Pluralism Bulletin dated May 23, 2012

·         AAMIR KHAN IS GOD SENT TO INDIA

He is changing India, and impacting the social attitudes. He is bringing Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Buddhists, street people, palace people, men, women and children on common grounds. A deep sense of empathy and connection is binding people together. He will eventually strip biases and prejudices in people towards the other and bring mukti to them. Contd. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/aamir-khan-is-god-sent.html

·         TEACHING INTOLERANCE IN SAUDI ARABIA

What they are teaching in Saudi Arabia is a major concern, however, it should not be looked as an opportunity to laugh at them, but an opportunity for all of us to examine about ourselves and find a solution to bring about a world wide change, we are all in this together.  Let’s never forget the words of wisdom from the first pluralist of the world; Jesus Christ, Contd. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/teaching-intolerance-in-saudi-arabia.html

·         PAKISTAN TV PROGRAM HONORS INTERFAITH  MIKE GHOUSE

Thanks to Safeer e Pakistan for honoring my work on Pluralism. By the end of 2020, there will not be a major city in the America, and perhaps in the world, where you will not find people of different faiths working, eating, and doing social things together. We need to prepare ourselves for those situations to prevent possible conflicts and lay a good foundation for nurturing goodwill. Exclusive communities will become a thing of the past.  http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/safeer-e-pakistan-awards-night.html

·         ARE WE A NATION OF OBAMA’S AND OSTEENS?

Years ago, I interviewed a Russian lady on my radio program about religion in America, her response was enlightening. She said, growing up in Russia, she was not conditioned about God or religion to have the proclivity to believe in either, but she was looking for a pigeon hole to fit in. America was not ready to welcome a Godless person then.

Of course, the Russian lady chose to become a Baha'i as it offered the least conflict to her, and I chose Islam as I took time to learn about the pluralistic values embedded in it. I could have chosen any religious path and each would have been equally good for me.  

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-is-that-state-of-religion.html
 

·         INTERFAITH SYMPOSIUM ON ECONOMIC JUSTICE

What did Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and others do? The idea of economic justice began, when man figured out a way to live with his enemies or perceived enemies, and live with the available food without worrying about the food being stolen or safety of his family.

Economic Justice is the key for the success of a nation, where everyone benefits from the prosperity, if there is an imbalance, it will start falling apart for wealth accumulators, consumers and producers alike. 

I need to write a full blown article to teach economic justice and its benefits to my fellow Republicans. Doing good does well to all. Rich people will get richer, if they have a healthy work force. I hope to get this to them before they turn things upside down.

Continued at: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/interfaith-symposium-on-economic.html

·         INDIA BOUND- MY KIDS GO TO INDIA

Connecting with the families has its own rewards... it gives firm grounding in the moments of despair and joy.  I hope we get over our egos and find our base. There is peace in it. It was a good feeling to see them off… I was lost for a fraction of a second, thinking I was to take them with me... heavens, they are adults – Jeff is a big time attorney, Fern is a big time research engineer and Mina just got her degree in Psychology… they are not kids any more. Get over it Mike! http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/india-bound-my-kids-go-to-india.html

·         MY FIRST DAY IN NEW YORK CITY & NYPD

Anyway, I did not know what to do, so I ran towards a police officer far away... the guys chased me, I was fast... I used to run 6 miles every morning in Saudi... when they saw I was closer to the police officer, they held back. I asked the officer if he can help me get to the subway, and he obliged.. the good man walked with me and waited till I boarded the sub... http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-first-day-in-new-york-and-nypd.html 

·         MUSLIM TRACT ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE

On this topic there is a two tract conversation going on that I am aware of – the mainstream tract at Dallas Morning News/ Facebook and the Muslim tract.  Here is a part of the Muslim conversation, I am responding to Mujtuba, because he has genuine question and not a judgmental response. We can debate with those who want to learn and not with those who are set in their tracts.  I will, if I get the time, post the mainstream conversation here.   http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/05/same-sex-marriages-and-changing.html

§  STANDING UP FOR GAYS & LESBIANS –

Don’t make the mistake that one has to be gay to stand up for gays, if that were the case, the world would be chaotic and ruthlessly selfish. Each one of the spiritual masters worked to build a society where no one had to live in fear of the other, as it will keep everyone in the fear. The role of religion was to build cohesive and secure societies. http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/05/standing-up-for-gays-and-lesbians.html

§  SAME SEX MARRIAGES AND CHANGING ATTITUDES

President Obama has indeed become a catalyst for this change. Right after he announced his personal take on the issue, a host of organizations are starting to come around to his view. It was a big risk for Obama politically, but it was the right thing to stand up for individual liberties, rights and freedom of expression. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-same-sex-marriages-and.html

§  US MILITARY’S COURSE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE

Did the teaching cause our men to urinate on dead soldiers, bomb innocent families in a wedding, kill a gathering on a square or the worst – Abu Ghraib? It is a crime and must be investigated. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/us-military-teaching-is-not-acceptable.html\

§  CHRIST STATUE IN MUMBAI PROMPTS BLASPHEMY

Those Muslims, Christians and Hindus who are eager to laugh at others, need to look into their own pants, everyone has things to laugh about. The idea is not to laugh but find a solution. http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2012/05/christ-statue-in-mumbai-prompts.html

§  HAJ SUBSIDY IN INDIA ABOLISHED – MUSLIMS WELCOME IT

The subsidy issue has been one of the most debated items among the Indians. Good riddance, it is gone.  Linked below are the news item and an article from 2006. http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/05/haj-subsidy-in-india-abolished-muslims.html

§  CAN AN INDIAN AMERICAN BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?

