From Crooks & Liars:
Bradlee Dean, an evangelist preacher and death metal drummer who is known for his anti-gay rhetoric, was invited by Minnesota Republicans to deliver an opening prayer in the state House chamber Friday.
Praying before the Minnesota legislature in a track suit, Dean suggested that President Barack Obama wasn't a Christian.
"I end with this," he said. "I know this is a non-denominational prayer in this Chamber and it's not about the Baptists and it's not about the Catholics alone or the Lutherans or the Wesleyans. Or the Presbyterians the evangelicals or any other denomination but rather the head of the denomination and his name is Jesus. As every President up until 2008 has acknowledged. And we pray it. In Jesus' name."
The Minnesota Independent noted that Dean has a history of controversial remarks, "including advocating the incarceration of gays and lesbians, that the LGBT community is trying to usher in Sharia law in Minnesota, that gay men molest an average of 117 children “before they get caught,” and that Muslim nations that execute gays are more moral than American Christians."
Republicans were forced to call in the chaplain to redo the prayer after Dean left.
Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers later apologized in a floor speech.
"I denounce him, his actions and his words," Zeller said.
The prayer came as Minnesota lawmakers were considering a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage.
Dean is known to be close with Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann.
Why the hell can't we get rid of christianists praying in our state legislatures and national Congress? I know there is historical precedent for this, but precedent be damned. There was historical precedent for slavery. That doesn't make it right.
Religious leaders of whatever persuasion or cult have no place promoting their god in our political houses. Let them pray in their own damnable houses!
Michele Bachmann has some very strange and nasty friends. You can read all about that and her special relationship with Bradlee Dean here at Mother Jones.
2 comments:
"I end with this," he said. "I know this is a non-denominational prayer in this Chamber and it's not about the Baptists and it's not about the Catholics alone or the Lutherans or the Wesleyans. Or the Presbyterians the evangelicals or any other denomination but rather the head of the denomination and his name is Jesus. As every President up until 2008 has acknowledged. And we pray it. In Jesus' name."
Except that's not true. Catholics do not pray the same as Baptists. And don't even get me started on whether Jesus is the same as god or a separate entity. People have murdered each other over it. Hell, people killed each other over whether two fingers or three should be used when crossing oneself. He's a small-minded, uneducated prick.
Why do they pray in congress? I never did understand that. Our own constitution implies that they ought not. I'm sure you know that article six is the only mention of religion in the main body of the Constitution, and it states that "...no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
I'd say that precludes praying. I'd also say that precludes swearing an oath on a religious text. In fact, I was always worried I'd get picked for jury duty and they'd ask me to swear on a bible and I'd have to refuse. Surely one wouldn't wind up in trouble for that, but hell, you never know. Contempt of court would not be fun, but I'd live with it :D
I agree 100%, A World Quite Mad!
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