Breakfast at McDonalds and John Conlee song

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… Signs of senior citizen are surfacing
in me, getting up at 4:30 in the morning is one of them. For the last three
days, I had the urge to eat pancakes, resisted it, as I did not want to add anymore weight , Yasmeen promised
my monthly quota of Paratha this Sunday, the Indian layered flat bread ( OK,
Pakistani Paratha, because she is one) with Chicken Curry, a Malaysian favorite
as well. 

Well the urge to eat Pancakes was irresistible, and
my scale showed me in my limits… 185 pounds! So I drove to McDonald’s at 5:04..
walked in and heard the country song.. its 5:04… I was taken back for the
coincidence.., I was the first and only customer till 5:45….then three fellow
seniors walked in, as I was walking out. 

They were playing old country… and I really like
that song… so many times my heart got broken… I am only it for the love ..I was
imagining myself ten years from now…. I had two pancakes, two hash browns (they
substitute sausage for hash brown), scramble eggs and biscuits… and of course
my favorite, McDonald’s coffee… darn the flavor and the aroma is delightful…
sometimes I just keep the cup with a lid open and in the car and smell it…
what do you do to enjoy your mornings?

I got this John Conlee song… got me going in the
morning…and playing and replaying it…

There’s something you got that really gets me going
It’s hard to believe the way the feelings growing
Let me say before my heart starts showing
I’m only in it for the love
Enjoy it… 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLChjZFfwOs

Let me know if you like this song

Is this the America we want?

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We are pleased to release the final cut of the
trailer for the film, Americans
Together, Building a cohesive America. When complete, it will
reflect most aspects of Americans, and their trials and tribulations, hopes and
aspirations and their persistent pursuit of happiness. Whether you are a Native
American, immigrant or a great grand immigrant, you would be able to relate to
it.  We will weave a story into the film to appeal to the larger
audience.

Here is a trailer of the movie;
YouTube: http://youtu.be/YMXsTo4VYh8F
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMXsTo4VYh8&feature=youtu.be
Vimeo: http://vimeopro.com/bombayfilms/america-together-documentary-by-mike-ghouse-1-trailer
What difference will it make?
The famous story about a man walking on the beach picking the star
fish and releasing in the ocean comes to my mind. It did not make sense to an
observer watching it every day, so he asks the man, what difference does it
make by saving one, when thousands of them out dying on the beach every day?
The wise man replies, it made it to the one I released in the water, didn’t it?

In the 100 minutes film, we want to project the most critical issues we face as
a nation and possible solutions. Nothing will ever change if we do nothing
about it.

All issues are important, if we have to pick a few to fit in the time frame,
then we have to pass some, not because they are not important, but because we
have to hit ones that affect most of the population. That is our limitation.

It is a test for all of us, who would be involved as we move
forward to genuinely assess and value issues that are more significant than our
own? We will never be 100% right, but we can do the best we can.   
The first investment is camera and related equipment; you can see
the difference in quality of a few clips from the personal video and
professional video. To have the right equipment and get the right effect we
need the professional camera and paraphernalia. I need individuals to assist me
in DC, NY, LA, Seattle, Chicago, Miami and Dallas.
If you believe, the movie will become a contributor towards bringing a positive change in America, where every one can continue to live his or her life without apprehension, please support, and please contribute generously. Your
support will be listed at the website. You can donate any sum at http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/
Thank you

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916
America Together Foundation
www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com
Dallas, Texas 

TEXAS FAITH: What are you reading this summer? And why?

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WHAT ARE YOU READING THIS SUMMER AND WHY?

Our Constitution amazes me, and I literally worship its wisdom
about human rights and the rights of individuals. I want to read and learn
about the inspiration behind the debates, revisions and the process behind
finalization of these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit
of Happiness.” 
URL –http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-what-are-you-reading-this/

. . . . . . . 
For a number of reasons, summer is known as a time of reading.
That could be because of so many summer books coming out. It could be that we
all have more time to read on vacation. Or it could be that summer is less
stressful.
Texas Faith is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News managed by
Editors William McKenzie and Wayne Slater, and the material is contributed by
several panelists including Mike Ghouse, for all responses visit:http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/06/texas-faith-what-are-you-readi.html#
Your answers will help inform our readers about your cast of mind
— and the topics that you consider important.
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for
Pluralism, Dallas

