I365: US Congress opens with ‘Blasphemous’ Prayer to Hindu Idol Brahma

Hindu deity of creation Brahma (Wikipedia)

The US Congress opened with a blasphemous prayer:

US Congress opens with ‘Blasphemous’ Prayer to Hindu Idol Brahma

January 4, 2021

Democratic Missouri representative Emanuel Cleaver, a ‘pastor’, recited the opening prayer on the first day of the 117th Congress on Sunday. The ‘prayer’ began with a hint of hope for decreased political division.

But towards the end of the ‘prayer’ Cleaver asked the Hindu deity Brahma for “peace across the land” and inside Congress as well.

Brahma is the ‘creator god’ in Hinduism. According to legend, Brahma was self-born inside of a golden egg. Although he is considered to be the God of Creation, Brahma is also considered to be a mortal.

But just in case worshipping a Hindu idol wasn’t controversial enough, Cleaver then concluded the ‘prayer’ with a politically correct play on the word ‘Amen.’

“Amen, and a-woman,” he said.

The word ‘Amen’ is a Hebrew word which represents loyalty to the God of Israel. It first appears in the Book of Numbers:

may this water that induces the spell enter your body, causing the belly to distend and the thigh to sag.” And the woman shall say, “Amen, amen!” (Numbers 5:22)

It also appears in the Book of Isaiah:

For whoever blesses himself in the land Shall bless himself by the God of Amen; And whoever swears in the land Shall swear by the God of Amen. The former troubles shall be forgotten, Shall be hidden from My eyes. (Isaiah 65:16)

And later in Jeremiah:

The Navi Yirmiyahu said: “Amen! May Hashem do so! (Jeremiah 28:6)

In Hebrew, the word Amen (spelled: אָמֵן) is an acronym for ‘To God we are loyal’ (אל מלך נאמן). …

Popular Israeli rabbi Chaim Navon called the prayer “blasphemous.”

The inclusion the word “a-woman” comes on the heels of a Democratic initiative proposing a rule change that replaces the words like father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, and more with gender-neutral words. https://www.israel365news.com/163567/us-congress-opens-with-blasphemous-prayer-to-hindu-idol-brahma-watch/

January 4, 2021

Democrat Rep. Emanuel Cleaver opened the 117th Congress in a prayer — of sorts — to “the monotheistic god, Brahma, and god known by many names by many different faiths.” And then he wrapped with “amen and a-woman.”

It doesn’t get any clearer than that. With this prayer, Dems are essentially giving the boot to God from government. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/jan/4/democrats-set-117th-congress-stage-godlessness/

Those who think that the USA is a Christian nation need to accept the reality that nearly all in the USA are opposed to the teachings of the God of the Bible. (Regarding the ‘gender-neutral words’ plan, check out the post US House wants ‘gender neutral’ and UK judges rule in favor of true speech).

Let me add that by saying “a-woman” at the end, this is making a mockery of prayer. The term amen has NOTHING to do with gender.

While some have questioned the use of amen, here is some information about it in our free online booklet Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach?:

Close with Amen

Jesus ended the prayer He gave in Matthew 6 with the term “Amen.” In the “Received text,” the Greek word is άμην, transliterated as into Latin characters as “amen” (anciently pronounced ah-min or ah-men). Nearly all the books of the New Testament end with the word “Amen.”

Some do not like the word “Amen.” Some claim it is pagan and that using it is calling out to, or praying to, an Egyptian sun-god.

However, “amen” stems from the Hebrew verb aman (anciently pronounced ah-main) meaning “to support, confirm, or rear up” (Harkavy, Students’ Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary). The Hebrew word aman (אמן) differs from the word for the Egyptian god Amon/Amun used in the Bible (ן‎ואָמ‎). Yet, some falsely claim that saying “Amen” is actually a prayer to that pagan deity.

Amen itself means “truly” (Harkavy). Christians can say truly or verily if they wish (cf. Romans 14:23c), but most use the term “Amen.” Basically, the word אמן/άμην signifies that you believe and agree with what was stated before.

Christ often used this word in the New Testament. In the King James Version, άμην is often translated as “verily.”

Believe what you pray. Have the right attitude. Amen.

The Bible (NKJV) uses the term amen 77 times.

It is a blasphemous mockery to end a prayer with a-woman, as if that is the equivalent to amen.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Prayer: What Does the Bible Teach? People talk a lot about prayer. Many pray in public. Does God listen? What does the Bible teach about prayer? How can your prayers be more effective? Does the Bible give particular positions to pray in? What does God want you to pray for? What if what you want is difficult? What if what you want is humanly impossible? Why doesn’t God seem to answer all prayers? This free booklet answers all those questions and more. This contains 28 biblically-based tips on improving the effectiveness of your prayers. This is a pdf. A related two part sermon is available: What Does the Bible Teach About Prayer? and What does the Bible Teach About Prayer (& Healing)?
What Should I Pray About? An old article by Lynn Torrance on prayer.
Faith for those God has Called and Chosen What is faith? Can faith be increased? Are you saved by faith? What about works? Do Christians need to keep the Ten Commandments? What is the ‘faith chapter’? How do the just live by faith? Is faith one of the weightier matters of the law? How does faith come? Here is a link to a pdf. booklet titled Faith for Those God has Called and Chosen. Marque aquí para ver el pdf folleto: Fe para aquellos que Dios ha llamado y escogido.Here is a link to a related sermon titled: Faith for the Called and Chosen. Here is a link to shorter version of the written article in Mandarin Chinese 一篇关于信仰的小文章
 Christians: Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, Biblical instructions on living as a Christian This is a scripture-filled booklet for those wishing to live as a real Christian. A related sermon is also available: Christians are Ambassadors for the Kingdom of God.
What Did the Early Church Teach About Idols and Icons? Did Catholic and Orthodox “saints” endorse or condemn idols and icons for Christians? A related sermon is available: The Second Commandment, Idols, and Icons.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.