2 lawmakers spurn Muslim's prayer - Republicans step off House floor

Seattle Post-Intelligencer ^ | March 4, 2003 | ANGELA GALLOWAY

[sarcasm]

OLYMPIA -- He prayed for the politicians, the state's prosperity and peace for all ethnicities and religions.

But when a Muslim cleric offered the opening prayer before the state House of Representatives yesterday, at least two lawmakers stepped off the chamber floor.

"It's an issue of patriotism," Rep. Lois McMahan, a conservative Republican from Gig Harbor, said of her decision to stand in the back of the room.

"The Islamic religion is so . . . part and parcel with the attack on America. I just didn't want to be there, be a part of that," she said. "Even though the mainstream Islamic religion doesn't profess to hate America, nonetheless it spawns the groups that hate America."

Rep. Cary Condotta, a Republican from East Wenatchee, also left the floor. He said the timing was not a coincidence, but he declined to comment further on why he left, except to say he was talking to another lawmaker and "let's just say I wasn't particularly interested."

A prayer is given at the beginning of each Senate and House session, and attendance is hit or miss, particularly on Mondays.

The interfaith organization Associated Ministries of Thurston County schedules the daily chaplain, said Cynthia Zehnder, clerk of the 98-member chamber. They have selected clerics representing a broad range of faiths, she said.

Imam Mohamad Joban, of the Islamic Center of Olympia, presented yesterday's brief opening prayer.

In part, he said: "We open this session of House of Representatives in the name of Allah the one God Abraham, God of Moses, God of Jesus, and God of Mohammed, peace be upon them all. . . . We ask Allah or God to bless the state of Washington so it may continue to prosper and become a symbol of peace and tranquility for people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. We pray that Allah may guide this House in making good decisions for the people of Washington.

"At this time, we also pray that America may succeed in the war against terrorism. We pray to God that the war may end with world peace and tranquility."

Joban said the walkout was not hurtful, but ignorant.

"They're unable to distinguish between Islam as religion and way of life, and bad Muslims," said Joban, who has also given the opening prayer to the Senate. "They are easily able to distinguish between Christianity and bad Christians.

"They need to understand that like (President) Bush said . . . Islam is a peaceful religion."

Kathy Erlandson, director of Associated Ministries of Thurston County, found the small walkout disappointing, but not surprising.

"It makes me embarrassed to know that some of our legislators can't even treat someone with that common respect," she said. "He's an American citizen and he's praying for their work, then how can it be an act of patriotism to walk away?"

McMahan said she does not oppose having a Muslim cleric deliver the prayer.

Her departure was not a protest, but a personal decision not to participate because "the religion is the focal point of the hate-America sentiment in the world."

"My god is not Mohammed," McMahan added.

Joban said that if he were invited to give the opening prayer, he would do it again.

"Even if half of them leave it's OK for me," Joban said. "As a Muslim we have to respect what people believe and . . . we have to forgive something because of ignorance.

"The Holy Quran says that (one should) always respond to bad action with good and those who used to be enemies become friends."

[Monty22]

"It's pretty disgusting and I'm extremely saddened that those who consider themselves "conservatives" would think that way."

Funny, but the vast majority of conserves are infidels and therefore aren't going to buy this evil agenda of yours... Good thing too.

[sheltonmac]

"Christians have the same G_d I do..."

Not to nitpick, but did your God send His only son to die for our sin? If not, then we don't have the same God.

[cerberus]

I sent 'em an email telling them that they are a disgrace to the Republican party and their constituents, and ought to resign in disgrace.

I agree. Their behavior was shabby and disgusting.

The prayer contained the following:

"We open this session of House of Representatives in the name of Allah the one God Abraham, God of Moses, God of Jesus, and God of Mohammed, peace be upon them all. . . .

I can honestly say I have never heard a Christian offer a prayer before a mixed audience that embodied as much tolerance as these words.

I have as many concerns about militant Islam as the next person here, but it is abundantly obvious that Christians have no monopoly on tolerance.

[newgeezer]

Yes, yes, very good. SHUN... obfuscation.

[Hila]

YAHWEH (blessed is HIS holy name) is the god of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. YAHWEH in any and all languages, without transliterations or faulty translations. While allah is nothing but a demon, who inspired a false prophet.

[Belial]

These Congress types can pray all they want when they get home. When they're earning my tax dollars on the job, I want them working, not posturing before Allah, Jesus, Zeus or whoever.

