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Video: Three arrested after disrupting Hindu prayer in Senate; Update: Reid audio added

posted at 2:31 pm on July 12, 2007 by Allahpundit
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Classy: “Lord Jesus, forgive us, father, for allowing the prayer of the wicked, which is an abomination in your sight.” There’s no report of them being linked to any organization but the AFA encouraged its members earlier this week to e-mail Congress and express their disappointment. Money quote:

Barton says given the fact that Hindus are a tiny constituency of the American public, he questions the motivation of Senate leaders. “This is not a religion that has produced great things in the world,” he observes.

According to ABC, Harry Reid took the floor after the disruption and paid tribute to the tiny statue of Gandhi that he keeps in his office and the Indian food he used to enjoy as a college student. I can’t find the footage but I e-mailed the guys at Beyond The News to see if they’ve got it. I’m cautiously optimistic that it might provide as much pure potent schmaltz as the now infamous “Tommy” speech before the shamnesty vote. Click the image to watch.

prayer.jpg

Update: It’s not as funny as the “Tommy” clip because his cause here is just, but it’s still Reid and it’s still absurdly schmaltzy. Deep thanks to the BTN team for making it happen.

Meditate upon this as you listen.


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have they had a muslim pray yet?

offroadaz on July 12, 2007 at 2:37 PM

I think Tommy is a hindu too, isn’t he?

lorien1973 on July 12, 2007 at 2:37 PM

But does Tommy like a good curry.

KelliD on July 12, 2007 at 2:39 PM

Barton says given the fact that Hindus are a tiny constituency of the American public, he questions the motivation of Senate leaders. “This is not a religion that has produced great things in the world,” he observes.

I’m confused. Does this mean they’d be OK with other religions getting their prayer in, and if so, what’s their specific beef with Hindus?

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 2:40 PM

What can you have against Hindus? That’s like having something against toast.

amerpundit on July 12, 2007 at 2:42 PM

That is an embarrassment to any of us who would call ourselves Christian. Christians need to denounce these yahoos.

nailinmyeye on July 12, 2007 at 2:43 PM

nice one christians, heaven forbid an idolator preach in the senate!

stone them!

zane on July 12, 2007 at 2:43 PM

It may not have been classy, but someone needs to stand up against this pluralistic crap.

eventually Zed went on with his prayer, imploring the Senate to work together through “the deity supreme.”

That would be Senator Kennedy of course.

infidel4life on July 12, 2007 at 2:45 PM

…Harry Reid took the floor after the disruption and paid tribute to the tiny statue of Gandhi that he keeps in his office and the Indian food he used to enjoy as a college student…

Footage? Who needs footage? Just the text and the memories which are seared … seared! … in our minds of Dingy Harry’s ashen, lifeless face, mumbling platitudes to the great Hindu tradition here in America, as personified by Mahatma Ghandi (Hindu?) and Reid’s love of rasagulla and shahi tukra back in his college days in the 1950s, these should be quite enough.

Jaibones on July 12, 2007 at 2:45 PM

Can someone explain to me why a secular legislative body like the U.S. Senate opens with any kind of prayer?

Enrique on July 12, 2007 at 2:45 PM

infidel4life on July 12, 2007 at 2:45 PM

dont we live in a pluralist society???

zane on July 12, 2007 at 2:46 PM

Barton says given the fact that Hindus are a tiny constituency of the American public, he questions the motivation of Senate leaders. “This is not a religion that has produced great things in the world,” he observes.

Wow. Way to insult what, a billion people? And is he really saying that it’s okay to ignore Hindus, because there aren’t very many of them in America? What ever happened to all men being created equal, with certain inalienable rights? Is this not religious bigotry, the same kind of bigotry this jackhole would be screaming about if it was turned in his direction?

ReubenJCogburn on July 12, 2007 at 2:47 PM

amerpundit on July 12, 2007 at 2:42 PM

Uh…well, I believe our God refers to them as idolators, and wiped out a small civilization in anger over this same sort of brazen idolatry. Just so you know…

Jaibones on July 12, 2007 at 2:48 PM

what was it Gandhi said??

