Paganism to be discussed Sunday
Dawenwalker will give a talk called “Explaining Paganism: One Woman’s Perspective” at 10 a.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango, 419 San Juan Drive.
The group will consider ideas central to paganism’s many forms and what distinguishes it from religions as well as hear personal reasons for being a pagan.
For more information, visit www.durangouu.org.
Farmington church to host Easter services
Cross Roads Community Church, 2400 N. Butler Ave., Farmington, will host these Easter services:
A Sunrise Easter Service will take place at 7 a.m. April 5.
Easter worship services will take place at 9 and 11 a.m. April 5.
For more information, call (505) 325-2600 or visit www.crcnaz.com.
Hindu prayer sparks lawmakers’ protest
BOISE, Idaho – Three lawmakers refused to attend the Idaho Senate’s daily invocation after objecting to the offering of a Hindu prayer.
Rajan Zed, guest chaplain, gave a lengthy prayer in both English and Sanskrit on Tuesday that focused on selflessness and peace. Senators from both sides of the aisle shook his hand and thanked him for coming.
“Fulfill all your duties; action is better than inaction,” Zed said. “Even to maintain your body, you are obligated to act. Selfish action imprisons the world. Act selflessly, without any thought of personal profit.”
However three lawmakers, all Republican, only came back onto the floor once the prayer was over: Sens. Steve Vick of Dalton Garden, Sheryl Nuxoll of Cottonwood and Lori Den Hartog of Meridian.
Prayer is a common event in Idaho’s Republican-controlled Statehouse. The Idaho Senate and House convene each day with a prayer by the chamber’s chaplains from Christian denominations followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. And most lawmakers cite their religion in their bios for the state’s legislative directory.
Nuxoll says she declined to attend because she believes the United States is a Christian nation.
“Hindu is a false faith with false gods,” she said. “I think it’s great that Hindu people can practice their religion, but since we’re the Senate, we’re setting an example of what we, Idaho, believe.”
Herald Staff & Associated Press
