According to this Republican, one Hindu prayer and one Muslim Congressman are going to end American civilization.
Via Josh Marshall, I found this story from One News Now:
Then again, maybe Sali agrees with Moon's views that "Emperors, kings and presidents . . . have declared to all Heaven and Earth that Reverend Sun Myung Moon is none other than humanity's Savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent" and that Moon is bigger than Jesus and will succeed where Jesus failed.
And Rep. Sali, you might want to start carrying an umbrella all the time.
A conservative Idaho lawmaker believes America's founding fathers would not have wanted a Muslim elected to Congress or a Hindu prayer delivered in the U.S. Senate.Gee, I wonder what Sali would think about some Republican Senators and Representatives sponsoring, attending, and participating in a lavish coronation ceremony in the Dirksen Senate Office Building for Sun Myung Moon? As insane as that little event was, the world did not come to an end, so I kinda doubt that one Hindu prayer and one Muslim in the House of Representatives is going to do much harm.
Last month, the U.S. Senate was opened for the first time ever with a Hindu prayer. Although the event generated little outrage on Capitol Hill, Representative Bill Sali (R-Idaho) is one member of Congress who believes the prayer should have never been allowed.
"We have not only a Hindu prayer being offered in the Senate, we have a Muslim member of the House of Representatives now, Keith Ellison from Minnesota. Those are changes -- and they are not what was envisioned by the Founding Fathers," asserts Sali.
Sali says America was built on Christian principles that were derived from scripture. He also says the only way the United States has been allowed to exist in a world that is so hostile to Christian principles is through "the protective hand of God."
"You know, the Lord can cause the rain to fall on the just and the unjust alike," says the Idaho Republican.
According to Congressman Sali, the only way the U.S. can continue to survive is under that protective hand of God. He states when a Hindu prayer is offered, "that's a different god" and that it "creates problems for the longevity of this country."
Then again, maybe Sali agrees with Moon's views that "Emperors, kings and presidents . . . have declared to all Heaven and Earth that Reverend Sun Myung Moon is none other than humanity's Savior, Messiah, Returning Lord and True Parent" and that Moon is bigger than Jesus and will succeed where Jesus failed.
And Rep. Sali, you might want to start carrying an umbrella all the time.
posted by WCharles @ 8/10/2007 02:45:00 AM
3 Comments:
On one hand I want to agree with Sali, but realistically we are not a Christian nation. We are not God's chosen people. Yes, Christian principles were used by the founding fathers, but they were not all Christian themselves.
Though I prefer any prayers given be offered by a Christian, in our pluralistic society if we ban other faiths, then we'd end up banning Christian prayer also. Not sure that is the best road to travel, though we may someday.
"Yes, Christian principles were used by the founding fathers..."
For me the key word is "principles." Though you and I might differ somewhat on what we consider all such principles, I agree with your basic statement here. A distinction can be made between the basic principles and the organized religion. One of the problems I have with Sali's position is that he is basically saying that only the organized Christian religion should be allowed. What he fails to recognize is that other religions have some of the same principles as Christianity.
And there's a difference between you and Sali. You have stated your preferences [and you always have been clear about that :-) ], but you are not trying to force others to conform to your views, nor are you trying to exclude all but those who share your views. Sali is trying exclude others and force his views on others. To me, what Sali is doing goes against American and Christian principles.
I think what Sali is doing is a clear violation of the principle of separation of church and state. I think that principle is often twisted to mean something other than what was intended. But, decreeing that only Christian prayer is allowed could be construed as establishing Christianity as a state religion. Not a good idea.
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