That seems to have been the message from some state representatives in the North Dakota legislature, who decided that having a Muslim give the State House the opening prayer was somehow horribly inappropriate on Ash Wednesday. Because, of course, prayer in the legislature should be synchronized with the holidays of the majority, just like it says in the Bill of Rights.
Quoth Rep. Dwight Kiefert (R-Valley City): "I mean, you had representatives on the floor with ash on their foreheads commemorating the day. And so then you’re going to force them to listen to a prayer that they don’t agree with? It wasn’t very well thought out, I don’t think. If it would have been a different day, maybe it would have been better."
The Muslim gent instead gave the prayer in the State Senate, to no apparent gasps or riots or calls for holy war.
An actual transcript of the prayer he gave doesn't turn up, for me, anything particularly disagreeable (aside from the concept of anyone officially praying a legislative session into order): "Peace be upon you. In the name of God, the most merciful, the most benefactor, praise be to God, the cherisher and sustainer of the words, most gracious, most merciful, master of the day of judgment. You alone we worship, and you alone we ask for help. Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom you have bestowed your grace, not the way of those who earned your anger nor those who went astray. Oh God, guide us with those whom you have guided, and preserve us with those whom you have preserved. Take us to your care, with those whom you have taken to your care. Bless us in what you have given us. Protect us from the evil you have ordained. Surely you command and are not commanded. And none whom you have befriended shall be humiliated. And none whom you have taken as an enemy shall taste glory. You are blessed, our Lord, and exalted."
Yes, horrible stuff to "force them to listen to that they don’t agree with."
(h/t +Les Jenkins)
ND House Republicans cancel opening prayer from Muslim on Ash…
BISMARCK – Republican leaders in the North Dakota House of Representatives said they canceled the opening prayer by a Muslim on Ash Wednesday because some members thought it was more appropriate to have a Christian deliver the invocation.Dr. Nadim Koleilat, board president of the Bismarck Mus…
The transcript amply demonstrates MY concern with the practice – sort of the flip side of "praying a legislative session into order." While the legislature may question the practice, what of the person who appears before the legislature?
Dr. Koleilat, or whoever appears in front of a legislative body, has to go far beyond tailoring his or her message to the specific body. In order to avoid offense, the prayer has to be watered down significantly. No "pbuh." No "Christ" from the person who would be acceptable to the House. And forget about a "Hare Krishna" or similar statement from that religious group.
Using Christian terminology, a non-offensive public prayer is like salt that has lost its flavor.
P.S. I wonder if someone will follow up with the North Dakota House on the first day of Ramadan.
Naomi Muscha had it right: “I don’t want my religious rights taken from me, and you start closing the doors on one, then they can all be shut down."
Just out of curiosity, I wonder how many in the State House showed up with ashes on their foreheads?