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”- Mahatma Gandhi

zane on July 12, 2007 at 2:48 PM

beef with Hindus? not sure those two words can be used in the same sentence…

with all do respect to Indians don’t they worship cows?

amend2 on July 12, 2007 at 2:49 PM

Can someone explain to me why a secular legislative body like the U.S. Senate opens with any kind of prayer?

Enrique on July 12, 2007 at 2:45 PM

Because this country isn’t really all that secular. It’s always opened with prayer.

That is an embarrassment to any of us who would call ourselves Christian. Christians need to denounce these yahoos.

nailinmyeye on July 12, 2007 at 2:43 PM

Do we really? I mean do people really assume that Christians support that type of nonsense?

In this post 9/11 world where Muslims are not instantly lumped in with terrorist, lest someone be called racist, can’t Christians maybe get a little of that benefit of doubt for something much less serious? If these actions of a few Muslims don’t speak for all Muslims, then why should the actions of these three speak for all Christians?

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 2:50 PM

I think they need to bring in Hitch for a counterpoint. :)

JayHaw Phrenzie on July 12, 2007 at 2:50 PM

“This is not a religion that has produced great things in the world.”

WTF?! Does the guy who said this even know the history of India and the Hindu religion. What a toss pot.

Mindcrime on July 12, 2007 at 2:51 PM

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”- Mahatma Gandhi

zane on July 12, 2007 at 2:48 PM

Yes, well, Gandhi was also racist, so we can take his words with a grain of salt.

Then again, that’s kinda the whole point of Christianity, that we’re completely imperfect beings who mess up so badly that we need a Savior.

If we could be exactly like Him, then we wouldn’t need Him.

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 2:53 PM

Can someone explain to me why a secular legislative body like the U.S. Senate opens with any kind of prayer?

Enrique on July 12, 2007 at 2:45 PM

Better question: Can someone explain to me why they open with the pledge of allegiance — right before trying to sell out our nation on immigration and security???

db on July 12, 2007 at 2:54 PM

just watched the video…sheesh…bigots…

zane on July 12, 2007 at 2:54 PM

These scumbags need to have their teeth kicked in, leave the Hindus alone dammit!

Bad Candy on July 12, 2007 at 2:54 PM

Jaibones on July 12, 2007 at 2:48 PM

The theocracy of ancient Israel, and the pluralistic governmental system in which we live, are incredibly different contexts.

It is incredibly inappropriate for those professing to be Christians to behave in this way. What happened to loving one’s neighbor? What happened to “as far as it is possible, live in peace with one another?”

nailinmyeye on July 12, 2007 at 2:55 PM

Yes, well, Gandhi was also racist, so we can take his words with a grain of salt. Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 2:53 PM

wow this must have escaped me in my study of the mahatma, you know what with all his being jailed for campaigning against segregation when he practiced law in south africa…

zane on July 12, 2007 at 2:56 PM

Do we really? I mean do people really assume that Christians support that type of nonsense?

In this post 9/11 world where Muslims are not instantly lumped in with terrorist, lest someone be called racist, can’t Christians maybe get a little of that benefit of doubt for something much less serious? If these actions of a few Muslims don’t speak for all Muslims, then why should the actions of these three speak for all Christians?

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 2:50 PM

Heh. You are assuming that someone is giving us the benefit of the doubt. Let’s just say, that just in case they aren’t, I want to go on the record to say that these people do not represent me. These people are rude, and, in my opinion, decidedly un-Christian in these actions.

nailinmyeye on July 12, 2007 at 2:57 PM

Jaibones on July 12, 2007 at 2:48 PM

Usually, the Senate opens with Christian prayer, does it not? So, this Hindu gentleman came in wanting to share a prayer from his religion, which really does advocate peace, and people were going to shout him out. It’s not like he’s looking to convert people. He simply wanted to have a prayer in the Senate.

amerpundit on July 12, 2007 at 2:59 PM

I’ve got nothing against the Hindu (Hindus? Hindi?), but opening with a Hindu prayer seems to me another example of taking the multi-culti thing a bit too far. Is there even one Hindu in the Senate?

