Oct 19 2007

A Forgotten Senate Prayer: 1975

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I’m posting this to support diversity of prayer in the Senate…

…and I’m not writing anything else, because this still
makes me so angry.

Historian Barton says Hindu prayer before Senate raises concerns

Barton points out that since Hindus worship multiple gods, the prayer will be completely outside the American paradigm, flying in the face of the American motto “One Nation Under God.”

Religious Right Activists Want Government To Reflect Only Their Faith, Says AU’s Lynn

BBSNews 2007-07-12 — (AU)

Americans United for Separation of Church and State today deplored the disruption by Religious Right activists of a Hindu chaplain’s prayer to open the U.S. Senate.

“This shows the intolerance of many Religious Right activists,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. “They say they want more religion in the public square, but it’s clear they mean only their religion.

“America is a land of extraordinary religious diversity, and the Religious Right just can’t seem to accept that fact,” Lynn continued. “I don’t think the Senate should open with prayers, but if it’s going to happen, the invocations ought to reflect the diversity of the American people.”

Prayer before the U.S. Senate – 1975
by Frank Fools Crow, Old Lord of the Holy Men
Ceremonial Chief and Medicine Man of the Lakota Nation

Give us a blessing so that our words and actions be one in unity,

and that we be able to listen to each other, in so doing,

we shall with good heart walk hand in hand to face the future.

In the presence of the outside, we are thankful for many blessings.

I make my prayer for all people, the children, the women and the men.

I pray that no harm will come to them,

and that on the great island, there be no war,

that there be no ill feelings among us

From this day on may we walk hand in hand

So be it.

6 comments

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  1. “I don’t think the Senate should open with prayers, but if it’s going to happen, the invocations ought to reflect the diversity of the American people.”

  2. to be watching C-span the morning that Hindu prayer was interrupted. How embarrassing…..

    I agree, no prayers. We were forced to say the Lord’s Prayer in  public school (I am 43 now) and it did not stop the bullies from thrashing on the smaller kids.

    • RiaD on October 19, 2007 at 22:10
    • #

    to put on my inspiration wall…Thank you winter rabbit!

  4. But to the wicked God says, “What right have you to tell of My statutes And to take My covenant in your mouth?

    “For you hate discipline, And you cast My words behind you.

    “When you see a thief, you are pleased with him, And you associate with adulterers.

    “You let your mouth loose in evil And your tongue frames deceit.

    “You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother’s son.

    “These things you have done and I kept silence; You thought that I was just like you; I will reprove you and state the case in order before your eyes.

    “Now consider this, you who forget God, Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver.

    “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.”  *

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