Happy Navaratri 2012 – A Hindu Festival

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I have been writing and
talking about Navaratri, one of the longest Hindu festivals for 9 days,
gloriously ending in Dussera or Vijay Dashami on the 10th day. This process of
writing about the essence of each festival of all religions began in 1993
and has continued till day and God willing it will continue through the
Foundation for Pluralism.

Navaratri started on October 16th and will continue through the 24th ending
in Vijay Dashami. Navaratri is rich in meaning. At one level, Navaratri
signifies the progress of a spiritual aspirant. During this spiritual journey,
the aspirant has to pass three stages personified by Durga, Lakshmi and
Saraswati. Then, he or she enters into the realm of the infinite, wherein one
realises one’s Self. Navaratri, which literally means ‘nine nights,’ dedicates
three days each to worshipping the Divine in the forms of Durga, Lakshmi and
Saraswati. The tenth day, though, is the most important; it is known as
Vijayadashami, the ‘tenth day of victory.

Continued at: http://nabsites.net/demo/spirt-of-navaratri-happy-navaratri/ 

# # #
Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike 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 and regularly atHuffington post, Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily and MikeGhouse.net indexes all his activities.

Texas faith: What is the future of religion?

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Texas faith: What is the future of religion?
Wayne Slater, Dallas Morning News
What is it that the institutions of religion are
not providing a growing number of people? And if this younger generation
remains unaffiliated as it ages, what’s the future of religion?
Our
Texas Faith panel weighs in:
MIKE
GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism

Historically
religious institutions had a monopoly in offering a sense of community, and a
sense of unity that made families feel safe and at home. Indeed they were
sanctuaries of peace, an affordable singular communal source of entertainment
to a majority of families.
Do
people feel the same going to a place of worship now? I am afraid not, its
value as a place of solace is declining for a variety of reasons, and this is
happening across the religious spectrum whether it is a church, mosque,
synagogue or a temple.
As
humans we are driven to where there is harmony and conflictlessness, and the
religious institutions are failing to fulfill the very basic need that brought
families to these institutions in the first place.
The
Younger generation interacts with people of different faiths, cultures, races
and ethnicities with least to no prejudice, and they reject the notion of a
God, that showers his grace on a selected few and not their good friends at
work or at school. The exclusive claim from the pulpit does not appeal to the
young generation anymore, they may put up with it, but deep down, gradual
distancing is set in motion.
Scammers
like Robert Tilton, Jim Baker and a host of others, and sex abuse scandals are
not helping keep the congregations either.
In
a 2011Pew survey, 72% of Americans did not believe theirs is the only way to
God, compared to 96% in a 1972 survey. The demographics have changed now, and
it is hard to fathom their preacher’s claims of exclusivity.
The
latest research from Barna Associates shows that only 32 percent of adults see
hell as, “an actual place of torment and suffering where people’s souls go
after death.” People have enough of it in their own lives to go listen to
another one.
Future
of religious institutions depend on the needs of the congregants, those places
of worship that offer hope and solace with least conflicts will continue to
attract membership like Joel Osteen, the non-denominational, spiritual, and
meditation centers. Institutions where sermons focus on making enemies out of
others to give a false sense of good feeling will wane. Deep down people want
to feel good about themselves, and sermons of harmony and pluralism will give
hope and will save the institutions.
Texas faith is a
weekly column, where panelists from different traditions respond to the issues
of the day – for all the responses, please visit Dallas Morning News at 
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/10/texas-faith-with-number-of-americans-not-identifying-with-any-specific-faith-growing-whats-the-future-of-religion.html/
Mike Ghouse is
committed to building a Cohesive America and
offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike 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 and regularly atHuffington post, Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is
updated daily and MikeGhouse.net indexes all his activities.

Actors wanted for 47% Spots

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You don’t have to say a word, but just be visible in the shoot out for the 47% ers. Need Veterans, Retirees, ones on Social Security, Unemployed……and corporate guys… FOUR 3O SECOND SPOTS.. Volunteers only. If you are interested just send me your name,email and phone number to GhouseSpeaks@gmail.com 

1. Romney talks in private and public  
2. Romney flies where honey is 
3. Romney supports those who tell what a woman can do
4. Government to get the hell out of people’s life

SHOOTING ON TUESDAY DURING LUNCH 11:00- 1:00 PM 

Address will be communicated to you from SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com  

I WILL BE ON HANNITY TO DISCUSS FOREIGN POLICY – THAT IS GOING TO BE A RIDICULOUS FIGHT WITH HIM. http://www.hannity.com/guest/ghouse-mike/10804 

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike 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 and regularly atHuffington post, Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily and MikeGhouse.net indexes all his activities.

