What a joy it is to connect with yourselves!

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WHAT A JOY IT IS

What a joy it is to connect with the self… I was
in my storage to clean out the stuff… while at it, I sank into old memories
looking at things… found the negatives for the family pictures from the
seventies…. my daughters “fluffy” and her Tiger painting when she was five… Bhagvad
Gita in Urdu, Picture with Waheeda Rahman, Tippu Sultan’s brass but- one of the
two made in his bi-centennial celebrations and  Mina’s horsey wood frame. Then I found my note
book I wrote in the late sixties … 42 poems and 23 short stories in all!

I was way too eager to read my writings from 40 years ago, and wanted to
see how much I have advanced since then…. tried to read while driving, then I
remembered totaling my Jaguar, Park Avenue and BMW and said to myself,  No! I did not mind dying but did not want to
disappoint my wife and my kids for stupidity – particularly when my grandson
learns what happened. Now, they are going to be on my tail and wipe out my
safety record. No tickets in the last four years!

So, I  decided to go to Apna Bazaar Restaurant
and read there.  I was rather surprised
that my recent write up on evolution-creation was identical to the one I wrote
in 1971 called “Taqleeq” i.e., creation in Urdu language. Felt so good that I
have been the same for the last 42 years… but also felt bad that I had not
improved! 

I told my friend about this, and he said “I have not seen any change in you;
you’ve been the same pluralistic guy all your life.” He reminded my weekly visits
to Buddhist temple, and Hindu Temple to join in the Bhajans (chanting) besides
visiting the Mosque on Fridays – and he suggested to write about it. He and I
started our life journey on parallel paths, and I am happy for him that he made
it much bigger than I did, and that at times has driven me to catch up with
him. He said, his first published peace was in the same year as mine – 1971.

Between 1976 and 1993 – that is seventeen years of time, I don’t remember
writing anything substantial. I just cannot believe this. But then I published News
paper from 1994-2001, and lost all the copies in archives…. So did not record
any of my articles. Then in 1999 I started blogging at Sulekha Indian portal
and have about 1000 pieces there and in all written over 2000 pieces and most
of them are published in major news papers. I was written up first in Dallas
Business Journal in 1991.

I wrote another piece called “Hubbul Watni – Patriotism in Urdu” on December 6,
1971 and sent for publication to some M.S.E. publications…cannot remember who
it was. It was about the 1971 war between India and Pakistan.  I was worried what I might have written, was I
hostile towards Pakistan?  I know I am
not hostile towards any one, or any nation (except the severe disappointment
with fellow party members like Ted Cruz) for the last 25 years that I have been
in the public square.  My grilled fish
got cold while I anxiously finished the item. Thank God, my inclusiveness was
there some 42 years ago. I felt really good about it.  I have been able to influence and ready many
people to be inclusive. 

I cannot claim that I initiated inclusiveness in Dallas – but Asian News was
the first local paper that was inclusive of all religions and all subcontinentians
–that is people of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Then Asian
News Radio was the first all inclusive radio as well. Now after twenty years,
almost all the radio stations are inclusive, even those who were not at the
beginning.

My poems were of romance in the beginning but moved on to social issues and the
poet Sahir Ludhianavi has greatly influenced me in my writing.  He was pluralistic and inclusive of all faiths
and traditions in his poetry.  I did not write
poetry since 1977, but have resumed again since we held the Mushaera (poetry
session) on Pluralism in Urdu and Hindi.

Government has no fault was the theme of the poem I wrote on May 28, 1972,  it was a satire on socialism, I still hold the
same views, somewhat anti-government or lesser control on the public and
greater freedom for the individual,  that
makes me a solid Republican- the original ones (not the tea partiers)  but not like our honorable Senator Ted Cruz
who does not respect our systems and the laws of our land.   


Then came the point of exhilaration… I could not hold myself with joy, when I
read my poem that I wrote on November 9, 1971… that has similar words and ring
as in Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s hit number from the late 90’s.  Aap say milke hum kuch badal to gaye… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0oilkgS5uc

Hum un shoukh nigahon say wafa ki tamanna kar baithay,

Shoukh e deedar may diwanagi ki intiha kar baithay;

I built up lots of hopes from her smiles
intense desire to meet her made me crazy to no end;

Kabhi sanjeeda rahte, kabhi muskurate, kabhi gunguna detay
Un ki ek nigah e karam ke liye hum kya kya kar baithay;

sober at times, smiled at times and hummed at times with joy
just for her one merciful look, what all did I do

Rah-e- deed na bani Shakeel to tasavvar may basa liye,
Tasveer bhi aisi bani key, khud ko bhula kar baithay.

Could not find a way to visit her, so I housed her in my mind,
the image became so real that I forgot myself.


Thanks to Faiza and Fahad for doing all the work at storage, we cleaned
up about 20% of the stuff…   and need to sell some stuff and give away some
and retain some. 
I am happy this evening with the connection I had with myself.  Do you connect with yourselves frequently? Try,
it is absolute nirvana!