Hollowpoint on July 12, 2007 at 3:00 PM

what was it Gandhi said??

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”- Mahatma Gandhi

zane on July 12, 2007 at 2:48 PM

Ghandi was an idiot, he gave Pakistan to the Muslims, look what good fruits of his nonviolence are going on there now. He didn’t know jack about Christianity.

infidel4life on July 12, 2007 at 3:00 PM

That’s just what us Christians need…more well intentioned Christians who have no tact or tolerance for other religions. I get so frustrated when seeing our people do this in public. Christians wonder why their looked at strangely by the secular world…well here yet another case fueling their opinion. For the record, classical Christianity nor the Christian community actually condones this sort of outbursts. Clearly we disagree with Hindu teachings and practices, but this sort of disruption is counter productive to the message of Christianity and it’s followers.

df4jc on July 12, 2007 at 3:01 PM

Hey, I’ve got a great idea! Why don’t we go pick fights with a second billion people? We aren’t at all busy right now with that first billion, are we?

James on July 12, 2007 at 3:02 PM

… there’s an Apu joke hiding in here, somewhere.

yo on July 12, 2007 at 3:02 PM

wow this must have escaped me in my study of the mahatma, you know what with all his being jailed for campaigning against segregation when he practiced law in south africa…

zane on July 12, 2007 at 2:56 PM

Yeah, for Indians but not for blacks.

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 3:02 PM

“This is not a religion that has produced great things in the world,” he observes.

Tantric Sex.

Take that you Methodists!

JackStraw on July 12, 2007 at 3:03 PM

Reid is an ass. He’s as much as an insult to religion as Al Qeada is to Islam.

As for the loudmouths in the public gallery, intolerant asses also.

It is an honor for any religion to open the senate with a prayer, Muslim or Hari Krishna, whatever, how about Scientology? Heck, I’ll invent my own religion and get equal time.

Kini on July 12, 2007 at 3:04 PM

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 2:53 PM

Huh? Here’s a little something from Wikipedia. I think you’ll find he was subject to racism:

Traveling further on by stagecoach, he was beaten by a driver for refusing to travel on the foot board to make room for a European passenger. He suffered other hardships on the journey as well, including being barred from many hotels. These incidents have been acknowledged by several biographers as a turning point in his life, explaining his later social activism. It was through witnessing firsthand the racism, prejudice and injustice against Indians in South Africa that Gandhi started to question his people’s status, and his own place in society.

amerpundit on July 12, 2007 at 3:04 PM

Its wrong to heckle anyone’s prayer, especially one as essentially harmless as a hindu. That said, this is the sort of multi-culti spectacle we get under democrat leadership. Expect wiccan high priestess chants at some point if Harry Reid remains the Senate Majority Leader. That’s just how they roll: the vast majority of us will just have to learn a little tolerance from our moral betters in the form of dingy Harry and Nancy Pelosi. WHo cares if its only a vanishingly small percentage of Americans practice a particular faith or sect: they get their minute in the Senate Well too, dammit. The ghost of Thomas Jefferson demands it!

Fred on July 12, 2007 at 3:05 PM

You are assuming that someone is giving us the benefit of the doubt.

nailinmyeye on July 12, 2007 at 2:57 PM

It’s just wishful thinking really.

For the record, no, they don’t represent me or any of my family and friends. Though anyone reading this comment section probably knows that already.

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 3:05 PM

… there’s an Apu joke hiding in here, somewhere.

yo on July 12, 2007 at 3:02 PM

“Thank you…please pray again.”

Eh…maybe there isn’t.

James on July 12, 2007 at 3:06 PM

Hey, I’ve got a great idea! Why don’t we go pick fights with a second billion people? We aren’t at all busy right now with that first billion, are we?

