TEXAS FAITH: Is Rick Perry's "Day of Prayer and Fasting" about religion or politics?

Dallas Morning News poses a question a week on issues of the day. Mike Ghouse has been offering his pluralistic take on issues along with a dozen other Texas Faith Panelists. Here is my take and everyone’s take is at: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/06/is-rick-perrys-day-of-prayer-a.html

The question this week is this: If invited, would you go? Why or why not?

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MIKE GHOUSE, FOUNDATION FOR PLURALISM, DALLAS

If Governor Perry invites, I will join the prayers and perhaps offer to open the event with inclusive greetings and prayers where every American feels welcome. Whether you are a Native American, follow an earth based tradition, believe in one God, multiple representations of God or No God, you must feel the embracive inclusion.

Why would I want to go? Most aspects of life like politics, religion, culture and society remain monopolized by a few, not necessarily because they vehemently guard its ownership, but because others have dug in their heels as well and have not reciprocated to the “half hearted” invitation.  I am committed to work towards a cohesive America, and would not want to miss an opportunity to place every one on a level playing field.

The wisdom is reiterated in every tradition, when an enemy walks toward you in reconciliation, you are to run towards him or her as both will benefit from the ensuing change. Most people follow this advice and some don’t. Indeed, God helps those who help themselves.

If this is a political stunt by Governor Perry, he will fall flat on his face, he has the opportunity to demonstrate his sincerity by giving a dignified space to every belief, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, exclusionists, pluralists, evolutionists and creationists. The Atheists, humanists and others will join if they are honored with space to express their wish for fellow Americas without invoking God. I do hope the prayers are for the wellbeing of every one of the 26 Million Texans and 312 Million Americans.

If he is using this event as a prelude to run for the President, it is another opportunity for him to be a change maker like Presidents Reagan and Clinton who have reshaped the divisive politics into an inclusive one.  They were in tune with the sentiments of the moderate majority of Americans; and likewise, it would be difficult to beat Obama with divisive politics, Americans believe in live and let live and who ever aligns with them has a faint chance.# # #

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, writer, thinker and an activist committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day – all of his work is indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

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I am deeply moved by the universality of your sentiments, every one has expressed the desire for this possible prayer to be all inclusive. This is my dream, to build a cohesive America, where every one of the 26 Million Texans and 311 Million Americans feel included and welcome. I am grateful to my City Carrollton, where the Mayors have welcome the Pluralism prayers; all inclusive prayers. Here is a part of the prayer and hope to post the full prayer on the site… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mc9D9guPMY&feature=youtu.be the script is available at: http://nabsites.net/demo/pluralism-prayes-at-carrollton-city/