Posted: Mon 16 Jul 2007 01:13 Post subject: Religious Bigots Attack Hindu Priest in U.S. Senate
Dr. Frank Morales, Ph.D.
President – International Sanatana Dharma Society
Press Release
July 12, 2007
Religious Bigots Attack Hindu Priest in U.S. Senate
History was made on Thursday, July 12th when a Hindu priest delivered the opening prayer at the U.S. Senate for the first time ever. Mr. Rajan Zed, a journalist and Hindu priest, delivered a minute and a half prayer in which he offered God thanks and prayed for peace.
However, before Mr. Zed could offer his short prayer to God, three Christian activists disrupted the ceremony with angry shouts and denunciations of Hinduism to the shock of on-lookers. "This is an abomination!" the Washington Post reports one of the disruptors as screaming. "We are Christians and patriots!" yelled another before being led away by police.
Shockingly, far from being an isolated and spontaneous incident of hatred, it is reported that a large number of well-organized fundamentalist Christian groups throughout the nation had been clamoring against allowing a Hindu priest to lead a prayer in our nation's capital. The American Family Association has been on the forefront of urging Christians to take direct action against religious tolerance and asked their followers to contact the Senate to ban a Hindu from leading prayer.
For further information on this dark and disturbing incident, please review the following sites:
America has been celebrated throughout the world as a society that cherishes religious tolerance, freedom of faith, and respect for different cultures. Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma) is the most ancient continuously practiced spiritual tradition on earth. Hinduism is a dignified and highly respected religion that has always fostered peace, respect of cultural diversity, and freedom of thought.
As an American Hindu leader, and the President of the International Sanatana Dharma Society, I would urge all freedom loving Americans to openly reject such disturbing instances of hatred, bigotry, and prejudice as we sadly witnessed at this event.
I also urge all Hindus to become actively involved in vocally denouncing this incident of bigotry, and insisting that mainstream American society extend the same respect and tolerance toward Hinduism as it commonly gives to the Abrahamic minority religions in our great nation. Together, let us create a nation of mutual respect, and tolerance of diverse cultures and religions.
Om Shanti (May Peace Prevail),
Dr. Frank Morales, Ph.D.
(Sri Dharma Pravartaka Acharya)
President – Spiritual Director
International Sanatana Dharma Society
By Michelle Boorstein
Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, July 27, 2007
U.S. Hindu organizations are urging presidential candidates to denounce the protesters who disrupted the Senate as the first-ever Hindu opening prayer was being delivered this month.
Ante Nedlko Pavkovic, Katherine Lynn Pavkovic and Christan Renee Sugar -- identified in the Christian media as a couple and their daughter -- were removed from the Senate floor and arrested by Capitol Police on July 12 after they began shouting, "This is an abomination," and asking for forgiveness from God.
The three, from Davidson, N.C., were arrested and charged with disrupting Congress, a misdemeanor.
A brief prayer was then delivered by Rajan Zed, a chaplain from Reno who was invited by Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.).
Several Christian organizations spoke out against the prayer, before and after it was delivered. The American Family Association circulated a petition, urging its members to contact their senator to protest the prayer. "This is not a religion that has produced great things in the world," it read. The Rev. Flip Benham of Operation Rescue/Operation Save America issued a statement saying the prayer placed "the false god of Hinduism on a level playing field with the One True God, Jesus Christ."
Although the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington issued a statement July 17 saying its members were "deeply saddened" by the interruption, no senators present spoke out against it publicly, according to the Hindu American Foundation and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Both organizations said they are disappointed with the legislators, and they sent letters this week to presidential candidates and senators, asking them to condemn the incident.
"We call on you to follow the example set by [Reid] and take a stance in defense of religious freedom and equality, in the face of opposition from extremists and fundamentalists," the ISKCON letter said.
A focus of the Christian organizations was the perception that Hindus are polytheistic. "Our national motto isn't 'In gods we trust,' " Janet L. Folger, president of Faith2Action, said the day before the Senate prayer.
However, the U.S. Hindu groups say this criticism reflects ignorance of the monotheistic underpinnings of their faith. Hinduism has many deities, all manifestations of one god.
Although there were only three protesters, said Ishani Chowdhury, executive director of the Hindu American Foundation, "if you look at it as a reflection of a larger number of people . . . we need people to condemn what happened and highlight the need for dialogue."
According to the foundation, there are 2 million Hindus in the United States.
In my book, I discuss the topic of Christians and others who denigrate Vedanta as being polytheistic, a heathen religion; they do so out of a poor fund of knowledge. Badly informed ministers with little or no understanding of Vedanta have misled many to think that “Hindus” believe in many Gods. They fail to realize that what Christians refer to as “divine angels,” the Vedas call “demigods.” (Catholics worship their saints.) Those sacred texts clearly explain that these celestial managers (e.g., Ganesh, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi et al.) are always subordinate to the one supreme personality of Godhead or Krishna. Those with a shallow understanding, however, like to espouse this misleading propaganda.