That’s it for now.

Mike Ghouse

SPEECH : Preventable Diseases of Faith: Suspicion, Fear, Mistrust — Pluralistic Solutions

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Preventable Diseases of Faith: Suspicion, Fear, Mistrust —
Pluralistic Solutions

The milieu of pervasive social
diversity requires that serious persons of faith deeply examine the bases of
their personal commitment as they try to develop positive awareness of the
pluralistic reality of cultural interactions in the world of today and
tomorrow. Mike Ghouse will share his perspective.

Metroplex Breakfast Meetings at Canyon Creek Club house, Richardson
Friday, October 11, 2013

Talking points
Diversity is given
Thumb
print to religion bud
What is it that we want?
Resources v consumers :Birth of conflicts : 1) Space, 2) Sustenance and 3) nourishment 
What did Moses, Muhammad …. Do?
Build cohesive societies

Trust – is the driver for safe
and secure communities and a panacea for suspicion and fear.
The goal of all religions and Civil societies

Dialogue critical to Suspicion- the monster
among us
Mistrust
Fear – the right wing fears phobia MUSLIM take over

Mulberry entry-
Unity day Sikh and Zoroastrian example – reversing the alphabetical
order
Firm but fair
INCLUSIVE ATTITUDES ARE CULTIVATED
Our sense of responsibility is akin to wearing the seat
belt. If you live in America, and don’t wear the seat belt in the car while you
drive, not only you feel guilty, but certainly uncomfortable. It was not the
case before the seat belt was made mandatory for the driver and the front seat
passenger. It is indeed a consciously learned behavior. I feel the same sense
of discomfort, when I get to the podium and not mention or include different
religions in the speech. My only fear is excluding others in the public square
even by mistake.  To allay that fear; I have learned to start my speeches
with Pluralism greetings and prayers that are inclusive of every one including
my Atheist friends (Pluralism Speaker).
Thanks to my father, mother, and grandfather who lived their
lives as an example inculcating Islamic pluralism in my brothers and the
sister, like millions of Muslim parents whom you may have not met.  In my
talks, I share small examples and incidents where small things do matter. We
learned the Islamic version of Vasudhaiva Kutumbukum; the whole world is one
family. 
Indeed, Pluralism flows in my veins, and that is respecting
the otherness of others and accepting the God-given uniqueness of each one of
the 7 billion of us.
BOLDLY CHANGING THE COURSE OF
HISTORY

My father was a Mayor of the town of Yelahanka in the fifties, and we always
had construction work at our apartments or remodeling at our historic house,
originally owned by the founder of Bangalore, Hon. Kempe Gowda in the 16th
century. My father was a maverick, and dared challenging the abusive but
prevalent norms of the society, he had the Dalits (shameful word: Untouchables)
work at our place, my mother would make them tea or give them food in the
plates and cups we used, it was a big no-no in the society at that time, you
‘kept them’ away from your house, just as it was for the Blacks in America
then. I am proud of my father, and my mother for supporting him in breaking the
uncouth norms. He was constantly called on to quit, and at times threatened,
but the dare devil held on to his ground firmly and the town loved him dearly
and gradually followed his example.

I saw humiliation in the eyes of men, women and children, who came to collect
water from the public tap on each corner of the street, the upper caste person
would wash the tap three times before he or she collected the water. It was
difficult for me, and I played out my share of the drama and mumbling in
protest. Despite the significant progress made, we have a long way to go in the
housing discrimination, indeed, even in America we have ways to go, but we are
all going forward.

As I am writing this, I grudgingly acknowledge that I have learned nothing new;
my father did everything that I am doing now, Gee, a drop of tear rolls down my
cheek in reverence to Mahatma Gandhi for becoming a catalyst in uplifting the
down trodden and restoring their God-given dignity to them. I just have to pray
for the Mahatma for saving the Indian souls by getting rid of guilt from our
minds, by having us open our hearts and minds toward the fellow beings, just as
MLK did in America. 

COMMUNAL RIOTS

My father is my hero and opened the doors of wisdom to us. Pluralism indeed
runs in my family. He taught us one of the biggest lessons of my life in social
cohesiveness and dealing with extremism that I continue to reflect in my talks,
acts and write ups.

During the communal riots in Jabalpur (India) in the early sixties, both
Muslims and Hindus were killed in the mayhem, as it happens every time. I wish
every father in India, America and elsewhere teaches this lesson to his kids.
He was crystal clear on his take; He told us the “individuals” are
responsible for the bloodshed and not the religions. If we get the guy who
started the conflict and punish him for disturbing peace, rather than calling
it a religious issue for the communities to jump in and aggravate it further,
we would have saved many lives. He would emphasize that you cannot blame the
intangible religion and expect justice; we must blame the individuals who
caused it and punish them accordingly for disturbing the peace and thus bring a
resolution to the conflict by serving justice. He said you cannot annihilate,
kill, hang or beat the religion, then why bark at it?

