Seven of Idaho’s finest GOP state legislators declined to attend the invocation at the state capitol Tuesday. Why? Because it was going to be given by a Hindu.

State Sen. Steve Vick (R) told the Spokesman-Review on Monday that he would walk out of the invocation, delivered by Hindu leader Rajan Zed. He explained that the U.S. was “built on the Judeo-Christian not only religion but work ethic,” and said he didn’t want to see that “undermined.”

Hindus “have a caste system,” he added. “They worship cows.”

Is there a special brand of stupidity that’s infected Republican state legislators nationwide, or is it just the same old bigotry the party has exhibited since the civil rights movement?