Abraham Lincoln’s autobiography is one of the books I will be
reading this summer. His statement, “with malice towards none” has
been one of my anchors since my college interfaith discussions. I have given
many forms to it in my writings, including with prejudice towards none.
I am committed to read about America and Americans as a guide in
making, Americans Together, Building a
cohesive America. When complete, the documentary will reflect most
aspects of Americans, and their trials and tribulations, hopes and aspirations
and their persistent pursuit of happiness. Whether you are a Native American,
immigrant or a great grand immigrant, you would be able to relate to it.
Our Constitution amazes me, and I literally worship its wisdom
about human rights and the rights of individuals. I want to read and learn
about the inspiration behind the debates, revisions and the process behind
finalization of these words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit
of Happiness.”
As a pluralist Muslim, I take a quiz at Beliefnet every year, and
have consistently found that I am 100% Unitarian Universalist, 97% Quaker, 88%
Buddhist, 85% Reformed Jew, 85% Neo Pagan, 79% Baha’i, 80% Muslim, 68% Hindu
and 28% Catholic among others. My low score about the Catholic faith bothers
me, and I am committed to read books on Catholicism. I want to improve my
understanding to at least 50%. All recommendations are welcome.
MikeGhouse 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, and
several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is
updated daily. 

What % of Hindu, Christian, Jew or a Muslim are you?

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As a pluralist, I take a quiz at Beliefnet every year, and have consistently found that I am 100% Unitarian Universalist, 97% Quaker, 88% Buddhist, 85% Reformed Jew, 85% Neo Pagan, 79% Baha’i, 80% Muslim, 68% Hindu and 28% Catholic among others. 
My low score about Catholic faith bothers me, and I am committed to read books on Catholicism. I want to improve my understanding to at least 50%.
To be in tune with the whole humanity, meaning peace within, we have to remove ill-will, bias, hatred, anger and other elements that disturb our tranquility. That is what Vedas teach Vasudaiva Kutumbukum (Hinduism), Rabbul Aalameen (Islam) and all of us are God’s children (Christianity) and Mother earth (all native and earth based traditions including wicca and Pagan).

We can call ourselves a good Muslim, a good Hindu, a good Jew, a good Christian or a good Sikh when we don’t have hatred for any. Most people get their religion right and a few don’t. We need to develop the ability to see the ones who do and not re-act to the ones who don’t get it. 

1. Every one of us should score 50% on all religions.
2. It is the rituals that separate one from the other. My score of 80% in Islam is strictly due to a few ritual questions.
3. Philosophically, we should score at least 66.7% on all.
4. In essence, we should all score 100% if we believe the purpose of religion is to bring tranquility to an individual and create cohesiveness with others. 
I will update it later today with more information.
Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net 

Honoring Fathers – Happy fathers day

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http://nabsites.net/demo/honoring-fathers-happy-fathers-day/

My father Abdul Rahman, my dadly-friends Everett Blauvelt and DD Maini
My father is my hero. He opened the windows of wisdom to me and led his life as an example. He was one
of the most open minded persons I have known; he had prejudice towards none, indeed, if I pass that test and I am close,  I would like to have my head stone read “zero prejudice”. 
Thank you Dad! 

Much of my
sense of equality and feeling on par with everyone comes from his life model. 

I have to use the disgusting
word “Untouchable” to describe the situation in the early 60’s of India. Yes, a group of people were called untouchables, indeed they make up 3rd of India’s population. I will share a few examples that may make you shudder. Indeed, the grand parents of African American youth, and the older generation of Native Americans may relate with this.  Thank God, both America and India have made tremendous progress in civility, but it is shameful, this is still a practice in many nations.

Unfortunately, that was a fact of life when I was growing up in India. “They”
worked outside, and were not allowed in  Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh and other homes. My Dad broke all the rules, not only they would come in our home,
but would eat in the same plates we would eat, and my mother would cheerfully make
tea for them in the same cups we would drink. Never were they looked down or
talked down… (This was common) to Mara, Naga…and others who worked for us from time to time.  My Dad’s actions
had a big impact on me, and my mother had continuously reinforced those values. He
said it was the right thing to do.

In the early sixties, water was drawn from the open
wells in my town, and I watched the first water lines laid in the town. The public water faucets were set in the corner of every other street. We all went to collect water, and I watched some of the most
humiliating acts there.  After one of “them”
collected the water, a few from my line would go to the faucet and bloody wash
the faucet  several times before they collected
the water,  and I could see the pain on the faces of others waiting in the line. The
only good thing was the lines and “they” had equal opportunity with every one, even
thought there were two lines.
We simply cannot appreciate Mahatma Gandhi
enough, the father of my nation of birth, he called them “Harijan” God’s people
and gradually the word became a descriptor of the people. They are called Dalits as well. The founding fathers were ahead of their times, like the founding fathers of America. The wrote great constitutions which are gradually being emancipated, we still have a long ways to go.
My Dad was screamed at by his
friends and local leaders (he was a council man and a Mayor of the town) for
allowing “these” people in our homes. My Dad had the balls to defy the world
and always did what was the right thing, and thanks to my Dad for passing on
those balls to me.
He treated all of us kids with dignity and I am pleased I got to
be disciplined at least once, the memory of which consistently reminds me to
get my act together. I guess I replicated that with my children to the point my
kids would actually say, Dad, you should have disciplined us. I did not see the
need for it. I am fine and they are fine too. I did give them the cold shoulder
that my father had given me to straighten me out, and it worked both ways,
although my daughter was a tough cookie, she would not budge, she almost
behaves like my mother with me and I loved it.
 
