Why would Americans protest the opening of the senate with a Hindu prayer?

Question

This is a country of "religious freedom" so why protest a prayer ?

Three people had to be removed for protesting and interrupting the opening prayer...

Anyone offering up a prayer other than christian would not be protested by any atheist I know... my money is on a small contingent of christian bigots doing the protesting...

Answer 1

It is a country of freedom of religion and of speech; the price for such freedom is ocassionally enduring speech which offends almost everyone. Like many americans, I was pleased to hear of the Senate's opening prayer for one day being Hindu. And like most of those Americans, I am not a Hindu myself.

By the way - the opening prayer of the Senate and House are old traditions. And for nearly 200 years, it has rarely been anything but protestant christian. So seeing some websites claiming this event discriminates against christians causes me to lose a lot of the remaining credibility I had for these "family" causes...

Answer 2

The United States is not supposed to advocate any religion in particular because it must be a neutral government. I reject the Hindu prayer as much as I reject the Christian prayer on these grounds as well as on the grounds that the whole procedure is pointless as 1.) it is merely symbolic, and 2.) not everyone supports this faith. The Senate wastes enough time when it's truly in session and accomplishes nothing anyway.

"Anyone offering up a prayer other than christian would not be protested by any atheist I know..."

Unless I am misunderstanding, you seem to be allowing for people to protest Christianity but nothing else. This is no better than protesting everything BUT Christianity.

We do not need prayer of any kind.

Answer 3

I answered this question earlier...saying that I was appalled that the U.S. senate opens with a prayer. I did not know it did and I think it is wrong. I found this info on it: "According to US Senate website, “…Throughout the years, the United States Senate has honoured the historic separation of Church and State, but not the separation of God and State…During the past two hundred and seven years, all sessions of the Senate have been opened with prayer, strongly affirming the Senate’s faith in God as Sovereign Lord of our Nation...” (Usually the Senate chaplain delivers the opening prayer, but sometimes guest chaplains are invited from all over the country to read the prayer. According to a Senate chaplain office communiqué, the purpose of the opening prayer is to seek God on behalf of, and for the Senators and the prayer should affirm our rich heritage as a nation “under God”. " There should be no prayer in any branch of the government if separation of church and state exists. But if they open with Christian prayers, then it stands to reason that they have to honor all religions. atheist

Answer 4

Americans should not protest the opening of the senate with a Hindu prayer, if they want to be free to open with a Christian prayer.

Having said that, Americans are free to protest anything they want to, as long as their behavior is within the law.

Answer 5

Personally, I believe that there should be no prayer whatsoever in government buildings. Separation of Church and State obviously does not exist during sessions of Congress.

If a Christian prayer, however, is going to be said when Congress meets then every religion should have the same opportunity. The actions of those 3 individuals were embarrassing, and showed what truly intolerant citizens exist here. It's a shame that what they did as a few bad apples will spoil the bunch in the rest of the world's eyes.

Answer 6

Americans are basically good deep down, America is a great country, they believe religion is ones private life, its your relationship with God, (who that god is its your personal belief). America is a free country it allows everyone to co exist, eat what you want, do what you want, and believe what you want, but they have a uniform civil law that helps the country to thrive with all its diversity.
All religions are practiced openly and there are no restrictions as you may see in other religious countries. They surely dont want things imposed or shawled down their throat, they surely dont want to mix two things in their daily life. And it is amazing that this is happening, Now since elections are fast approaching they want the american indian votes, its all the politics! All of a sudden there has been religious wooing for the sake of votes. So do not be offended. Once the the votes are over no one will start the senate with a prayer, we dont know who will chair the white house.

Answer 7

Largely because Americans are a bit frightened at this point, and, being so, tend to cling to "orthodoxy." This is a common response to fear. Note the claim of the Romans after the barbarian invasions that the advent of Christianity in Rome led to the neglect of Roman gods and it was this that made Rome weak, and further the rabid orthodoxy of the settlers of New England faced with a vast and frightening wilderness peopled with hostile natives.

Answer 8

I think the fact that some Americans are stupid is well established.
There were what, 3 people out of over 1000 there?

Those three people were REMOVED, and the prayer continued....Would that happen in many other countries?

Answer 9

Those three are a waste of DNA.

And decidedly not true to the American spirit.

"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. Peace, peace, peace be unto all."

The above is a good example of an inclusive prayer, the kind that OUGHT to be offered, if any prayer is offered at all, at government functions (and I'd prefer NO prayers at all). It allows each person hearing it to think of "God" in the way that their religion portrays "God", because it gives no name of "God"..

I'm astonished that so many people are up in arms about this - there's no mention of a god-name at all - not Shiva, not Krishna, not Kali, not Brahma.

But there are far too many people in this country who are willing to go to great lengths to limit how people pray - if it's not "In Jesus' name" or some other specific formula, and they know that the person praying is not a self-professed Christian, they'll protest ANY kind of language in a prayer, no matter how inclusive, or loving, or benign.

It's "my way or the highway". I'd vote for the highway - for them.

And honestly, how DARE they decide that anyone, everyone, no matter what their religion, must pray the way THEY prefer?

Just eliminate those opening prayers, as far as I'm concerned. They really are not appropriate.

On the other hand, I'd get a BIG hoot from having someone offer this one (with vocal emphasis on the text between the *s and some stern looks directed at those in the Senate who are religious bigots):

"Infinite Spirit,

Many people are in great distress today.

Let me become part of the solution through the power of this prayer.

Let every world leader's mind be filled with Divine wisdom.

Let every world leader's heart be filled with Divine compassion.

Let every world leader be led in building understanding between all people.

Let every world leader seize this moment as a turning point in building a compassionate and cooperative new future.

Let every person affected by conflict feel Divine protection, comfort and support.


Infinite Spirit, we know that the world heals as individuals heal.

Help me to heal myself, that I may heal others.

*Let me be strong enough to face my own prejudices.

Let me shine a light upon any forms of intolerance, in thought, word or deed, in which I am engaging.*

Let me nourish the seeds of understanding.

Let me learn the ways of compassion.

Let me see, daily, how I can do my part to fulfill the world’s dream of a just, humane, and honorable society.

I stand firm in my belief that it is truly possible for all people to live in freedom, justice, and plenty.

I pray for Divine Direction.

I commit to do my part.

I know the future of our country and all people depend upon this great mission.

So Mote It Be.

Answer 10

Why do we need to open the senate with any prayer? True liberty and freedom doesn't need to follow any previous guidelines set in anything but our own Constitution. Religion and liberty are not synonymous.