WHAT IS PLURALISM?

Simply put, it is respecting the otherness of the other and accepting the
uniqueness of each one of us. In cultural terms, it is recognizing your culture
as a beautiful expression of life to you, as my own is to me. When it comes to
food, it is appreciating the Rice you enjoy over the Naan I delight, or
vice-versa. For Americans, it is medium rare stake versus the well done. In
religious terms, it is learning to honor the way your worship or bow to the
creator in gratitude, is as divine as my own.

OUR FUTURE IS PLURALISM

By the end of 2020, there will not be a major work place America or India and
other places, where you will not find people of different faiths, cultures,
ethnicities, races, nationalities and social backgrounds working, eating,
playing, marrying, and doing things together.

We need to prepare ourselves for those eventualities to prevent possible
conflicts and lay a good foundation for nurturing goodwill and effective
functioning of the societies.  Exclusive communities will become a thing
of the past. (Foundation for Pluralism, Pluralism Center)

Being a Muslim, I am deeply committed to nurturing the pluralistic values
embedded in Islam (World Muslim congress). The role of a Muslim is to mitigate
conflicts and nurture goodwill, most people get that, a few don’t, just as with
any other religious group.

Pluralism is our future, and as a futurist, based on the trends, I foresee,
that two generations from now, we would be comfortable in saying, my religion,
culture or life style is one of the many choices, and further down the road, a
significant number will proclaim that my way of life is not superior or
inferior to any.

They will consider ‘claiming superiority’ would be sheer arrogance and religion
(a major part of life to many) is believed to imbue humility that builds
societies, communities and nations in creating that elusive kingdom of heaven
where all of us can live  without apprehension or fear of the other.

WE ARE ONE NATION

We are one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We
are represented by every race, nationality, ethnicity, language, culture and
religion. We see God as one, none and many and in every form; male, female,
genderless and non-existent, being and non-being, nameless and with innumerable
names. Indeed, we must preserve the pluralistic heritage of America. 

 

 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 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 all his work
through many links.

Press Conference; Preserving Obama Care

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Dallas, Texas – Thursday,
October 10, 2013.
URL – http://nabsites.net/demo/press-conference-preserving-obama-care/

I am a Republican, a moderate Republican,  and  am
here to tell you,  that  neither I, nor the Republicans or the Americans
gave permission to Ted Cruz to turn the nation upside down, we are not a third
world country to break the rules and do what we please.  You and I are safe today, and our government
remains a model of stability to the world because we are a nation of laws. We
have systems to follow, a due process to hang on to, and rules to obey.

This act cannot be approved by conservative Republicans either, who prefer
stability over chaos, and are disciplined enough to follow a system. That is
how democracies work.

Other pictures taken today – http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/10192491583/in/set-72157636398658675/

Ted Cruz sounds like
a class room bully who frightens the kids and gets away with it. He is indeed
an excess baggage of the Republican Party that can be done with.  Can the
Senate or the President fire him? Hell no, we have a due process to do everything,
and it is embarrassing that the Republicans got bullied by him, and even the
conservatives threw the system of due process out the door. It is not good for
the country, it bring chaos.

Shame on me and
fellow Texas Republicans for voting him in, but 2018 is not too far, we will do
the right thing, but do it respectfully obeying the law of the land.

The prime responsibility of Government is to protect her Citizens from external
and internal enemies – the external being other nations attacking us, and we
need not worry, we’ve got the best defense forces in the world.  However, the #1 internal enemy remains the
disease that cripples productive Americans from being contributors to the
greatness of America.

My fellow Republican need to understand that a healthy America makes us a
productive Americans, the health care is an investment in human capital, and
not a charity or subsidy. A corporation would rather have productive employees
than the ones who get sick frequently and lower its productivity.  It
behooves for us to invest in the health care, even it were totally paid for by
our taxes. Healthy Americans makes a healthy America.

Affordable care act is not a political issue. It is neither Republican nor
Democratic, it is an American issue, and it has two dimensions; Legal and
Human.

It is illegal to drive on the wrong side of the road, it is illegal to go 40
MPH in a school Zone during the school hours and it is illegal to rob the bank
at gun point.  It is illegal to bust into
the Capitol Hill and stop their proceedings; it is illegal to stop the
congressman from doing his duty if we don’t like him or her.  It is illegal to mess with the established
systems.

The Affordable Care act was passed by the Congress, the Senate and Signed by
the President and ratified by the Supreme Court. It is a shame that few of the
Republicans to claim that no Republican voted for it, that is gross disrespect
to our system. We honor all the legislations passed by the elected
representatives. This is a dishonorable act on the part of the few and illegal.
Shouldn’t there be consequences for breaking the law? Shouldn’t I be arrested
if I block Ted Cruz from entering his office and doing his job just because I
don’t like him?

