10 Religious Surprises in the US Congress
A Modern Orthodox Jew, a Buddhist and a Quaker walk into…the Capitol? No joke, the US Congress is filled with a host of representatives from all types of religions.
03.09.14
Joshua DuBois
If you let national approval ratings tell the story, the 113th Congress is known for being divided, do-nothing and often just plain dismal. But did you know that this is also the most religiously diverse Congress in American history? There are plenty of faithful surprises in the House and Senate. Here are 10.
1. When you think of Mormons in politics you generally think of...Utah. And Republicans. And of course, Mitt Romney. But did you know that the most powerful Mormon in Congress today is not from Utah at all? In fact, he’s not even a Republican, and also wasn't a huge fan of ol' Mitt!
That's right folks: To the surprise of many, the most powerful Mormon in Congress is Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Reid was raised agnostic, but converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as a college student. “The thing that was so impressive to me—in addition to the spiritual aspects that I’d never experienced before—was the emphasis on family,” Reid said about his conversion in a New Yorker article. And he's been hanging with the LDS church ever since.
2. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the new United States Representative for Hawaii's second congressional district, has had her fair share of "firsts." She's the first American Samoan in Congress, born in Leloaloa, American Samoa. She's also one of the first female combat veterans in the House or Senate, alongside Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth. But here’s a little-known fact: Gabbard is also the first-ever Hindu American to serve in Congress.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/09/10-religious-surprises-in-the-us-congress.html
