Modi says, he was shaken to core by Gujarat's religious riots

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Narendra Modi’s words sound hollow
URL – http://nabsites.net/demo/modi-says-he-was-shaken-to-core-by/

Mr. Narendra Modi, the
chief minister of Gujarat has been compared for his focus on development of his
state, while tearing the social fabric of Gujarat and reducing minorities to
second class citizens. The Gujarat Massacred killed nearly 1000 people and
displaced 20,000 without any rehabilitation or compensation. The lower court sided
with the recommendations of a special investigative team on December 26, 2013. Mr. Modi sounds hollow.

December
26, 2013. The district court in Ahmadabad, Gujarat validated the recommendations of the special investigation team and dismissed the
charges against Mr. Narendra Modi’s involvement in the Gujarat massacre
under his leadership in 2002. 

Immediately after the verdict,
Mr. Modi tweeted, “Satyameva Jayate” – that truth triumphs at the end. 
The words sounded hollow.

Referring to the 2001 Earthquake, he wrote on his blog “Hundreds of lives
were lost. Lakhs were rendered homeless. Entire livelihoods were destroyed. In
such traumatic times of unimaginable suffering, I was given the responsibility
to soothe and rebuild. And we had whole heartedly plunged ourselves into the
challenge at hand.”

Of course the hard core supporters will lap it up, but this should have
happened as an initiative and not as a reaction.
Mr. Modi, did you not have the responsibility to soothe and restore the
lives of the riot victims, at least with some heart if not wholeheartedly? If
you had cared for them, the world would have been with you and you did not have
to play these games.
However, you still have the time to show if you really have a pure heart
that does not discriminate any one. Mr. Modi said, “I pray to God that no
bitterness seeps into my heart”. Please do the praischit, (repentance) prayers
alone won’t cut it, and they are merely words.
Should we buy the following statement, “However, it was from these very
built up emotions that I had appealed to the people of Gujarat on the day of the
Godhra train burning itself; fervently urging for peace and restraint to ensure
lives of innocents were not put at risk.”
Should we buy this statement from Rahul Gandhi, your opponent if he
delivers this, “However, I was totally opposed to corruption in the UPA
government, I was shaken to the core. ‘Grief’, ‘Sadness’, ‘Misery’, ‘Pain’,
‘Anguish’, ‘Agony’ with the way things are happening, I am here to change it and
put India back on prosperity that reaches every Indian.”

After twelve years and countless investigations and interviews, he
comes up with this to build momentum and position himself as a good guy, “I was
shaken to the core. ‘Grief’, ‘Sadness’, ‘Misery’, ‘Pain’, ‘Anguish’, ‘Agony’ –
mere words could not capture the absolute emptiness one felt on witnessing such
inhumanity.” Really? It took twelve years for you to share that on an
opportunistic time?

He continues, “On one side was the pain of the victims of the
earthquake, and on the other the pain of the victims of the riots. In decisively
confronting this great turmoil, I had to single-mindedly focus all the strength
given to me by the almighty, on the task of peace, justice and rehabilitation;
burying the pain and agony I was personally wracked with.”

Mr. Modi, you still have the time to take action, here are the
suggestions. 
1.
Restore the lives of refugees uprooted in the riots, find them minimum
housing and a path to earn a livelihood. Let them be accommodated amidst
all others with caring attitudes, in the long run we have to build
de-segregated societies for the good of all.

2. Inclusive
governance, to include Muslims on the internal advisory of the Chief
Minister to make security decisions on a voluntary basis with nothing to
gain.

3. Justice to the families of the ones who have lost their lives, both Hindu and Muslim without discrimination.

4.
Find the truth about burning of 59 passengers in the train in the most
transparent way – to bring closure to doubts on both sides or
acknowledge the findings and live with it.

5. Punishment for
anti-Muslim and anti-Christian attitudes in the state machinery, just
like the strong anti-corruption rules instituted by the Chief Minister.

6.
Meet with local Muslim, Dalit, Sikh, and Christian leadership on a
regular basis, not to appease them, but to hear them out and prevent
injustice to them.

