It’s unlikely that Republican Gov. Robert Bentley will suffer politically from his inauguration day remarks, which he made from a church pulpit at a Martin Luther King Jr. holiday service Monday.
“I see really nothing wrong with what he said. I think it was innocent, and people are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill,” said another Alabama resident who voted for Bentley. “I was offended that he hadn’t even been in office as hour and they were already taking him apart word by word.”
“I don’t think this hurts him at all within the state. I think it really helps him with his very conservative base,” said Retired Auburn history professor Wayne Flynt.
There are about 1.1 million members of about 3,300 Southern Baptist churches in Alabama, said Keith Hinson, a spokesman for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
Keith Nicholls, a pollster at the University of South Alabama, said in his polls of Alabama residents, often as many as 70 percent identify themselves as “born-again Christians.”
Bentley’s comments Monday shocked and offended some nonbelievers and member of other faiths and stoked criticism from across the country. The governor apologized Wednesday for the remarks after meeting with leaders of Alabama’s Jewish community.
Source; Associated Press
My comments;
Thank God there are still a few places left on this earth where being a sincere Believer in and follower of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach (Jesus Christ) is not regarded as an anti-social attitude to be looked down on at best or a crime to be punished at worst.
As an elected official charged with representing ALL his constituents, Bentley couldn’t avoid apologizing for any offense his remarks caused. But he wasn’t required, nor did he, apologize for the words themselves. Obviously, the people of Alabama are the type who agree and see things the same way.
I’ve never been to Alabama but all of a sudden I find myself loving the place.
There are many other places, even in the United States, where sincere, Bible believing Christians are afraid to speak up, to share the Gospel, or even to wear T-shirts identifying themselves as Christians out of fear that they will lose friends, jobs, or opportunities for social or financial advancement.
I hope they draw inspiration, as I have, from Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, and that they recall the words of Yeshua in Matthew 10:33;
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Written by Aaron
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Thanks for this post Aaron, so true are your words. To my shame, my first response to myself was “Oh man, why say that so other people will criticize Christians again”, but why not. Why not. May we all be so bold in the future.
Dear Jean.
I am Aaron’ s co-editor, and do like to spoil some parties.
I know that Jesus the Messiah will not be welcome in the Republican party.
Matthew 12:47-49
Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
(end of scripture)
I know that will offend all non Christian voters in Alabama. But Jesus was not counting votes. The Republican parties all over the Globe, would rather have votes, than tell the truth.
Thank you Aaron for this post. I too am encouraged by Governor Robert Bentley and his courage to speak out for the faith. I feel that many of us have been intimidated to the point that we fear we will offend someone. I made a vow at the beginning of this year to speak out in truth and love as I instruct and warn, despite being an introvoted person. Listening and reading items from people like you and Governor Bentley encourages me to continue on.
I also have not been to Alabama. Now I am beginning to think this is a place I want to visit, God willing.
Amen, Irene