James on July 12, 2007 at 3:02 PM

this made me ROFL

zane on July 12, 2007 at 3:06 PM

Huh? Here’s a little something from Wikipedia. I think you’ll find he was subject to racism:

amerpundit on July 12, 2007 at 3:04 PM

Yeah, I get that. Unfortunately, it didn’t make him immune to racism against others.

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 3:07 PM

Expect wiccan high priestess chants at some point if Harry Reid remains the Senate Majority Leader.

Fred on July 12, 2007 at 3:05 PM

Could be funny to see.

amerpundit on July 12, 2007 at 3:07 PM

this will definitely fuel the fire to get a jihadi Muslim in there to pray…a moderate just won’t do

jediwebdude on July 12, 2007 at 3:07 PM

jediwebdude on July 12, 2007 at 3:07 PM

Why?

amerpundit on July 12, 2007 at 3:08 PM

Reverend Lovejoy: “Here we are together, Christian, Jew, and…..miscellaneous.”
Apu: “Hindu! There are one billion of us!”

BohicaTwentyTwo on July 12, 2007 at 3:08 PM

BFD. Is this what it’s coming to on HA, spot lighting every Christian kook who makes an arse out of himself?

TheBigOldDog on July 12, 2007 at 3:08 PM

Ghandi was an idiot, he gave Pakistan to the Muslims, look what good fruits of his nonviolence are going on there now. He didn’t know jack about Christianity.

Thats an oversimplification. The British tried to divide India in order to delay independence indefinetly. What they got was partition. Gandhi deserves a large part of the blame as well and got assassinated over this issue.

aengus on July 12, 2007 at 3:10 PM

Yeah, heckling one Hindu chaplain… that took balls.

WWMRD? (Michael Richards, that is.)

saint kansas on July 12, 2007 at 3:10 PM

Ghandi was an idiot, he gave Pakistan to the Muslims, look what good fruits of his nonviolence are going on there now. He didn’t know jack about Christianity.

Ghandi plead nehru and jinnah not to split india, you dont know what you are talking about

zane on July 12, 2007 at 3:11 PM

… there’s an Apu joke hiding in here, somewhere.

yo on July 12, 2007 at 3:02 PM

“Thank you…please pray again.”

Eh…maybe there isn’t.

James on July 12, 2007 at 3:06 PM

Well, there are plenty of Squishies in the Senate, on issues like immigration, national security, etc.

ReubenJCogburn on July 12, 2007 at 3:12 PM

wow this must have escaped me in my study of the mahatma, you know what with all his being jailed for campaigning against segregation when he practiced law in south africa…

No, it’s quite true: Gandi was fairly racist.

I would refer you to the following sources:

1. (includes Gandhi quotes)

http://www.trinicenter.com/WorldNews/ghandi4.htm

2. “The Gandhi Nobody Knows,” by Richard Grenier (1983 Commentary article)

http://history.eserver.org/ghandi-nobody-knows.txt

3. Penn and Teller’s “Bullsh*t” episode including information about Gnadhi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-QK35hYIWo

tad on July 12, 2007 at 3:13 PM

The Ghandi Nobody Knows

Mindcrime on July 12, 2007 at 3:13 PM

tad on July 12, 2007 at 3:13 PM

Beat me to it! Good show.

Mindcrime on July 12, 2007 at 3:13 PM

Oy vey. I am incapable of typing “Gandhi.”

tad on July 12, 2007 at 3:14 PM

Beat me to it! Good show.

Mindcrime on July 12, 2007 at 3:13 PM

That’s mostly where I first heard it. But just let me state that I’m not trying to insult Gandhi. You should hear what they have to say about Mother Teressa.

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 3:15 PM

FWIW, Hinduism is not about Gandhi. This religion existed from 4000 years BC, and Gandhi only surfaced in the 1900s.

