Bigotry on the Bayou?

The 30-second TV spot running in the heavily Protestant districts of Northern Louisiana, accuses Jindal of mocking the “the beliefs of Baptists, Methodists, Episcopaleans, Pentacostals and other Protestant religions.”

The Democrats have also established a website, www.jindalonreligion.com, reproducing his religious writings published between 1994 and 1998, mostly in the New Oxford Review, a self-described orthodox Roman Catholic magazine.

The articles trace Jindal’s personal journey from Hinduism to Catholicism, but in some sections he takes jabs at other religions. In one article titled “From New Delhi to Rome: Reflections of a Seven-Year-Old Catholic” on a Protestant service, he writes: “I was disappointed by a mildly interesting sermon delivered by a part-time preacher who reminded me of, and may have been, a used car salesman; the cheap theatrics failed to entertain, much less inspire me.”

Jindal details his personal struggle with his Hindu parents when he switched his faith and in an article in the Catholic Dossier, titled “East Meets West: Hinduism and Christianity,” he explores the theological differences between the two religions.

The TV ad charges: “Most Americans believe we should respect one another’s religion, but not Bobby Jindal. He wrote articles that insulted thousands of Louisiana Protestants.”

Jindal has denounced the ads as political dirty tricks that take his comments out of context, although he has also acknowledged that the writings reflect an “immature mind” and that his understanding of faith has matured and changed since.

Most commentators view the ad as a desperate attempt by Democrats to close the wide gap Jindal has built over his rivals in Louisiana’s open primary, scheduled on October 20.