Posted on 03/04/2003 2:34:57 AM PST by 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."
I have zero respect for them.
That will change on the day they demonstrate their respect for me, and for the right of Christians and Jews to be Christians and Jews.
Don't hold your breath.
Most thinking Freepers can make up their own minds about a given subject, without reference to who else agrees with them or not. It is the mark of a FReeper, generally.
"We claim the privilege to worship almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege: let them worship how, where or what they may." --Joseph Smith, Article of Faith 11.
One good apostolic epistle deserves another.
And that is different from traditional Christianity exactly how?
(HINT: Try reading St. Augustine's "City of God").
I think most conservatives agree with you, and haven't made a big issue out of the whole thing; out of sympathy for the tough political realities he faces. But that doesn't lessen the fact that most find the assertions ridiculous.
Straw City, Ill. and a very sad one at that. But I like the Hitler tie-in grasp there, to try and group this incident to mass murder. Apples and Oranges but nice try.
If one is elected by such people, yes they will try to put "Jews to the ovens". But these representative were brought forth by God fearing Christian people, the ones that stand by Israel, not the ones you defend BTW...
Different in its particulars; demonstrated vividly by the kind of government and the kind of society produced by each 'ideology'.
You didn't even read what I wrote. Tell you what: I'm going to ignore you from now on. It is obvious that you aren't interested in actually READING my arguments, just making my own.
HINT: I said exactly the opposite of what you claim that I said. Get a clue.
No you didn't.
Which, based on your gibberish above, doesn't include you.
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