# Alabama Gov Says Non-Christians Not His Brothers **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 19, 2011, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227 "2011-01-19T18:19:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/41 "2011-01-19T19:33:42Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The Governor of the State of Alabama just said, in public, something that quite strongly suggests he does not feel a duty to sderve, as Governor, his constituents who are not Christians. Is that really what Christians mean when they say this sort of thing? I’m not convinced. I mean, there’s a perfectly good word, “constituents,” that his non-brothers _are_, and constituents – not brothers – are what he was elected to serve, right? ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/42 "2011-01-19T19:33:49Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > FTR, I’m a white Southerner who loves the South. Racist. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/43 "2011-01-19T19:42:02Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I anxiously await the calm acceptance when a Governor utters in his inauguration speech: ‘Anybody here today who has accepted Jesus Christ as their savior, I’m telling you, you’re delusional, and I don’t want you to be delusional.’ > > That would be the governor of Fantasy Land, in case you were wondering. Jesse Ventura came pretty close. It wasn’t in his inaugural, but he did say, “religion is for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers,” which is about as frontal a statement against religion as I’ve ever heard from a politician elected to significant office. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/44 "2011-01-19T19:42:58Z")
> [@Cyningablod](#): > > Um, the USA **is** a secular country. Officially, anyway, which is what I think you were referring to. > > \ Yes, that’s what I mean. We therefore have no expectation that our elected officials think of us, every last one, as brethren, do we? Well, it depends on what the words mean to you, obviously–there could be a secular patriotic conception of American “brotherhood.” But at least for now I’m open to the interpretation that this governor, in this context, saw his remarks as being a statement of an _expanded_, not restricted, circle of fellowship. ---
**Author:** ![Cyningablod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc29f/32.png) [@Cyningablod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyningablod)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/45 "2011-01-19T19:45:40Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Yes, that’s what I mean. We therefore have no expectation that our elected officials think of us, every last one, as brethren, do we? […] Oh, I gotcha. I wasn’t getting your meaning, at first. Apologies. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/46 "2011-01-19T19:57:22Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Yes, that’s what I mean. We therefore have no expectation that our elected officials think of us, every last one, as brethren, do we? Well, it depends on what the words mean to you, obviously–there could be a secular patriotic conception of American “brotherhood.” > > But at least for now I’m open to the interpretation that this governor, in this context, saw his remarks as being a statement of an _expanded_, not restricted, circle of fellowship. Not just \*white \*Christians, but \*black \*Christians as well. It reminds me of Blues Brothers: “We play both kinds of music, country _and_ western”. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/47 "2011-01-19T20:07:15Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The Governor of the State of Alabama just said, in public, something that quite strongly suggests he does not feel a duty to sderve, as Governor, his constituents who are not Christians. A) No, he didn’t. B) He was speaking at church as a private citizen, not as the Governor. C) What the fuck does that have to do with whether there are any crazy politicians up North? [QUOTE=sh1bu1] Sorry, you are right. I forgot about Alaska. [/QUOTE] And Illinois, New Jersey, Delaware … ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/48 "2011-01-19T20:10:56Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > A) No, he didn’t. > B) He was speaking at church as a private citizen, not as the Governor. Are we to assume, then, that anything Rev. White said _in church_ can’t be held against Obama, especially since Obama didn’t say it? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/49 "2011-01-19T20:12:26Z")
Of course, and we always have been able to assume that. Sheesh. Try setting the bar a little higher for the Obama-bashers, willya? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/50 "2011-01-19T20:44:45Z")
Considering European history between 1517 and 1648, it’s not exactly the type of family I’d wish to be embraced by. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/51 "2011-01-19T20:47:04Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > Are we to assume, then, that anything Rev. White said _in church_ can’t be held against Obama, especially since Obama didn’t say it? Absolutely. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/52 "2011-01-19T22:10:42Z")