He taught that life isn’t worth as much if we cannot stand up and help a fellow being.  I was about ten years old and watched a man fall off his bicycle
with his big bag of raw rice (paddy) and was struggling to get back on it, and
I wasn’t going to help the man. I saw my father about 100 feet away, and the
way he sped towards me got me frightened for the first time in my life…
Instincts work as my guilt warned it.  I
dashed inside the home and a few minutes later after helping the guy he was in…
I climbed on top of the paddy bags in a corner of the house, I thought he could
not get me there, so he goes outside and plucks a long branch off the mulberry
tree and gives me a few good ones. “My son will never do that” after
that conditioning, I have developed the habit of stopping for everyone who
needs help. I dare not watch and not do something about it.
He was affectionate, caring and kind towards everyone I know. Every one in the town called him “Mamu”- uncle. They all came to him with issues, they trusted his integrity to do the just thing. 

He was rarely angry, and I can count on the number of times I have been angry on my
finger tips; thanks to him, he passed it on.  If you are a father, remember, your kids are
likely to emulate you, think for them what you want them to be as grownups. What would you want them to
be? 

When I was about 5 years old, one of our tenants was angry at his brother, he
was nearly white but had turned red in anger, he picked up a big slab of rock
and was about to slam it on his brother.. my Dad rushed and grabbed the rock…
the seething look on that man’s face is permanently etched in my mind… the
moment, I find myself angered, I think of him and said to myself, Ayyo
(Bangalore expression for amazement) I don’t want to look that ugly and my
anger  vanishes. In the last 15 years I
must have been angry no more than three times. Ruben, my serviceman went to cash
the check from the bank, and the bank asked too many ID’s because he was
Mexican. I flew off the handle on the phone and cursed the hell out of the
manger, until he gave him the cash.

Pluralism indeed runs in my
family. He taught 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. 

Remember your child will work, live and perhaps marry someone from a
different race, ethnicity, faith, culture or a nation… as a father (its father’s day – it would have been mother on mother’s day)
have you thought of preparing your son or daughter for that day and save them
misery of prejudice? I believe deep down every father wants “happiness” for
their kids, but sometimes, messes up with them by the display of his own un-checked
prejudices. I am glad I “dragged” my children to every place of worship for them to be familiar with how other people worship the creator. Happiness is feeling safe and secure with every human out there and it comes when we are exposed to it.

I think of my Dad almost
every other day, but today, I am going to sit down, meditate and think about all
the good things he has done to me, including my education, and pray for his
soul. I do the Muslim way, as that is the way I am familiar with, but you do
your own way, whatever makes you comfortable. You Dad will be happy whether he is alive with you or in the heavens.  
I am also going to pray for
the health of my fatherly-friends Mr. Everett Blauvelt and Shri D. D. Maini, 97
and 86 respectively and hope to visit both of them today; one is in senior care and
the other in hospital. Both are very dear to me.   
Happy
father’s day to you as well. If you need a ear to hear you, you are welcome to
call me today at (214) 325-1916 – and I would have the affection like a father
for you. If you are older than me call me as your son.

This write up is also available at: 
http://nabsites.net/demo/honoring-fathers-happy-fathers-day/ 

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net 

No boundaries for me, what about you?

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http://nabsites.net/demo/no-boundaries-for-me-what-about-you/

NO BOUNDARIES FOR ME, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

I am free from religious, nationalistic, cultural and religious boundaries. I do not have the barriers between me and another human being. I am asked daily whether I am a Christian, Hindu or a Muslim… as I talk and write about all religions in equal tone. I am all, and I am none.

I am as comfortable with a Christian as with a Hindu, Jew, Pagan, Atheist or a Muslim, nothing eggs me against another human being. I do not look down or look up at their ways of doing things. I take every one as they are; another individual like me.

Each one of us comes with an identifier or an ethnic/racial marker; Indian in my case. There are 1.3 Billion of us with that marking on this planet, this clearly identifies my geographical area. Of course, the Bangladeshis, Nepalese, Sri Lankans and Pakistanis are all in the same ethnic group and the Indian Diaspora is in the same group as well. 

Some day, I hope, we become civilized enough to drop all identifiers except the natural one. Thank God, America leads the pack in civility – our passports do not identify anything but our natural markings. No religion, no denomination, no political orientation, no social grouping and no economic status or even the the damned profession. 