7. Earn the goodwill of the people affected by restoring their lives and seeking forgiveness from them.


Remember, Muslims and other minorities are not looking for favors or
handouts, but just fair treatment, and an opportunity to be productive
citizens.  If Mr. Modi can demonstrate that he is a good human being, and put in
to practice the above seven points for the next five years, he would earn the
goodwill of the people and could hope to be the Prime Minister of India for
several terms.
 

Jai Hind

 

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer
on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work
place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in
Standing up for others and a
book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong presence on national
and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on
Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to
the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly
at Huffington post; and
several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work
through many links.

A purposeful life for 2014

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MAKING YOUR LIFE PURPOSEFUL
www.TheGhouseDiary.com

You can make your life purposeful, meaningful and enjoyable. Another year is about to go away. LOL, some of my friends will read this note next year, but for those who read it now, I urge you to consider spending an hour with yourselves.

How do you do that? It’s a simple formula that has worked for many.  Just imagine the amount of time you spend on facebook, and take 1 hour out in the next 5 days – that is less than 1% of your time in a week.

Here is a step by step outline, write the following bullets on your cell phone, computer or napkin and reflect on the current situation, ideal situation and what you will do it about it, so next year this time, you can say, I have achieved some, and I am happier to have a grip on my life.

1. My relationship with my immediate family – the hi’s and lo’s
2. My relationship with my friends
3. My financial status
4. My profession
5. My spirituality
6. My contribution to the world
7. My future

Write the above bullets or whatever works for you and think about each time while driving, while taking a shower, or while waiting for your appointment and in your reflective moments.

As an example to share, here is a part of my life, of course, I am sharing generic information with you, and specifics will remain private. By the way, there is not much private about me and I am happier for not being secretive. Nothing about me is within me, my family and friends know everything about me.

1. Family wise there is improvement , more time needs to be spent.
2. Relationship with friends has been steady
3. Financially I have not improved a bit over the last year
4. 313 Articles/year goal was achieved this year as well 
4 .The book Standing up for others is delayed
4 . Did not open a session at Capitol Hill with Pluralism greeting
4. Over 300 News papers have published my work world wide this year.
5. Spirituality has become more pluralistic and more boundaryless
6. My contribution to the well being of others has improved, not all is done
7. My future is what I make with the blessings of the spirit around me, and from my friends and the people I know.

You may consider making your plans; you will be amazed how much you’ll achieve once you have them in place. Please look for the fuller note at www.TheGhouseDiary.com

Mike Ghouse
MikeGhouse.net
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer
on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work
place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in
Standing up for others and a
book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong presence on national
and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on
Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to
the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly
at Huffington post; and
several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work
through many links.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Yo

Festivals of the World: Essence of Christmas

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Should Christmas be an exclusive Christian
event? This Muslims’ answer is no. We cannot limit Jesus to be
exclusively owned by any group of people, nor can anyone monopolize his
message. Jesus and his message belong to
the whole of humanity. For Christians, he is the son of God, and for
all others, he is a great man who brought the message of hope and peace
to the world. Whether we believe in God or not,

Continued http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/festivals-of-the-world-es_1_b_4492571.html#es_share_ended

 

Thank you
Mike Ghouse
……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics,
peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He
is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic
solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com.
He believes in Standing up for others and a book with the same title is
coming up. Mike has a strong presence on national and local TV, Radio
and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV,
and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to
the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington
post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site
www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links.
……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Same Sex marriage criminalized by Supreme Court of India, it is an UN-wise decision

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The Supreme Court’s
decision on December 11, 2013 to uphold section 377 of the Indian
Penal code that criminalizes same sex marriage is not wise, and needs to
be challenged.  Is the judgment influenced by the undue belligerence from
the right wing Hindu, Muslim and Christian leaders or is it in the spirit of
the constitution?    

The hallmark of a civil
society is respecting the otherness of others and accepting the God-given
uniqueness of each member of the society. The Supreme Courts decision to uphold
the archaic Victorian law from 19th century does not bode well for an India
that has been woven with the pluralistic ethos for nearly five millenniums.

Martin Luther King Jr. was right, injustice to one is injustice to all, and I
would add, prejudice to one will end up in prejudice for all.

It is incredible that
Australia, another colony of the British Empire has made an identical decision,
on the very same day to uphold the primitive prejudices towards homosexuality.