I cannot believe that we actually have to have a conversation about whether or not it’s acceptable for an elected official to say, even as a private citizen, even in a non-public venue, that basically the only people he personally considers important are fellow Christians. The supposed parallel between Rev. Wright and this guy…isn’t. Rev. Wright is not an elected official. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/53 "2011-01-19T22:17:55Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > I cannot believe that we actually have to have a conversation about whether or not it’s acceptable for an elected official to say, even as a private citizen, even in a non-public venue, that basically the only people he personally considers important are fellow Christians. He didn’t say that. He said that they were not his brothers and sisters, but he wishes they were. It’s pretty much dogma in his religion. Is he not entitled to express that? Look, I’m a hardcore atheist who has no fucking use whatsoever for fundamentalist Christians. But given their premises, what he said necessarily follows. It’s a core belief. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/54 "2011-01-19T22:20:23Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > He didn’t say that. He said that they were not his brothers and sisters, but he wishes they were. It’s pretty much dogma in his religion. Is he not entitled to express that? > > Look, I’m a hardcore atheist who has no fucking use whatsoever for fundamentalist Christians. But given their premises, what he said necessarily follows. It’s a core belief. I realize it’s a core belief. I realize he was saying it as a private citizen. I’m saying that it’s not acceptable, regardless of whether or not it’s his core belief. We don’t live in a theocracy. It’s time to tell people that it’s NOT OKAY to say out loud that you consider some people second-class citizens because they don’t follow your personal belief system. So, yes, I’m saying that in my opinion, as an elected official of the people of Alabama, some of whom are not Christian, I don’t believe that he should make that statement out loud in public. Is he entitled? Obviously, based on the First Amendment. Is it acceptable? Absolutely not. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/55 "2011-01-19T22:22:13Z")
When did he say that he considered anyone a second-class citizen? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/56 "2011-01-19T22:24:13Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > The supposed parallel between Rev. Wright and this guy…isn’t. Rev. Wright is not an elected official. Um… yes. Precisely. Rev. Wright wasn’t elected, but Obama was hounded for the things Rev. Wright said. I just find it amusing that the same people who thought that Wright’s statements in church reflected poorly on Obama now think that the Governor’s _actual words_ in church aren’t that big a deal. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/57 "2011-01-19T22:24:58Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > Um… yes. Precisely. Rev. Wright wasn’t elected, but Obama was hounded for the things Rev. Wright said. > > I just find it amusing that the same people who thought that Wright’s statements in church reflected poorly on Obama now think that the Governor’s _actual words_ in church aren’t that big a deal. Ah, my mistake. We agree then. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/58 "2011-01-19T22:26:13Z")
I’ll second **Shodan** ’s question, and add that every time God is invoked by a politician, including President Obama, I am insulted. Should they be constrained from doing so? If not, why not? I’m not a believer. Why should their god have any traction at _all in_ my government? ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/59 "2011-01-19T22:28:18Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > He didn’t say that. He said that they were not his brothers and sisters, but he wishes they were. It’s pretty much dogma in his religion. Is he not entitled to express that? > > Look, I’m a hardcore atheist who has no fucking use whatsoever for fundamentalist Christians. But given their premises, what he said necessarily follows. It’s a core belief. He’s entitled to say it, he’s allowed to say it, it’s protected for him to say it, but it makes him an asshole when he does say it. I am entitled to say that people who like NASCAR more than F1 are not my brothers and sisters, but would be divisive and a poor choice of words. I am entitled to give a speech at a wedding saying that I caught herpes from the bride but decorum suggests that I don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2011, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227/60 "2011-01-19T22:30:40Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > I’ll second **Shodan** ’s question, and add that every time God is invoked by a politician, including President Obama, I am insulted. Should they be constrained from doing so? If not, why not? I’m not a believer. Why should their god have any traction at _all in_ my government? My personal opinion is that yes, they should refrain from mentioning God. Should they be legally contrained? No, again because of the First Amendment. But they should at some point recognize that it’s not necessary or appropriate to mention a deity in the course of their duties as an elected public official. And we should call them out on that shit when they do it, and continuously communicate that it’s NOT OKAY when you’re an elected official to admit publicly that you consider people with differing beliefs second-class citizens. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alabama-gov-says-non-christians-not-his-brothers/568227.md?page=4)