Gandhi was an appeasing cretin, and one who wished ill of all but Mohammedans. You don’t have to like Hindus, but please don’t conflate us with that naked Fakir. In 1946, when Muslims started rioting throughout India, Gandhi kept campaigning for Hindus and Sikhs to sacrifice themselves instead of retaliating; incidentally, he gave the Jews the same advice vis a vis the Nazis. He was a political leader who contrived an environment made to look religious, but by no means was he even symbolic of Hinduism as a religion.

I recognize that there are a lot of people who dislike other religions. That said, let’s recognize that there is only one religion that has a goal to make us all – Christian, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, et al either converts to Islam, 2nd class citizens or dead. It’s a pity that the AFA chooses not to recognize the difference between those unbelievers who have no goals of destroying the US as it stands today – vs those who do.

infidelpride on July 12, 2007 at 3:17 PM

wow ok that website was interesting, was never taught that stuff at school…

zane on July 12, 2007 at 3:18 PM

but please don’t conflate us with that naked Fakir

a churchill fan i see

zane on July 12, 2007 at 3:19 PM

I don’t like Ghandi (or Mother Theresa for that matteR), but I have absolutely no problem with Hindus or Hindu prayer at the Senate building or whatever.

Shit, my wife’s entire family is a combination of devout Taoist/devout Buddhist, so I’m used to hearing weird chanting in a variety of tongues :D

Mindcrime on July 12, 2007 at 3:20 PM

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 3:05 PM

I understand it. Cheers.

nailinmyeye on July 12, 2007 at 3:21 PM

An apropos Apu quote:

Homer: No offense Apu, but when they’re handing out religions you must be out taking a whizz.
Apu: Mr. Simpson, pay for your purchases and get out…and come again.

db on July 12, 2007 at 3:22 PM

Actually, Ghandi was quite the ladies man. Penn and Teller did a segment on him–interviewing a few of his close friends. He was quite a sexaholic. Peace through sex, maybe? And yes, they did mention something about him being a racist of sorts.

robblefarian on July 12, 2007 at 3:25 PM

Amen, put no god before ODIN the king of kings.

TheSitRep on July 12, 2007 at 3:27 PM

More Apu-pro:

Yes! I am a citizen! Now which way to the welfare office? I’m kidding, I’m kidding, I work, I work.

yo on July 12, 2007 at 3:29 PM

Also, Reid doesn’t know squat if he thinks that Hinduism is just about Gandhi statues and Indian curries.

P.S. To one who asked, Hindu is the religion, and Hindi is a language. Two very different things.

infidelpride on July 12, 2007 at 3:30 PM

Actually, Ghandi was quite the ladies man.

robblefarian on July 12, 2007 at 3:25 PM

I was going to make a bad joke but realized it was a bad joke and decided to spare everyone.

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 3:34 PM

realized it was a bad joke and decided to spare everyone.

Too bad the voters in Nevada aren’t as polite.

yo on July 12, 2007 at 3:40 PM

A Muslim offered the opening prayer in 93. My main beef (there goes that word again) with a Hindu opening the session in prayer has to do with the idea that we were a nation founded under one God. That being the God who started with Abraham and then sent His Son to live among us to teach us first hand how to live. I can’t comment on the video as the Crappy News Network’s website doesn’t want to play it for my PC but what would have happened if they had a Buddhist open the Iraqi parliament with a prayer to his gods?

jdog on July 12, 2007 at 3:42 PM

Ganesha forgive them.

I dislike Islam, but wouldn’t even want a show of such boorishness against them if one of their imams gave a little multiculti-ish “honest, we’re Abrahamic brothers!” b.s. prayer in this spot.

This ‘Christians’ have mistaken Caesar for Christ.

profitsbeard on July 12, 2007 at 3:43 PM

Perhaps they should stop formal prayers at the Senate? What is the problem for people if they want taking a moment of silence and do what they wish with it before the Senate starts?

Christians that I’m around would not support being like this towards him. I would have personally excused myself quietly to the bathroom before he started.

Highrise on July 12, 2007 at 3:44 PM

this will definitely fuel the fire to get a jihadi Muslim in there to pray…a moderate just won’t do

jediwebdude on July 12, 2007 at 3:07 PM

Didn’t the DNC have a muslim open in prayer?

