AZ Atheist Lawmaker Gives Invocation, Then Gets Mocked by Christian Colleague

[trotsky]

https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2019/02/13/az-atheist-lawmaker-gives-invocation-then-gets-mocked-by-christian-colleague/

In 2017, Arizona State Rep. Athena Salman, an openly atheist legislator, delivered an invocation to open up the day’s session. It was a perfectly respectful speech, referring to “the humanity that resides within each and every person here.” Yet it offended Republicans who insisted all invocations needed to invoke a “Higher Power.” One Republican was even given permission to deliver his own prayer to effectively “correct” the one Salman gave.

It was disrespectful, rude, and a reminder that Republicans care more about Christian superiority than religious freedom.

Now, a version of that whole scenario just happened again.

On Monday, Salman delivered another invocation. This one was more tailored to her personal atheistic views, but it was hardly demeaning to anyone else. Yet watch what happens after her speech in the video below. Republican State Rep. John Kavanagh asks to speak, then proceeds to mock Salman by invoking his personal God in what can only be described as a Christian attempt at humor.

You can read a transcript at the link. It's pretty sad what Rep. Salman has had to endure.

[guillaumeb]

1. Recommended.

Disgusting behavior from the GOP, the all but official Party of disgusting.

[trotsky]

4. But this wasn't about politics, it was about religion.

A Christian was upset that someone gave an invocation that didn't acknowledge his god appropriately.

Much like a Christian getting upset because people are posting about the RCC sex scandal too much in an open Internet forum.

Religion.

[guillaumeb]

5. Are you arguing with your own post?

It was disrespectful, rude, and a reminder that Republicans care more about Christian superiority than religious freedom.

Now, a version of that whole scenario just happened again.

On Monday, Salman delivered another invocation. This one was more tailored to her personal atheistic views, but it was hardly demeaning to anyone else. Yet watch what happens after her speech in the video below. Republican State Rep. John Kavanagh asks to speak, then proceeds to mock Salman by invoking his personal God in what can only be described as a Christian attempt at humor.

Okay.

[Act_of_Reparation]

6. You think he would have reacted differently if...

...the atheist delivering the invocation had been a Republican?

[trotsky]

12. Nope.

I've stated what I meant, and you're now trying to distract. It's how you deal with failure, obviously.

[Major Nikon]

11. It's almost as if there's something of a choir

https://www.conservapedia.com/Attempts_to_dilute_the_definition_of_atheism

[Mariana]

16. You don't say. nt.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. I thought her invocation was wonderful.

Literally.

If someone wishes to believe that the wonders of nature were created by God, or a god, that's his right; but what this asscarrot didn't have a right to do was interject his personal belief into someone else's statement. She has the same right to express awe for the natural universe without invoking God as he does to do otherwise. I wonder what would happen if, following an invocation by Rep. Kavanaugh in which he mentions God, Rep. Salman had stood up and objected to his mention of God because it was contrary to her beliefs? He can't have it his way without acknowledging that she can have it her way.

[OneBro]

8. Am I the only one who had to google "asscarrot?"

Here’s what I found:

From the Urban Dictiinary: A complete fucking loser who tries to act cool and makes him/ herself look even dumber than they actually ... (i.e. republicans)

A band named Ass Carrot Chefs:

[Mariana]

14. He can't have it his way without acknowledging that she can have it her way.

Well, that's not how Christian see it, an awful lot of them. Did Rep. Kavanaugh's Christian colleagues jump up and take him to task for his shitty rude disrespectful behavior? No, they did not. Why would they? They approve of what he did.

Look at how some Christians have reacted the the very existence of the Religion Group on DU. We have a whole bunch of groups that absolutely do not tolerate any disagreement with, criticism of, or awkward questions about religion. Then, there is this one lone group where that kind of discussion is permitted, and that's just too much to bear.

[Atticus]

3. She should have asked Kavanagh to have his ""guest" step to the mike and address the legislature. nt

[Voltaire2]

7. We see the same behavior here.

[trotsky]

13. Indeed we do. n/t

[Mariana]

15. Yes, we do. nt.

[MineralMan]

9. Unable to let someone speak freely, they resort to

mockery - the refuge of fools. I would expect nothing different.

[Major Nikon]

10. Privilege in the action phase