This morning, a Hindu clergyman made history by delivering the first opening prayer by a Hindu in the United States Senate. Now, personally, I think the whole idea of clergymen praying at official functions like this comes a little too close to government approval of religious belief for comfort, but it’s basically harmless. And, it’s nice that they don’t restrict it to just majority religious beliefs.
Well, it’s nice unless you’re a bigot:
WASHINGTON — A Hindu clergyman made history Thursday by offering the Senate’s morning prayer, but only after police officers removed three shouting protesters from the visitors’ gallery.
Rajan Zed, director of interfaith relations at a Hindu temple in Reno, Nev., gave the brief prayer that opens each day’s Senate session. As he stood at the chamber’s podium in a bright orange and burgundy robe, two women and a man began shouting “this is an abomination” and other complaints from the gallery.
Police officers quickly arrested them and charged them disrupting Congress, a misdemeanor. The male protester told an AP reporter, “we are Christians and patriots” before police handcuffed them and led them away.
For several days, the Mississippi-based American Family Association has urged its members to object to the prayer because Zed would be “seeking the invocation of a non-monotheistic god.”
Idiots.