Quote:
Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.
The scriptures assert that less intelligent people who have lost their spiritual sense take shelter of demigods for immediate fulfillment of material desires. Generally, such people do not go to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, because they are in particular modes of nature (ignorance and passion) and therefore worship various demigods. As everything in existence comes from God’s energy, anything that we possess comes from Him, whether we pray to a particular demigod or no. The intelligent know this, but the less intelligent are bewildered by the concept. The unknowingness of many notwithstanding, Vedanta is not polytheistic as some condemn it as being.
Additionally, there is a general Western bias toward any religion that is not one of the three Abrahamic religions. Abrahamic refers to Abraham through whom God is said to have made a covenant with the Jewish people. The three major religions that trace their roots back to Abraham are often referred to as the Abrahamic religions (a.k.a. Abramic religions). These are Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Sorry, but to invoke another god [idolatry], other than Jesus, is furthering the erosion of our culture and just another PC expression of 'tolerance', confusion, and compromise.
My, my, my, what is next? Allowing an invocation to the Devil, aka Wiccans http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca or Denominational Luciferians? http://www.neoluciferianchurch.org/ The military already gives crediance to Witches as chaplans. And even attempts to prohibit the invocation of the name Jesus. I wrote my elected officials last year about these vary same issues.
Make no mistake, the Bible is clear that anyone worshipping any God, apart from the Lord, is really worshipping the devil.
Quote:
1 Corinthians 10:19-20
10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
10:20 But I [say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
Jews pray to the one god Jehovah and Muslims pray to the one god Allah, and Hindus/Buddists may/may not pray to a one god too - that's their prerogative and it doesn't matter to me. But logic must dictate that all of these religions cannot all be right. The truth can only be found within one. So, do you know what is true?
In this exciting and fast moving narrative, K.P. Yohannan shares how God brought him from his remote Indian village to become the founder of Gospel For Asia. https://www.gfa.org/freebook
Quote:
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 http://www.bendedkneeministries.com/
And in regards to Americans having no problems with 'Abrahamic' religions...I disagree. I can't imagine those in the Senate audience welcoming a prayer from a rabbi or a Muslim imam. And the most would not like to see Catholic clergy, either.
On that note, I can not imagine why, when the US is supposed to have a separation of church and state, that prayers are said at the US Senate.
Posted: Tue 31 Jul 2007 12:34 Post subject: Re: Hindu Groups Ask '08 Hopefuls to Criticize Protest
femmedecouleur wrote:
And in regards to Americans having no problems with 'Abrahamic' religions...I disagree. I can't imagine those in the Senate audience welcoming a prayer from a rabbi or a Muslim imam. And the most would not like to see Catholic clergy, either.
If I'm not mistaken an imam has said prayers in the Senate. Can't comment on a priest or rabbi.
femmedecouleur wrote:
On that note, I can not imagine why, when the US is supposed to have a separation of church and state, that prayers are said at the US Senate.
Doesn't make any sense, to me.
Separation of church and state relates to the government establishing a state religion doesn't it? It doesn't mean people can't offer prayers in the Senate or pray in public schools.
And in regards to Americans having no problems with 'Abrahamic' religions...I disagree. I can't imagine those in the Senate audience welcoming a prayer from a rabbi or a Muslim imam. And the most would not like to see Catholic clergy, either.
On that note, I can not imagine why, when the US is supposed to have a separation of church and state, that prayers are said at the US Senate.
Doesn't make any sense, to me.
Actually muslim prayers have been heard in the senate before. And if we look at the 2005 senate Catholicism was well represented.
http://www.bizforum.org/FFR-Senate-05.htm
I stand corrected. To a non-Catholic, though, it's tough at first glance to see the difference. The Catholic Encyclopedia even refers to veneration and invocation regarding saints (See: "Dulia"). To an outsider that can appear equivalent to worshipping. Thanks for sharing that.
Uh, I was raised Catholic and that is one apologetic bunch of baloney. The lay Catholic will pray directly to Saints asking for them to either intercede or do miracles on their own. Many Saints have strong followings.
I stand corrected. To a non-Catholic, though, it's tough at first glance to see the difference. The Catholic Encyclopedia even refers to veneration and invocation regarding saints (See: "Dulia"). To an outsider that can appear equivalent to worshipping. Thanks for sharing that.
I'd like to add that I, as a Catholic, use saints as intercessors. So do many Catholics I know. I do not venerate or worship them. For example, if I misplace something, I ask St. Anthony to, through God, assist me in finding the object. I can honestly say that it has never failed, if the item was merely misplaced, and not stolen or truly lost. It turns up within minutes.
