Getting Political

NAMPA — U.S. Rep. Bill Sali expressed doubt Friday about the value of multiculturalism and warned that non-Christian principles could jeopardize the “protective hand (of God) that’s been over this country.”
Sali made his remarks at a meeting of the Idaho Press-Tribune’s editorial board.
The statements came not long after the Republican 1st District congressman said he did not like the use of Hindu prayer to open a session of the U.S. Senate last month. He also said the prayer and a Muslim member of Congress were “not what was envisioned by the Founding Fathers.”

A spokesman for the Idaho Democratic Party denounced Sali’s remarks, calling them “un-American” and “an embarrassment to the state.”
Friday, Sali said multiculturalism is in conflict with the national motto “E Pluribus Unum,” or “out of many, one.” He said multiculturalism would mean “out of the many, the many.”
“The question is, is multiculturalism good or not?” Sali said. “I don’t think the Founding Fathers were multicultural. Multiculturalism is the antithesis of (the motto).”

Sali said the United States was founded on principles derived primarily from the Scriptures. And he said drifting away from those principles could put the country in danger.
“If we’re going to move away from those principles ... we better consider the blessings of God that have been bestowed on this country and the protective hand of God that’s been over this country,” Sali said.
The United States was founded on the principle of religious freedom, Idaho Democratic Party Communications Director Chuck Oxley said.

“I’m flabbergasted and astounded that we have somebody serving in the U.S. Congress who essentially says any religion besides Christianity really is not what was envisioned by the founders,” Oxley said. “First of all, the founders were not all Christians, many of them were Deists. To try to divide the nation like I think he is doing is just flat un-American.”

Thursday, Democratic Party Chairman Richard Stallings called for Sali to step down from Congress or retract his comments.

In response to his concerns about the Hindu prayer offered in the Senate in July, Sali said it is Christianity that drives many good causes in the United States.
“Christian principles work, and they show up in a lot of different areas,” Sali said. “Most of the hospitals in this country have Christian names. If you think Hindu prayer is great, where are the Hindu hospitals in this country? Go down the list. Where are the atheist hospitals in this country? They’re not equal.”

***************************

So that's the article. Yikes!! The idea that people could possibly think this way is scary! The people in my government! My state representative! What century are we in, where being of a religion other than Christianity denotes being inferior or incapable of serving in office?

Am I the only one who sees a problem with this? I know there are a number of people who agree with Sali and salute him for his ability to "speak the truth, lest the hand of God Himself be set upon us," but surely there are others who are more pragmatic. I am not so naive that I don't understand the varying views of our society, however when they are so far to the right (or so far to the left) it's hard to fathom what goes on in their heads; how easily religious views can dominate every aspect of our government...but selectively of course, and only when it serves. But I digress, the point is:


Article VI, section 3, of the US constitution:

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.


So there you have it. Make up your own mind, better to have an opinion whether it differs from mine or not, than to have no mind at all. :)

Arrivederci peeps!