America’s greatness has been strengthened, not weakened, by our diversity and our religious pluralism—just as our Founders in their wisdom and genius envisioned. Like America, the 185,000 members of The Interfaith Alliance embrace more than 75 different religious traditions as well as non-theist belief systems.

An estimated two million Hindu Americans are a treasured part of our vastly diverse religious landscape. Inviting Chaplain Zed to deliver his beautiful prayer to the Senate was not only good for Hindus; it was good for our nation. While many Americans question whether or not any governmental body’s sessions should be opened with a prayer, I would have thought that we could all agree that if prayer is included it must reflect and affirm our rich diversity. I hope that Chaplain Zed’s presence will foster greater appreciation for religious pluralism.

On State of Belief, The Interfaith Alliance Foundation’s radio show, I recently interviewed the official Chaplain of the Senate, Barry Black, a Seventh Day Adventist. Because many question the constitutionality of the Senate having a chaplain, I thought the interview would give him a chance to talk about his service to all senators and staffers in an interfaith manner. But I was stunned when Chaplain Black told me and our listeners nationwide that every senator has only one constituent they must answer to and that constituent is Jesus Christ. Equally stunning, he admitted that he doesn’t minister to senators and staffers who do not share his personal faith tradition.

How can the Senate justify spending public funds for the promotion of one segment of the religious community while ignoring all others?

As for the protesters who were arrested while disrupting the United States Senate and the prayer, I have to ask: What religious scriptures have they been reading? What misguided religious leaders are they listening to? And to those religious leaders who sought to stir up hatred and division, I ask: Where in their gospel does it call for disrespecting the faith of another major religion? Where is the verse that says believers should disgracefully shout down a chaplain praying for the guidance of the Supreme Being?

I hope that Chaplain Black and all Americans -- especially all those who shamefully advocated disrupting the United States Senate and dishonoring religion-- will learn from Chaplain Zed’s prayer.

Because even those in attendance or watching on TV were not able to hear his entire prayer, I would like to include it here:

“Let us pray. We meditate on the transcendental Glory of the Deity Supreme, who is inside the heart of the Earth, inside the life of the sky, and inside the soul of the Heaven. May He stimulate and illuminate our minds.

“Lead us from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality. May we be protected together. May we be nourished together. May we work together with great vigor. May our study be enlightening. May no obstacle arise between us.
“May the Senators strive constantly to serve the welfare of the world, performing their duties with the welfare of others always in mind, because by devotion to selfless work one attains the supreme goal of life. May they work carefully and wisely, guided by compassion and without thought for themselves.

“United your resolve, united your hearts, may your spirits be as one, that you may long dwell in unity and concord.

“Peace, peace, peace be unto all. Lord, we ask You to comfort the family of former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson. Amen.”

And I ask again, what religion and what sacred scripture would find that prayer offensive?