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I don’t condone bringing religion into the public sphere especially the legislative or judicial arms of the government. But considering it is an unfortunate reality of our times, I have come to terms with it especially when they offer lip service. In that spirit, it is at least laudatory that the U.S. Senate chose to bring in a Hindu priest to deliver a prayer today. I have attended one session of the Georgia Legislative Assembly and have witnessed the opening with a Christian prayer. At that time I was surprised considering I had heard much about the separation of the Church and the State. But the fact that theory and practice are two different things in politics was never so apparently clear. But perhaps if 95% of the electorate doesn’t mind it, I guess we can live with it too. Considering that tolerance has mostly been the hallmark of Hinduism spare a lunatic albeit loud fringe, we expect the same from followers of other religions. Perhaps this expectation is misplaced.
But in that spirit, I was extremely disappointed to see offensive remarks uttered from the gallery as the Hindu priest began his prayer. I am sure most of Christians do not subscribe to their bigoted beliefs but as they often ask of the Muslims, I am sure they will roundly criticize this abhorrent behavior. Recently I attended Ash’s graduation where the prayer was offered by a Buddhist priest and due respect was shown by everyone present. If not a whole lot, I guess education makes an iota of a difference. The video that brings or at least should bring grief to most Christians is attached below:
PS. Note that the priest delivered the prayer in English. Imagine the reaction if he had chosen Sanskrit.
Other related posts: Sepia Mutiny, Uber Desi, News Views and Analysis.
Update: Rajan Zed, the priest who offered the Hindu prayers has received hundreds of emails from Christians all across America apologizing for the behavior of the lunatics. Such gestures restore my belief in mankind.
by Patrix | on Friday, July 13th, 2007 at 12:08 am | 
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July 13th, 2007 at 5:28 am
[...] Update: Video via iPatrix [...]
July 13th, 2007 at 8:49 am
I read about this new yesterday on various news sites and was appalled at it. I think the fundamental mistake that others (well, including us!) make is treat Hinduism as a religion. Once people understand that its not a religion, perhaps there would be less stronger reactions. But that said, hardcore fundamentalists really dont have anything to but create a nuisance, be it Christians, Hindus or Islam. Its not a wonder I find Buddhism to be the most peaceful religion in the world there is.
July 13th, 2007 at 9:47 am
What about the Shaolin monks? Those guys can kick some major ass.
July 13th, 2007 at 9:49 am
[...] saw the NEFA post this morning, even before I saw the news feeds. I read the other linked [...]
July 13th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Americans seem to respect Buddhism much more than Hinduism. Perhaps because of Richard Gere and the likes ;) Somehow they just don’t understand and so don’t stomach the concept of many Gods in Hinduism. This also demonstrates that they are relatively ignorant about it (since of course it is about so much more than just “many Gods”)
July 13th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Hey Mate,
Thanks for dropping by at my page :)
An atheist’s opinion on religion: most of us don’t know enough about any religion to love to hate it (including our own, in several cases)… It all then boils down to identity and the herds wild buffalo instinct to ring in its kind and flash horns at the rest :)
BTW, excellent interface and layout!!! And interesting stuff… Guess we’ll see more of each other in blogland :)
July 13th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Supremus, you may be partly correct that Hinduism isn’t a religion per se but for lack of a better definition, we treat it as such. That, in my opinion, deserves tolerance if not respect from those that seek the same for their religions.
Santosh, if you push anyone too far, I guess they will react the same way :)
Ashutosh, perhaps Americans are confused by our Gods but as I have always understood it, Hindu ‘gods’ are forces of nature (wind, fire, Earth) or divine beings (Ram, Krishna) that got respect which over the years turned to worship (sometimes blind faith).
Attitus, thanks for dropping by too. Well, any discussion on religion requires you to suspend your beliefs; pun intended.