The pessimist assertion that one has to belong to Abrahamic faiths to be politically successful is flawed. http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/05/can-indian-american-become-president-of.html

§  MOTHER’S DAY – HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

Religious take by Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Baha’i and Christendom… http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/mothers-day-happy-mothers-day.html

§  AAMIR KHAN’S POWERFUL MESSAGE ON MOTHERS DAY

It is one hour show by Amir Khan  I have cried, yes, I have and you will too and value your genuine feelings about what is going on in India. At the end there is  mega hope…. The language of the film is “us, among us” and rarely them and they.  Indeed, it is the first of the 7 goals we have set at America Together Foundation. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/amir-khans-powerful-message-on-mothers_12.html

§  SAME SEX MARRIAGE, ISLAM AND MUSLIMS 

As long as a Gay, a Muslim, a Hindu or a Jew is not stealing your food, gas,  house, clothing, money or hurting your loved ones – he or she can live his life the way he or she chooses. The society's responsibility is limited to punishing the individual for the acts that affect public safety and those acts that an overwhelming majority agrees to abide by. A long conversation   http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/05/islam-muslims-and-same-sex-marriages.html   

§  CAN INDIAN AMERICAN BECOME PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES?

 Jindal and Haley are Americans first, they will go against India if they have to, you and I don’t have the balls to do that.  We are too worried of being branded “drohi” by fellow “desh drohi’s”. The day, we the Indian Americans demonstrate America first, no one will stop us from becoming the President. http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/05/can-indian-american-become-president-of.html

§  RELIGION CREATED BY GOD OR MAN

Religion can be seen from two perspectives; God and Man. I have interviewed and met many people who were not conditioned with any religion or any versions of God. Both were alien thoughts to them, however, it helps us see Religion from a different point of view. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/who-created-religion-man-or-god.html

§  TEXAS FAITH – RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION CREATING COMMON GOOD

When Moses came down from Sinai with the tablets, his unstated goal was to restore trust in the society through orderly conduct. Krishna emerged to reinstate dharma (righteousness). Jesus wanted to redeem the lost souls. And Muhammad revived the message of Abraham, of one common creator and accountability for our Karma. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-how-far-should-religious.html

§  2 PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN IN INDIA

The documentary is about Women in India, and sounds like a controversial film and may even be banned in India by the fundamentalists.  It may be worth exploring the human gene that makes one a fundamentalist. Until it is proven, the "insecurity" and “impotency" in men particularly seems like the driving factor for them to be a fundamentalists. No matter what religion, culture, nationality or tradition one wears, the characteristics are familiar; Oppression of women. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/about-women-in-india-world-before-her.html

§  NATIONAL PRAYER DAY IN PLANO

I did my interfaith greetings, which includes explaining the essence of greetings in each traditions and what it means to you and me.  The greetings shared were from Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Wicca, Native Americans and Zoroastrian traditions. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/national-prayer-day-2012-plano-city.html

§  OPRAH, CHOPRA AND GOD WITHIN

When one is at peace with himself or herself, God resides in him/her in full glory. God in itself is neither good nor bad, it is like the nuclear power, in the right hands it is a blessing and in the wrong ones it will destroy families, communities and nations. God is within us and we can make him a villain or an all loving God through our actions, the choice is ours. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-are-oprah-deepak-and-god.html

§  OBAMA’S VICTORY, IS FOR HIM TO KEEP

Republicans should shut up and back off, before the disgusting videos of Willie Horton against Dukakis, and fake videos against John Kerry appear on the horizon and embarrass the double speak. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/obama-deserves-full-credit-he-has-right.html

§  INDIA’S BEEF FESTIVAL SETS OUTRAGE

The messed up nations are looking up to India to be like India. As a model nation, we should continue to be an example to others and not even think of becoming like them.  We are a witness to the prosperity of America, we pray the way we want to pray, we eat what we want to eat and believe what we want to believe, aren’t we successful? http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/05/beef-festival-in-india-sets-off-outrage.html 

§  MORMON MOMENT – Dallas Morning News -

The Christian battles with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are seemingly internal. I am convinced that it is better and more truthful to learn of others from them as they say "this is what we believe" rather than from those who would say, "This is what they believe".  http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/texas-faith-mormon-moment.html

§  EARTH DAY – Don’t mess with Mother Earth. 