The Human side of the equation is inhuman, that these nuts continue to be
rewarded with a paycheck, and deny the same to 2 million federal workers. I was
listening to NPR, some congresswoman said, she has got to have her paycheck
because her son goes to college, what about the 2 Million Americans, and don’t
they have kids? Why should you be bloody special?

Then my own story – I could not afford the expensive health insurance, and was
hit by a massive heart attack on July 9 this year and will be indebted for life
to pay those bills. Then they say I needed a Quad-pass surgery and I was tense,
and did not want to get into debt, no one would sell me the insurance.  Thank God for the affordable health care, my
wife found me the company to insure me with the pre-existing conditions. I am
paying $380/month compared to $800 quotes I had received before.  There are millions of Americans out there who
can’t even afford that. 

What Republicans need is an education in business besides basic biology and
mathematics. We need to understand that the economy expands with volume and
brings prosperity to everyone. If we make insurance affordable, the enrollment
volume will pay for it, there is more money in the piggy bank to even out with
the consumption. Then of course, a healthy America is good for the economy,
good for business and good for the American spirit.

I urge my fellow Republicans and Americans to call on the Congress and demand
to reopen the government. I have sent faxes and published the same. Please
remember evil exists not because of men like Ted Cruz, but because of men and
women like you and I, who do nothing. What are we afraid of doing the right
thing? Please pick up the phone and make the call to your representative. You
can find his or her number at

http://www.contactingthecongress.org


Video – speech on Obama
care https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWQrVPyeaqI


# # #
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 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 all his work
through many links.

Texas Faith : Which should it be for people of faith: Faith-based schools or public schools?

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URL – http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-which-should-it-be-for/

We owe it to our children and the future of our nation to keep the
personal version of God in our homes. Either either teach them all versions of God
in school or none. I will not move the proverbial needle a bit. I will stick with the First Amendment. There is a lot of wisdom in it.
Mike Ghouse

Bishop Kevin Farrell and Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings at Bishop Dunne Catholic School


Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings convened
a group at the George W. Bush Institute last Thursday to discuss the
role faith-based schools play in American cities. The group drew upon
representatives from various traditions, including Catholic, Islamic and
evangelical educators.

Later, Rawlings said one of the first big words he learned in Sunday
school as a kid was “omniscient.” He said he went on to learn
“omnipresent,” which led him to think that if God was indeed everywhere,
then he is in schools, too. Rawlings, who identifies himself as a
Democrat and Protestant, summed up his feelings this way:

“Surely we can create a new way to educate, to fund the best and the
brightest in this country,” Rawlings said. “For me, it starts with God
being omnipresent in lives across this country.”

So, here’s what I would like to hear you all discuss:

Are people of faith better off focusing their attention on education to schools that reflect their own tradition? Of course, I imagine most of you think that public schools are valuable. Many of us probably attended them.

But if you really want to make an education dent, especially getting
students to discuss God and larger issues of moral consequence, couldn’t
one argue that schools that represent the values of a particular faith
tradition are the better place to start?

Certainly, Catholic schools have produced strong results. Speaking at the Bush Institute conference, Father Tim Scully of Notre Dame
claimed that 99 percent of students in Catholic high schools graduate.
Eighty-five percent of those graduates, he said, attend college. And
Latino and African-American students who attend Catholic school are
two-and-a-half times more likely to graduate from college.

What do you think? Where should people of faith put their focus on education,
especially in our big cities? How would you try to move the needle, as
the expression goes?

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

Making an “education dent” is not merely about academics. It also is
about producing all-round kids: academically, socially, religiously and
culturally Kids who would grow up to be a part of society and not apart
from it in their outlook.

However, I have always envied those kids who went to the Catholic
schools for the discipline they received from superbly run systems. As
an adult and before we had our children, I wanted to send my kids to
Mormon schools for the cohesive family values they teach.

Making decisions for our kids to go to school was a worthwhile
exercise. We seriously debated about sending them to the public school
or private school, day care or private care. The strongest point in
favor of public school was raising them in an environment that would
familiarize them with the real world they were going to be a part of
when they grew up.

It would be a norm to see people of different faiths,
races and ethnicities working together, marrying each other, going to
plays, watching football games, watching their kid’s soccer games, and
even the places of worship!

Thank God, both my kids were not raised with an ounce of bigotry. If
they decide to run for a public office, they will have it easy, as they
are comfortable with every race, faith, ethnicity, culture or sexual
orientation. They were well-oriented with my home and work. Don’t we
want our leaders to represent every member of their constituency? If we
do, we need to prepare them for that.

My grade school social studies book had a few pages that gave a summary
of each religion and its fountainhead. As a kid I understood that there
were as many faiths as the candy colors I could get, especially the
police candy.

We owe it to our children and the future of our nation to keep the
personal version of God in our homes. Either either teach them all versions of God
in school or none.

I will not move the needle a bit. I will stick with the First Amendment. There is a lot of wisdom in it.


To read the contributions of other panelists, please go to Dallas Morning News at:
http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/10/texas-faith-which-should-it-be-for-people-of-faith-faith-based-schools-or-public-schools.html/#more-30259

Mike
Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
. . . . .
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 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 all his work
through many links.