The basis for this judgment and the conflict stems from Section 377 of Indian
Penal code enacted by the British Raj in 1861. It criminalizes sexual
activities “against the order of nature”, including homosexual acts.
In July 2009, the Delhi State High Court rejected the archaic law as
unconstitutional in respect to sex between consenting adults. On December 11,
2013, the Supreme Court of India overturned the Delhi High court ruling in a
sexually graphic document.  However, the matter is left to the legislators (Members of
Parliament) to repeal, uphold or modify. 

The Legislators simply
cannot wipe out India’s heritage found in Kama sutra depictions of Gay and
Lesbian acts on the friezes of Temples in Khajuraho and elsewhere. Its part of Indian history and
part of the culture. 

Continued at OpEd News: http://www.opednews.com/articles/Same-Sex-marriage-criminal-by-Mike-Ghouse-Court-Challenge_Decision-making_GLBT_GLBT-131227-613.html


Will be published on Christmas day at OpedNews
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work
place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in
Standing up for others
and a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong presence on
national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on
Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to
the Texas Faith Column at Dallas
Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and
several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work
through many links.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Modi's Nakshatras are not in his favor, he needs to save the embarrassment.

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Narendra Modi’s Nakshatras (stars) are not
in his favor, and the Grahan (eclipse) is hovering over him like a dark shadow
casting its Rahu Kala (inauspicious times). His run for the Prime Ministership
is ashubh (unlucky) for the 2014 elections. We recommend him to withdraw from the
race, finish the current term as the Chief Minister of the state and lay a
solid foundation for the next run.

What good is the prosperity when fellow
Gujaratis live in apprehension and fear of the other?  What good was the prosperity of Germany when
everything collapsed anyway?  Like Modi;
they focused on growth rather than the social structure.

A handful of Hindus may rejoice killing Muslims,
and similarly a few Muslims may cherish killing Hindus, shame on them. Unchecked,
these act will do more harm to the fabric of society in the long haul than the
economy.  Do Indians have to live in fear
of the other; is that the India we want? There is a dire need for truth and
reconciliation in India. Modi has not done what it takes for the head of a
state to do; to give hope and a sense of justice to the people of Gujarat.  

Continued at: Op-Ed News |  http://www.opednews.com/articles/Narendra-Modi-s-Nakshatras-by-Mike-Ghouse-Anti-christian_Bharatiya-Janata-Party_Business_Congress-131227-999.html
  
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work
place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in
Standing up for others
and a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong presence on
national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on
Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to
the Texas Faith Column at Dallas
Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and
several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work
through many links.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Arvind Kejriwal; redefining Government of the people for the people by the people.

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ARIVIND KEJRIWAL REDEFINING ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S VISION OF GOVERNMENT
URL- http://nabsites.net/demo/arvind-kejriwal-redefining-governmen/

Arvind Kejriwal is redefining what Abraham Lincoln meant: Government of the people for the people by the people. There are a very few people out there who care less to be heads of the state, but doing the right thing. 
He has a bold message for Indian National Congress; inclusiveness without pragati will not cut it, and the message to the other extremity Narendra Modi, unnati without inclusiveness is not sustainable either.  
 
The voters of the state of New Delhi have defeated the incumbent Congress party giving them 8 seats in the assembly, gave 33 seats to the Bharatiya Janata Party, 2 short of forming the government and 28 seats to the brand new, less than a year new party. The party head Arvind Kejriwal was asked to form the government with the support from Congress’s 8, giving it 36 seats majority in the house.
Kejriwal has refused to form the government, and said, becoming the governing party is not important but ensuring proper governance is the right thing. Instead of grabbing the power, he has done the right thing, asking the voters to decide if he should form the government! He reminds me of Nelson Mandela who walked away from power for another term.Arvind Kejriwal – redefining Government of the people for the people by the people.
He has a bold message for Indian National Congress; inclusiveness without pragati will not cut it, and the message to the other extremity Narendra Modi, unnati without inclusiveness is not sustainable either.   

When there is a lack of leadership, or leaders have no idea how to proceed, Arvind Kejriwal, the leader of the new Aam Aadmi Party has found the way, and he is just doing the right thing, asking the very people who elected him!  Indeed, Mr. Kejriwal is redefining what Government of the people means.

The only worry, I have about the Aam Aadmi Party is – how will they ensure the corrupt people from creeping in to their system?  As long as they are a Delhi based manageable party, they would be fine, but if they go national, do they have the time to place safeguards and checks and balances in place?

It does worry me, in a press conference in December 2001, General Pervaz Musharraf gave me 6-7 minutes in the midst of huge media crowd in Washington DC. My major question to him besides Cricket Diplomacy was – have you got a “what if plan”, should you not be there, do you have institutions built up to carry the democracy forward? His answer was typical Desi – Oh, yes, don’t worry, we have figured it out everything. 

I wish our damned politicians, particularly my fellow Republicans learn the lesson – to reflect the needs to the public rather than what they want. Arivind Kejriwal has redefined and clarified what it means to be Government of the People by the people for the people.

I will ask the same question to Arvind Kejriwal, what if you fell sick or become dear to God in an accident, is your system established to move forward on its own? Do you have enough people deeply oriented with your ideals to carry the mantle? A sustainable government should be based on a system and not individuals.

My recommendation for Kejriwal is to establish the party in Delhi, be a part of the opposition or form the governance if the Delhi voters say yes, but don’t expand to other parts of the country yet, as you are likely to fall like all others.

IBN network has bestwoed the Indian of the year award to Arvind Kejriwal, a well-deserved award. Congratulations Mr. Kejriwal! The following  6 minutes video on YouTube is worth watching to understand a genuine democracy – of the people by the people for the people


…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Mike
Ghouse is a speaker,
thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work
place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes
in Standing up for
others and a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong
presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest
onSean Hannity
show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes
weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly
at Huffington post; and
several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work
through many
links.
……………………………………………………………………………………………..

Duck's Dynasty and right wing hypocrisy

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DUCK’S DYNASTY AND DAMNED RIGHT WING HYPOCRITES

We must stand up for freedom of speech, and in absolute freedom!  If we let discretion creep in, then it will result in chaos. I don’t like what this idiot Phil Robertson said about Gays and Lesbians, but the answer is not shutting him down, but producing a better show to overshadow Duck’s Dynasty.

The selective sickness of the right wing Republicans and fake conservatives is disgusting – they want freedom to this dude but not for others. They remained silent, when one of them made reckless remarks about Idolaters, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Immigrants and others.
I urge my friend Sean Hannity to be consistent, and stand up for the freedom of all or none. I also urge the shameless opportunists like Cruz, Jindal, Palin, Santorum and others to have the decency to be consistent. 

A better show
I am thinking of a reality show… where every Americans is shown with the problems they face and how they make it work despite their differences through respecting the sentiments of each other, and minding their own business. A show based on Pluralism!
===

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and
a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam,Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work
place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day atwww.TheGhousediary.com. He believes
in Standing up for
others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a
presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest
on Sean Hannity
show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes
weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly
at Huffington post; and
several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes his work
through many links. 

Pakistani Christians community hosts Christmas party in Dallas

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NOTE: THIS BLOG IS STRICTLY MY WRITINGS, HOWEVER WHEN SOME ONE WRITES ABOUT ME, I HAVE INCLUDED HERE A FEW TIMES WITH A NOTE.
_____________________________________________________________

Pakistani Christians community hosts Christmas party in Dallas

By Our correspondent Raja Zahid Khanzada

December 18, 2013 – Updated 636 PKT

From Web Edition
http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-130778-Pakistani-Christians-community-hosts-Christmas-party-in-Dallas


DALLAS:
Preparations for a big celebrations of Christmas and New Year is on fast
pace. Shopping Centers, Malls and streets are showing holidays
festivities, while buildings are decorated with bright lights.

Pakistani
Christian Cultural Society of North Texas hosted a big Christmas Party.
The party was attended by a large number of Pakistani Christian
families living in North Texas as well as people from across other
faiths.

The Key note speaker of the event was Dr. Nathan
Shahid Jaleel who runs an organization Friends of United Christian
Hospital in Lahore. The group is collecting funds to help the hospital
in its finances.

