http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/wcco/20010501/lo/389971_1.html

Tuesday May 01 11:56 PM EDT

Lawmaker Mum On Anti-Dalai Lama E-Mail

A lawmaker who made controversial comments Monday about the Dalai Lama's impending visit to the state Capitol had colleagues questioning his statements Tuesday.

And a trio of Rep. Arlon Lindner's House colleagues spoke against his statements from the House floor Tuesday.

In a Monday e-mail to his House colleagues, Lindner announced he was boycotting the May 9 address to a joint session by the Buddhist spiritual leader after saying that Buddhism "historically has been considered a cult because of its anti-Biblical teachings."

Lindner declined to comment on his e-mail to WCCO 4 News Tuesday.

He began his e-mail, sent to all House members, by saying, "As a Christian, I am offended that we would have the Dalai Lama come to speak …" And, later, he added that Buddhism is "incompatible with Christian principles and those Christian principles are or have been the governing principles of American society."

The Tibetan spiritual leader arrives in Minnesota on Monday. He is meeting with Gov. Jesse Ventura and will attend several public events during his two-day stay in Minnesota. He is the speaker for the Tibetan government in exile, and is respected throughout the world. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

A north suburban DFLer House member who helped organize the Dalai Lama's visit immediately called Lindner's comments "appalling." Rep. Geri Evans told the Saint Paul Pioneer Press that "Buddhism is a respected world religion" and its leader, the Dalai Lama, is an "eminent world figure."

Ron Abrams, a House GOP leader, said he viewed the Dalai Lama as "… one of 10 greatest people alive today," the Pioneer Press said.

Meanwhile, on the floor of the House Tuesday, Rep. Gary Kubly, a Lutheran pastor, said Lindner's views were "out of keeping with Christianity and Judaism as I understand them," The Associated Press reports.

Another lawmaker read a passage from a Vatican (news - web sites) document calling for the celebration of an important Buddhist feast, according to the wire service.