A Hindu clergyman made history Thursday by offering the Senate's morning prayer, but only after police officers removed three shouting protesters from the visitors' gallery.
These protests were encourged by the Bush-friendly "American Family Association"
Oh man. Reuters has put this story on the international wire and it is now running in India. Once again, insane Christian fundamentalists undermine America's reputation as a land of freedom and pluralism.
"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."
...Capitol police identified the protesters as Ante Nedlko Pavkovic, Katherine Lynn Pavkovic and Christan Renee Sugar. Their ages and hometowns were not available.
FoxNews
Here is video of the incident.
The American Family Association's legislative lobby held a conference in September 2006 in Washington, DC. The list of invited speakers included:
President George W. Bush
Sean Hannity
Senator George Allen
Michelle Malkin
Gary Bauer
Zell Miller
House Maj. Leader John Boehner
Peggy Noonan
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist
Senator Sam Brownback
Tony Perkins
Pat Buchanan
Senator Rick Santorum
Chuck Colson
Lt. Gov. Michael Steele
Dr. James Dobson
Rev. Don Wildmon
In a civilized (pluralistic) society based on freedom of religion, each of these people would put out statements condemming the AFA attack on a religious leader today in the Senate chamber.
UPDATE: It gets worse. The fundamentalists behind this horrible act have put out a press release.
Here it is...
Theology has moved from the church house onto the floor of the United States Senate, and has been arrested.
Contact: Dr. Pat McEwen, Operation Save America, 321-431- 3962
WASHINGTON, July 12 Christian Newswire -- Ante Pavkovic, Kathy Pavkovic, and Kristen Sugar were all arrested in the chambers of the United States Senate as that chamber was violated by a false Hindu god. The Senate was opened with a Hindu prayer placing the false god of Hinduism on a level playing field with the One True God, Jesus Christ. This would never have been allowed by our Founding Fathers.
"Not one Senator had the backbone to stand as our Founding Fathers stood. They stood on the Gospel of Jesus Christ! There were three in the audience with the courage to stand and proclaim, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' They were immediately removed from the chambers, arrested, and are in jail now. God bless those who stand for Jesus as we know that He stands for them." Rev. Flip Benham, Director, Operation Save America/Operation Rescue