Barack Obama Humor at Catholic Church

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DON’T MISS BARACK OBAMA HUMOR
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/49471715#49471715

I have not missed the Al Smith Dinner talk at
Catholic Church in New York for three election cycles. Friends, this is
America, where the President and his challenge poke fun at each other in good
humor. Then there is another dinner where President invites the Media, that is
a roaring dinner as well. This is American Humor at its best, watch the guys
sitting behind Romney, explaining the jokes.
 This
how things ought to be.  Watch the Romney
 Video following this.- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/49471684#49471684
I will be on Sean Hannity on Wednesday,
talking about Foreign policy, you can get the details at: http://www.hannity.com/guest/ghouse-mike/10804
# # #

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916

MikeGhouse is professional
speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, foreign
policy, Islam,
interfaith and peaceful societies. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and
offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a
strong national and local presence in TV, Radio and Print Media, and 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 everything you
want to know about him. 

Mitt Romney Humor at Catholic Church

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DON’T MISS MITT ROMNEY HUMORhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/49471684#49471684
I have not missed the Al Smith Dinner talk at Catholic Church in New York for three election cycles. Friends, this is America, where the President and his challenge poke fun at each other in good humor. Then there is another dinner where President invites the Media, that is a roaring dinner as well. This is American Humor at its best, watch the guys sitting behind Romney, explaining the jokes….
This how things ought to be. Watch the Obama
Video following this.-http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/49471715#49471715
I will be on Sean Hannity on Wednesday,
talking about Foreign policy, you can get the details at: http://www.hannity.com/guest/ghouse-mike/10804
# # #

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916

MikeGhouse is professional
speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, foreign
policy, Islam,
interfaith and peaceful societies. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and
offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a
strong national and local presence in TV, Radio and Print Media, and 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 everything you
want to know about him. 

Thank God, the damned terrorist was stopped

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I am glad FBI was on his tail and got the evil doer. There
are extremists out there whose language reflects intolerance and supremacy.

We had them shooting in Wisconsin Sikh Temple, Denver Theater,
Norway Park, V-Tech, Fort Hood and now the Federal Reserve.

It is our individual
and collective responsibility to keep law and order and faithfully guard the
safety of every citizen. Hate, prejudice and stereotyping are some of the many
root causes of disrupting the peace in a society. It is our duty to track down
the source of such ill-will and work on mitigating it.

We all need to be on watch;
any suspicious guy must be reported to FBI, This 21 year old dude Quazi Mohammad Rezwanul Ahsan Nafis must be interrogated,
find all his connections and sources and throw him in for life.
 
Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net

2nd Presidential debate between Obama and Romney

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2ND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: OBAMA OR ROMNEY
It was a good debate. Although Obama has an edge over
Romney in connecting with people, it was Romney who was actually connecting. Romney
addressed the questioners by their names, in fact, he clarified the name one questioner, did I get that right? That was touching; Obama did catch up as an afterthought.

Neither one of them addressed Jeremy’s parent’s concern, they did not even referred to them, I was hoping they would. I am sure there was a gaping
gap left with Jeremy’s parents..
Romney was looking at the people where as Obama was
staring at the floor, as if there was a hurdle placed in front of him, it was
irritating to me, and not sure if it was for others.
Though Romney was good, he came across as a criticizer
than a problem solver, where as Obama missed a few good opportunities that
could have sealed him a clear victory. Obama will regain at least two points
lead over Romney following this debate.
Romney’s come back on 7/11 was good, but Obama put the
lid right back on it.
Romney blew it on Benghazi  he could have pushed for
lack of intelligence, instead he was caught with falsity, and from that moment on, it was a downward slope for Romney. It is not just that Romney has been shooting  whatever is convenient to him, does he not think that he is watched by the same people over and over again to see and hear the different versions? He needs to stick to one version for he 2016 run. 