For my daily food, I choose what my taste bud finds happiness in, but that does not mean any food is inferior or superior to the other…If one enjoys the mothers food and says it it is the best… he or she is saying my mom’s food has conditioned my taste buds, and it is home to my mom’s food, that is the taste my buds find in tune with. Never does it mean that, it is the best nutritionally, aesthetically, looks wise or other quantitative measurements. It is an emotional bonding. It does not negate other foods. I have enjoyed every food out there and continue to cherish new tastes. Every day is a beautiful new addition. 

I drink both coffee and tea, neither is superior to the other, but both satisfy my taste buds.

I love blue, beige and white shirts, dark pants, deep colored ties that don’t look busy, just as you have your own comfort zone. It does not mean green or black shirt is anything less, it simply means I enjoy a few.

I chose Islam about a dozen years ago and that does not mean Islam is superior to any religion… I enjoy the beauty of each religion and love the way people express their gratitude to the creator.  

I love my language Urdu dearly, not because it is better, but because I am accustomed to enjoying it as others enjoy their language. 

I am happily married to Yasmeen and I pray every one finds his or her joy in their partner.

Nothing in the world, especially religion, nationality, ethnicity or race is superior or inferior to the others. They are simply choices we choose or get chosen. They are unique and work for every believer, observer, consumer or follower… 

All of us have issues, the problems is not with the issues. Our peace and tranquility is determined by how we deal witht the issues.  Some may not agree, but at least in our country America, everyone has a choice to be happy or not happy, mind you, it is not the money, it is the attitude that produced your joy. Every one of us have to find our own balance in life, some of us lose it sometimes, but gain it back other times.

As long as you can be peaceful, guilt free, carry no grudges, ill-will and believe in freedom of others as much as yours… you are blessed, and thank God I am blessed too. And I am blessed to find in tune with myself with so many of great friends in life, home and facebook. Those with whom I disagree, I do it respectfully. My opinion is no superior to theirs, it is just different.

Thanks, may God bless you to be at peace despite what goes around you. Amen!

My best wishes to you.
Mike Ghouse

Is Aamir Khan an Avatar of Krishna?

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Is Aamir Khan an Avatar of Krishna?
Abuse of Sonogram is a big story in India.

In his first show, called Satyameva Jayate (truth ultimately triumphs), Aamir Khan brings out different aspects the society to the fore.

What is great about this man, rather a pluralistic man is that he will not let the audience slip into prejudices. First, he shows a family living on the street, if anyone jumps to the conclusion, “o, it is the street people.”  Then he goes on to show a Muslim family, you can slip some more on the slope, its the poor and the Muslims… he takes through several levels and makes you fall into an ugly pit full of shit – it was the bloody mother in law who was a rich Doctor who wants her Bahu Doctor to drop the baby in New Delhi! Evil has no religion and no economic levels. If Aamir Khan keeps doing his shows, one day, India will be cleaned up from prejudices of different varieties.  He is a truly a Krishna’s avatar. He had said, whenever adharma takes over a tribe, someone will emerge from among them as his avatar and restore Dharma.

In May this year, it featured female feticide. That is the killing of female unborn babies. The show has turned India upside down, and new laws are being passed to prevent the abuse.

A salesman sells the sonogram machine to the Doctors as an investment that will return their capital in six months, and unchecked income continues after that by performing abortions – not male babies but female babies. Guardian reports 6 million girl abortions in the last decade in India, reconfirmed by ABC news, i.e., aborting 50,000 female babies a month.

In the sting operation, one doctor asks; if the baby does not die thru aborticides, what should be done, the other says, throw it in the river when it comes out. Yes, it is disgusting and heart-wrenching to watch. This, one particular evil has led to a disproportionate ratio of men and women to the point of sharing the wife with brothers and friends or selling one’s wife to the highest bidder.

Who is going to take us out of the chaos into the coherence?

The good news is that the prophecy of Krishna is relevant, in Bhagavad Gita IV-7 Krishna narrates to Arjuna: “Whenever Dharma, or the situation of law and order, is endangered on this world, I incarnate onto this world to re establish Dharma, law, and order, and to protect good and destroy the evil elements of the society.”

The movie actor Aamir Khan is indeed an incarnation of Krishna in mitigating the evil of female feticide, dowry, child abuse, and other crimes of the Indian society.

Texas Faith is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News managed by Editors William McKenzie and Wayne Slater, and the material is contributed by several panelists including Mike Ghouse.

Other pieces on Aamir Khan:

Aamir Khan, the new Social Hero of India
http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/07/aamir-khan-indias-new-social-hero.html

Aamir Khan is God sent
http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/07/aamir-khan-is-god-sent-to-india.html

For all the other responses visit:
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/06/texas-faith-is-knowing-a-fetus.html

How much information is enough?

