Hindu Prays in U.S. Senate for First Time. Does it Matter?
(CNSNews.com) - Three Christian protesters who disrupted the first Hindu prayer ever delivered on the Senate floor have been charged with misdemeanor unlawful conduct and disruption of Congress and will face a court date in the future.Couple of questions to ponder:
Ante Pavkovic, Katherine Pavkovic and their daughter Christan Sugar were removed from the Senate observation gallery Thursday morning when they began praying loudly during the Senate's routine opening prayer. For the first time in recorded history, the morning invocation was being delivered by a Hindu chaplain. [full story here]
1. Should Christians be upset because these protesters were arrested? Could it not be argued that anyone who disrupts the Senate proceeding would (and should) be arrested and removed?
2. Though I'm not excited in the least to see Hinduism promoted within the proceedings of the United States Senate, does it matter? After all, how many of the lawmakers really care whether prayer of any kind is offered before they get about the business of pushing their own agendas, giving no considerations (besides lip-service) to the will of God being done?
3. Is the senate prayer anything more than a symbolic act/ritual similar (if not identical) to the type of public prayer Jesus spoke against in Luke 18:9-14?
4. Were these Christians justified (even mandated?) to some degree to stand up and commit this type of non-aggressive, non-violent civil disobedience or do they accomplish little more than establish barriers between non-Christians that need not be erected?
I am aware of many differing views regarding these types of questions (some better arguments than others). Perhaps these are just rhetorical questions or maybe there are some good views out there that can serve to move us forward in dialogue regarding how those of us who are Christ followers can develop attitudes and actions that reflect a biblical worldview.
Labels: Christian, Christianity, culture, David C. Price, God, politics, religion
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 7/13/2007 08:36:00 AM
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1 Comments:
While I am not happy that the senate had a Hindu prayer, I can certainly say that I am not shocked about it. The hot topic of separation of church and state is becoming more and more prevalent. I feel that it is acceptable for Christians to protest against topics that we feel are leading to the corruption of the world, however, we have to be careful not to sound like bigots. Our purpose should to spread the love of Christ, not attack every religion that does not match our own. That being said I feel that the arrests were justified if the senate policy is to arrest anyone who disrupts proceedings. As Christians we should not expect to be receive special treatment. Just as countless other Christians throughout history, I believe that the three people in question knew that arrest was a real possibility if they voiced their protest.
As far as, the senate's practice of opening prayer being strictly lip service, I would have to agree with you on that one. With the issue of separation between church and state I'm shocked that they have an opening prayer at all. However, seeing how their all so many religions in the United States maybe they should adopt a moment of silence, like they have forced all other civic and school events to do. As usual, I think the whole issue is blown out of proportion. I know that even if someone is leading a prayer, I don't use their prayer as my own, I can pray for myself. I think that is what we all should do, pray for ourselves. Thanks for the post.
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