We are sons and daughters of this planet, like the mother who takes care of us, the earth offers us, what it takes for us to live – Air, Water and food. Those who deny global warming and pollutions must be given a tour of these places to learn firsthand and quit denying these. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/earth-day-dont-mess-with-mother-earth.html

§  YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION BY MUSLIMS
 

Muslims join Jews in commemorating Yom HaShoah. The best thing you can do to support Jews in their most solemn moment of history is to visit the Holocaust Museum in your city and attend the Yom HaShoah commemorative prayers in your local synagogues this week.http://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/2012/04/muslims-commemorate-yom-hashoah.html

§  RELIGION FORMULA

Here is a Religious formula that needs empirical data to support it. However, if you make a serious observation of your groups of people over 100, you can comfortably see these numbers work more often than not. this formula can be applied across the board to every group; be it religious, racist, ethnic, nationalistic or political http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/religion-formula.html

§  CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

As Americans we have to stand up for the rights of fellow citizens who are Catholic.   On February 27, on Hannity Radio, Richard Land of the Southern Baptist convention and I, a Muslim, joined in supporting the rights of Catholics.  http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/texas-faith-catholic-bishops-and-civil.html

§  KORAN GIVE AWAY WORRIES THE RIGHT

One should have the freedom to distribute the copy of Quraan. Either you stop for all, or allow for all. Free speech ultimately wins, we don't need to regulate it. If the worry is that the readers may convert to Islam, so what?  Let people have the freedom to breathe, drink, eat, wear and believe what works for them. We cannot have double standards.  http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/koran-giveaway-in-germany-worries-right.html

§  VIRTOUS ADDRESS

Denton Record Chronicle writes about Mike Ghouse’s address to the Rotary club http://www.dentonrc.com/entertainment/entertainment-headlines/20120416-virtuous-address.ece

§  ANTI-ISLAMIC EMAILS AND MY RESPONSE

§  This is in response to one of the fellow Indians who keeps attacking Islam and demands that I answer his questions, and when I do that, he does not read a word, but continues to attack.http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/anti-islam-emails-and-my-response.html

§  HINDU MINORITY IN PAKISTAN

The civility of a nation and her people is reflected by how the minorities are treated. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/hindu-minorities-in-pakistan.html

§  MUSLIM’S EASTER

I was in Jerusalem and was blessed to sit by the place where Jesus was buried and pray http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/a-muslim-easter_b_1407555.html

§  DOCUMENTARY - Americans Together
building a cohesive America to represent the life of every American – seek funding
http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2011/11/americans-together-documentary_11.html

§  INTELLECT AND RELIGIOUS FAITH: 
religion often seems to denigrate intellectual inquiry than celebrate the freedom-  http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/texas-faith-intellect-and-religious.html

§  INTERFAITH WEDDINGS
One must admire couples who are setting  the new standards in falling barriers between people
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/interfaith-weddings.html

§  STANDING UP FOR CHRISTIANS
Why should anyone stand up for you, if you are not willing to stand up for others?
http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/01/standing-with-christians.html

§  STANDING UP FOR JEWS
Why should anyone stand up for you, if you are not willing to stand up for others?
http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/02/standing-up-with-jews.html

§  STANDING UP FOR HINDUS
In the following compilation, I will highlight some of the work I have done with and for Hindus and Hinduism http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/04/standing-with-hindus.html

§  STANDING UP FOR ATHEISTS
I have difficulty in understanding the religious people's belligerence towards Atheists.  http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/04/speaking-up-for-atheists.html

§  STANDING UP FOR GAYS & LESBIANS

Don’t make the mistake that one has to be gay to stand up for gays, if that were the  http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/05/standing-up-for-gays-and-lesbians.html

§  GHOUSE ADDRESSES  DENTON ROTARY CLUB
America Together Foundation has similar ideals as the Rotary club 
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/mike-ghouse-addresses-denton-rotary.html

§  PLURALISM PRAYERS
Every one of the 312 million Americans must feel a sense of connection to the prayer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mc9D9guPMY

§  SPEAKER FOR NATIONAL PRAYER DAY
Mike Ghouse will deliver a powerful message about building a cohesive America
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/speaker-for-national-prayer-day.html

§  RELIGION IS ABUSED/ MISUSED
Individuals have used religion for their gains, we shall not buy into blaming religion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-cqRNaOIXY

§  WHAT IS PLURALISM
It is an attitude of respecting the otherness of other and accepting uniqueness of each one of us
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk2W73D7eHQ

§  ONE NATION UNDER GOD
I am blessed to have been a part of every religious group from Aztec to Zoroastrians and every one in between http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/talk-on-one-nation-under-god.html

Americans Together, Cohesive America, Muslim Speaker, Interfaith Speaker, Speaker Mike Ghouse, Pluralism Center