Pluralism Goals for 2010

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Pluralism Goals for 2010

We are aspiring to recite the Pluralism Prayers at US Senate or Capitol Hill, Texas State Capital and the area City Council.

Three Pluralism events are scheduled; 15th Annual Thanksgiving Celebrations, 6th Annual Unity Day USA and 3rd Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides.

We had conducted ten workshops on ten different religions in 2008, we are resuming it back with the same titles “Wisdom of Religion, all the beautiful religions” and we are going to focus on the rituals.

Pluralism guest lectures will continue at places of worship, work, schools and Universities.

Pluralism articles will continue to be published in the Newspapers and Magazines.
The Journal of Pluralism will continue to express pluralism at work, society, governance, workplace, worship places, schools, family and daily life. We are planning on bringing out the hard copy.

Pluralism Membership is growing; we have added another 1000 members this month taking it to a total of 25,000 members and hope to hit 30,000 by the end of 2010.
We are looking to open up Pluralism Centers in other Cities.

We are hoping to hold a conference on Pluralism and develop a research center to be in place upon completion of my PhD.
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Neocons Redefined

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Neocons, a new definition
Original dated 3/29/2009Neocons are people who choose to wear a religious label but act and talk contrary to the very belief they claim to espouse. It is their way or no way. Their attitudes are shaped by the fear that their life is at risk if others exist, if they can, they will wipe every one off from the face of the earth who ever differs from them. They are intolerant and insecure group of men. They trust their Gun power but invoke God in vain, they do not want to dialogue, as it may settle them down. They are chaotic and desperate souls.

Neocons are mindless butchers. They chop up God into bits and pieces, and their bit of God is supreme to other pieces. They do not understand that the universe was caused or created by a single one source no matter how we define or perceive that causer. They are bunch of “me, me and me” babies.

They believe God is on their side, and has exclusively given them the permission or at least they pose to the world that it is their God-given right to dominate, control, monopolize and influence the resources that God has created for the benefit of his creation. They want to have it all. And finally, the Neocons do not value other people’s life; it can be applied to Neocons in every faith.

Every religion or a group has a mix of good, bad and ugly; there are saints, terrorists, extremists, fanatics, good people and every possible category. Bad apples are part of the mix you get; you’ll find them in Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity and all other religions. All groups are made up of these combinations, Zionism is no different, and it has got every mix that other groups have.

The Neocon variety exists in every group;

1. They are among Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and others.
2. They are in business of maligning other groups for their gains.
3. They tell a bold face lie to the public at large like the WMD’s.
4. They frighten the crap out of you with their cooked up stories and documentaries
5. Their only interest is them and monies funneling to them.

Neocon is a word I will be using to describe the extremists in every group;

ISLAMISTS V. ISLAM

Islamist is a small band of individuals who fit the description of Neocons above. They do not follow their own religion, yet claim to own it. Where as Islam is a religion, like all other religions and it fits the description of religion above. Make no mistake about it; the Islamists unabashedly violate the very principles of Islam they claim to follow. Islamist no more; they will be called Neocon Muslims.

HINDUTVA V. HINDUISM

Hindutva is a political group driven by a few individuals, who fit the description of Neocons above. Where as Hinduism is a religion of co-existence, like all other religions and fits the description of religion above. Hindutva no more; they will be called Neocon Hindus.

NEOCONS V. CHRISTIANITY

Neocons are defined above. Christianity is the religion of love and none of the Neocons who unashamedly wear the label of religion follow the teachings of Christ.

ZIONISM V. JUDAISM

Zionism encapsulates the dream of the Jewish people to have a homeland; it is an idea of life for the people. The Word Zionism conjures up different images, there are Rabbis who have said negative things about it and many a Jews also look to it negatively. But we have to identify the bad elements in every group and call them a different name.

The good Zionists have a right to be offended, if we lump them with bad ones, just as Islamist is a bad word to lump all Muslims or Hindutva is a bad word to lump all Hindus.
Zionism word will be used to describe the dreams of Jewish people and to describe the extremists among them. Zionist no more; they will be called Neocon Jews.

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The Gaza March

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009,
11:50 PMUnless the majority of Jews and Muslims speak up, the evil men continue to do what works for their best interests. To be Evil is to kill, support or justify killing of another human. Neither Torah nor Qur’aan supports what Hamas or Israelis are doing, yet the inaction of Jews and Muslims is shameful. Both the books say, “to save a life is to save the whole humanity or to kill a life is like killing the whole humanity.”

