Freedom of Religion - Not According to the AFA

I received an alert the other day from the American Family Association protesting the invitation by the U. S. Senate to a Hindu chaplain. I thought about posting it but on my list of things to do, the opening Senate prayer ranks at about 375 (I'm not nuts about opening the Senate with prayer, no matter who gives it but I pick my battles) so I shook my head in dismay and went on to other things.

Daddy, Papa, and Me wrote about it. Take a look at the post.

Upon checking my email early this morning, I found this Press Release from Americans United.

July 12, 2007

Disruption Of Hindu Chaplain’s Senate Prayer Shows Religious Right’s Intolerance, Says Americans United

Religious Right Activists Want Government To Reflect Only Their Faith, Says AU’s Lynn

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.)

Religious Right groups have been agitating against the Hindu leader’s prayer since it was announced. The Rev. Donald Wildmon’s American Family Association has asked his members to complain to their senators about the invitation. The group’s news service reported that “Christian nation” activist David Barton said that Hinduism has few followers in the United States and that prayer to a “non-monotheistic god” is “outside the American paradigm.”

Said AU’s Lynn, “The Religious Right promotes a deeply skewed version of American history. Our founders wanted separation of church and state and full religious liberty for all faith traditions. The episode today shows we still have a ways to go to achieve that goal.”

I couldn't have said it better.