Addressing the gathering Dr. Jaleel said
that Bible’s teach love of God and service to humanity, and Jesus Christ
message also direct us to serve humanity.

He said this
is the reason Christian community built this hospital in Lahore after
Pakistan’s independence, as the hospital still serves poor, needy and
humanity at large. He said that this is our duty, who are living
overseas to provide funds to the hospital in order for its smooth
functioning, for which his organization is collecting funds.

Program
organizer Javaid Samuel Gill and his wife Erum Gill thanked audience
for their presence on this special occasion. Addressing the gathering
they said that, they celebrate Christmas every year with people of
Christian and inter faith communities, which provides an opportunity to
all to sit together and socialize.

A well-presented
Program was professionally moderated by Nina Rahat Gill, and Bakhtawar
Gill. Dr. Samuel Gill and G Salik read the Christmas message, Pastor
Saleem Gill, Pastor George Maseeh, Pastor Alexander Williams, and Mike
Ghouse held special prayers.

Prominent community leaders
including American Muslim Democratic Caucus Co-Chair Syed Fayyaz Hassan,
Pakistan Television’s retired Managing Director and several TV play
writer Shahid Mahmood Nadeem, Pakistan American Association President
Dr. Amer Suleman, Dr. Javed Ajmal, Naeem Chaudhry, Dr. Sadiq Jaleel,
poet Syed Younus Ejaz, Tariq Hashmi, Noor Amrohvi, and Shah Alam and
South Asia Democracy Watch President Dr. Qaiser Abbas were in
attendance.

Mr. Irfan Ali and Mike Ghouse congratulated
Javed Samuel and Erum Samuel for a beautiful Christmas program. Special
prayers were offered for families of attendees as well as for Pakistan
and its wellbeing was also in presenter’s prayers.

Children
of Mrs. Sumbal Javed and other prominent leaders presented special
musicals where Javed Samuel played harmonium with his wife playing Sitar
and Bakhtawar played Tabla as children presented “Sohni Dharti Allah
Rakhe”.

Local artists including Pastor Saleem, Alishpa
Hafiz, Nina Gill, Zach Solomon, Kamran and Hafeez presented traditional
Christmas Carol. Local poets including Syed Younus Ejaz, Noor Amrohvi,
Tariq Hashmi, and Dr. Shamsa Qureshi put together a poetry session with
relevance to the occasion of Christmas.

The Cultural
Association also presented appreciation plaques to several of honorable
guests including Dr. Amer Suleman, Dr. Sadiq Jalal, Dr. Raj Kumar, Raja
Zahid Khanzada, Rahat Samuel Gill, Agha Ziaullah Khan, Samson Shahbaz,
and others.

A sumptuous and elaborate dinner was also
served and Santa Clause distributed gifts to children. Santa danced with
others on popular music which brought the festivities to all
participants.

Also published in Geo TV – http://www.geo.tv/article-130778-Pakistani-Christians-community-hosts-Christmas-party-in-Dallas

Texas Faith: Does a white Christmas mean Santa and Jesus have to be white?

      Comments Off on Texas Faith: Does a white Christmas mean Santa and Jesus have to be white?

Some of the white Christians will resist the idea of Jesus to be
anything but what they have come to believe, as if Jesus will cease to
exist if he were black.  The black Christians may feel the image of
white Jesus and Santa was imposed on them, and it is human to resist
anything forced on you against your will. I am certain they had their own un-articulated image of Jesus and Santa for as long as they have been Christians. Mike Ghouse

TEXAS FAITH: Does a white Christmas mean Santa and Jesus have to be white?
By Wayne Slater – wslater@dallasnews.com
1:54 pm on December 17, 2013 | Permalink

A cable television anchor named Megyn Kelly told viewers last week
that Jesus and Santa Claus are both white men. At issue was a Slate
article written by a black writer titled “Santa Claus Should Not Be A White Man Anymore.”
The context of the piece was the tendency of cultures to view important
figures in the most familiar and comfortable light. On her Fox News
program, Kelly took issue with the writer.


“Just because it makes you feel uncomfortable doesn’t
mean it has to change. Jesus was a white man, too. It’s like we have,
he’s a historical figure that’s a verifiable fact, as is Santa, I just
want kids to know that. How do you revise it in the middle of the legacy
in the story and change Santa from white to black?”