As for tolerance, we Christians are as tolerant as they come. We had to tolerate separation of church and state being in the constitution when it is not. We had to tolerate one woman having CHRISTIAN prayer taken out of school while, even now, the CA school systems are making considerations for muslim prayer in public schools. We have to tolerate evolution forced on us while design (google “orchid wasp” for a great example of perfect design) is forced out. We have to tolerate the Ten Commandments being removed from every public place while Mary is made of dog excrement and displayed as art. We had to tolerate GOD removed from schools while metal detectors are being installed to replace HIM. The list is endless of what we tolerate. Yet, let a few Christians display their opinion and someone (even in the post) wants to kick our teeth in. I ask, who is intolerant?

On-my-soap-box on July 12, 2007 at 3:44 PM

*sigh*

I was so hoping it wouldn’t be Christians protesting but rather idiot leftists protesting the very concept of prayer in the Senate.

As for those protesters: SHUT THE FUCKING UP AND STOP EMBARRASSING THE REST OF US WITH YOUR STUPIDITY! PRAYER IS GOOD, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

Hell, that’s probably the only time some of those idiots will ever prayer in their lives. Be grateful for at least that.

Kensington on July 12, 2007 at 3:45 PM

What can you have against Hindus? That’s like having something against toast.

amerpundit on July 12, 2007 at 2:42 PM

If Hindus are toast, what does that make Muslims?

manwithblackhat on July 12, 2007 at 3:45 PM

bah my grammar sucks on the post above. I should learn my lesson from cutting and pasting and not previewing. You get the gist of it though :P .

Highrise on July 12, 2007 at 3:45 PM

I think Tommy is a hindu too, isn’t he?

lorien1973 on July 12, 2007 at 2:37 PM

I think you are thinking of Baba O’Reilly.

That is an embarrassment to any of us who would call ourselves Christian. Christians need to denounce these yahoos.

nailinmyeye on July 12, 2007 at 2:43 PM

I have to agree. Aside from the fact that it is just bad manners, we all share a common threat from the jihadis and there is no reason to fight among each other. The last poll I read showed that Indians had the highest favorable rating for Americans of any country (70%ish,) and that was far higher than the runner up.

I believe that these yahoos, like the Phelps gang, speak for almost no one.

Nosferightu on July 12, 2007 at 3:48 PM

On-my-soap-box

Your post is quite true in regards to how tolerant the Christians are of what goes on around them. I am pretty sure if these were muslims that spoke out with a Christian pastor giving a prayer, they’d be held up as the victims.

I know first hand watching what is going on in California schools. Needless to say, my child will be homeschooled God willing. I’m sick of the gov’t getting away from reading writing and arithmetic to teach them how to pray and be a muslim or take tests at a young age asking them if they touched themselves or masterbate or if anyone has touched them. Good grief.

Highrise on July 12, 2007 at 3:49 PM

If Hindus are toast, what does that make Muslims?

manwithblackhat on July 12, 2007 at 3:45 PM

We can rule out the onion bagel with lox spread — which is too bad because that is my favorite.

Nosferightu on July 12, 2007 at 3:50 PM

soap-box-

Mary’s image was surrounded by ‘repectful and organic African’ elephant dung in the ‘art’ involved. It’s a culture thing.

Manwithblackhat-

If Hindus are toast, Muslims are sheeps’ eyeballs.

profitsbeard on July 12, 2007 at 3:50 PM

Thats an oversimplification.

aengus on July 12, 2007 at 3:10 PM

True. On my way out the door hungry for lunch has that effect on me.

I have absolutely no problem with Hindus or Hindu prayer at the Senate building or whatever.

Mindcrime on July 12, 2007 at 3:20 PM

As I see it, the issue really isn’t even about Hinduism, it’s about honoring false gods in the Senate chamber. Something that sets a very dangerous precedent for this nation, IMHO.

infidel4life on July 12, 2007 at 3:52 PM

fred phelps and his family cult are not Christians and are not accepted by the Baptist org last I checked.