Religion Bud

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God and the process of evolution deliberately created us to
be different, each one with his and her own unique thumb print, eye
print, dna, taste bud… and now,  we have to reach out and add religion bud to the portfolio.


Everything is inter-connected, inter-dependent and in harmony, and it is our duty, for
our own sake to keep that harmony intact.
We have
no problem with you having a different thumb print, or relishing different foods, or having your own face, choosing coffee over tea, or having own unique dna combination… and now, we have to seriously think, why
should we not have our own religion bud?


Religion bud is whatever you imagine it to be. To me it is – our ability to accept the otherness of others, to accept different forms of appreciating (worshipping) the creator; whether one leans forward, kneels, prostrates or raise his or her head-up to appreciate the creater – all to be respected. If one does not believe in a God, so what?

Should we have a problem with what God is called, how he, she or it is perceived?  As long as I respect your beliefe, and you respect mine and say to you is your beautiful religion and to me is my beautiful religion – we should have no problem with that, should we? 


URL- http://nabsites.net/demo/religion-bud/

# # #

 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 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 all his work
through many links.

America is God's own Country

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America is God’s own country, a miniature universe represented
by all of God’s intentional diverse creation.

Among us, we see God as one, none and many; and in
every form; male, female, genderless, existent and non-existent, being and
non-being, nameless and with innumerable names.

We
are also blessed with every season, rivers, snow, desert, forests among
things, and every race, ethnicity, language, culture and native
traditions among people. 
We are indeed Americans, honoring and
respecting each others’ pursuit of liberty, justice and happiness. We are the land of the free and the brave.
 
Mike Ghouse,
Public Speaker.
American Together

—

 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 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 all his work
through many links.

Hobby Lobby and the you people

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Hobby Lobby, and the You People.

“You People” is the most disgusting phrase one uses to expresses his or her
hate or ignorance towards other people. Grammatically, it is the goofiest usage
of the phrase to call you people to a single man or a woman.

In 2005, someone accused a Jewish individual at the Dallas
City Hall, as ‘you people’ – thanks for my outrage, not only Dallas Morning
News published it in the letters, but others jumped in too to express their
outrage.

Bad things happen because good people do nothing about it, if we even a
molecule of Good in us,  we need to speak
up and do something about it.


The African Americans, Jewish, Muslims, Hindus, Chinese, Hispanic,
Arabs, and other people are used to these phrases. It’s humiliating. Same thing
happens to a white person in an all Asian or African American neighborhoods,
why he or she is here, and the stares that go with it, and it’s not a
comfortable feeling.

The act of Hobby Lobby store was not acceptable in a civil society, “We
don’t cater to you people” was the response a Jewish person received when
asked for Hanukkah trinkets. The TGIF restaurant employee relished feeding a
piece of bacon to a Muslim woman, what will do you do, if you were served the
ribs, and you learn that it was dog meat while eating?   We need
to condemn this to prevent it from happening again.  We all want an America where none of us have
to live in fear or apprehension of the other.


We should take one of the three actions; 1. Demand what you people means 2.
Complain to the Supervisor and 3. Call the News Media. In the long run,
education is the way to go. We, all of us are conditioned to believe what we
see – and shamefully we judge the entire group of people for the actions of a
few.  Cleaning begins with us.

Let me warn you with the reverse bias – you are dead wrong to think that it is
the white people who mistreat the minorities, hell no; we all are equally
guilty of it.  It’s the 1/10th
of 1% of the people in each group, be it religious, ethnic, racial or other who
are intolerant and bigots, and you will find the same percentage of bigots in
every group including yours, White, Black, Hispanics, Indians and others.

Now some of us can stop by at Hobby Lobby, and ask them if they have items to
celebrate Hanukkah, Ramadan, Ramnvami or whatever festival that we can talk
about.  Not that we expect them to have,
but how they respond to it.  Would they respect
me as a customer if I were Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Black or Hispanic.  If not, do I have the right to report to them,
so they don’t mistreat others?

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on the topics of
Pluralism, Coexistence, politics, interfaith, Islam and building a cohesive
America, and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. details at www.MikeGhouse.net

USA Today – http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/10/04/hobby-lobby-jewish-bias-or-business-decision/2921069/

Maddow – http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/10/05/20831389-this-week-in-god?lite

Ghouse – http://nabsites.net/demo/hobby-lobby-and-you-people/

# # #

Action for Republicans by Republicans

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ACTION PLAN FOR REPUBLICANS BY REPUBLICANS
URL – http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/mike-ghouse/51982/action-for-republicans-by-republicans   

Please consider sending a fax to your congress person and the senator, and I just did. To find your representative go to http://www.contactingthecongress.org

Congressman Kenny Marchant: fax: 202-225-0074
Congressman Mark Veasey: fax 202-225-9702
Senator Ted Cruz: fax 202-228-0755
Senator John Cornyn: fax 202-228-2856

I am a Republican and I don’t want to be responsible for wrecking my country, I elected you to do the best for us collectively, and now you have betrayed us. All I ask of you is to reconsider your decision.

