Buddhist, Hindu Make History With Elections To Congress
Source: huffington post/ap
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Tuesday's elections brought two historic firsts for religion in American politics: A Buddhist senator and a Hindu representative -- both from Hawaii -- will join Congress.
Democrat Mazie Hirono beat former Gov. Linda Lingle (R), making Hirono the first Buddhist in the Senate. In Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Tulsi Gabbard defeated Republican opponent Kawika Crowley, making Gabbard the first Hindu in Congress.
Both elections were cheered by Hindu and Buddhist Americans, members of two faiths that share a common history that traces back to ancient India.
"These are all signs of dharmic communities being accepted in the country," said Anju Bhargava, founder of Hindu American Seva Charities. "It's all about inclusion and acceptance. The feeling that my faith and my people are accepted. Ultimately, politics comes down to 'how does it impact me?' or 'how am I included?' It will mean so much for the upcoming generations of Hindus and Buddhists."
Hirono, who was born in Japan, practices the Jodo Shinshu tradition of Buddhism. She was first elected to Congress in 2007 to represent Hawaii's 2nd District, the seat that Gabbard won Tuesday. Prior to that, Hirono served 14 years in the Hawaii state legislature and was the states lieutenant governor for eight years. She is also the first Asian-American woman senator and the first senator born in Japan.
I certainly believe in the precepts of Buddhism and that of tolerance of other religions and integrity and honesty," she said when she first joined Congress.
Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/buddhist-hindu-congress-mazie-hirono-tulsi-gabbard_n_2088939.html
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)has commenced. ummmmmmmm. NO.
Seedersandleechers
(3,044 posts)I'm an atheist, however, Buddhism and Hinduism just seems so much more reasonable then Christianity.
colorado_ufo
(5,738 posts)and is thus agnostic. A person can be an atheist, a Christian, Hindu, etc. and also be a Buddhist. That being said, some Buddhist sects have adopted and integrated deities and beliefs of religions and interwoven them with their "brand" of Buddhism.
Buddha was Enlightened and taught the road to Enlightenment.
We can all become buddhas.
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)Posteritatis
(18,807 posts)dmallind
(10,437 posts)Meanwhile the only elected official of a minority religious viewpoint that is many times larger in the US than either of these, was kicked out yesterday.
...By a fellow Dem.
....BECAUSE of his religious views.
So forgive me if gleefully trumpeting our wonderful Democratic devotion to pluralism of belief rings a bit fucking hollow at best, and stunningly hypocritical at most likely.
loudsue
(14,087 posts)Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)But I think we'll be all right:
But nonbelievers will not remain unrepresented in the Capitol. Democrat Kyrsten Sinema, a former Arizona state senator, Mormon-turned-nontheist and a bisexual, has narrowly won her pitch for a House seat by 2,000 votes.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/08/kyrsten-sinema-arizona-democrat-atheist-in-congress_n_2091164.html
dmallind
(10,437 posts)Retrograde
(10,164 posts)Because of California's new "top 2 go to the finals" primary system, Stark's district selected 2 Democrats last June. The challenger won, not because he's a theist, I suspect, but because Stark's been getting cranky.
wrath of medusa
(24 posts)Nearly 20 percent of this country has no religion, and yet we have almost no representatives that acknowledge our existence. We're at best an afterthought; at worst we're demonized and deeply hated by a majority of our fellow citizens. Not something to cheer about.
Uncle Joe
(58,458 posts)Thanks for the thread, trailmonkee.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)I would have sworn HI already sent a Buddhist to congress a few years back...Maybe that guy just ran and didn't win...
KauaiK
(544 posts)Pachamama
(16,887 posts)It wasnt much, only $20. But when I got some emails and learned more about them, I felt that like Elizabeth Warren, these women needed to be backed and to be in Congress and the Senate.
I see this as a victory for our country on many levels.
JonathanBrowne
(39 posts)Buddhist and Hindu beliefs are very philosophically powerful.
These two will bring some very new and interesting perspectives into the political discourse.
loudsue
(14,087 posts)Qutzupalotl
(14,335 posts)according to Rachel Maddow. What will Hirono use? Or is the concept of swearing in irrelevant to Buddhists? I should know this, as I lean in that direction.
malexand
(59 posts)It's great news that Hawaii voters elected the first Buddhist and Hindu members of Congress.
But it is hard to believe that it has taken this long for it to happen. Maybe there will be room for more religious tolerance and diversity in future elections (including atheists and agnostics).
We can all learn from His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet "My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness."
snooper2
(30,151 posts)question just popped in my head LOL...
I wouldn't think so-