You can read his son’s story here..it’s very gripping on the abuse inflicted to that family:

http://blank.org/addict/

Highrise on July 12, 2007 at 3:52 PM

A Muslim offered the opening prayer in 93. My main beef (there goes that word again) with a Hindu opening the session in prayer has to do with the idea that we were a nation founded under one God. That being the God who started with Abraham and then sent His Son to live among us to teach us first hand how to live. I can’t comment on the video as the Crappy News Network’s website doesn’t want to play it for my PC but what would have happened if they had a Buddhist open the Iraqi parliament with a prayer to his gods?

jdog on July 12, 2007 at 3:57 PM

Regardless of what one thinks about matters of seperation of church and state. Regardless of what one thinks of one’s particular religion (or lack there of) and the role it should play in our government/society. Why do we so often have to shout down eachother? I hate interruption and I hate the squelching of free speech. If you have a problem with what someone is saying then you have a right to say so but please disagree in a respectful fasion and don’t stomp out their opportunity to speak. What these people did is embarassing. And that line about “there is but one god, blah, blah, blah…” or something like that, sounded like something our enemies would say. That was disgraceful.

Zetterson on July 12, 2007 at 3:57 PM

fred phelps and his family cult are not Christians and are not accepted by the Baptist org last I checked.

You are absolutely correct. But most reporting on the Phelps’s conveniently ignore that fact it is one crazy family and create the impression it is a real Christian church.

Nosferightu on July 12, 2007 at 3:58 PM

On-my-soap-box on July 12, 2007 at 3:44 PM

I don’t care about the opinion. They can have their opinions. Is how they went about expressing it that was disgraceful in my opinion.

Zetterson on July 12, 2007 at 4:02 PM

Yet, let a few Christians display their opinion and someone (even in the post) wants to kick our teeth in. I ask, who is intolerant?

On-my-soap-box on July 12, 2007 at 3:44 PM

Seriously? Everyone has the right to display an opinion – even if it is a stupid opinion. But, there is a proper time and place for opinion displaying, and while a Hindu man is praying on the Senate floor, it is not the proper time to interrupt by saying “Lord Jesus forgive us for letting the prayer of the wicked…” In fact, the Senate floor is not the proper place to lament anyone’s prayers. It isn’t a church, it isn’t a Christian institution…

As I see it, the issue really isn’t even about Hinduism, it’s about honoring false gods in the Senate chamber. Something that sets a very dangerous precedent for this nation, IMHO.

infidel4life on July 12, 2007 at 3:52 PM

And, for the atheists in the Senate, I am sure that they appreciate opening up each day with a prayer to what they consider a “false god,” from a Christian minister.

I’m just sayin’, it isn’t a church. It is, like the country it represents, a pluralistic context.

nailinmyeye on July 12, 2007 at 4:04 PM

Those of you that think we should abolish the congressional morning prayers are once again mistaking freedom of religion for freedom from religion. Freedom of religion means that there will be no state mandated religion and that each individual is free to worship (or not) in his or her own way. It does not mean that religion is banned from public venue or that you have the right to never hear or see anyone else practice their religion. This presumes that those practices do not violate other laws — i.e. stoning someone to death may be sanctioned by your religion, but it is still murder and punishable as such.

Clear enough?

db on July 12, 2007 at 4:05 PM

Harry is coming back as a weasel no matter how many times he prays to Gandhi.

Hening on July 12, 2007 at 4:05 PM

If we are going to eliminate stooopid things said on the senate floor, we will have to close the doors. Do you not pay attention to some of the other protests from the floor? While I am NOT in agreement with the way it was done, if you feel the need to kick someone’s teeth in, I say we start with the senators first – beginning with Reid. I know that is not very Christian but even Christ hated politicians.