You may agree with me if you put politics aside, that the affordable care act is the best thing for me, you and many of our fellow Texans. Our system is not about me, me and me; it is about us, taking care of each other when are vulnerable. You and I, and our relatives and friends are as vulnerable to health risks as any one else. We are not invincible.

I had a heart attack two months ago and have a huge bill to pay, I was not getting insurance coverage for the preexisting conditions or I had to pay over $800.00/month. Thanks to the ACA, I just got the insurance for $380/month after the heart attack and an impending quad pass surgery. It’s not about me; I can afford $380/month, but millions are out there who cannot afford even $200/month if you mess with the ACA.

Please call in John Boehner and offer your support to support the budget of the President. He is elected by the people just like you, and it behooves for you to respect him, as you expect us to respect you. John McCain said it right, the ACA was approved by the two houses, signed by the President, and ratified by the Supreme Court, what else do you want?

Our State has the highest number of un-insured, and don’t know how many have died for lack of funds for medical care, and yet, we are letting one of our senators wreck the ship, that is America.

ACA is the law of the land and I do not want to see you, my congressman to break the law of the land. I will hold you responsible. Let’s move one and not let Cruz rape our nation with you as an accomplice. Mike
Ghouse is a Moderate Republican and is a speaker, thinker and a writer on the topics of Pluralism,
Coexistence, politics, interfaith, Islam and cohesive societies. He is
committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic
solutions on issues of the day.

STUFF FOR A GOOD MOVIE

It’s a plot for a good movie – the villain Ted Cruz tries to rape the girl, and John Boehner the hero rescues her and turns her over to father Obama.

Cruz is like a toddler throwing tantrum for the candy at the store, he called on the 38 some tea partiers to not vote for Presidents Budget. The old saying, the evil persists not because of the 38 Republicans, but because the good Republicans did nothing to stop the man.

John Boehner is doing his best; he is in between a rock and a hard place. It’s time for him to take a bold stand and take leadership back that was derailed by the extremists from within the Republican Party. If you divide the party, you have no future in it.

Ted Cruz figures, he has nothing to lose, so he wrecks the ship, in the process he strengthens his own base for the future presidency – one must be out of his mind to vote for this man, who does not care about America or any one, it is all about him; Ted Cruz and we should not let him get by with his shenanigans. 2018 Is not far to nail him.

Ted Cruz does not have solutions – Obama has pulled the economy from the worst situation, the unemployment is down to 7.2% and things are on the way to sail smoothly. If we default on the debt, the United States will lose the trust it has built over 200 years for meeting her obligations. Economy will tank…

Let’s get back on the track and to the right thing; support our president.

Mike Ghouse
www.TheGhouseDiary.com
_______

 

Interfaith Prayer Ceremony at Peace Chapel Dallas

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Dallas, Texas – October 3, 2013 –
Interfaith Peace Chapel, Dallas

The Program outline is listed
below, here is the outline of my speech.


URL – http://nabsites.net/demo/interfaith-prayer-ceremony-at-peace/


18 pictures at flickr – http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157636170134374/


Salaam – May you be showered in
peace, drenched in peace and soaked in peace. Tonight, we will think, talk and
act peace together.

Thanks for being here, interfaith meetings are important.




The
purpose of interfaith dialogue is to learn about each other, and to separate
the myths from the realities.  To learn about each other as we believe and
practice, and not what others say about us or vice-versa.

The bottom line is how we build a society that all of us can learn to respect
the otherness of others, and no one has to live in apprehension, discomfort or
fear of the other. Interfaith efforts are directed towards that goal. 

Prophet Muhammad conducted interfaith dialogue…
Let me caution, in case our bias jumps at us…

If Muslims followed Islam, Jews followed Judaism, Christians followed Jesus,
Hindus- Krishna, Bahais- Bahaullah or Sikhs Guru Nanka. We will not have the
problems we see today.  A handful of
people don’t get their own religion right and shamefully we blame the whole
group of people…


Sadly,
most of my fellow Americans have a singular perception of Muslims, Jews,
Christians, Hindus and others, and those perceptions were built up by media or
hearsay, we have a tendency to teach bad things about others.. How can we have
a good relationship then?
 Even
those who have been a part of the interfaith dialogue still are set in what is
dished out to them for years.
Interfaith
dialogue, removes those myths – hear me out, this is what Judaism is and not
what you imagine, this is Islam, and not what you see on Fox…. INTERFAITH
dialogue helps put together the real image of the group as opposed to
what is out on television.  The input is coming from the
respective religious representatives and not defined by someone else. 



Indeed,
in Quran 49:13 God says, I have created ya’ll from a single couple, into many
tribes, communities and nations…. and the best one among you is the one who
knows and learns about the other.  God knows there will be conflicts with
diversity, and then he tells us the best ones among us are those who learn
about each other. Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to
acceptance of each other. If we learn about each other, the conflicts fade and
solutions emerge.

