Protesters Disrupt Hindu Prayer In Senate

Police Remove Three From Visitors Gallery Who Shouted During Invocation By Hindu Clergyman

(AP)  A Hindu clergyman made history Thursday by offering the U.S. 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, 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 with disrupting Congress, a misdemeanor. The male protester told an Associated Press 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."

Zed, the first Hindu to offer the Senate prayer, began: "We meditate on the transcendental glory of the Deity Supreme, who is inside the heart of the Earth, inside the life of the sky and inside the soul of the heaven. May He stimulate and illuminate our minds."

As the Senate prepared for another day of debate over the Iraq war, Zed closed with, "Peace, peace, peace be unto all."

Zed, who was born in India, was invited by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat. Speaking in the chamber shortly after the prayer, Reid defended the choice and linked it to the war debate.

"If people have any misunderstanding about Indians and Hindus," Reid said, "all they have to do is think of Gandhi," a man "who gave his life for peace."

"I think it speaks well of our country that someone representing the faith of about a billion people comes here and can speak in communication with our heavenly Father regarding peace," said Reid, a Mormon and sharp critic of President Bush's Iraq policies.

Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the protest "shows the intolerance of many religious right activists. They say they want more religion in the public square, but it's clear they mean only their religion."

Police identified the protesters as Ante Nedlko Pavkovic, Katherine Lynn Pavkovic and Christan Renee Sugar. Their ages and hometowns were not available.

[myidoncbs]

One more thing, why don't we just look at the actual prayer. Anyone with even a slightly open mind can see that it was entirely non-denominational.

"Let us pray. We meditate on the transcendental Glory of the Deity Supreme, who is inside the heart of the Earth, inside the life of the sky, and inside the soul of the Heaven. May He stimulate and illuminate our minds."

"Lead us from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality. May we be protected together. May we be nourished together. May we work together with great vigor. May our study be enlightening. May no obstacle arise between us."

"May the Senators strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world, performing their duties with the welfare of others always in mind, because by devotion to selfless work one attains the supreme goal of life. May they work carefully and wisely, guided by compassion and without thought for themselves."

"United your resolve, united your hearts, may your spirits be as one, that you may long dwell in unity and concord."

"Peace, peace, peace be unto all. Lord, we ask You to comfort the family of former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson. Amen."

So, he believes in an omnipresent God, and he hopes we can all work togther for the betterment of the world. Leave it to the "Christians" to protest that!

[myidoncbs]

Christians, please note the following:

1. Our forefathers did NOT found this country as a Christian nation. Look it up in the history books, if you don't believe me. Somebody has been filling your heads with a bunch of bull.

2. re: "Jesus Christ is the one and only true God". That is a very unique theology you have there! Have you never heard of "the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost"?

3. The more you complain about this innocuous event, the more you make it clear that your own faith is weak. If your savior is Almighty, then what are so afraid of?

And finally, just for fun: look up what Reverend Moon has done in the halls of congress, with the full knowledge, financial support, and even personal attendence of several of your most beloved republican leaders. That should really give you something to yell about!

[actornaught]

For the AFA's info, moslems have a good argument that christians are "seeking the invocation of a non-monotheistic god."

-Mahavana Goottime Vishnu Wahir

[hharris9]

American family association is the biggest hypocrites. Contents of the prayer were not religious at all. they were full of universal love, peace & brotherhood. These christians who are protesting are full of hate & bigotry, they should not be called christians & should be excommunicated.

[angel1010-2009]

Jesus Christ is the one and only true God, may the world find his truth and peace.

I admire the three for taking such bold steps in doing what's right and standing up for Christ and his children. Many blessings upon them.

[randalds]

This is a nation founded on God! We have prospered so much because of this.

Posted by chino1922 at 03:40 PM : Jul 12, 2007


We have prospered in spite of religion, not because of it. We have prospered because we have a separation of church and state and the only time we slip backwards into bigotry, intolerance and hate is when people such as the current chimp in charge attempt to govern according to their religion, rather then according to commonsense and what's best for the nation. Religion has no place in government and government has no place in religion. When you mix them it cheapens and damages both.