The New York Times reported last week that researchers have discovered that performing simple tests on parents can lead to an understanding of almost the entire genome of a fetus. By taking a blood sample from a pregnant woman and a saliva specimen from the father, experts can let parents know virtually all the DNA of a child before it is born.

As the Times reported, thousands of genetic diseases could be detected. In the not-so-distant future, parents could pay an affordable price to get that information, too.

But this breakthrough also raises complicated ethical issues. On the one hand, parents could be readier for the challenges that await them. Yet will this lead to more abortions, including of children whose parents don’t like the DNA profile?

Undoubtedly, we all like information. But you could argue the creation story in Genesis shows the risks that come in acquiring knowledge.

Is this one of those instances? Is this discovery taking medical knowledge too far?

MIKE GHOUSE,
President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

We have come a long way in accepting things we would not have allowed each previous decade or a century. Whether it is ethics, morality, civility, religion, science or medical knowledge, we have accepted the new information despite the initial resistance.

There was a time when saving a life was considered evil, it was weighed against the will of God, and we battle that even today. In 2010, 70 children died in Zimbabwe, because of the religious opposition to vaccination. The religious tolerance organization reports that an average of one sick child a month dies in the United States from denied medical attention.

Discovering medical knowledge is not going too far. It is indeed kind of living a better life. The problem is not with the experience; but with the abuse of it, which will always be there as a part of the whole. We should not resist new research for fear of its violence. Let the benefits to society at large determine our study and not the abuse.

We might consider a requirement of ethical dimension and abuse prevention in the research proposals before they are submitted and funded.

Nuclear power in the right hands is a blessing, but hell in the hands of evil men. Religion in the
true hearts is a mercy to mankind, but a hell for others in the wrong hands. Evil men are not a separate group; they are among us, within each one of the faiths, races, and nationalities. As a society, we have to prevent abuse, but must welcome research.

Abuse of sonograms is a big story in India. The Guardian reports 6 million girl abortions in the last decade in India, reconfirmed by ABC news, i.e., aborting 50,000 female babies a month. The good news is there is a strong movement to stop this and laws are being passed.

Unless we discuss the ethics of what parents can or cannot do with the knowledge of a DNA child before it is born, we will never be able to deal with it. With the new understanding of a problematic DNA child, we will also develop techniques in re-aligning a few, if not all of the defects. We must not withhold the good from those who benefit from the DNA research.

A Doctor friend of mine is teaching stem cell research in Australian and European Universities, and sees the value of the study regarding the improved quality of life for many, in the United States we are still struggling with it. I’d rather fight and place things in order before we embark on it. It is the American way; infrastructure first.

We have dealt with Dr. Kevorkian, Terry Schiavo, and many other ethical issues and we will continue to do with resistance. We are indeed better off today, living a little better and little longer due to the research in medicine.
# # #

Texas Faith : Is knowing a fetus' entire genome taking medical knowledge too far?

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http://nabsites.net/demo/texas-faith-is-knowing-fetus-entire/

How much information is enough? The New York Times reported last week that researchers have discovered that performing simple tests on parents can lead to an understanding of almost the entire genome of a fetus. By taking a blood sample from a pregnant woman and a saliva specimen from the father, experts can let parents know virtually all the DNA of a child before it is born.

As the Times reported, thousands of genetic diseases could be detected. In the not-so-distant future, parents could pay an affordable price to get that information, too.

But this breakthrough also raises complicated ethical issues. On the one hand, parents could be more ready for the challenges that await them. Yet will this lead to more abortions, including of children whose parents don’t like the DNA profile?
Undoubtedly, we all like information. But you could argue the creation story in Genesis shows the risks that come in acquiring knowledge.
Texas Faith is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News managed by Editors William McKenzie and Wayne Slater, and the material is contributed by several panelists including Mike Ghouse, For all the other responses visit:
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/06/texas-faith-is-knowing-a-fetus.html
Is this one of those instances? Is this discovery taking medical knowledge too far?
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

We have come a long way in accepting things we would not have accepted each previous decade or a century. Whether it is ethics, morality, civility, religion, science or medical knowledge, we have accepted the new information despite the initial resistance.

There was a time, when saving a life was considered evil, it was considered against the will of God, and we battle that even today. In 2010, 70 children died in Zimbabwe, because of the religious opposition to vaccination. The religious tolerance organization reports that an average of one sick child a month dies in the United States from denied medical attention.

Discovering medical knowledge is not going too far. It is indeed beneficent in living a better life. The problem is not with the knowledge; but with the abuse of it, which will always be there as a part of the whole. We should not resist new research for the fear of its abuse. Let the benefits to society at large determine our research and not the abuse.

We might consider a requirement of ethical dimension and abuse prevention in the research proposals before they are submitted and funded.