On the other
hand, Obama could have nailed him on the immature and dangerous statement
Romney made about our Embassies.Romney was clearly wrong there…

On the last question – Romney was asserting, and
reasserting that he cared about 100% of Americans, clearly he did not mean it,
I wish someone analyzes it, and that’s where Obama could have blown Romney away.  All Obama had to say was this, “Governor, I am glad you said that you stand for
100% of Americans here in public, but that is not what you say in
private, what else have you said?”
Obama has brought stability over the four years, and Romney’s
presidency will knock over that if he is elected. .
Romney
has not matured in his convictions; he is in the experimentation stage, trying
to see which statement will work. He has two different views, a private view
that he shares with the ones who give him money, and the public view that gives
the appearance of inclusiveness. How deep is either view? God only knows. I
don’t know which Romney I will get at the end. Even the GOP is not sure.
Obama is
a sure thing; he will keep everything intact; he will not turn
things upside down. Unemployment is steadily going down; Women can continue to
feel secure, he will not repeal the Equal Pay Act, not repel equal insurance
premiums for men and women, and will not repeal Roe v. Wade, will not do a flip
on “Don’t ask, don’t tell”, and he will keep the veterans’ benefits
intact… and a whole lot more. 
Full Article at Huffington post: :   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/america-first-tensions-conflicts_b_1959567.html
Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike 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 and regularly atHuffington post, Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily and MikeGhouse.net indexes all his activities

America First – Go Obama, and not Romney for stability

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HUFFINGTON POST

My fellow Republicans, let’s put America first, party
next. 

Romney has not matured in his
convictions; he is in the experimentation stage, trying to see which statement
will work. He has two different views, a private view that he shares with the
ones who give him money, and the public view that gives the appearance of
inclusiveness. How deep is either view? God only knows. I don’t know which
Romney I will get at the end. Even the GOP is not sure.

Obama is a sure thing, 
he will  keep everything intact;
he will not turn things upside down. Unemployment is steadily going down; Women
can continue to feel secure, he will not repeal the Equal Pay Act, not repel
equal insurance premiums for men and women, and will not repeal Roe v. Wade,
will not do a flip on “Don’t ask, don’t tell”, and he will keep the
veterans’ benefits intact… and a whole lot more.
Continued:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/america-first-tensions-conflicts_b_1959567.html

Mike Ghouse
is committed to building a

Cohesive America
and offers pluralistic solutions on
issues of the day. He is a

professional
speaker,
thinker and a writer on

pluralism,
politics,

civic affairs,

Islam,

India,

Israel,
peace and justice. Mike 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
and regularly at

Huffington post,

Smirking
Chimp

and several other periodicals across the
world. The blog

www.TheGhousediary.com
is updated daily and MikeGhouse.net
indexes all his activities 

FunAsia brings communities together for Malala

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PRESS RELEASE
John Hammond
FunAsia brings communities together for Malala
Christians, Hindus,
Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and others from USA, Canada, UK, India,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other Diaspora came together to stand
up in solidarity with Malala at FunAsia Richardson on Sunday evening at 8:00
PM.

Click picture for enlarged version
Shabnam
Modgil opened the event followed by an array of speakers including, Shariq
Hamid, Dr. Mona Shah, Anjum Anwar, Rashid Dara, Tina Sharma, Ghulam Jangda,
Nadeem Zaman, Dr. Zahid Ayub, Mike Ghouse and John Hammond.
 
Three young kids Zan
(11), Daniel (10) and Shawn (9) also expressed their strong feelings against
terrorism and their unconditional support for peace and education for all,
especially for girls.
Malala has become a
catalyst for a change that Pakistan was looking for decades; her suffering will
bring a new beginning, new dawn and a new determination to
Pakistan.
It was heartwarming to
note that 50 Key Muslim Scholars, in Pakistan, issued a statement condemning the
extremism displayed by a loony; the support for Malala is increasing by the day. 
The candle light vigils
are not only being observed in Pakistan, but throughout the world, including
India, UK, Canada and the United States.
To honor this unity of
people from different faiths and nationalities, the speakers at FunAsiA shared
their religious greetings from different faiths, all greetings were designed to
acknowledge the stranger with a desire to connect and a possible friendship.
Whether it is Namaste, Salam, Shalom, and Satsriakal or peace, it is has the
same ingredient in it. Attendees were welcome to recite quietly, or in chorus
however they preferred. 
Mike shared the
following greetings with the crowd:
Baha’i – Allah‘u’Abha
Buddhism –
Buddha Namo
Christian – Peace to
you
Hindu –
Namaste
Jain – Jai
Jinendra
Jewish-
Shalom
Muslim – Salaam
Native American – blessings of mother
earth
Sikh- Satsriakal
Wicca – To goodness we
bow
Zoroastrian – Hamazor
Hama Ashobed.
Mr. Mike Ghouse
mentioned that Pakistan has endured extremism, and it reached its peak when a 14
years old girl was threatened not to seek education, and was shot and she is
hurt. Prophet Muhammad had said to go the far ends of the earth to educate
yourself.
This catalytic event is changing the course of history in
Pakistan.
The solution does not
lie in matching their extremism with our in-tolerance towards them, there is no
end to that, what we need to find is a way to have a dialogue with them, they
are obviously misguided from some source, we need to go that source with them
and remove it from the root, and with their consensus, and not through
oppression. It can be done.
FunAsiA, always has
and is still working on “Brining the Community Together”
Pictures
attached.
FunAsiA management;
Shabnam Modgil, Shariq Hamid, John Hammond.

