Mike Ghouse admonishes Brigitte Gabriel on Hannity Show

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http://nabsites.net/demo/mike-ghouse-admonishes-brigitte-gabrie/
(This note in parenthesis added on Sunday at 8:30 PM – Dr. Akbar Ahmed’s take, I am thrilled to see my reflections and words in the links and articles below are also reflected by Dr. Ahmed, I hold him very high and it is a delight for me – http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/may-6-2011/the-death-of-osama-bin-laden/8775/ )
 
Today, Brigitte and I were at each others throats on Hannity’s nationally syndicated radio about Bin Ladin.  The half hour segment was aired twice. It was all done while I was driving from Houston to Dallas, a total of 9 hours on road consuming nearly 6 hours of NPR and other talk radio shows. I must thank Hannity for updating on facebook, twitter and announcing several times on the Radio and giving prominence on his website –http://www.hannity.com/guests  I did not realize I have such a huge audience and I am yet to respond to the hundreds of emails I get.
I am pleased several guests after me including Oliver North took the same position as I did.
I need to get the MP3 (?) Audio version and upload on my site, when I googled I found this particular one amusing;

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8978654-hannity-demands-obl-photo-in-spite-of-danger-to-us-troops-citizens

Hannity’s guest Brigitte Gabriel also demanded the photo, saying Obama should not have given Osama a dignified burial at sea, rather we should have desecrated his corpse by wrapping it in bacon and putting it in a sideshow for people to see for a dollar. Gabriel was admonished by guest Michael Ghouse for such an immoral idea, saying Americans are better than the extremists. Ghouse said we have better morals and are about justice, not revenge, hate or escalating violence. Gabriel said we need to show anyone who might mess with us that they will be killed and their bodies desecrated.
# # #

Laura Hornbeck wrties on facebook :: I heard some of your comments today on the radio, Mike. Thank you. You spoke clearly and your appeal to a “higher standard” was most timely. It’s so natural, in a way, to respond to evil with hatred. To want to, as Brigitte said, “wrap Bin …Laden’s body in bacon and show him to Americans.” But being natural usually isn’t being godly. That’s what is so incredibly hard about Jesus’ teachings to love one’s enemies, to even bless those who curse us.
# # #
I quoted the Bible hate not the sinner but sin, there is a great wisdom in it. If we want the world to be a better place, we have to set the example and not lower ourselves to the ones we believe are wrong.  
# # #
Dallas Morning News – http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/05/texas-faith-would-you-have-san.html
Fox 4 News – http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/050211-north-texans-react-to-bin-laden%E2%80%99s-death
Huffington Post – http://nabsites.net/demo/muslims-rejoice-end-of-icon-of-evil-era/
 
Would you have sanctioned the death of Osama bin Laden?
Twelve Panelists have weighed in on it, you can see the struggle in the responses, and many have take an approach similar to mine.  I am happy that he is gone, but I killing him was not the right thing.  I wrote this piece 3 days ago, and at least three of the writers have taken a similar stand, the link to the other 11 points is given below.

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

No, I would not have sanctioned the death of Osama Bin Laden.

First of all, there was no need to have killed the man, when the Seals encountered Bin Laden they could have released gases or other elements to knock out and capture him alive. We need to hear more about it from the Navy Seals, if in fact they were in danger to have shot him twice in his head?

The right thing would have been to put him on the trial, just as we did with the Nuremberg, Saddam Hussein and other trials. We could have learned a lot more about his other secret plans that may still be attempted by his loyalists. The world would have witnessed that we care about the rule of law and reinforced it through a time honored process.

Secondly, it has set a bad precedent. Even though the end result benefits humanity, the means were not kosher. It has opened up the doors for others to replicate, thus we ‘may’ have lost the moral upper hand to stop others from extra judicial killings.

Thirdly, no religion permits one to kill the other. Torah and Quran and other holy books do not see any wisdom in killing the other without an imminent threat to one’s own life. Both the books say, to save a life is like saving the whole humanity and the corollary to that is to kill a human is like killing the whole humanity. What is the difference between somewhat pregnant and pregnant? Jesus condemned the sin and not the sinner.

I am glad his body was respectfully dropped in the sea instead of a ground burial. If the choice was given to Bin Laden, he would have preferred this over a ground burial which could have become a shrine to his followers, and that is not acceptable to a Wahhabi Muslim. The last rites were indeed handled appropriately and the Muslims appreciate that. God loves the one who forgives and lives in peace with himself.