Both sides pounced. Liberal web sites and late-night comics lampooned her. Conservative web sites defended her. Saturday Night Live did a skit featuring a black Santa. The debate went viral on the Internet. Kelly subsequently suggested she was joking and cast herself as a victim of identity politics. Clearly, her facts were flawed. Jesus was a 1st Century Jew who was likely dark skinned and Santa Claus is a mythological figure whose historical antecedent was from Turkey.

People believe what they are prepared to believe. What’s interesting was the passionate reaction to the remarks. Why the fierce dustup? Why did the idea that a white Christmas means Santa’s white cause so much consternation? What did this episode say about the way we see the world and our willingness — or reluctance – to see things in different ways?

Our Faith Panel weighs in thoughtfully (and with a few fireworks) on history, ethnic identity, political correctness and the virtues of faith and the holidays:

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism and speaker on interfaith matters, Dallas

If Jesus is our lord, and Santa Claus represents the joys of Christmas, I have to relate with them to call them “our Lord” and “our Santa”. Just as God claims to have created humans in his own image so he can relate with them, I would say, we have created God in our own image, a whopping 7 billion perceptions of God.

Even though God is stamped onto our memory with certain images, features and characteristics, some of us have developed our own embellishments to it to personalize him, her or it. While a majority of Christians, Hindus and others have a built-in image of God, the Buddhist, Jains, Zoroastrians and Native traditions do not have a set image, yet they have created their own image of God. The Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Baha’i and others do not take God as a being or an entity, and certainly have a built-in resistance to collapsing God into an image or a shape. But deep down, they imagine and describe God as a being, however, they knock it out instantaneously. It’s human to relate God as their own.

I am blessed to have universalized God. Even those who knew me, particularly Muslims in Dallas, thought I was a Hindu, Buddhist or a Baha’i, and the Hindu community thought I was a Christian and a Buddhist until ten years ago. Three years ago, I was in a Muslim conference and an Arab Muslim came over and started praising my articles on Islam, and said he has translated and published them in Arabic. He then asked me how do I know so much about Islam, and when I said, I am a Muslim, he was taken back and said he thought I was Jewish all these years! One of my Hindu friends of 20 years, until recently, insisted that I cannot be anything but a Hindu or at least a Christian.

If someone likes you, they want to see you as their own, in their own image. Of course the white Christians saw Jesus in their own image, and the African Americans just took that image when they became Christians. But I am certain; they had their own un-articulated different image of Jesus and Santa for as long as they have been Christians.

Some of the white Christians will resist the idea of Jesus to be anything but what they have come to believe, as if Jesus will cease to exist if he were black.  The black Christians may feel the image of white Jesus and Santa was imposed on them, and it is human to resist anything forced on you against your will.

The need of the day is to upgrade Jesus, above all human imaginations and limitations and accept him in essence rather than in physical form. It is his love and sacrifice to humanity that needs to be appreciated. I hope and pray that at least from this Christmas season forward, we accept and embrace Jesus without reserve just as he set the example of embracing the humanity without reserve. Let him be meaningful to us in every which way he can be imagined.

To see the take from 12 different panelists, go to Dallas Morning News at: http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/12/texas-faith-does-a-white-christmas-mean-santa-and-jesus-are-white.html/

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Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work
place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers
pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in
Standing up for others
and a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong presence on
national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on
Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to
the Texas Faith Column at Dallas
Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and
several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work
through many links.

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Babri Masjid: Lack of leadership among Hindus

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By Mike Ghouse

Published at http://twocircles.net/2013dec13/babri_masjid_lack_leadership_among_hindus.html

Twenty one years ago, on December 6, 1992, the hypocrite Indians who
call India their mother, ripped her apart. Not only they hurt the other
children of that mother but destroyed their historic symbol; Babri
Masjid.

Do we have a leader among Indians who considers every Indian to be an Indian, and nothing but an Indian?

In August of 2003, ten years ago, I talked about Ayodhya; here is
clip from Mark Donald’s Across the Divide in Dallas Observer, a lead
story for that week.