On-my-soap-box on July 12, 2007 at 4:13 PM

America is a society where the majority rules or should rule. It has a Constitution that affords some protection to minorities on having certain rights infringed and a toleration of others with reasonable beliefs. It does not grant minorities equal footing with the majorirty, despite what liberals and others would have you believe.

Thus it is surprising that you find insult/intolerance when other suggest a country found on judeo-christian values, would prefer the sessions of their legislators with prayer by individuals reflecting the will of the majority.

Just another example of political correctness run amuck.

MarkB on July 12, 2007 at 4:15 PM

db on July 12, 2007 at 4:05 PM

Well said db. And simply put as well. It was afterall Thomas Jefferson who was making reference to this when he wrote “the legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Zetterson on July 12, 2007 at 4:15 PM

There has been prayer in Congress from the beginning of our country I believe. While all Americans can practice or not practice whatever religion they desire, our country does have a heritage and culture that comes from Judeo-Christian beliefs.

Hinduism did not give rise to America or anything close to it. Consider the caste system for one thing. Consider temple prostitution, a practice of Hinduism. Amy Carmichael was an Irish Christian woman who in the early 1900’s began rescuing children who were being sent into temple prostitution. Consider for example, just one of their gods, Kali, a dark and evil being who is depicted with a necklace of skulls. Hinduism can range from pantheism to polytheism and does not have a clear understanding of good and evil nor recognize the individual worth and value of each person. Not all Hindus may believe these things, particularly Americans who make their own Westernized new mix of Hinduism, but a Hindu prayer has no place on the Senate floor.

INC on July 12, 2007 at 4:16 PM

On-my-soap-box on July 12, 2007 at 4:13 PM

FYI, I was not the one who wanted to kick someone’s teeth in. I’m not sure who said that. Not I though.

Zetterson on July 12, 2007 at 4:17 PM

If we are going to eliminate stooopid things said on the senate floor

I don’t think anyone’s trying to eliminate stupid things from being said. I think everyone is just admitting that what was said was stupid.

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 4:17 PM

but a Hindu prayer has no place on the Senate floor.

INC on July 12, 2007 at 4:16 PM

We simply cannot favor one religion over another when it comes to our government. If Hindu prayers are not allowed, then neither should Christian prayers be allowed.

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 4:20 PM

FYI, I was not the one who wanted to kick someone’s teeth in. I’m not sure who said that. Not I though.

Zetterson on July 12, 2007 at 4:17 PM

Sorry. I was not referring to you. It was said and I was addressing to the comment. I happen to agree with your assessment of what they did – for the record.

On-my-soap-box on July 12, 2007 at 4:20 PM

On-my-soap-box on July 12, 2007 at 4:20 PM

No problem. Just wanted to be clear about that.

Zetterson on July 12, 2007 at 4:21 PM

So Gandhi was no Mother Teresa, big deal.

BohicaTwentyTwo on July 12, 2007 at 4:25 PM

America is a society where the majority rules or should rule.

MarkB on July 12, 2007 at 4:15 PM

Wake up and take a basic history course. We don’t live in a direct democracy for a reason.

Nonfactor on July 12, 2007 at 4:27 PM

And, for the atheists in the Senate, I am sure that they appreciate opening up each day with a prayer to what they consider a “false god,” from a Christian minister.

I’m just sayin’, it isn’t a church. It is, like the country it represents, a pluralistic context.

nailinmyeye on July 12, 2007 at 4:04 PM

You sound like a liberal.

The Founders started the practice of starting sessions with prayer to the God of the Bible. Perhaps we should just throw out the Constitution they wrote as well as the practices they started?

After all, it’s all so old-fashioned in this enlightened pluralistic secular day and age. We’ve evolved past that.

infidel4life on July 12, 2007 at 4:27 PM

Esthier on July 12, 2007 at 4:20 PM

Agreed. I see it as one or the other. Well put.

nailinmyeye on July 12, 2007 at 4:27 PM

So Harry Reid went to college in a very cold, cold place. Shocking!

Zetterson on July 12, 2007 at 4:28 PM

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