Author:
Publication: The Hindu American Foundation
Date: November 9, 2006
URL: http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_governor_perry.htm
Press Release
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) strongly
condemned the egregious and bigoted remarks by Texas Governor Rick Perry wherein
he said that non-Christians are doomed and condemned to go to hell.
According to The Dallas Morning News (November
6, 2006), Gov. Rick Perry, after attending a sermon with nearly 60 Republican
candidates on Sunday, November 5, 2006 said that he concurred with the Rev.
John Hagee's comment during the sermon, in which Rev. Hagee said, "If
you live your life and don't confess your sins to God almighty through the
authority of Christ and his blood, I'm going to say this very plainly, you're
going straight to hell with a nonstop ticket." The Governor told reporters
that, "In my faith, that's what it says, and I'm a believer of that."
He is later said to have remarked, "Before
we get into Buddha and all the others, I get a little confused there. But
the fact is that we live in a pluralistic world but our faith is real personal.
And my Christian faith teaches that the way is through Jesus Christ."
"Such remarks are not only divisive but
silly," said Ramesh Rao, HAF Executive Council Member. "In times
when interracial and interfaith dialogue are imperative, it's shocking that
a high-level elected government official should abuse the state's podium by
using it as a pulpit to spread contempt for non-Christians."
The Governor's remarks are not the first to
be considered an affront to religious minorities under his governance. In
2005, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) spearheaded the filing of an amicus
curiae (friend of the court) brief with the United States Supreme Court in
Van Orden v. Gov. Perry, a case involving the State of Texas defending its
placement and management of a permanent monument of the Ten Commandments on
government property.
HAF also expressed deep concern at the Governor's
efforts in organizing the Texas Restoration Project, in which ministers are
encouraged to get their congregants politically involved in their communities.
"It is unfortunate that Governor Perry has not learned from the mistake
of his predecessor governor, George W. Bush, who was roundly criticized for
his 1993 statement that 'those who do not accept Jesus as their personal savior
cannot get to heaven'," said Aseem Shukla, member of the HAF Board of
Directors. "We hope now that the mid-term elections are over, and the
results are in, better sense will prevail among religious fundamentalists
in the United States. We are a multi-faith, diverse nation, and we believe
that people will not countenance such bigotry, especially from those who hold
high office."
The Hindu American Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, non-partisan organization
promoting the Hindu and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism.