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Washington, D.C.(July 18, 2007). Nearly a week after the Hindu chaplain, Rajan Zed, delivered the opening prayer in the U.S. Senate on July 12, Hindu Americans continued to inundate phone lines of their congressional leaders and the offices of the Hindu American Foundation with mixed sentiments. There was strong approval that a Hindu prayer was delivered, but simmering anger that influential groups such as the Family Research Council and American Family Association used the occasion to denounce Hinduism.
Far-right Christian groups lit up their websites and blogs with attacks on the Hindu faith as one that is inconsistent with the Judeo-Christian underpinnings of the United States.
"There is no historic connection between America and the polytheistic creed of the Hindu faith," declared Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council. "I seriously doubt that Americans want to change the motto, 'In God we Trust,' which Congress adopted in 1955, to, 'In gods we Trust.'"
While Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D, NV), who invited his constituent Zed to deliver the Hindu prayer, forcefully defended his decision and shared his admiration for a faith that inspired Mahatma Gandhi, most Senators have been silent on the issue and abstained from comment.
After writing a letter of appreciation to Senator Reid, HAF launched today a campaign to urge Presidential candidates, other Senators and members of the House of Representatives to follow suit in asserting the pluralistic ethos of the United States.
An email alert sent to thousands of the foundation's members asked that members contact their congressmen, especially those that are contenders in the presidential race to ask for a statement "indicating their support for the Hindu prayer as an example of the tolerance and pluralism of America, and condemning the miscreants who disrupted the otherwise momentous event and extremist organizations that protested the event." The foundation's leadership and major donors plan follow-up discussions on the issue during their visits with numerous members of Congress in September.
Letter to Senator Reid: Hindu American Foundation Thanks Senator Reid For Senate Prayer
Previous Statement: HAF Statement Celebrating Opening of the U.S. Senate With Hindu Prayer
Action Alert : HAF Statement Urges Members to Support Senate Hindu Prayer
The Hindu American Foundation is a non-profit
501(c)(3), non-partisan organization, promoting the Hindu
and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism.
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