That is the ultimate goal of interfaith – to respect the otherness of others,
and that is the precise definition of Pluralism.  That is – you are who you are, and I am who I
am. I will accept you the way you believe, dress, smile and I expect the same
from you. In true interfaith meetings, there are no compromises, what is the
need? After all it is a belief, and as long as it does not mess with my food,
water, space and my loved ones, you are welcome to be who you are, as I will be
who I am.


Karen Armstrong once said, if you feel biased against any scriptures – fight
it, fight with yourselves unless that bias is knocked out.  If I have the bias, why shouldn’t you? I
cannot ask you to be clean, unless I am.

Bias that we have

When Pastor Jones announced burning 2998 copies of Qur’an on Wednesday,
September 11, 2013, one for each American life lost on September 11, 2001; I
said to myself we have to bring a closure to the sacrifice of our men and women
in the most honored way and not by burning the Qurans.

We also need to bring a closure to the damage 9/11 has done to the relationship
between Muslims and America, though the majority on both sides did not blame
each other, the few among both made it difficult by promoting fear,
hatred and blame with recurring nagging activities.

Just like the actions of Pastor Terry Jones and his handful of supporters do
not represent 318 Million Americans, the actions of the 19 and their respective
cheer leaders do not represent 1.6 Billion Muslims either. We all owe it
ourselves to understand this clearly, so none of us lives in anxiety, and
continue to live in hate of each other. 

We all have a legitimate concern on how a handful of Muslims react elsewhere in
the world to criticism of Prophet Muhammad, Islam and Qur’an,
and how Muslims are perceived by fellow humanity in general and Americans in
particular.  Hence we deliberated on actions to bring about sustainable solutions;
the answer was in moving the Tenth Annual Unity Day USA event to Mulberry,
Florida. The Unity Day brings people of different faiths, races and ethnicities
to rededicate our pledge to one nation and a commitment to her safety,
security and Unity.

Thanks to the print and web media – every Major Newspaper in the world has
carried the stories and at least two dozen original pieces have been written
about the event. A whole lot of it is listed at www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

The most important endorsements came from Muslims sites – Shia, Sunni and
other Muslims groups. Whether it is Saudi Gazette, or Ahle-Bayt (Shia) News in
Iran and the Muslim Majority Nations have covered it all.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM MUSLIMS?

The following are some of the many of the responses we have learned and
anticipate when someone criticizes Islam, Prophet Muhammad, or Quran;  

  1. Violence –
    burning embassies, cars and destruction of property….
  2. Calling Names,
    cursing or killing the one who said bad things about the three
  3.  Enflame
    the situation by adding fuel to the fire by talk of avenge or revenge
  4. Passing the buck
    – blame the other “illiterate Muslims”, fringe elements etc.
  5. Get Defensive
What the world has
not seen is a genuine Muslim response!

Our goal was to offer an alternate behavior model as a standard, indeed we can
call it a genuine Islamic response based on what the Prophet has said, and the
verses from Quran. This behavior can also be called Christian, Jewish,
Hindu or plain common sense responsible response.

Saving a life is like saving the whole humanity
says the Quran, a book of guidance like all other holy books in building
harmony in a given society. It is about building societies that care for other
for the ultimate benefit of each member of the society. (More about it at Huffington Post)

The Muslim Community has taken up the
responsibility in past several years to donate blood, and last year, the target
was to collect 11,000 pints on the 11thanniversary and collected
11,170 Pints.  The Muslims for Life blood drive campaign emphasizes
the sanctity of life, a teaching inherent in all religious
traditions.

The Muslim Community USA has set a
goal to collect 12,000 pints of blood, which will help save up to 36,000
lives. 


The model is not new at all, indeed, it was established by Jesus, Muhammad and
all the spiritual Masters (peace be upon them)  including non-religious
and secular traditions; that of mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill for
the common good of the society; a cohesive society where no one has to live in
apprehension or fear of the other.
Jesus called that
Kingdom of heaven and Muhammad called it submission to a coherent system called
Islam. A majority of people in all faiths believe in the beauty of their faith;
however a few in each group don’t get that or abuse the faith to their
advantage in making enemies out of those who differ.
Indeed, Prophet Muhammad
taught that “To overcome evil with good is good, and to resist evil by
evil is evil.” It is also strongly enjoined in the Qur’an in the same
verse 41:34, “Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is
better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your
dearest friend.” (Full Press release at World Muslim Congress).
The folks in the Town
of Mulberry and Polk County, Florida were ready for a new model to work in
dealing with the situation, and they did, and have set an example to the world.
Should this happen elsewhere in the United States, the folks can look up to the
Mulberry example of giving hope and strengthening what is good.

