July 12, 2007
Disruption Of Hindu Chaplain’s Senate Prayer Shows Religious Right’s Intolerance, Says Americans United
Religious Right Activists Want Government To Reflect Only Their Faith, Says AU’s Lynn
Americans United for Separation of Church and State today deplored the disruption by Religious Right activists of a Hindu chaplain’s prayer to open the U.S. Senate.
“This shows the intolerance of many Religious Right activists,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “They say they want more religion in the public square, but it’s clear they mean only their religion.
“America is a land of extraordinary religious diversity, and the Religious Right just can’t seem to accept that fact,” Lynn continued. “I don’t think the Senate should open with prayers, but if it’s going to happen, the invocations ought to reflect the diversity of the American people.”
Hindu Chaplain Rajan Zed, a Nevada resident, gave the opening prayer in the Senate at the invitation of U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.). As he began his remarks, two protestors interrupted the proceedings, asking for forgiveness from Jesus Christ for the “abomination” of failing to pray to the “one true God.” (The sergeant-at-arms had to restore order.)
Religious Right groups have been agitating against the Hindu leader’s prayer since it was announced. The Rev. Donald Wildmon’s American Family Association has asked his members to complain to their senators about the invitation. The group’s news service reported that “Christian nation” activist David Barton said that Hinduism has few followers in the United States and that prayer to a “non-monotheistic god” is “outside the American paradigm.”
Said AU’s Lynn, “The Religious Right promotes a deeply skewed version of American history. Our founders wanted separation of church and state and full religious liberty for all faith traditions. The episode today shows we still have a ways to go to achieve that goal.”
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Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom. I'm a member of AU ..... Thought this would be helpful and also my entry for the DVD"S Ok Bil ? Hope someday you might let me write a thread ! for the project ?

Rick

Pick me!
Pick me!
Pick me!

I'm in.

Throwing my hat into the proverbial contest ring.....

oooh why not

Sweet!

Rick, I'm a civilian employee of the Air Force and at every single Air Force function (from retirement luncheon to change of command ceremonies) there's a prayer...and it's always in the name of Jesus. It annoys me personally, but I can't imagine how our service men and women who are anything other than christian must feel since they have to attend a lot more of these things than I do.

!

Yes, I do indeed have a DVD player.

I'm adding my comment. I've done this on another blog, but like that one I figure I won't win since I live overseas and the items would be expensive to post. None the less I try.

Count me in!

I want to Play!

I have always loved Chad Allen since way back when Deirdre Hall was his television mom.

The NPO I work for had a benediction at our annual dinner each year. When I was put in charge, I replaced it with a poem. Worked like a charm. The people who need the benediction/prayer moment were happy. The non-Christians were happy. Those who didn't care either way continued to be unperturbed.

But, heck, I was raised in the one true church so what do I know? :-)

How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways...

1/ Cuz you'll give me free stuff.
2/ Cuz you provide useful news and discussion-worthy information.
3/ Cuz your blog is awesome! Love the new format!!!

Ok, so I love you 3 ways. Just 3.

But it's a good 3. [!?]

ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME,ME!

I don't own a DVD player.... might be reason to buy one?

I'm entering the contest!! I'm all about movies and dvds.

It seems like just yesterday that Chad Allen was on Dr. Quinn. ;)

First time to your site (you should thank What the Buck for the referral)...looks like lots of great articles...and free stuff to boot? Who could ask for anything more??

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Mmmm.... Movies!

shirtless gay zombie witches on the loose in Dante's cove? where is bill o'reilly on this?

I'm in! Pick me?

ooh! ooh! me too!