[O]ur nation thrives by presenting to the world this great idea, not just of American Democracy but of religious pluralism and tolerance.
At the end of the day, our greatest export may not be technology, popular culture or our brand of democracy but rather a commitment to religious pluralism, diversity and tolerance. A Hindu priest on the floor of the U.S. Senate may one day lead to a Christian pastor opening in prayer on the floor of Parliment in Iran and a Muslim cleric opening a session of the Knesset.
Apparently Rev. Rodriguez wasn't paying close attention to what happened when Chaplain Zed appeared in the well of the United States Senate to deliver his invocation. A group of Christians protested, interrupting the prayer, and had to be removed from the chamber. It was a moment of national disgrace and embarrassment (regardless of how one feels about the whole prayer-in-the-Senate thing). This demonstration of small-binded, ignorant bigotry is, sadly, a demonstration of the way most Christians view those of other faiths, and sometimes of different Christian denominations.
I also think it is important to let Rev. Rodriguez know that there are Christians, and one Jewish, members of the Iranian Parliament. Unlike Saudi Arabia, which is an authoritarian monarchy that the Unites States just can't seem to love enough, despite the willingness of its citizens to kill ours (including on September 11th), Iran has a democracy that, while imperfect, functions rather well. The "Islamic" in the official title of the country of Iran refers to the ultimate basis of Iranian identity as a Muslim nation, and the role of the Ayatollahs as final arbiter of certain aspects of Iranian law (they are a Pope-by-committee as it were). Whenever Conservatives carry on about Pres. Ahmedinajad, they seem to think he was appointed rather than elected by a majority of the citizens of his country. Of course, the US has a history of not liking the democratic processes in other countries so this may not be as unusual as it appears . . .
As for a Christian prayer before the Knesset, all I can say is the dispensationalists would be shrieking in triumph, looking to the sky for the descent of Jesus on a cloud should that day ever come.
In truth, we are a "tolerant", "pluralist" nation in name only. In fact, most of our religious citizens are narrow, bigoted, and exceptionalist. This is sad, but it is also true. On the other hand, most Americans are not seriously committed to any particular religious belief other than a bland affirmation that God exists. They are willing to give the benefit of the doubt to pretty much anyone who seems like a good enough Joe or Jane, as long as they don't claim too much for their religious beliefs. It is the very secular pluralists Rev. Rodriguez dismisses early in his piece who will be the saving grace of this country, retrieving us from the jaws of those who believe they have a channel to the will of God (kind of like the Iranian Ayatollahs).
Why oh why do Christians say stupid things?
