

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Pel, you are welcome to play spin. Right along with Islam and the ADL. As DA might say, "good company". :) Now, since you assumed a fallacy to birth this nonsense let me also explain. God can certainly use a baptist or a methodist or a presbyterian etc. Even among "Christendom" popular there is lots of room for debate. You can harp on our distinctions until Christ returns if you like though. :heeheehee

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No, it was not. It's what he believes as a Christian. It's just not politically correct.

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It is the governor's statement that needs "spin." The fact of the matter is, he is an elected official in a state that is a part of a Federal union which is and always has been expressly SECULAR in nature.

I'm certain that if we allowed them free reign, the Baptists of Alabama would happily marginalize "heretical" believers such as yourself as quickly as you have dissed the ADL and their ilk.

I challenge you - approach this man, Gov. Bentley, and invite him to participate in or to attend one of your debates. Be clear about your position and beliefs. Then, I am fairly certain, you will see the wisdom in a SECULAR form of government.

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Pel, now you are assuming that since a baptist would disagree with an OP (is that new or something) means they also cannot get along or agree on other things. If not, why the "challenge"? lol I have attended Trinitarian universities. Others mentioned Dr. Towns and he has given me passing grades on my papers for Sys. Theo 101 a few years ago. So have other Trinitarian professors I have later learned from. You may be behind a little or we can flat disagree but I think OP's are more acceptable than you might think.

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I guess we can't have an honest politician after all. He might show favoritism, and we know that's not allowed, right?

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The basis of their "agreement" would have to be found someplace outside of their competing religious views. This is why I feel that the Founding Fathers were so wise in establishing a secular basis for governance.

My own position is that there is fundamentally very little difference between OP and Trinitarians. There has always been sincere and legitimate resistance to the later "Athanasian" creeds of the 6th century (which had little to do with the Athanasius of the 4th century) and when strictly Biblical language is used, most Trinitarian statements are completely acceptable by OPs - see Carpenter's thread from yesterday.

The only problem I have with Bentley's statements are that they appear to have been intentionally jingoistic in tone and will be gobbled up and regurgitated by those on the Left. Republicans must grow up and act with more intelligence and awareness. Bentley probably didn't have to say much of anything to be assured of receiving the support of those in church yesterday. It is the 42 million who were home watching the NFL playoffs that we need to swing around to our way of thinking. By giving the Left and the media in general so much fodder, Bentley plays right into their hands.

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Unfortunately, his hardline approach would also lead him, no doubt, to state that: "If you have spoken in tongues like the heathen occultists and been baptized in any other way than the titles, you are not my brother or sister, and I want to be your brother."

Such bad mannered pendulums swing both ways.

Personally, I am rarely pleased at statements of faith from politicians. They never strike me as sincere in the first place. Or, at least, they are naturally suspect because of what they stand to gain from it.

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MB, isn't it a good thing, at least sometimes, to answer someone who may be asking you a question? :)

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Like MB, I get nervous whenever candidates start talking faith in a public setting, as they are announced "here comes the Sen/Representative of _____."

In a sense we are all brothers. All brothers of Adam, sharing life together. In the sense of being the family of God, one is born into this family by faith in Jesus. I think it's important to see yourself as a family in both senses though. Jesus, on his mission, did not view his relationship as one far off. He personally identified with us as part of the human family, whom he was on mission to redeem.

Re: Is this a "Putrid Attitude"
 

What was the question?

Hearing this type of rhetoric over a podium that bears the state of Alabama's seal, an official capacity of office... I can understand why it bothers a lot of people.

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I highly doubt that the people of Alabama elected him to be their "brother", but rather their Governor!

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Good way to alienate a bunch of people right off.

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Who asked the governor a question and what was it?

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Socialite, I agree to some point. As we can see it can be polarizing regardless of your view. Note the emphasis on regardless. Given the actual setting of this event (church) though I see no reason why the Gov. would not express his Christian tendencies. At such an event this is expected IMHO to a nominal degree at the very least. I would certainly not prefer one who hides his beliefs. Do you? :) Would you expect a Muslim politician to go to a Mosque and pretend as though he is not a Muslim? Christian beliefs are not directly or inherently incompatible with our American system and should not serve any problem apart from the hype.

Re: Is this a "Putrid Attitude"
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUFPMIGmL3c

What if this was Romney waxing eloquent about the Mormon faith at a White House Press Conference after becoming President? Or another candidate declaring all who don't believe in Allah to be infidels?