Finally for the record, I stand opposed to assassinations, killings and death penalty. Unless it was in self defense, we are morally wrong in killing Bin Laden.

However, it feels good that he is not alive anymore. Mind you, that is different than cheering for his death which we should not do.

His end brings a sense of relief and closure to families who have lost nearly 3000 of their loved ones. Muslims have more to rejoice than others; they were not only victims of his terrorism like all of us, but were also subjects of harassment by several governments around the world, in the airports as well as employment and ordinary acts of life. The Sikh community also endured the grief out of mistaken identity. We pray that the Taliban mind set and the oppression of women in Afghanistan also comes to an end.

It is one of the best news items Muslims have had in a decade; it brings a sense of relief and hopefully restores the relationship between Muslim and Non-Muslims in building a cohesive America. Thank God, an evil era has come to an end with the death of this man.

Mike Ghouse committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.
You are welcome to share your point of view at
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/05/texas-faith-would-you-have-san.html

TEXAS FAITH: Would you have sanctioned the death of Osama bin Laden?

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Bill McKenzie of Dallas Morning News asks and twelve Panelists respond, you can see the struggle in the responses, and many have take an approach similar to mine.  You are welcome to share your point of view at http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/05/texas-faith-would-you-have-san.html
Here is my take:

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

No, I would not have sanctioned the death of Osama Bin Laden.

First of all, there was no need to have killed the man, when the Seals encountered Bin Laden they could have released gases or other elements to knock out and capture him alive. We need to hear more about it from the Navy Seals, if in fact they were in danger to have shot him twice in his head?

The right thing would have been to put him on the trial, just as we did with the Nuremberg, Saddam Hussein and other trials. We could have learned a lot more about his other secret plans that may still be attempted by his loyalists. The world would have witnessed that we care about the rule of law and reinforced it through a time honored process.

Secondly, it has set a bad precedent. Even though the end result benefits humanity, the means were not kosher. It has opened up the doors for others to replicate, thus we ‘may’ have lost the moral upper hand to stop others from extra judicial killings.
Thirdly, no religion permits one to kill the other. Torah and Quran and other holy books do not see any wisdom in killing the other without an imminent threat to one’s own life. Both the books say, to save a life is like saving the whole humanity and the corollary to that is to kill a human is like killing the whole humanity. What is the difference between somewhat pregnant and pregnant? Jesus condemned the sin and not the sinner.

I am glad his body was respectfully dropped in the sea instead of a ground burial. If the choice was given to Bin Laden, he would have preferred this over a ground burial which could have become a shrine to his followers, and that is not acceptable to a Wahhabi Muslim. The last rites were indeed handled appropriately and the Muslims appreciate that. God loves the one who forgives and lives in peace with himself.
Finally for the record, I stand opposed to assassinations, killings and death penalty. Unless it was in self defense, we are morally wrong in killing Bin Laden.

However, it feels good that he is not alive anymore. Mind you, that is different than cheering for his death which we should not do.

His end brings a sense of relief and closure to families who have lost nearly 3000 of their loved ones. Muslims have more to rejoice than others; they were not only victims of his terrorism like all of us, but were also subjects of harassment by several governments around the world, in the airports as well as employment and ordinary acts of life. The Sikh community also endured the grief out of mistaken identity. We pray that the Taliban mind set and the oppression of women in Afghanistan also comes to an end.

It is one of the best news items Muslims have had in a decade; it brings a sense of relief and hopefully restores the relationship between Muslim and Non-Muslims in building a cohesive America. Thank God, an evil era has come to an end with the death of this man.

#
Mike Ghouse is an interfaith Speaker, thinker, futurist, writer, organizer and an activist committed to building cohesive societies with a firm belief that the purpose of religion is to bring harmony to an individual within and create a balance with what surrounds; life and matter. If we can learn to respect and accept every which way people have come to worship the creator, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. He offers pluralistic solutions to media and to the public on complex issues of the day and is available to speak in a variety of settings such as schools, seminars, conferences, and places of worship, or the work place. His work is indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Fox 4 News, North Texans react to Bin Ladens death

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Imam Zia Shaikh and I are in the VIDEO Fox 4 News in Dallas at: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/050211-north-texans-react-to-bin-laden%E2%80%99s-death

 
We had a similar take on the issue, but Fox chose to show two different takes. That is their choice, that is not all the things I have said. The following is my take and it will appear in Huffington Post is at: http://nabsites.net/demo/muslims-rejoice-end-of-icon-of-evil-era/
 
Fox News
Published : Monday, 02 May 2011, 5:10 PM CDT
DALLAS – As details of Osama bin Laden’s death emerge, many North Texas residents are reacting with feelings of relief, victory, justice and a bit of fear.

