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."
You are right. I disagree only with your thinking that they should resign. It's not a grievous error, IMO.
I've noticed that some who consider themselves "conservatives" are somewhat ambivalent about constitutional protections.
You REALLY THINK that it wouldn't have been reported if the walkout had occurred, regardless of who was praying?
I disagree. And further, it would have been JUST as odious had it been a Leftist Democrat atheist walking out on a Christian minister.
Personal beliefs have no place in this action, no more than they would when a judge was considering a case in law. When you are standing in your place as an elected official, you represent that office, not yourself.
Thank goodness they don't have a militant wing as Islam does.
Ooh. Good one.
A prayer is given at the beginning of each Senate and House session, and attendance is hit or miss, particularly on Mondays.
I guess this means that the legislators who are not present / walk out for "business" or any other reason on any other day all also Bigots? I assume that you, Illbay will also call for thier resignation?
The only "tolerance" garenteed in the constitution is that: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ". This does not force us to listen to them, only to allow them to beleive what they want to. That is true tolerance, both sides tolerate each other!
Who do you think it was tearing up Seattle a couple of years ago? If we go to war, the same bunch has threatened to "shut down" San Francisco.
How do you figure they're not "militant"?
IMO those people are a far greater domestic threat than American Muslims.
I suspect it is because they wanted to stage their bigoted bit of performance art.
And the 50-year old skanky whore standing found on a street corner in a metropolitan cesspool is a virgin
Actually, those were gov't operatives. The troublemakers, dressed in black ninja gear (who else do we know that has a black ninja gear fetish?), were allowed to ransack businesses and property while the police literally stood by and watched.
The next day, this group was out of sight and the police decided to crack down on the peaceful protestors.
Alex Jones has done a documentary on this, and the evidence is very compelling.
Not at all. In fact, I would make sure that I, as a PRIVATE CITIZEN, would not be present to hear such a prayer.
But we're not talking about "private citizens," we're talking about elected officials. They have no right to such personal expressions when they stand in that office.
"From the article:
A prayer is given at the beginning of each Senate and House session, and attendance is hit or miss, particularly on Mondays.
I guess this means that the legislators who are not present / walk out for "business" or any other reason on any other day all also Bigots? I assume that you, Illbay will also call for thier resignation?
The only "tolerance" garenteed in the constitution is that: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ". This does not force us to listen to them, only to allow them to beleive what they want to. That is true tolerance, both sides tolerate each other! "
You said:
"Your argument is spurious."
spu·ri·ous ( P ) Pronunciation Key (spyr-s)
adj. Lacking authenticity or validity in essence or origin; not genuine; false.
Please tell my which parts of my post were "spurious".
You sir, do not like facts and, when confronted with them chose to hide from them instead of confront them!
Where is it written that an elected official gives up his/her right to religious freedom when they are elected?
Really? coulda fooled me.
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