[expatguy]

Excuse me. I have neighbors and friends who are Muslim. Not one of them has hijacked a plane, or killed anyone in the name of "jihad," nor do any of them support these acts or anything like them...[sic]

Are your "friends" very religious? I would like to see you address any of my comments in post#22.

IMO, you and people who think as you do are EXACTLY THE SAME as the jihadists, letting your hatred of anyone different than you condemn an entire group of humanity to less-than-human...[sic]

It is not "hate".

I dont "hate" a Nazi or a Communist but I am wise enough to realize that their idealogy is not one that I share and that is threat to the very freedom and liberty that I enjoy.

[Blue Scourge]

Wow, quite a heated arguement.

I don't know if I would have walked out. I definately would not have bowed my head or closed my eyes. I possibly would have stood there, but I probably would have been praying inside my head.

Everyone is entitled to believe what they want. If those two reps. wanted to walk out than fine, it is their right to do so. If the Moslem wanted to call them ignorant, than fine, it's his right to do so.

[Illbay]

So if their religious traditions are an extension of the Jewish tradition, if they observe the books of Moses, if they consider that their holy scriptures are based on communication with that God, then it is a "lie"?

You have no basis for making this observation, of course, other than that you like (sadly) so many on FR don't think, but simply emote.

I am of one mind with Pres. George W. Bush in this regard. I believe that those who use Islam as a pretext for murder are simply madmen and not representative of the vast majority of the practioners of that religion.

That has actually been my experience in dealing with Muslims for years as I have. I have met and spoken with the "nutcases" as well, and I know the difference.

Your insults say a great deal about yourself, not about me--OR President Bush.

[newgeezer]

Not to nitpick, but did your God send His only son to die for our sin? If not, then we don't have the same God.

Been there already. The Jew doesn't know God like I do but, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is my God.

[Illbay]

Why not ask the ACLU, who have made a cottage industry out of treating christians like pariahs.

Hm. I always thought THEY were the bigots and WE were the enlightened ones.

Who knew?

[nobdysfool]

Are you nuts??? Those two had enough backbone to stand up and show they would not be a part of something that was a sham and an attempt to equate the One True God with the false god of Islam. This is every bit a First Amendment issue, and it cuts both ways.

I would have walked out, too. Allah is NOT Eloi, YHWH, or any other of the names of the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. Allah is an ancient babylonian moon god. Do your research before you give aid and comfort to the enemies of God, and the enemies of America.

[Hila]

A man/woman without personal beliefs is no good for public office. Character is where the stregth of those who represent us lies - no character and we end up with another clintoon, or a muslim disguised as "tolerant citizen". A public servant without personal beliefs is one step closer to a one world government, where everybody is treated like a third class citizen. You have gotten too many opportunities in this thread to say something factual or at least wise and you are unable. Yahweh rebuke your ignorance.

[newgeezer]

I can honestly say I have never heard a Christian offer a prayer before a mixed audience that embodied as much tolerance as these words.

"Tolerance"? How much "tolerance" does it take to say one's own god is the god of one's own prophets? Islam recognizes all those named as prophets of Allah.

[k2blader]

I see nothing wrong with choosing to step off *or* remain on the floor.

God knows our hearts.

[Illbay]

Those two had enough backbone to stand up and show they would not be a part of something that was a sham

Then they should never have been present in the first place. They would not have offended their constituents, and they wouldn't have embarrassed their party.

[Illbay]

You can have personal beliefs and at the same time, respect the beliefs of others. No one asks them to accept Islam. You can hold your own beliefs and at the same time take care not to offend others'.

I am simply amazed that I even have to say this.

[Illbay]

So you think that a Jewish legislator ought to be offended if the name of Jesus Christ is mentioned in prayer, and ought then to walk out, right?

[f.Christian]

Main Entry: ob·fus·cate
Pronunciation: 'äb-f&-"skAt; äb-'f&s-"kAt, &b-
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -cat·ed; -cat·ing
Etymology: Late Latin obfuscatus, past participle of obfuscare, from Latin ob- in the way + fuscus dark brown -- more at OB-, DUSK
Date: 1577
1 a : DARKEN b : to make obscure
2 : CONFUSE
- ob·fus·ca·tion /"äb-(")f&s-'kA-sh&n/ noun
- ob·fus·ca·to·ry /äb-'f&s-k&-"tOr-E, &b-, -"tor-/ adjective