Nuclear power in the right hands is a blessing, but a hell in the hands of evil men. Religion in the right hearts is a mercy to mankind, but a hell for others in the wrong hands. Evil men are not a separate group; they are among us, within each one of the faiths, races, and nationalities. As a society, we have to prevent abuse, but must welcome research.
Abuse of sonograms is a big story in India. The Guardian reports 6 million girl abortions in the last decade in India, reconfirmed by ABC news i.e., aborting 50,000 female babies a month. The good news is there is a strong movement to stop this and laws are being passed.
The following three paragraphs are an addition in my blog to highlight Indian situation.
Abuse of Sonogram is a big story in India. In its first show, called Satyamev Jayate (truth ultimately triumphs), in May this year, it featured female feticide. The show has turned India upside down and new laws are being passed to prevent the abuse.  A salesman sells the sonogram machine to the Doctors as an investment that will return their capital in six months, and unchecked income continues after that by performing abortions – not male babies but female babies.  Guardian reports 6 million girl abortions in the last decade in India, reconfirmed by ABC news i.e., aborting 50,000 female babies a month.

In the sting operation, one doctor asks; if the baby does not die thru aborticides, what should be done, the other says, throw it in the river when it comes out. Yes, it is disgusting and heart wrenching to watch. This, one particular evil has led to disproportionate ratio of men and women to a point of sharing the wife with brothers and friends or selling one’s wife to the highest bidder.
 
The good news is that the prophecy of Krishna is relevant, in Bhagvad Gita IV-7 Krishna narrates to Arjuna: “Whenever Dharma, or the situation of law and order, is endangered on this world, I incarnate onto this world to re establish Dharma, law and order, and to protect good and destroy the evil elements of the society.” The movie actor Aamir Khan is indeed an incarnation of Krishna in mitigating the evil of female feticide, dowry, child abuse, and other evils of the Indian society.

Unless we discuss the ethics of what parents can or cannot do with the knowledge of a DNA child before it is born, we will never be able to deal with it. With the new knowledge of a difficult DNA child, we will also develop techniques in re-aligning a few, if not all of the defects. We must not withhold the good from those who benefit from the DNA research.

A Doctor friend of mine is teaching stem cell research in Australian and European Universities, and sees the value of the research in terms of improved quality of life for many, in the United States we are still struggling with it. I’d rather struggle and place things in order before we embark on it. It is the American way; infrastructure first. 

We have dealt with Dr. Kevorkian, Terry Schiavo and many other ethical issues and we will continue to do with resistance. We are indeed better off today, living a little better and little longer due to the research in medicine.

MikeGhouse 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, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily.

Dallas Morning News – Texas Faith – Ghouse Articles in 2010

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Dallas Morning News –
Texas Faith – Ghouse Articles in 2010
A total of 13 contributions
towards Texas faith were made, although, I have written in before, but
officially, I started on 9/14th with Dallas Morning News.
Texas Faith: Which religion stories merited more and better
coverage?
 Published on 12/21/10
at Dallas Morning news

A great initiative was taken by the Foundation for Pluralism to mitigate
conflicts by demystifying the myths about Qur’aan, which were aggressively
pushed by the right wingers to pit one American against the other.
Pastor Robert Jeffress (of First Baptist Church of Dallas)
called Qur’aan an evil book written by a false prophet. He did not tell the
truth nor did he take up the challenge to identify what is evil in Qur’aan. The
media failed to ask him the specifics; his words were carried on the airwaves like
the gospel truth. http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-which-religion-stories.html
Texas Faith: Why not worry about your theology?
 Published on 12/14/10
at Dallas Morning news
America does it!
People of faith, particularly “conservatives,”
continue to worry about maintaining theological continuity and integrity, but
they really don’t have a choice and cannot “control” perceived
“deviants” by frightening them with excommunication or persecution.
America is the land of the free and it does bring freedom to one from the
clutches of one’s own beliefs, however religious associations in America are
tempered with free choice. http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-why-not-worry-about-your.html
TEXAS FAITH: How should chaplains deal with Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell repeal?
Published on 12/07/10 at Dallas Morning news
Let us resist the temptation to become the
moral police of our nation. We have led the world in innovation, science,
technology, medicine and just about every aspect of life and it is time we
consider moving from restrictive religious convictions to universalizing our
God who loves his creation. It’s a new paradigm in broadening our moral compass.
http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-how-should-chaplains-deal.html
TEXAS FAITH: Was Oklahoma out of line with Sharia amendment?
Published on 11/16/10 at Dallas Morning news