I stand corrected. To a non-Catholic, though, it's tough at first glance to see the difference. The Catholic Encyclopedia even refers to veneration and invocation regarding saints (See: "Dulia"). To an outsider that can appear equivalent to worshipping. Thanks for sharing that.
I agree. I consider what they (Catholics) do as idolary and veneration (worship) of Saints. Why? Because all those people are dead and it is forbidden (and pointless) to inquire of/to the dead.
Any Catholics, please give me chapter and verse in the Bible where it says one must or it is allowable to ask a Holy Saint to do anything for them?
Quote:
1 Timothy 2:5 declares, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." There is no one else that can mediate with God for us. If Jesus is the ONLY mediator, that indicates Mary and saints cannot be mediators. They cannot mediate our prayer requests to God. Further, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ Himself is interceding for us before the Father, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25). With Jesus Himself interceding for us, why would we need Mary or the saints to intercede for us? Who would God listen to more closely than His Son? Romans 8:26-27 describes the Holy Spirit interceding for us. With the 2nd and 3rd members of the Trinity already interceding for us before the Father in Heaven, what possible need could there be to have Mary or the saints interceding for us?http://www.gotquestions.org/prayer-saints-Mary.html
Last edited by Melani23 on Tue 31 Jul 2007 17:41; edited 5 times in total
I stand corrected. To a non-Catholic, though, it's tough at first glance to see the difference. The Catholic Encyclopedia even refers to veneration and invocation regarding saints (See: "Dulia"). To an outsider that can appear equivalent to worshipping. Thanks for sharing that.
I'd like to add that I, as a Catholic, use saints as intercessors. So do many Catholics I know. I do not venerate or worship them. For example, if I misplace something, I ask St. Anthony to, through God, assist me in finding the object. I can honestly say that it has never failed, if the item was merely misplaced, and not stolen or truly lost. It turns up within minutes.
That's what my Catholic friends and relatives say too.
However, what does the Bible (even the Catholic Bible) say about this practice?
Rosary - Blessed be the fruit of thy womb
Luke 11:27-28
And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him [Jesus], Blessed [is] the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Matthew 6:7 - [Jesus said] And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words
Ephesians 2:18 -
For through him (Jesus) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
2nd Commandment (2/10)- "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them;
John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 14:13-14 - And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
b]'Intercessor', as defined by the dictionary, the first meaning, is: 'One who entreaties in favor of another, especially one who prays or petitions to GOD in behalf of another'[/b] Catholic source - http://home.inreach.com/bstanley/mediate.htm
Who in the Bible is referred to as our Intercessor? Mary? Never. Try again -
Romans 8:34 -Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."
Hebrews 7:24-25 - But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
1 John 2:1-2 - "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS OUR ONLY INTERCESSOR. All believers are priests unto God. We do business with God ourselves in the Person of Christ. We do not need Aaron, Levi, or their sons. We have Christ. "There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (I Tim. 2:5). We know that the Angel mentioned in Revelation 8:3 is Christ, because he is the only Mediator between God and men. http://www.freegrace.net/dfbooks/dfrevbk/REV15.htm
Joined: 03 Jun 2005 {Posts: 274 } Location: California
Posted: Sat 04 Aug 2007 05:43 Post subject: Re: Hindu Groups Ask '08 Hopefuls to Criticize Protest
G-Man wrote:
If I'm not mistaken an imam has said prayers in the Senate. Can't comment on a priest or rabbi.
Well, that's good! I wonder if anyone protested that?
G-Man wrote:
Separation of church and state relates to the government establishing a state religion doesn't it? It doesn't mean people can't offer prayers in the Senate or pray in public schools.
Uh, I was raised Catholic and that is one apologetic bunch of baloney. The lay Catholic will pray directly to Saints asking for them to either intercede or do miracles on their own. Many Saints have strong followings.
Yeah, but are they worshiping the saints? If so, then there's a HUGE problem there.
And maybe it's baloney to you, but it's still Church doctrine.
I stand corrected. To a non-Catholic, though, it's tough at first glance to see the difference. The Catholic Encyclopedia even refers to veneration and invocation regarding saints (See: "Dulia"). To an outsider that can appear equivalent to worshipping. Thanks for sharing that.
I'd like to add that I, as a Catholic, use saints as intercessors. So do many Catholics I know. I do not venerate or worship them. For example, if I misplace something, I ask St. Anthony to, through God, assist me in finding the object. I can honestly say that it has never failed, if the item was merely misplaced, and not stolen or truly lost. It turns up within minutes.
Islam is more hostile to polytheism than Christianity. It, like Judaism, is rigidly monotheistic, but I'm not aware of Islamic texts commanding the faithful to murder witches. Pagans maybe, but not witches.
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The military already gives crediance to Witches as chaplans. 
And even attempts to prohibit the invocation of the name Jesus. 
I wrote my elected officials last year about these vary same issues.
