You’ve got that right. A great man. A great racist. A great hypocrite.

http://www.gandhism.net/

Plenty of good has come from India, but none of it has to do with Gandhi, unless you think hating black people, sleeping naked with your underage female relatives, and preaching pacifism except when it’s your own life in danger are good things.

Most people in the west are still ignorant of Hinduism. Media never ever talk about Hinduism. So incidents like this will open up serious discussions about Hinduism all over the media and in academic circles………

To the Protestors, I want to offer my gratitude for making a very big issue about this prayer……Knowingly or unknowingly they are making more people interested in Hinduism …

I am personally a Christian, and understand where these people were coming from. From a Christians perspective any other utterance in prayer or praise of another god other than God and his son Jesus Christ is in fact blasphemy. BUT, none the less, these Christians in this case are wrong as far as America goes. They need to understand that America lawfully has to allow anyone to pray and praise any god, or not to at all, weather they like it or not. I do not believe the hindu religion is correct from my perspective, but none the less I respect the fact that a hindu is allowed to pray befor a multi-religional senate. Personally, the Christians in this situation are a disgrace to our faith. They are not respecting and loving others, nor are respecting the laws and government which governs them. Christianity is not the official religion of America. Nor should it be, that would defeat the purpose of the faith. Christians should stay strong in their faith but take your frustrations out of the government where you can not win.

Thank you! It’s nice to see level headed Christians out there. How about more of you speak out and stop these nutjobs who did this type of stuff?

AsM said,

July 12, 2007 at 3:43 pm

Mriana,

How so? I don’t remember anything about Hindus killing others in an effort to convert them or killing heretics, having inquisitions, etc.

You should probably read up a little more about killing of christians in India by the hindus. Once you read it you will probably remember it.

Oh btw, I am indian and I love Gandhiji!

You completely misunderstood. Go back and read it. They nutballs said nothing good came from India or something like that and I stated “They forgot about Gandhi” or something like that. I was not infering anything else.

You should probably read up a little more about killing of christians in India by the hindus. Once you read it you will probably remember it.

Oh btw, I am indian and I love Gandhiji!

True enough. people are killing each other over religion and all kinds of other stupid stuff to kill each other over all over the world. the middle east being another prime example. I’ve often wondered how many non-believers there actually are in the middle east-of course we have no idea b/c if they say anything they’ll be killed. let’s be grateful that while the crazy right does make noise in this country, usually people don’t get killed (let’s hope it STAYS that way).

Why is it, if we’re such a diverse and tolerant country, that this is the FIRST HINDU invocation in the senate’s history?

Don’t they do an invocation every single day they’re in session?

You’re telling me that since we “discovered” multiculturalism, diversity, ecumenicalism, etc… (Probably around 1980 or so)… hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of invocations have occurred in the senate… and we’re just now getting to “HINDU”?!?!?!

Doesn’t that put the lie to this idea of “It’s a free country for all worshippers” better than any 3 protestors can do?

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.)