The Oklahoma referendum on Sharia is simply gratuitous and one of the best examples
of politicians duping the public.
Getting the public to be riled up against something that ain’t
there is the ploy the politicians have been using. Many a times they succeed
and the responsibility falls on our shoulders to wake the public up to such
abuses. http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-was-oklahoma-out-of-line.html
TEXAS FAITH: How do you view God?
Published on 11/09/10 at Dallas Morning news
Has God created us in his image or have we created God in our
own image? This new paradigm is gaining currency and it is worth looking into. There
are nearly seven billion of us and each one of has his or her own idea of God
on a personal level. We have given gender to that elusive creator and we have
come to believe he is one, many or none. http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-how-do-you-view-god.html
TEXAS FAITH: Why does fear sell on the campaign trail?
Published on 11/02/10 at Dallas Morning news

Fear has been ingrained into our psyche from the moment we had a chance to
life. Darwin proclaimed the universal truth, “Survival of the
fittest,” though his reference was to survival of the species; it is
indeed applicable in political, social, religious, cultural and other contexts.  http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-why-does-fear-sell-on.html

TEXAS FAITH: Does firing Juan Williams improve our understanding
of religious diversity?
Published on 10/26/10 at Dallas Morning news
No, we are not better off forbidding any view
however ill-expressed in an honest discussion of America’s view of Islam.
Neither God nor religion should be free from any critical study including Islam
and Quraan. Yes, I am a Muslim, and like most Muslims I will defend that
freedom to the core. http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-does-firing-juan-williams.html
TEXAS FAITH: Should Christians (and other non-Hindus) beware of
yoga?
 Published on 10/19/10 at Dallas Morning news
Mohler seems to be threatened by the popularity
of yoga, a beautiful practice to bring composure to oneself. He is obsessed
with the idea that yoga is a bait to lure his congregation away into “a
spiritual practice that threatens to transform their own spiritual lives into a
`post-Christian, spiritually polyglot’ reality”, and then he asks,
“Should any Christian willingly risk that?” How mistaken can one be?
Yoga is not a mutually exclusive practice, nor is it a religion; it is indeed a
catalyst in achieving the union of mind and body that is central to all
spirituality. http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-should-christians-and-other.html
TEXAS FAITH: Why do our faiths shape some political views, but
not others?
Published on 10/12/10 at Dallas Morning news

A causal relationship exists between what one
hears from the pulpit and his/her disposition towards the issues reflected in
the survey. Causal relationships exist when one variable causes a change in
another variable.  http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-why-do-our-faiths-shape.html
TEXAS FAITH: Why is there such a lack of religious knowledge?
Published on 10/05/10 at Dallas Morning news

The shallowness of religious knowledge can be attributed to the immediate
gratification syndrome, which can lead one to be satisfied with quick fixes and
shy away from seeking deeper knowledge about religion. Many people are content
with simple answers to questions like “Mom where did we come from?”
“What is the bottom line?” “Am I saved?” They are happy
with the instant meals. http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-why-is-there-such-lack-of.html

TEXAS
FAITH: Why do we pray for Christopher Hitchens?

Published on 9/28/10 at Dallas Morning news
Our altruistic nature nudges us to wish well
for others, and thus we pray for Christopher Hitchens for a speedy recovery.
Prayers and wishes are the words to express one’s desire to include everyone to
be a part of the universal energy that we long for regardless of our race,
ethnicity, sex, belief or ability. We are simply wishing him well in our own
way that we know of, and I am sure he has the capacity to receive the good on
its face value. http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-why-do-we-pray-for.html
TEXAS FAITH: Should faithful focus on charity or justice?
Published on 9/21/10 at Dallas Morning news
Charity or justice reminds me of the chicken or egg example.
Charity comes alive in response to social and economic
injustices that happen in a given society. If the societies operate on the
principles of justice in every aspect of life, then charity may remain a
dormant element. However, there is something beyond all this that operates
within all of us. http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-should-faithful-focus-on.html
Texas Faith: What religion stories should the media focus on?
Published on 9/14/10 at Dallas Morning News

My first piece at Dallas Morning News – Bill McKenzie introduces, Sam Hodges
had intiatied.
“The business of the journalist is to destroy the truth; to
lie outright; to pervert; to vilify; to fawn at the feet of mammon, and to sell
the country for his daily bread.” Ever
since John Swinton, of the New York Times uttered
those words in the last century, discussions among media barons have continued
about the nature of their business. http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2012/06/texas-faith-what-religion-stories.html

WD Muhammad Appreciation Week in Dallas

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http://nabsites.net/demo/wd-muhammad-appreciation-week-in-dallas/

WD
Muhammad Appreciation Week in Dallas

Mike Ghouse speech on Friday, June 8, 2012
Pictures: 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157630024888695/show/ 

Speakers: Imams Qasim, Abdullah, Kavakci, Siddiqi, Shahed and Mike Ghouse
As Salaamu
Aliakum – may you be soaked in peace, drenched in peace and when you say that
back to me, I am in the same boat of peace. Together, we are going to talk
peace and act peace.
Today we are celebrating the
work of Imam Warith Deen Mohammad, but before I highlight Imam Warith Deen Muhammad’s
work, let me ask you this, who was the first person on this earth to start the
interfaith dialogue? Prophet Muhammad!
Do you know who was the first
Muslim in the United States to start the interfaith dialogue? Imam WD Muhammad!