Outside former President George Bush’s Dallas home there are signs thanking him for trying to run down bin Laden. A crowd braved the overnight rain to proclaim victory outside the house. Some brought American flags and chanted “USA” in triumph.

North Texans who have lost loved ones in the 911 attacks are still trying to digest the news. Many said they never felt certain that bin Laden was still alive so confirmation of his death at the hands of the United States military brings a sense of relief.

“He’s the face of evil. I know a lot of people don’t believe in true evil, but he was evil,” said Marty Fangman.
Fangman’s younger brother Robert was a 31-year-old flight attendant on Flight 175, the second plane that crashed into the World Trade Center.

Former flight attendant Joni Schippel felt compelled to visit the 9/11 Flight Crew Memorial in Grapevine. She finds justice in the death of bin Laden and believes for many people his death ends a decade of resentment.
“We’ve been hanging on to that over 10 years. He just never got what he deserved for what he did to us and our family and friends, people that we knew,” she said. “I’m glad he’s done. I don’t like to say that about anyone who has past but he was not a good person.”

At DFW Airport some of the families of troops departing and arriving for R & R said they’re cautiously optimistic about the news. Some fear that bin Laden’s death will prompt more violence overseas.

“I do think everything will be heightened security wise and maybe there’s a chance for retaliation attacks,” said Army Lt. Col. Steve Davis.

However, Army Spc. Wade Pantermuehl said the announcement of bin Laden’s death during the 30 hour flight home was met with an erruption of cheers.

The Department of Homeland Security has not raised the terror threat level because of bin Laden’s death, but it has warned Americans traveling abroad to be extra careful.

Travelers and flight attendants at the airport said they are just concerned about what happens next.

“The threat’s still out there and it will always be out there because somebody is waiting right behind him to take over. But to have him out of there, the mastermind behind 9/11, I mean it’s just a relief for us,” said Anke Dawson, a flight attendant.

As Robert Jasinki waited for his plane he said bin Laden’s death brings closure for a lot of people. But the war is not over.

“I don’t think we should become complacent at all,” he said.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison applauded the efforts of President Barack Obama, former President Bush and the military for hunting down bin Laden.

“He is the spiritual leader of the terrorist networks that are operating against freedom throughout the world and having the spiritual leader taken out I hope will be a significant impact on the others that would try to do harm to innocent people anywhere in the world,” Hutchison said.

State Sen. Brian Birdwell , an Army lieutenant colonel who was severely injured in the Pentagon on 9/11, said bin Laden’s death was a matter of “personal justice” for him, his family, other victims and the entire community.
“I knew we would see the day the day he would die,” Birdwell said. “The question was whether it was natural causes or ours. It was ours. That’s good.”

Even members of the Muslim community in North Texas said they feel a sense of joy and relief.
World Muslim Congress activist Mike Ghouse said he is so happy with the news he can hardly contain himself. He hopes it will foster an improved Muslim-American relationship.

“Muslims didn’t like the guy as much as other people didn’t because he has done more harm to Muslims and the religion than anyone else ever in the history of mankind,” Ghouse said.

He believes bin Laden’s burial at sea was a good move.

“If he was buried somewhere in the ground somebody would’ve made a shrine out of it which would have been even more dangerous. I am glad he went into the sea. There are no more symbols of him left,” Ghouse said.

Read more on myFOXdfw.com: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/050211-north-texans-react-to-bin-laden%E2%80%99s-death#ixzz1LFISW6I1

Muslims rejoice the end of an icon of an evil era.

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http://nabsites.net/demo/muslims-rejoice-end-of-icon-of-evil-era/

It is one of the best news items Muslims have had in a decade, we are delighted that an evil era has come to an end with the death of this evil man Osama Bin Laden.  It brings a sense of justice and relief to nearly 3000 fellow Americans. 

