Idaho State Sen. Steve Vick (R-Of Course) has a bad case of Hinduphobia.

Later today, the Senate will open with an invocation from self-proclaimed Hindu leader Rajan Zed (who has been mentioned on this site before).

But not if Vick (below) has his way:

“They have a caste system. They worship cows.” He acknowledged the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution allows any kind of prayer, but said he thinks the Hindu one shouldn’t be allowed to open the Senate, as the United States was “built on the Judeo-Christian not only religion but work ethic, and I don’t want to see that undermined.” … “It goes back to my concern about the way this country was built, if you compare it to a country that was built on the Hindu faith,” Vick said. He said allowing the prayer could “send a message we’re not happy with the way America is.”

Of course, I stand with Zed here. If a Hindu invocation isn’t allowed, just wait till an atheist tries to deliver one. (Hey, Satanic Temple, got any members in Idaho?) If the Senate wants invocations, they have to be open to people of all faiths and no faith. Not that it matters, but his invocation address isn’t even sectarian; it refers to a “deity supreme.”

And, not that I’m one to defend Hinduism, but cows aren’t worshiped in the religion. That’s something only an ignorant people would say when “he’s brown!” would be going too far. And the caste system, while the effects are still being felt today, doesn’t have the power it once used to. (“Discrimination based on caste has been illegal in India for more than six decades,” said the New York Times.)

Thankfully, Vick seems to be alone in his bigotry. Zed will deliver the invocation this morning, even if the senator refuses to be around to listen to it.

(Image via Wikipedia. Thanks to Emily for the link)



