HAF Speaks with US Senator about Anti-Hindu Remarks

I appreciate your call yesterday in response to HAF’s request for an apology and clarification of comments surrounding Governor Beshear’s attendance at a Hindu ground-blessing ceremony. If I may, I take this opportunity to summarize the main points of our conversation, which include: 1) the issue of participating in religious ceremonies as a state official in light of the principle of separation of church and state; 2) the issue of a Christian participating in a Hindu ceremony in light of your understanding of Christian teachings; and 3) there being no intent, on your part, to offend with your remarks, and that Kentucky Hindus should have confidence in your commitment to not discriminate on the basis of belief.

Separation of Church and State

As I explained, removing one’s shoes, sitting cross-legged, or even having a red dot on one’s forehead, does not necessarily indicate “participation” in a ceremony according to Hindu practice. All of those things can certainly be indicative of “participation,” but are usually accompanied with other actions, including a declaration of intent to participate (sankalpa). Otherwise, all of these actions can simply reflect observance of respectful protocol, not only for attending Hindu ceremonies, but entering a Hindu temple or Hindu home. The conclusion you have made of “participation” is thus flawed.

The Hindu American Foundation has advocated for the separation of church and state since its inception. Accordingly, it is my sincere hope that your understanding of and commitment to this constitutional principle would also lead you through a similar exercise of concern if a Christian government office-bearer “participated” in Christian prayer in his or her official capacity.

Beyond your concern of state impropriety, you also felt that as a Christian, Governor Beshear should not have “participated” in the ceremony. You stated that it is your belief that there is only one way to God and that is through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as savior; that the Bible is infallible; and that all Christians accept both of these beliefs.

In response, I mentioned the countless Christians who felt compelled to reach out to the Foundation to apologize for your remarks, demonstrating that your sentiments are clearly not reflective of all Christians — some went as far as to suggest that your remarks are a perversion of what Jesus stood for. When I mentioned the many Christians whom I know of, who, similar to Hindus, are religious pluralists, you said you believe those Christians do not believe in or understand the words of the Bible. I asked which Bible — King James, Greek Orthodox, Gnostic — to which you did not respond. You also asked whether I would, as a Hindu participate in communion at a church.

As I mentioned, Hinduism is a pluralistic tradition which acknowledges the existence of multiple ways (also in the form of traditions or religions) of relating, communing, or being with God and that God, Truth, or the Divine can manifest in different forms. As such, if my taking communion was not offensive to the members or teachings of the particular church and did not require me to convert or accept any one savior, as a Hindu, I would not have any issues respectfully “participating.”

It is difficult to understand how an individual of your education, experience, and position would think that calling “gods” of another religion “false” and its practices “idolatry,” and stating that your hope was that “Hindus open their eyes and receive Jesus as their Savior” would not be taken as offensive. Beyond being deeply disrespectful, your remarks also wreak of an official endorsement by the President of the Kentucky State Senate of Christianity over Hinduism. Surely, you had not intended this given your stated commitment to the constitutional principle of religious liberty.