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."
Have you ever tried to reconcile some of Islam's scripture with similar scriptures’ of Judaism and Christianity?
Juxtapose the following examples from the Bible with similar verses from the Quran. The prophets of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam apparently felt they had good reason to advise the killing of the non-believer.
Quran 33.61
cursed wherever they are found, they will be seized and put to death.
Quran 33.62
Such has been the way of Allah with those who have passed before them, and you shall find no change in the ways of Allah.
Deuteronomy 20.17
But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee.
They were acting in an official capacity. What they do in that capacity has significance. They represent Constitutional PRINCIPLES. One of those principles--arguably the most important in the Constitution--is that of religious pluralism.
We are unique among the nations of the world for that principle, and it is sacred.
What these people did is toss that out the window as part of their official acts. That is WRONG. I predict they will pay a price for it.
And I get private FReepmails expressings upport. They typically say something like "I'm glad you're willing to take the heat for this. You're expressing what I believe, but I don't want to deal with the flames from the bigots."
I don't mind the flames.
Too bad. You are part of a COUNTRY that now hates Islam. Live with it.
And then ignores everything the 'prophets' had ever said!!!!!!!!!
For the life of me, I can't see where you'd get that idea. Unless you can show me how you logically arrived at such a conclusion, I'll have to dismiss your swipe as just another invocation of disinformation (either Rule #2 or, more likely, #4).
Typical.
Your assertion that those who disagree with you are bigots is offensive.
No. That's not our place. As you said, God knows their hearts.
...and all too commonplace on FR. It's #5 (with a bullet!) on The 25 Rules of Disinformation. ;-)
Especially in the Peoples Republic of Washington! Im surprised the "under God" part of the pledge isnt ommitted. I agree with Illbay, however, that these two will take heat for it, but I still back their conviction. Islam is no freind of mine, either.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.