For years in the United States of America, the title of congressman has been remained out of reach for Hindu Americans. Despite no laws or policies outright banning a follower of Hinduism from taking office in Congress, none have yet to have a seat in the Senate or House. Recently however, Tulsi Gabbard,a Hawaiian politician and American soldier, has appeared in the running and may change that.

Born in America Samoa (a US territory), Gabbard was raised in Hawaii for most of her life. At twenty one, Gabbard was elected to the Hawaiian State Legislature, she was the youngest woman in the United States to be elected into a state legislature. After a year in office, she enlisted in the National Guard to serve her country in the armed forces as well as in politics.

Since she was serving a term in office when her National Guard Unit was deployed, Gabbard could have avoided a tour of duty. Instead, the state legislator resigned from her post in the state government of Hawaii and voluntarily joined her unit for deployment in the Middle East. In Iraq she served a twelve month tour of duty, earned a medal, and returned back home to Hawaii to take up position as an aide with a state senator.

She left her job as an aide for the state senator to once more deploy with the National Guard. This time, when she returned, she ran for (and won) office as a member of the Honolulu City Council. This year, Gabbard resigned from her position on the city council so that she could focus on running for a position in Congress.

Since Gabbard would be the first Hindu to be a congressman, there are those who are against her and believe that Gabbard is not suited for a role in Congress. Some of those that are opposing her running say that eastern religions were not protected by the Constitution or the Bill of Rights. The Universal Life Church can disagree with that. In some ways, the statements can be taken as offensive to not only Gabbard, but all religious men and women who served their country.

The Universal Life Church is inspired to see Tulsi Gabbard in the running to become the first Hindu congressman. Those that are set against her because they think that that her religion makes her unfit to help lead the country are missing the point of the elections. If the citizens of Hawaii elect her (or another candidate), it is because they would have complete confidence in her ability to represent them in Congress, not due to her religious beliefs.

With a large lead in the polls and a victory in the primary election, it’s highly possible Gabbard will be elected to Congress. Whatever the outcome may be in the upcoming election, there’s no doubt that Gabbard’s running for Congress had made an impression. And with her high ratings, it’s an impression that people are not biased against religions they are unfamiliar with, but are willing to work with all for the greater good of their community.