A Tale of Two Water Fountains

Back in the days of Jim Crow, gas stations across the South always had two water fountains: one labeled “white” and the other “colored”. Now if a modern-day segregation took hold, what would be the labels of the same two drinking fountains?

From TPM Café: (http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com)
7/12/07

Hindu Chaplain Rajan Zed, a Nevada resident, gave the opening prayer in the Senate at the invitation of U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.). As he began his remarks, two protestors interrupted the proceedings, asking for forgiveness from Jesus Christ for the “abomination” of failing to pray to the “one true God.” (The sergeant-at-arms had to restore order.)

Religious Right groups have been agitating against the Hindu leader’s prayer since it was announced. The Rev. Donald Wildmon’s American Family Association has asked his members to complain to their senators about the invitation.

One astute comment:

Talibangelists

Sending 'em to jail will only fuel their feelings of persecution. They can all live their Revelations just like John did when he wrote the wackiest chapter in the bible. Little do they realize that their beloved GOP acts more like the Romans than the Christians.

Fundamentalism makes people crazy.

And the Christian Right’s Spin:

Theology has moved from the church house onto the floor of the United States Senate, and has been arrested.The falsehood of Hinduism was eloquently challenged yesterday by those who know the truth that sets people free - Jesus. We pray that their lives will inspire many to do the same and call our nation to repentance and to return to the God of our fathers. May the hallowed halls and chambers of the Congress of the United States of America never again entertain the false religions of this age.

History is repeating itself in the above incident, but I can’t exactly put my finger on the exact moment.

For me, the most frightening point about the Senate protest is that it could just as well have been an assassination of the Hindu Chaplain. Yes, parts of Christianity are leaning that way. In fact, we may soon see a rise of Christo-fascism, where everyone who’s anyone swears to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Currently, we are witnessing Christian leaders who openly vilify the First Amendment because it allows for freedom of religion. “One Nation, Under a Christian God ONLY” might yet be approved as an amendment to the Amendment. And those two fountains?

“Why, he sure didn’t look like no heathen to me, Herb, so of course I let him drink from the ‘Christians Only’ water fountain!”