Approximately 1,000 men and women from 42 different countries, including the drivers of the move, the CODE PINK organization are daring to cross the Rafah Border going into Gaza as we speak now at midnight US Central time. This includes four of our heroes, whom I know- Aishah Schwartz (on facebook), Col Ann Wright, Roger Kallenberg and Diane Baker from Dallas Peace center. I salute them. It reminds me of Mahatma Gandhi’s Dandi March, where thousands of men and women dared bullets and marched on, got beaten, but didn’t get beat.

Continued: http://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/2009/12/gaza-march.html

AVATAR – a movie about co-existence

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AVATAR – a movie about co-existence

When it comes to visual effects, Avatar is the mother of all movies. However, it could have been made in two hours without losing an ounce of amazement. This movie is a good expression of living in harmony with nature exemplified by the indigenous people of Pandora. I would see this movie a few more times to absorb the special effects, nature, harmony, romance, beauty, thoughtfulness and the message of co-existence, aka Pluralism*.
http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2009/12/avatar-movie-about-harmony.html
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Funeral and Wedding

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Sunday, December 27
Funeral and WeddingAn emerging new conscience – that of inclusiveness Today, I attended the prayers for the father of a friend who passed away last month, Imam Kavakci, bless his soul, invited people of different faith to say their own prayers their own way, while Muslims recite a certain prayer. At Bishop McGriff and Dr. Hollie’s weddin…g, A Rabbi, an Imam and the President of Mormon Church blessed the couple. The change is coming.

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McGriff_Hollie wedding

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Sunday, December 27
7:00 – 10:00 PMBishop McGriff of the Chrurch of Living God weds Dr. Karen Hollie, both preachers. People from every faith and race attended the event. The blessings from Rabbi Jeremy Schnieder, Imam Shakoor and President Smith of the Mormon Church added beauty to the ceremony. My Pagan friend from the Parliament of World Religions joined us to witness this wedding.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=368523&id=851280248&ref=mf

Quraan 2:62

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Sunday, december 27

2:62 (Y. Ali) Those who believe (in the Qur’an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

2:62 (Picktall) Lo! those who believe (in that which is revealed unto thee, Muhammad), and those who are Jews, and Christians, and Sabaeans whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. –

Quite a discussion on Muqtedar Khans face book
http://www.facebook.com/muqtedar?v=feed&story_fbid=222862791103&ref=mf#

250 Religious Symbols

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Sunday, December 27. 2009

There are over 250 faiths represented by these symbols, my goal is to meet every one who is bearer of these symbol, and by 2014, Parliament of World’s religions event, I hope to have fully accomplished the goal. Insha Allah, that is God willing, I would be alive till then. We hope Dallas would be the City. We have what it takes to host 10,000 people.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=189118&id=851280248&ref=mf

Representing other religions

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If we can find comfort in others shoes, we have understood the otherness of other.

Let’s make an effort to become Ambassadors for other faiths and extoll the beauty and wisdom of other, without ever denigrating any faith or tradition. In just about everything I write, several traditions are honored each time with no one excluded. Lets encourage the idea of co-existence, and inclusion.

If you have difficulties with some faith or tradtion, jump in and find meaning and value in that tradition. Things become better with one’s attitude. You can change the world, by changing yourselves first.

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net

Imam, Rabbi, Pastor, Pundit

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A majority of the scholars, clergy men and women are honest about other faiths, they are respectful.

They do not denigrate or draw negative conclusions about other faiths to make their own faith look good, It is a question of personal integrity to them. Being truthful is more important than taking advantage of trends that put down other faiths. They will not rest until they uncover the truth, which is love and respect for every one of God’s creation and God’s religion, which is every religion.

My concern is always those few, who compromise their integrity. If a big financial supporter of their place of worship tells false things about other religions – those few will go along even though deep in their hearts they know it is wrong. It is time we stand for truth.

I admire those few men and women for presenting their faith in the most beautiful way, but I’m saddened that a few of them either present the other faiths negatively or hide the truth about other faiths. It is not religion any more, it becomes business of selling religion. Religion does not require selling.

If your Pastor, Imam, Rabbi, Pundit or the clergy speaks ill about other religions, would you let it go, or do you feel obligated to speak up… because these little untruths are the cause of bigger problems we have?