The newly-minted Republican governor of the southern state of Alabama Wednesday apologized for making remarks that distanced himself from non-Christians, dpa reported.
Governor Robert Bentley made remarks that provoked outrage among human rights advocates in a church service that followed his inauguration on Monday, ABC news reported.
"Anybody here today who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their saviour, I'm telling you, you're not my brother and you're not my sister, and I want to be your brother," Bentley was quoted as telling a crowd at a church in Montgomery, Alabama, the state capital.
Bill Nigut, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, called the remarks "stunning" and "distressing" because of the implication that non-Christians are not worthy of love and respect, ABC news reported.
The president of the American Atheists group, David Silverman, called the remarks "disgusting and bigoted" and said they reinforced Alabama's "reputation for being backward."
Bentley met with religious leaders on Wednesday and issued an apology.
"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 was quoted as saying.
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