Lawmaker: Avoid stores not run by Christians

Photo: BjArn Kindler, Getty Images Alabama lawmaker Alan Harper took to Facebook on Monday to advise...

Alabama lawmaker Alan Harper took to Facebook on Monday to advise holiday travelers to avoid convenience stores not run by "God-fearing Christians."

Harper is an Aliceville Republican who represents Tuscaloosa and Pickens counties in the Alabama House. In his Facebook post, he said travelers should "try to shop and purchase gas and other items at American owned stores."

He claims that "the C stores/tobacco outlets, etc. with the lights around the windows and doors are not owned by God fearing Christians."

He goes on to say that the profits from these stores go back to the workers' homelands and then in turn are used to create "turmoil, fear and in some cases death and destruction" in America.

Friends,I have posted regarding this issue once before and believe it worth another read. As you travel during the... Posted by Alan Harper on Monday, November 30, 2015

Naturally, a post like this generated a conversation in the comments section. Some agreed, while others had questions — including one commenter asking how you would know what shops to go into. Harper's advice: "Look behind the cash register. Most are owner/operators."

Many challenged the lawmaker's statements.

"So, basically, don't shop at places with brown people?" commenter Trey Edwards said. "Got it. Thanks, I am now thoroughly disappointed in both my state and my party for electing you. Good grief."

Harper has not yet responded to the Chronicle's inquiry for comment, but he added a comment to the original post saying: "God bless each and everyone and God Bless America! Isn't it funny when things are taken out of context. Please buy American every chance you get to build our local economies ... where we know the revenues stay here in the good old United States of America! May God Bless!"

The lawmaker was first elected into the Alabama House in 2006 as a Democrat. He switched to the GOP in 2012. He currently serves as chairman of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee and as a member of the Constitutions, Campaigns and Elections Committee, Rules Committee, and Technology and Research Committee.