Indeed Muslims were not only victims of his terrorism, but were also subject of harassment by several governments around the world in Airports as well as employment and ordinary life acts. The Sikh community also became a target of the mistaken identity. With his death, we pray that the Taliban mind set and the oppression of women in Afghanistan also comes to an end.
President Obama’s statement was profound, he literally stole the sentiments and words of Muslims around the world, “Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims.  Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own.  So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.” As Muslims, we welcome this.
I recall that dark Tuesday on September 11, 2001, I was called in to manage the emergency situation on Radio station AM 1150 and handle the crisis. My first goal was to make sense out of the chaotic incoherence of the day and move forward purposefully. I was on the air from 10:00 AM through 5:00 PM on AM Radio 1150 and 950 simulcasted at times.
The Spiritual leaders from all faiths and traditions were called in to pray and share their wisdom for this moment.  They were from the traditions of Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islam, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Zoroastrian and other traditions. Area Mayors, community and business leaders joined in as well.
The fog was clearing up; Osama bin Laden was our enemy and we had to get rid of him to bring justice; Muslims had nothing to do with Osama, nor did they authorize that terrorist; and a declaration of war against Osama was made on the Air.
By the end of the day a clear sense of direction was developed, a sense of Unity had emerged on the Radio, multi-faith prayers were arranged and fund raising had begun. That historic day, I made a commitment to dedicate this day and unite Americans of every faith, race and tradition on the day every year and thank God we have been doing this.  
People were responding to my calls to donate blood, my late wife Najma was driving around and reporting from the Blood centers and called in to tell us to stop the announcements as the lines were too long and that they could not handle it any more for the day.
September 11, 2005 gave birth to Unity Day USA – 14 faiths were represented at the event with 650 plus individuals attending with 8 Mayors, FBI Chiefs and DOJ attended the event and the Fire and Police Chiefs were honored. The civic Officials proclaimed it as Unity Day USA. It was well covered by the media.
I am working on making this day a national day of Unity and  I want my fellow Americans to know that Muslims are committed for the well being, peace, prosperity, security and unity of America.
Indeed in a luncheon meeting with Congressmen Pete Sessions, Ralph Hall, Kenny Marchant, Paul Johnson and others, congressman Sessions suggested to designate the event on Sunday before 9/11 every year. Even the former Speaker Nancy Pelosi had jumped at the idea.
Bin Ladens death brings a closure to the reign of terror that began September 11, 2001 and we plan on a big celebration this year all over the nation.
# # #

 Mike Ghouse is an interfaith Speaker, thinker, futurist, writer, organizer and an activist committed to building cohesive societies with a firm belief that the purpose of religion is to bring harmony to an individual within and create a balance with what surrounds; life and matter. If we can learn to respect and accept every which way people have come to worship the creator, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. He offers pluralistic solutions to media and to the public on complex issues of the day and is available to speak in a variety of settings such as schools, seminars, conferences, and places of worship, or the work place. His work is indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Muslims sigh relief and rejoice the end of an evil man Bin Laden

