• IndustryStandard@lemmy.world
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    9 hours ago

    Of course you are lying

    SIF received renewed media coverage around 2020 when some columnists found that Tulsi Gabbard, a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 United States presidential election was associated with the SIF during her childhood, and even mentioned Butler as her spiritual guide in her school years.[1][10] Her father, Mike Gabbard, a Hawaii State Senator, noted for his opposition to same-sex marriage, too was associated with SIF; he viewed spirituality as a weapon against sexually deviant practices.[1][9][13][14] His wife, Carol Gabbard, was the treasurer of the SIF.[9]

    Tulsi Gabbard has since clarified that she considered Mr. Butler “essentially like a Vaishnava Hindu pastor” during her school years [15][16] As a teenager, Gabbard moved away from SIF and “fully embraced Hinduism”, and “follows the Vaishnava branch that believes in the Supreme Lord”.[17][18] Gabbard identifies herself as Vaishnava Hindu[19][20], and often participates in Hindu festivals such as Diwali with Hindu-Americans[21]