McMahan apologizes for Muslim prayer protest

OLYMPIA –– Rep. Lois McMahan, who stayed off the floor of the House while a Muslim cleric gave the opening prayer Monday, apologized today and asked forgiveness for what she did and what she said afterward.

McMahon, R-Gig Harbor, chose to remain off the floor when the prayer was given my Imam Mohamad Joban of the Islamic Center of Olympia. She said she did it as a patriotic act to protest U.S. Muslim leaders who she said did not condemn strongly enough the Sept. 11 attacks.

“It has come to my attention that comments that I made Monday afternoon have cause misunderstanding and offenses,” she said.

“I want to make it clear that it was not my intention to offend anyone by my actions or words.

“Specifically, I want to state that it was not my intention to slight or show any ill will toward Imam Mohamad Joban or any other American member of the Islamic faith.”

She also said she respects an individual’s freedom of religion, whether the beliefs are the same or different from her own.

She said that Joban has extended an invitation to visit the Islamic center, and she intends to accept.

“At that time I will personally deliver to him my apology.”

Her apology was followed by a round of Republican applause, while the Democrats stayed quietly seated.

“She is trying to make right. It takes a very brave person to do that,” said House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, before the apology.

Kathy Erlandson, director of Associated Ministries of Thurston County, which schedules many of the clergy to deliver prayer, said she pleased by McMahan’s apology, noting that the flap over the prayer had gotten out of hand.

Jim Erlandson of Community of Christ in Olympia, Kathy’s husband, delivered this morning’s prayer.

Melding prayer and politics in the Legislature has long been one tough job. Poets, policy, a lesbian former nun, a Native American healer, and praying in Jesus’ name all have created controversies among legislators who stand for the prayer each morning they’re in session.

But never has it caused the stir whipped up McMahan’s actions and comments.

McMahan’s protest had some people questioning whether politicians can pray without fighting. “Maybe the time for prayer in the Legislature is past,” said Janice Holz, office manager with Associated Ministries of Thurston County, which arranges for clergy to deliver the prayer.

Republican leaders had been quick to distance themselves from McMahan after the incident Monday, while some Democrats had called for an apology.

Minority Leader Cathy McMorris, R-Colville, Stevens County, said yesterday that although she talked with McMahan Monday, she wasn’t yet sure McMahan should apologize.

“I left a little confused about what she really is trying to accomplish,” McMorris said, adding that McMahan’s statements “seem to be in conflict.”

After a barrage of media calls from around the country, McMahan issued a statement late yesterday saying her actions had been misrepresented.

At the beginning of the legislative session, Holz sent out invitations to Thurston County spiritual leaders. She tried to schedule everyone who replied to bring “as wide a diversity of faiths as possible.”

After the Sept. 11 attacks, Holz said people in the organization have felt the same changes as the general population. People are more sensitive about Islam, either shying away or going to great lengths to include people of Islamic faith.

The House and Senate start each floor session with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. Lawmakers, particularly in the House, have been sensitive to who is giving the opening prayer and what is said.

Former House Speaker Clyde Ballard, R-East Wenatchee, said most of the problems arose when people tried to make political statements.

One year, Ballard said, there was a good deal of excitement when a former nun used the opening prayer to reveal she was a lesbian.

“When you have 98 different people, it’s hard not to run into times in which someone is not offended,” he said.

Democrats were unhappy in 1996 when pastors invited by Republicans were making what they believed were political statements in the prayers.

Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, then the Legislature’s only openly gay member, complained that conservative messages were showing up in the daily prayer. He labeled the dispute “prayer wars.”

Conversely, Republicans didn’t like Democrats inviting poets to speak instead of pray.

“That did bother me, because although poetry is very meaningful, I could not take it to the level of reverence and spirituality that I personally obtain from prayer,” said Sen. Bob Morton, R-Orient, Ferry County.

Morton, a pastor, says he hasn’t always agreed with what he has heard during the morning prayer and has found it difficult to remain on the floor.

“But I have always stayed to recognize their right in these United States for their own religious beliefs, or non-religious beliefs.”

Some Republicans once objected to a Native American healer who gave the prayer. Most recently, Democrats wanted to encourage clergy not to stress one religion too much in their prayers.

Last year, a new set of prayer guidelines were written: “Conclusion of the prayer should embrace the collective prayerful thoughts of all present in an ecumenical manner, rather than ‘in the name of’ a particular deity.”

That upset Ballard, who persuaded House leaders to clarify the guidelines so it’s clear that people can say, “In Jesus’ name we pray.”

Clergy who regularly appear in the Legislature are careful about what they say.

The Rev. Paul Lundborg, senior pastor from Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Olympia, said he uses more generic terms to avoid offending anyone’s religion, and he expresses an interfaith idea, rather than his own religion.

“Whoever’s doing the praying needs to make that decision,” he said.

Lundborg had Joban speak at his church to teach him more about Islam.

Former Secretary of the Senate Marty Brown said some legislators have always protested the opening prayer. It’s “the church and state question,” he said.

Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Seattle, said it is a concern she has heard from constituents as well. But she thinks the daily prayer is a good idea. She also attends a weekly morning prayer meeting of legislators and staffers.

“We can’t do this by ourselves, and unless we really center ourselves and you measure yourself according to the things you believe, you can get really lost here,” Prentice said.

Murray thinks one day of prayer, on Mondays, would be enough.

Rep. Dennis Flannigan, D-Tacoma, said even that’s not necessary.

“I don’t think we need prayer,” he said. When prayer becomes “theater politics,” he said, “I think it sets us against each other.”

David Postman: 360-943-9882 or dpostman@seattletimes.com; Sarah Lorenzini: 360-943-9882 or slorenzini@seattletimes.com