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Muslims sigh with relief, pray and celebrate, they were not only victims of Bin Laden’s terrorism, but were also the subject of harassment by several governments around the world and in the Airports as well.
http://nabsites.net/demo/muslims-sigh-relief-and-rejoice-end-of/
Muslims sigh relief and rejoice the end of an evil man Laden
May 01, 2011, Dallas, Texas:- Mike Ghouse, President of the World Muslims Congress was delighted to announce the end of an evil man and prays that an evil era ends with him. It brings a sense of justice and relief to nearly 3000 fellow Americans.  He whole heartedly concurs with President Obama’s statement, “Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims.  Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own.  So his demise should be welcomed by all who believe in peace and human dignity.” Indeed, we welcome it.
Indeed Muslims were not only victims of his terrorism, but were also subject of harassment by several governments around the world in Airports as well as employment and ordinary life acts. The Sikh community also became a target of the mistaken identity. With his death, we hope the oppression of women in Afghanistan also comes to an end.
Mike recalls Tuesday, September 11, 2001, “On that tragic day, I was called in to manage the emergency situation on Radio station AM 1150 and handle the crisis. My first goal was to make sense out of the chaotic incoherence of the day and move forward purposefully. I was on the air from 10:00 AM through 5:00 PM on AM Radio 1150 and 950 simulcasted at times.”
The Spiritual leaders from all faiths and traditions were called in to pray and share their wisdom for this moment.  They were from the traditions of Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islam, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Zoroastrian and other traditions. Area Mayors, community and business leaders joined in as well.
The fog was clearing up; Osama bin Laden was our enemy and we had to get rid of him to bring justice; Muslims had nothing to do with Osama, nor did they authorize that terrorist; and a declaration of war against Osama was made on the Air.
By the end of the day a clear sense of direction was developed, a sense of Unity had emerged on the Radio, multi-faith prayers were arranged and fund raising had begun. “I made a commitment to dedicate this day and unite people on the day every year.” 
People were responding to the calls to donate blood, my late wife Najma was driving around and reporting from the Blood centers and called in to tell us to stop the announcements as the lines were too long and that they could not handle it any more for the day.
September 11, 2005 gave birth to Unity Day USA – 14 faiths were represented at the event with 650 plus individuals attending with 8 Mayors, FBI Chiefs and DOJ attended the event and the Fire and Police Chiefs were honored. The civic Officials proclaimed it as Unity Day USA. It was well covered by the media.
“It was my love for my country to work on making this day a national day and Muslims wanted to do this and hence took the initiative, I want my fellow Americans to know that Muslims are committed for the well being, peace, prosperity, security and unity of America.”
Indeed in a luncheon meeting with Congressmen Pete Sessions, Ralph Hall, Kenny Marchant, Paul Johnson and others, congressman Sessions suggested to designate the event on Sunday before 9/11 every year. Even the former Speaker Nancy Pelosi had jumped at the idea.
Bin Ladens death brings a closure to the reign of terror that began September 11, 2001 and we plan on a big celebration this year all over the nation.
# # #
Mike Ghouse is an interfaith Speaker, thinker, futurist, writer, organizer and an activist committed to building cohesive societies with a firm belief that the purpose of religion is to bring harmony to an individual within and create a balance with what surrounds; life and matter. If we can learn to respect and accept every which way people have come to worship the creator, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. He offers pluralistic solutions to media and to the public on complex issues of the day and is available to speak in a variety of settings such as schools, seminars, conferences, and places of worship, or the work place. His work is indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Yom Hashoah at the Temple Emanu-El

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http://nabsites.net/demo/yom-hashoah-at-temple-emanu-e/


Ms. Rosa Lee Schiff, Holocaust survivor was the key note speaker at the Holocaust Memorial organised by Muslims in Dallas in 2007 and every year since then – http://www.holocaustandgenocides.com/

  The Jewish community has been observing Yom Hashoah since the fifties, and the United Nations stepped up and made a proclamation to commemorate the day on January 26. The Jewish community continues with its traditional day in April or May depending on the calendar, while the Muslims took a bold initiative following the UN proclamation and have been Reflecting on the Holocaust and Genocides since 2006 together with people of every faith. Indeed it is for the general public to learn about the brutal inhumanity of it and prepare to say never again. The details are at www.HolocaustandGenocides.com

Lao Tsu’s prayer of peace explains the need to participate;
If there is to be peace in the world,
there must be peace in the nations.

If there is to be peace in the nations,
there must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,
there must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,
there must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,
there must be peace in the heart.

Peace on earth let it begin with me,

While listening to the notes of the Holocaust Survivors read by their family members tonight, I was in literal coma, grasping the pain and the betrayal of the world during the most difficult of times for the Jewish community. I sincerely wish the world understands this pain. They were on the verge of annihilation while the world did not do a thing about it, imagine a group of friends going to a movie, and a bad guy pulls you out from the group and starts beating, you look up for help while your friends act as if they don’t know you, it is a sheer sense of betrayal. Listening to the happenings of the survivors gave me goose bumps. 
If the Israelis can communicate this with their Arab neighbors and the Palestinians can share their hopelessness with the Israelis, peace and security for both will be theirs to have. Both people continue to suffer and the arrogance on the part of their leadership inhibits the process, neither of them is willing to share their pain and bring out the humility to fore. Humility builds bridges, and our (American) policy will not help the situation either, our actions and words cause both sides to dig in their heels and demand each other to ‘obey’ rather than surrendering their egos for the long term peace and security of both the people.
On our part, the World Muslim congress and the Foundation for pluralism will continue to share about the Holocaust and Genocides on the Dallas level and urge others in other cities to take it up or if someone can fund us, we can set up the systems in other cities where people of all faith are reached. I will be talking about this on my Americas speaking tour to build a cohesive America.
I was glad to hear Rachel reading her Mother Rosa Lee Schiff’s notes, where she said she went to a Mosque to talk about her story and said they listened to her intently and she said we have to shed prejudices against others. That was a wholesome gesture and I am glad I attended the event, perhaps the only non-Jewish person in the audience.
I was saddened to learn that William Schiff had passed away this year, he and his wife Rosa Lee Schiff, both survivors of Holocaust were the key note speakers at the first Holocaust memorial event we organized in 1996. It was a pleasure to run into Rabbi Raskin, Rabbi Stern and cantor Don Croll. I found Bernie and Denise my friends in the back row and I joined them for the service. I was pleasantly surprised when Alice Murray called me by my name, she is the president of the Dallas Holocaust Museum, she and I had talked a few times and met once and she remembers me pulling the Holocaust survivors together and pray for goodwill when Fred Phelps was demonstrating outside the Museum.
Pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157626626804434/show/
Mike Ghouse is an interfaith Speaker, thinker, futurist, writer, organizer and an activist committed to building cohesive societies with a firm belief that the purpose of religion is to bring harmony to an individual within and create a balance with what surrounds; life and matter. If we can learn to respect and accept every which way people have come to worship the creator, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. He offers pluralistic solutions to media and to the public on complex issues of the day and is available to speak in a variety of settings such as schools, seminars, conferences, and places of worship, or the work place. His work is indexed at www.MikeGhouse.net