“Ayodhya. It is an issue a lot of Indian-Americans shun talking about,”
Ghouse tells his radio audience. “But we must talk about it. We only
know some aspects of the issue. When we learn all aspects, it brings
some sort of resolution. It settles the dust in our minds, and when the
dust settles, it gives clarity, peace of mind. It gives you freedom from
the bondage of your prejudice.”

On this issue, however, Ghouse can’t resist offering his own opinion.
He sees the problem as political rather than religious, exploited by
Hindu extremists within the BJP to solidify their power. His idea is to
defuse the problem through conciliation. “My suggestion is that Muslims
should offer the land to build a temple for Ram. That is what a majority
of Muslims in India feel. That is what a majority of Hindus feel. Let’s
not fight over an issue that is not going to help my children get
education or get food on the table.

Quickly, he gulps some water and wipes a thin layer of sweat from his
brow. “I will take your calls now. I will take all opinions, no matter
how extreme, no matter how calm, no matter how agitated. All opinions
are welcome.”

The legitimate fear that holds Muslims from putting an end to this
conflict is really not the land; it is the bent of the extremist
politicians who want to dupe the common Hindus into believing that, to
be a Hindu, one has to be anti-Muslim.

Of course India’s pluralistic ethos is deeper and has a solid
foundation for the majority of Hindus to fall into the extremist
politician’s trap, who want to wipe out everything that is Muslim. Thank
God that is not the view of Hindu majority. However, the ones who
scream the loudest get the hearing and corrupt the goodness of an
average Hindu.

There are millions of Muslims out there who would want to live in
harmony with every Indian regardless of his religion, caste or
linguistic heritage, and that has been the tradition. Many of us want
to be a part of building the Ram Temple and let go of the Mosque, but
the blood thirsty politicians will not be satisfied with it, there is no
end to their demands, they want more, and more and every pound of flesh
from Muslims.

This is what is holding the nation. Do we have a leader among BJP
who considers every Indians to be an Indian – no matter what that Indian
eats, drinks, wears or believes? Do we have a Hindu leader who can rack
up support to put an end to the harassment of Muslims, Christians,
Dalits and other minorities in their daily conversations? Do we have a
leader whose word is an iron clad guarantee that if Muslims walk away
from Babri Masjid, they will not be pushed to give more and more? If
there is a mai ka laal son of Bharat Mata, come forward, it will put an
end to the conflict and we all can live our own lives and mind our own
business.

The Indian Muslims are sick of the blame and the ugly comments hurled
at them about India’s partition, attacks of Ghazni on Somnath or the
cruelties and Massacres of Aurangzeb. Many a parents teach their
children to hate, and build biases against Muslims. It is not good for
any one.

The Muslims of independent India are not responsible for the
Partition, attacks of Ghazni or cruelty of Aurangzeb, just as the
present day Hindus are not responsible for the past cruelties towards
untouchables and burning of widows. This must be clearly understood and
taught to bring Mukti (freedom) to both Hindus and Muslims from the
bondage of the past.

Deep down, all humans seek justice and a balance in life, and without
it, they are lost in sectarian warfare. As a member of the civilized
nations, we need to collectively work towards building a cohesive India,
where no Indian has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the
other — an India where everyone is free to eat, drink, wear and believe
whatever suits him/her.

What we need is trust building steps and Indians taking
responsibility for their commitments. The Civility of a nation is
measured by how she treats her women, children, and the ones in ditches,
the minorities and the voiceless. An Australian professor shot back and
wanted to know India’s record.

Neither Indian, nor Australian or American system will score 100 in
civility, but certainly it has the structure to contribute towards that
goal, and if the rule of law prevails.

As a solution, India has offered reservations in jobs, and education
system to those economically backward and those in the ditches to uplift
them, we still have Sachar Report’s recommendations to be implemented
to uplift Muslims. We have to pull every one up from the ditches to a
point from which they will be competitive. Harassment and Oppression of
women continues female infanticide is a daily occurrence.

However, India’s laws are equitable, the knowledge of which has not
permeated into the whole society, nor its implementation occurs. Thanks
to the internet and social media, the society will eventually monitor
itself. You can be who you want to be in India. It’s a tough battle, but
legally, our path is paved.

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Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer. He can be reached at www.TheGhousediary.com.