Thank you.

Imam Warith Al-Deen Mohammed was one of the most
distinguished Muslim leaders in the United States; He has been the spiritual
leader and inspiration of the Muslim community in general and African American
Muslim community in Particular. Warith Deen Mohammad is recognized worldwide as
a leading Islamic thinker, philosopher and a religious leader.

He was “America’s Imam.” Imam Warith Deen Mohammed saw the limited world
of his father’s Nation of Islam and boldly transformed it into an open
religious community following the principles of Islam. Imam Mohammed’s philosophy
of bringing all faiths together for the good of humanity must be appreciated.
And today, in the interfaith circles, leaders from various spiritual paths
celebrate the legacy of his work.

He had about 2 to 2.5 Million Muslims following him that is about a 3rd
of Muslims in America.  Imam Mohammed’s
leadership changed the perceptions of African Americans as well as the Muslims
around the world.

He interacted with President
Jimmy Carter, President Clinton, President Sadat of Egypt, Prime Minister
Mandela of South Africa, Pope John Paul, Archbishop of Canterbury and several
Rabbis and other religions leaders of the world.

He is an outstanding communicator, his video recordings of the first incident
with Prophet Muhammad, where Angel Gabriel asks him to read, “ Iqra” is not
only humorous, but makes a great point.   He followed the teachings of Quraan and found
them in common with other religions.

He was following Quraan 49:13 (Asad) O men! Behold, we have
created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that
you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is
the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing,
all-aware.
All
of us have problems with each others, isn’t because we don’t know each other? Subhan
Allah, God’s guidance was clear – know each other, and when you do, conflicts
fade and solutions emerge. Say Amen!
 He reached out to
Christians and Jews and others to nurture goodwill and good working relations.
Today, we are celebrating his legacy.

When Imam W. Deen Mohammed spoke in San Francisco, he was addressing to nearly
all African American audience, realizing the enclaves people were chambered in,
he urged them to think of themselves not in racial categories but in human
terms.

He was indeed a critical thinker; he was able to see a different perspective
and figure out the best way to work on building a cohesive America, one nation,
indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

He wanted to think about ourselves, what we
think about others, he reminded the Black Caucus in the congress, to think
about the idea of forming a white caucus and how they would feel about.  Muhammad urged everyone to think about the
universality of all people – and that defining religion for any one race is
dangerous.

The effort was intended to show that the ideals set forth in the U.S.
Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are similar ideals called for
in the Quran.

“We hold
these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Imam
was inspired by Prophet Muhammad’s last sermon, where he said, no Arab is
superior to an African and vice versa… no man is superior to the other.
Indeed that was the equal opportunity mantra that he delivered 1400 years ago,
that we just signed in 1963.  
We take
the pledge – one nation under God with liberty and justice for all, what are we
doing about it? What are our fears? What is your vision for America?
Bringing and causing a
change is our responsibility; President Kennedy pointed us in the right direction, “Ask
not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”.
When we give to the country, we collectively receive as well.
The kind of world we
want was best expressed by Native American Chief Seattle; “All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the
web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does
it to himself.”
Martin Luther King had
a dream, and each one of us have a dream… a dream to have livable wages, a
loving family, children, a home, reliable car, decent health care, and
comfortable retirement. A majority of Americans want a just society with safety
and security. We want to live our lives as good neighbors and let others live
theirs.
It is our right to
pursue that dream.  Our founding
fathers laid the foundation of the creed for such a society, “We hold these
truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”.
Our spirit is to have
a vision for a future America, Martin Luther King Jr. expressed that in his famous
speech, “I have a dream that our little children will one day live in a nation
where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of
their character.”
Let’s explore daily opportunities to make America a better
place for each one of us. Let’s treat others as we would wish to be treated and
have compassion for others who might look different.
If we can learn to respect the otherness of other, and
accept the God given uniqueness of each American, then conflicts fade and
solutions emerge.
We are committed to providing education, workshops, and
training for future leaders. We have programs in place to move forward. All we
need is your support.
One of the other major work of Imam WD Muhammad was
intra-faith, to honor him on that work, I invite, Muslims from all
denoniminations to come together in Ramadan. Make a group, one from each one of
the mosques, in our case in Dallas Fort Worth, we have about 30 mosques – we
will form a group and each day, as a group, we will visit a mosque an Iftaar. I
have begun this process two years ago, and Alhamdu Lillah, we need to take this
further.
Thank you.
MikeGhouse
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, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is
updated daily.