United Methodist Church welcomes talk on Islam

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http://nabsites.net/demo/united-methodist-church-welcomes-talk/

The United Methodist Church has  always encouraged its congregation to learn about others, indeed that is the recipe to create cohesive societies.  My talk was “Islam in a nutshell” followed by questions and answers, it was a delight to share with an audience that is ecumenical in every sense, most of the Beacons have been around the world, indeed one couple had a son in Indonesia and the daughter in Cairo.

Islam is about creating a cohesive society, also known as Just societies or you can call it the kingdom of heaven where no human is apprehensive of the other and lives with a secure feeling; itt is like a baby in a Mother’s lap, safe secure and free from any fears. Indeed, that is the unstated goal of a religion.
Like every religion, Islam has “systems” in place to achieve that goal with “free will”. There is a spiritual side and the ritual side to every system in life.
To a majority of people, religion is broadly a belief in God and going to the place of worship fulfills an obligation and they keep it simple with the rituals, and to many others it is spirituality, they feel it in their bones, the connection between them and the cosmic energy.
Yet to some, religion is a Private Club that defines who or who cannot be members, more based on denial than admittance.
Religion is about humility and not arrogance, to claim that their version is the right one and deny the same right to other versions is sheer arrogance.  God has not signed a deal with any one behind others back, if he did, then we have misunderstood the creator who is just, loving and caring.
I shared the story of mistranslations of Qur’aan by the kings who labeled themselves as Christians and the others who carried a Muslim label and mistranslated the Qur’aan, neither Jesus nor Muhammad would have approved their chicanery, but it’s time to learn the right things an move one. More at www.Quraanconference.com
Next week there will be questions on Qur’aan. In July they want to have a panel to address the common Questions – I will be speaking for Muslims as well as Pluralism while Dr. Howard Cohen will be speaking for Judaism.  We are looking for speakers in Hindu, Sikh, Baha’i, Buddhist, Jain, Zoroastrian, Wicca and other traditions.

Mike Ghouse is a Muslim Speaker, thinker, writer, futurist, organizer and an activist committed to building cohesive societies with a belief that what is good for Muslims has got to be good for the world and vice versa to sustain peace, harmony and prosperity. He offers pluralistic solutions to media and to the public on complex issues of the day and is available to speak in a variety of settings such as schools, seminars, conferences, and places of worship, or the work place. His work is indexed at www.MikeGhouse.net

Religious Communication Awards

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http://nabsites.net/demo/religious-communication-awards/

April 28, 2010, Dallas, Texas -The fourteenth annual Norvell Slater communications awards luncheon was hosted by Dallas-Fort worth Chapter of Religion Communicators Council at Holiday Inn Express on Harry Hines Blvd in Dallas.

The Master of Ceremonies was Rev. Bill Mathews; the invocation was given by Mike Ghouse while Cherie Graham presented the awards to the following:
Commercial Communicator of the year
North Texas Food Bank
Religion Communicator of the year
Museum of Biblical Art
Life time Communicator Award
Deb K. Christian
A brief profile is included for each one of the recipients is included in the pictures. Mike Ghouse was the recipient of the Religion Communicator of the years in 2009.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157626480184545
# # #
The following is an inclusive prayer called the prayer of Pluralism. We are indeed committed to building a cohesive Carrollton.