Just seems like it's better done outside the scope of their office.

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JN, you don't have to hide who you are by avoiding statements like "you aren't my brother." Was there any secret that this many was a Christian? Was it really that hidden before?

There's ways people know we are followers of Christ, and it doesn't always take a public announcement to the masses. Off-line, in cabinet sessions, in car and plane rides, he has plenty of times to talk about his faith to those he intimately is sharing life with.

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I apologize. I should have been more clear. I was referring to anyone who is asked a question not necessarily a politician. I was labeled as being a hardliner and having a "putrid attitude" for stating my beliefs on another thread after being asked them repeatedly. I was just wondering if you guys saw any problem with those type of statements of belief? Not necessarily if you would agree or disagree. But isn't it a good thing to state our beliefs and acknowledge our disagreements? I feel like we can but it seems nowadays disagreement is equated to violence or personal attacks. We accuse each other or label each other as "attacking" or "putrid" or a person now a "victim" etc.? Dialog is important and so are our beliefs.

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You are right there. But, was the Gov. in a cabinet meeting; a car; plane; a restaurant even? No. He was at a church. A Christian house of worship. I think this is to be expected. Again, I ask you. Do you expect a Muslim politician to attend a Mosque and pretend as though he is not a Muslim?

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Romney is entitled to his beliefs. So would a Muslim. I would disagree with both of them though and you probably would too. This doesn't mean they can't be good politicians, scientists, doctors, or lawyers etc. If there character and beliefs amounted to a threat of American freedoms then of course there would be justifiable recourse. This is the principle of what it means for us as Americans to be free. Our freedom however does not go unchecked if or when it violates and destroys the freedom of other human beings. This is so no matter if you wave the Cross on your flag or the half moon and scimitar.

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People are WAAY too touchy about this. It is no big deal. He probably should have said "brother in the Lord".The host audience knew exactly what he meant; he was identifying with fellow christian believers! BIG DEAL!
I don't get the impression that he created a different standard of treatment for Christians over non-christians, in spite of the howling from jews or muslims. Their protests are really disguised efforts at silencing all mention of Christ in the political arena. The last thing I want my elected officials to do is bow to the politically correct environment. Right on, Gov Bentley!

Re: Is this a "Putrid Attitude"
 

Even though this was a church setting, the governor was there in capacity as a politician, and therefore his statements were unwise, even if he sincerely meant them.

In that context, it's best for him to remain neutral. In the context of a religious or casual discussion, there is value in answering questions that are asked--of course.

I don't agree that his attitude is "putrid."

I don't have any bad *feelings* toward the governor for his statement; to me, it comes across as an ignorant and poorly executed attempt to express his loyalty to his Christian base, and not necessarily his loyalty to God. That's my cynicism peeking through....

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We can see his heart, right? And government trumps God.

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Thanks JN. I didn't see the other "putridness" and failed to make any connection with other discussions.

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People look for acceptance and significance in their lives. It's an entirely human and also a universal phenomena. We will tend to look toward our "leaders" for that acceptance. We seek to have our leaders acknowledge us and our needs. Even if they can't or, in many cases, simply shouldn't satisfy all of those needs, they are expected to acknowledge our worth and value as human beings.

... and then, along comes a governor who says, "You aren't my brother..."

Of course, the exact context could be parsed down and mitigated to some degree. But what about the responsibility to affirm our shared humanity? This is my complaint. Bentley doesn't harm Muslims and Jews with this statement so much as he harms Republicans. His little sound bite that was greedily offered for a few hearty "Amens" will go through the echo chamber and be used to advance the causes of the radical Left in this country.

Everybody should probably listen to Newt's advice to Sarah Palin in this regard: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/0...-more-careful/

... again, just IMHO. I'm only "some guy on the Internet" & etc. :blah

Re: Is this a "Putrid Attitude"
 

What was the question someone asked the new Governor????

I keep seeing "he was answering a question." What exactly what that question?

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It might put his "answer" in context. And was the media there, or did someone provide them with his speech?

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110119/...nor_christians

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.

Re: Is this a "Putrid Attitude"
 

So was he answering a question?

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If he was I can't find it.

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JN is the one who insisted that. JN?

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That's my word, but you can use it sister :happydance

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What if it was Romney at a Mormon church to a mormon congregation?

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That what I said earlier. I think it'd be different for some of the same people...