[randalds]

Of course there shouldn't be prayer in the Senate or Congress, but this does point out the level of intolerance and bigotry of many so-called "Christians".

[ringading3]

Innocent children do not "need" to pray. Senators and Congressmen who frequent ******, sell themselves, and steal from their countrymen do NEED to pray.

[hedonist3]

*** was Reid on by allowing this... -- Posted by hypnotoad72

hypno - I hope I correctly understand the above to mean why did Reid allow the prayer -- not who performed the prayer.

The Senate's website read, "During the past 207 years all sessions of the Senate have opened with prayer..."

I did not know this. Admittedly, I am behind in Senate procedure.

How can there be no prayer in schools!?! I am flabbergasted, and very surprised that we're the only two posters who seem to realize the underlying issue here. Perhaps arguing religion simply fills a more passionate need.

Although, I do disagree with Reid on other issues...

[condumism]

Posted by ToolMangler:

Condumism: You apparently feel that the Military, Christians and/or Southerners are nothing but scumbags or trash. Thats a bit over the top isn't it? My statements are not an attack but an observation seeking clarification.
Posted by a "thinking Southern Christian"

Not at all. But I can understand why you felt I was referring to all Military, Christains, and Southerners. My disgust was only directed towards Neocons in the Military, Neocon Christians, and Neocon Southerners. I lived 5 years in Pinewood TX. I do know the difference between you and them. Thanks for your feedback!

[sero5]

A Hindu prayer for peace and understanding in a largely empty Senate Chamber. This event and Mahatma Gandhi got ruthlessly condemned by hatemongers from the AFA and on the radio by Mike Savage. Hey Mike, you have a lot to learn about Gandhi. When asked if he was a Hindu, Gandhi replied "Yes I am. I am also a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist and a Jew."

[hypnotoad72]

Hedonist3 - agreed; the hypocrisy in all this is disgusting. (prayer on Senate floor, and not in schools) Apparent hypocrisy anyway, I'm sadly assuming Reid wants religion out of schools because most people think the same way in that one regard; the separation...

*** was Reid on by allowing this, of which he's going to get just due flak come next election period.

[hedonist3]

aww, he// - dinky, little laptop keyboard --

"versus"

[mitywhity]

MityWhity,
God and religion are not the same thing. One can believe in god without being a religious nut.
Posted by GunOwnerDan.......................In other words you can believe in something and it not affect you, right? Do you believe in the right to bear arms? Of course you do because it has changed you and made distinguishable from those who do not support gun ownership. Sure, someone can say they support gun ownership with lip-service alone and never personally own a gun. They are simply pandering for approval. In essence you are a "gun-owning nut". So, no, you cannot truly believe in God and not be a "religious nut"- a person's beliefs compose the person. I believe, therefore I act...even if it is nutty to some.

[pepperp1]

this is not about religion it is about mental illness instead of jail they should be taken in for observation at the looney bin, praise the lord pass the potato...

....we are Christians and patriots

no your not your nuts and traitors and rude

[hedonist3]

As an agnostic, religious issues always intrigue me. I read back a couple of pages of posts, and they were all about Christian (a la seriously brainwashed singinrick)verses the U. S. being a country of religious freedom.

Prayer in the Senate; NO prayer in the schools. Hmmmm..........what am I missing here? Is there a special dispensation issued to the Senate that allows prayer? If so, please enlighten me; I seriously don't know.

[toolmangler-2009]

I've got a gut feeling that Falwell is rotting in hell!
Posted by condumism at 05:34 PM : Jul 12, 2007


I agree with you on that, but the problem is that the rest of your statement seems to indicate that you may well be standing next to him as he receives his 'roasting'. You apparently feel that the Military, Christians and/or Southerners are nothing but scumbags or trash. Thats a bit over the top isn't it? My statements are not an attack but an observation seeking clarification.
Posted by a "thinking Southern Christian"

[tf4peace]

One light - many lamps...

The essence of all the Prophets of God is one and the same....

[junogoose]

ban religion.
http://www.venganza.org/

[xxmorosxx]

It's really sad that these "patriots" don't even know that the USA doesn't have an official religion, and that we accept all faiths. Just pathetic and embarrassing.