Are you kidding? If he was the MadMax of Alabama he would govern in an incredibly biased manner. He would show relentless favortism towards those who think baseball is the greatest sport ever and those who know the gospel of Star Wars.
The apologetics in this thread are amusing. The governor wasn't affectionately greeting his fellow travelers as "brothers and sisters," as in: [rquoter]I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers.[/rquoter] Compare to: [rquoter]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.[/rquoter] The structure of his language is exclusionary, and hiding behind Christian solidarity doesn't change that.
In actuality, the governor should be applauded for publically espousing the views he holds in his heart. In essence, he has opened himself up to scrutiny that other politicians don't because they hide their true thoughts behind lies and/or withholding of information. Any questionable deals he makes as governor, will be scrutinized as to whether or not he made them with a "Christian" bias. The citizens of Alabama know where he stands with respect to religion. How many citizens of other states can make that claim?
I don't know that he should be applauded for espousing the views he holds if his views are counter-productive at best, and loony at worst. I agree with MadMax, that politically I'm not as bothered by this as I am as a follower of Christ. I think his attitude doesn't espouse the message of Christ in the slightest, and would likely turn others who are interested in Christ's message off.
It's a interesting way to try and excuse this, but people can tell where every public official stands by their actions/voting record. We don't really know "where he stands" as far as how he is going to govern just by this statement, but I think we can all agree his words were unbecoming (divisive; despite his intentions) of a head of state and a leader, even the Governor himself has acknowledged this. No reason to try and pretty it up now.
You are applauding this Governor for sharing his heart, wonder what do you think about Barry's faith? Up to this point I'm not sure whether he is a Chistian like myself or something else? Repped !
No they don't, actions matter. Words of a politician are catered to, or rather pandered to their audience. This is just a bunch of whiny folks looking to get annoyed about something he said... And he apologized for it....... This guy obviously was speaking to fellow born agains, and basically was happy they shared his beliefs and was welcoming in anyone else that wanted to join.....big ****ing deal. Doesn't mean he will be a bad governer..... Jesus may have walked on water, but Americans have to walk on eggshells... Ridiculous. DD
Actions matter more. But words do matter, especially for leaders. To think otherwise is pretty silly imo. Fixed.
Good leaders don't worry about what others say, they trudge on through, can't spend your life appeasing the whiners. DD
Fortunately whether you think he's a Christian or not doesn't matter to God, or anyone else. I'm not sure why you're worried about it. Obama says he is, has done a great deal in his life to help the less fortunate even when it cost him personal wealth. I don't have a hard time believing he's a Christian, but I don't really worry about it one way or the other since as a Christian myself I believe only God can judge that about another person.