Indeed Mulberry Mayor Hatch said, “One man or a handful of men and women
do not represent the values of half a million folks of Polk County”. Mayor
Fields of Lakeland shared that humanity has a history of abusing the holy books
for individual gains and we cannot accept that. Sgt. Regina Moran,
representing Polk County Sheriff’s office called for mutual respect and
acceptance of the other. Butch Rahman, a resident of Polk County
emphasized, “Terry Jones begged every property owner in Polk County to
allow him to burn the Quran on their property—and not one person accepted. No
one is buying his idea and he is isolated on an island of hate. He does not
represent us.” and added,”I am proud of Polk County’s response in rejecting
hate and promoting a positive message of American diversity.”  

To sum it up about Islam,
let me share the core values and the rituals that are the pathways to achieve
those values.

Core Values

  • 1.       Mercy
  • 2.      Justness
  • 3.      Forgiveness
  • 4.      Accountability
  • 5.      Equality
     
RITUALS

  • 1.        Pledge – belief in
    God and his prophet.
  • 2.      Prayers
  • 3.      Fasting
  • 4.      Zakat (public taxes
    to take care of the needy)
  • 5.      Pilgrimage.

The Universal Prayer –
Translation of Sura Fatiha
Arabic recitation: Sura Fatiha

===============================

Here
is the program outline.
Rev. Janet Ellis – Opening
Kenny Kolter –  Gong Meditation
Judie Arkow – Jewish
Faith/Interfaith Clergy
Rev. David Howard – Unity
Christianity
Mike Ghouse – Muslim/Pluralism
Music  – “There is a
Place”        Rev. David Howard and Rev.
Janet Ellis
                                    Piano
accompanist    Antoine Spencer
Stephen A. Fuqua  –
Baha’i
David Scott -Spiritualism
Phrakru Vichak Suddhivaro – Buddhism
Rev. Wahhaba Phillips –  Sufi Order International North America
Music – Antoine Spencer

Closing – Len Ellis

Rev. Janet Ellis  – 
Closing

Purpose of Interfaith Dialogue

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PURPOSE OF INTERFAITH DIALOGUE
URL – http://nabsites.net/demo/purpose-of-interfaith-dialogue/
The purpose of interfaith dialogue is to learn about each other, and to
separate the myths from the realities. 
To learn about each other as we believe and practice, and not what others
say about us or vice-versa.

The bottom line is how do we build a society
that all of us can learn to respect the otherness of others, and no one has to
live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other. Interfaith efforts are
directed towards that goal. 

Prophet Muhammad is the first man to have
conducted an interfaith dialogue.  Zarathustra, Moses, Krishna, and even Jesus
did not have that opportunity. Prophet Muhammad was dealing with Judaism,
Christianity, Pagans and other monotheistic traditions prevalent at that time.
It was followed by the Muslims in Spain, and King Akbar in India.

Now
we have many groups engaged in interfaith dialogue – there are about three or
four of us who teach pluralism ; Aga Khan, Eboo Patel, myself and a few other
Muslims. We have zero prejudice towards any faith, and we build Islam while
building other faiths as well. Our Islam grows bigger as others faiths also
shine.. our Islam does not hinge on diminishing or giving lesser value to other
faiths.

Sadly, most of the fellow Americans have a singular perception of
Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus…. and others, and those perceptions were built
up by media.  Even those who have been a
part of the interfaith dialogue still are set in what is dished out to them for
years.

Interfaith dialogue, removes those myths – hear me out, this is what
Judaism is and not what you imagine, this is Islam, and not what you see on
Fox…. INTERFAITH dialogue helps put together the real image of the group as
opposed to what is out on television.  The input is coming from the respective
religious representatives and not defined by someone else. 

How do we do that? http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/09/special-report-on-quran-burning-that.html

Indeed, in Quran 49:13 God says, I have created you into many tribes,
communities…. And the best one among you is the one who knows each other.  God knows there will be conflicts with
diversity, and then he tells us the best ones among us are those who learn about
each other. Knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance of
each other.

That is the ultimate goal of interfaith – to respect the
otherness of others as Pluralism is defined by us.  That is you are who you are, and I am who I
am. I will accept you the way you believe, dress, smile and I expect the same
from you. In true interfaith meetings, there are no compromises, what is the
need? After all it is a belief, and as long as it does not mess with my food,
water, space and my loved ones, you are welcome to be who you are, as I will be
who I am.


Of course, we will always have a few Muslim spies, Jewish spies, Hindus
spies… and a few Muslims, Baha’i and Christians come to convert others, it’s a
sport to them to see how many they can hunt.  They are a danger to building cohesive
societies where no one has to live in apprehension of the other.

I am
part of many groups and including my own – the rule is no one will even hint
about conversion, or claim superiority of their faith over others. They can
extol their faith, but never put down the other.


I have written quite extensively on the topic… Let me share the negative
side of it which are few and far between: 
http://nabsites.net/demo/interfaith-disappointements/
Mike
Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
Foundation for Pluralism
Studies in
Religious Pluralism and societal 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 at www.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 all
his work through many links.