Standing up for Malala in Dallas, Texas

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Standing up for Malala Yousufzai in Dallas, Texas

url- http://nabsites.net/demo/standing-up-for-malala-in-dallas-texas/

Christians, Hindus,
Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains  and others
from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other Diaspora came
together to stand up in solidarity with Malala at FunAsia Center tonight at
8:00 PM.
The event was organized
by John Hammond, Sharriq Hamid and Shabnam Modgil of Fun Asia Center, a model
center in Dallas that brings Desi communities together. This is a good business
idea that is worth emulating across the United States and the world. Details
are at www.Funasia.net
The man who came after every one was gone with his own candles,
Dr. Arif Jamal and  Mike Ghouse were the other two left on the ground

 Shabnam Modgil opened
the event followed by an array of speakers including, Sharriq Hamid, Tina
Sharma, Dr. Mona Shah, Ghulam Jangda, Nadeem Zaman, Dr. Ayyub, Anjum Anwar, myself
and John Hammond.

The following is an
outline of my talk:
Malala has become a
catalyst for a change that Pakistan was looking for decades; her suffering will
bring a new beginning, new sawera (morning) and a new azm (determination) to
Pakistan. It was heartwarming to note that 50 Key Muslim Scholars issued a
statement condemning the extremism displayed by a looney; the support for
Malala is increasing by the day. The candle light vigil is not only observed in
Pakistan, but throughout the world, including India, Canada and the United
States.

To honor this unity of people from different faiths and nationalities, let me
share the religious greetings from different faiths, as we are gathered here
tonight, all greetings are designed to acknowledge the stranger with a desire
to connect and a possible friendship. Whether it is Namaste, Salam, Shalom, and
Satsriakal or peace, it is has the same ingredient in it. You are welcome to
recite quietly, in chorus or don’t have to participate.
Every human is built to
feel good with unity, and tonight, we are witnessing it again, people put all
the barriers down and have joined in for Malala. Thanks to every one of you who
repeated the following greetings in chorus;

Baha’i – Allah‘u’Abha
Buddhism – Buddha Namo
Christian – Peace to you
Hindu – Namaste
Jain – Jai Jinendra
Jewish- Shalom
Muslim – Salaam
Native American – blessings of mother earth
Sikh- Satsriakal
Wicca – To goodness we bow
Zoroastrian – Hamazor Hama Ashobed.
Pakistan has endured extremism, and it reached its
peak when a teenage girl was threatened not to seek education, and was shot and
she is hurt. Prophet Muhammad had said to go the far ends of the earth to learn.
 My friends, this catalytic event is for
changing the course of history in Pakistan.
God has promised in Quraan that when things get
worse, he will send a prophet, messenger, a peacemaker or an event to restore
the goodness. Krishna in Bhagvad Gita promises that whenever adharma (un-righteousness)
takes over the society, he will appear and restore the dharma (righteousness).
This is that moment to restore trust and safety for every Pakistani, and hope
it can be built where no Pakistani has to live in fear of the other. 
The solution does not lie in matching their
extremism with our in-tolerance towards them, there is no end to that, what we
need to find is a way to have a dialogue with them, they are obviously misguided
from some source, we need to go that source with them and remove it from the
root, and with their consensus, and not through oppression. It can be done.
Let’s keep building this momentum, the world is
with Malala, I am the very best for Pakistan and her people.
Two days ago, another event was organized and
it is summarized at Malala, we stand with
you and your commitment to education http://nabsites.net/demo/malala-we-stand-with-you-and-your/
  
 Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike 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 and regularly atHuffington post, Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals across the world. The blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily and MikeGhouse.net indexes all his activities.