Greetings and prayers
Greetings are made of three components;
i) an acknowledgment of the other,
ii) wishing to connect and
 iii) develop friendship.

All religious greetings have those components in addition to wishing each other peace so each can be drenched in peace, talk peace, walk peace and act peace. All greetings are synonyms of the same essence are a sample to represent all other religious and cultural greetings.  
AllaAbho (Baha’i)
Buddha Namo (Buddhist)
Peace to you (Christian)
Namaste (Hindu)
Jai Jinendra (Jain)
Shalom (Jewish)
Salaam (Muslim)
Satsri Akaal (Sikh)
Hamazor Hama Ashobed (Zoroastrian)
Let’s reflect, wish and pray:

Creator of the universe
Please accept our gratitude in every name we call upon you; Manito, Yahweh, Elahi, Ishwar, Allah, Mahavira, Buddha, Wahe Guru, Ahura Mazda, mother earth and Jesus Christ.  

In your name we want to create a cohesive Carrollton, with care kindness and dignity to every one of the 122,000 residents of this beautiful City. 

Dear God,

  • Guide us to serve us with integrity and honesty;
  • Guide us to serve our communities with the spirit of volunteerism;
  • Guide us to do the right thing every moment of our life;
  • Guide us to open our hearts and minds toward our fellow beings;
  • Guide us to shed the arrogance in us, and enrich us with humility
  • Guide us to become conflict mitigaters and goodwill nurturers.
  • Protect our men and women in uniforms committed to our safety and well being;
Help us learn to respect the uniqueness you have blessed to each one of us here today;

And help us learn to respect everywhich way one worships you.

In your name, we bow to you.
Amen.

Mike Ghouse
www.Interfaithspeaker.com  
http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Sri Satya Sai Baba passed away

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Sri Satya Sai Baba passed away near Bangalore. Millions of people from across the world visited him. Indeed, I have mentioned him in my profile; my English teacher A.Ramchandra was a big Sai Baba devotee, he and I used to have interfaith dialogue way back in 1970.
For as long as I know the Sai Baba at White Field, Bangalore attracted millions of people from around the world.
In the last two days a lot has been written including a purported documentary about trickery – The bottom line; the man has not robbed any, done anything to any one against their will; has offered dreams and hopes to many; and a lot of good… has come out in terms of educational institutions. Even if it were tricks, the good is too good to ignore, he has given hopes to the hopeless. Whether one agrees or not, look at the good that has been produced by the Baba

interfaith experiment; standing in others shoes

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Given the growing apprehensiveness through politicizing religion, it makes a lot of sense for one to step in other’s shoes and experience the wisdom of every beautiful religion first hand, rather than live in phobias generated by hearsay.

Finding the truth is our own responsibility, as truth relieves one’s anxieties. The Quraan Conference took the wind out of the sails of the misrepresented verses like “Kill the infidels”, “beat your wife” or  “Don’t make friends with Jews and Christians and seven other verses”, mind you the verses were read in public by the clergy of different religions and not Muslims. (Quraanconference.com)

Mike Ghouse, a speaker on Interfaith, Pluralism, Islam and Cohesive Societies adds, “ I am delighted to share the successful interfaith experiments we have been conducting since 1996 through my Radio show and the Unity Day USA since 2005”



CLICK ON THE PIC TO SEE A LARGER VERSION

     The following experiment was conducted in 1997 at the Unity Day USA event.

Thirty Nine (39) Individuals were called in from the audience to form thirteen (13) groups of four (4) each. The groups were given a statement, verse or the wisdom (atheism) of each faith they represented randomly. No person was assigned his or her own religion but religions were assigned by a drawing. Every group was asked to read and share their understanding of that religion, the idea was to stand in others shoes, and it was one of the most successful experiments in religion.
Each one of the participant loved being a Jew, Zoroastrian, a Hindu, a Christian, Muslim or the other. When we read the book for real and not go by hearsay, our hearts and minds will open up to the wisdom of every religion, thus learning about each other first hand mitigates the conflicts and paves the way for solutions.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, futurist and a writer on the topics of Pluralism, Coexistence, interfaith, Islam and cohesive societies. He is committed to building cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day, no matter what the issue is, he is a frequent guest at Hannity Show and other national syndicated shows. His work is indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/