tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41130550036752710092024-03-16T17:26:35.593-07:00Pluralism LessonsMike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-41831851318590559902019-04-25T19:08:00.000-07:002019-04-25T19:08:05.586-07:00Book - American Muslim Agenda<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">If you are a conservative, then grudgingly you'll see the value in what this book offers, and if you are on the left, you want more of it, and if you are moderate, you will dance with joy.</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">HOSTING A BOOK TALK<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 28px;">The book is about building a cohesive America where each one of us feels secure about our faith, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual and political orientation. Who does not want to live a tension free life at home, workplace, and in the public space? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The "American Muslim Agenda” serves a two-fold purpose. On the one hand, it separates the chaff from the grain for fellow Americans to see Muslims for who they are and not how the media projects them. On the other hand, it challenges Muslims to restore Islam to its original purpose; that is to create cohesive societies, in our case, a coherent America, where each one of the 323 Million Americans feels proud of his or her uniqueness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The book presents many success stories to keep the reader bemused. I am pleased to submit three versions of the blurbs on the book talk. The format can be 10 minutes or 20 minutes presentation with room for Q&A. We want our esteemed guests to go home fully satisfied with all the questions they have had about Islam and Muslims. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our conservative friends would grudgingly acknowledge the pathway laid out in the book, while the moderates will dance with joy. If your vision of America is in tune with the book, together as Americans, we can contribute towards the greatness of our nation.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Would this book bring a change? </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Would this bring a change among Muslims towards others and others towards Muslims? Indeed, this book lays out a clear agenda to foster harmony among fellow Americans. It is akin to planting a seed and nurturing to give the beneficence to the next generation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some of the reservations we have about Muslims is based on what we have heard from our parents, friends, teachers, pastors, and TV. It is time for us to learn first-hand about them and remove the misunderstandings and live freely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It is one of the bold books written about Muslims, and it highlights the sources of extremism and how to cure it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Unfortunately, some of the Muslim scholars from the past have reduced Islam to a religion of rituals and obedience. This book brings clarity to Muslims and fellow humans and separates the chaff from the wheat for you.</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">What is the overall theme of your book?</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The overall theme of the book is to open people's hearts and minds towards each other. I believe that the ultimate ‘unexpressed’ purpose of humans is to live freely and be comfortable with one's culture, race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, and individuality.</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>Why do you think that this book will appeal to readers?</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It will appeal to Muslims and Non-Muslims alike, as they have never seen the pristine, pluralistic Islam. Moreover, for the first time in Islamic history, the essence of Islam is explained. Also, for the first time, the book explains twelve values directly from the Quran that contributes towards building cohesive societies with no privileges to one over the other. It is human nature to get along with fellow beings, and this book will resonate with them and pave the path for them to see the light at the end of the tunnel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">TEN T<b>AKE AWAY POINTS FROM THE BOOK</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">1. The American Muslim Agenda challenges Muslims to think and restore Islam to its original purpose – i.e., to create a cohesive America, where each one of the 323 Million Americans feels secure with his or her faith, race, ethnicity culture, sexual and political orientation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">2. The American Muslim Agenda paves the way for Muslims to own their mistakes, and remedy them. It corrects how fellow Americans perceive Muslims.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">3. Islam is not about imposing (Sharia) your ideas or governing others. Islam is about living your life and letting others live theirs with freedom. That is the original Islam. Islam is about freedom and firmly stands for free will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">4. The essence and purpose of Islam from a humanity’s (Aalameen) perspective for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">5. Never before in Islamic history, twelve values of Islam that contribute to creating secure, orderly and cohesive societies have been articulated. Verses from the Quran fully back each value. Thus, the book becomes a reference manual to teach and learn about Islam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">6. The best way to combat Islamophobia is through education, engagement, and dialogue. There are many success stories narrated including dealing with Fox News, Sean Hannity, Stuart Varney and the supposedly most of the Islamaphobes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">7. This book is the product of twenty years of research and interviews with the right, left, and the moderate fellow humans from many faiths including 150 interviews at Fox News and its many right-leaning guests.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">8. Can a Muslim become President of the United States? What does it take, there is a full chapter on the topic?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">9. In the end, it is learning to respect the otherness of the other and accepting the God given the uniqueness of each one of the 323 million Americans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">10. There is a whole lot more, and it is all in the book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Talk Version 1.0<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Title of the talk: Muslims making America the Greatest nation on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Americans Muslims are committed to building a cohesive America, an inclusive America where each one of the 323 Million Americans feel secure about his/her faith, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual and political orientation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">When you are free from apprehensions, and connect with fellow workers, the workplace becomes a joy to be. You will give 100% of your heart and mind to your work, and your family benefits from having a whole of you, thus creating a little heaven for yourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Dr. Mike Ghouse, author, public speaker, pluralist, interfaith wedding officiant, and the president of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC., will discuss how Muslim efforts in building a cohesive America are working.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">He points out that we are Americans, we are free and brave people and must jettison our apprehensions about each other to live freely. Mike advises that if you are a conservative, then grudgingly you'll see a value in what this book offers, and if you are on the left, you want more of it, and the moderates will dance with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">He points out that we are Americans, we are free, and the brave people, and must jettison our apprehensions about each other to live freely. How do we accomplish that? It is by knowing each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">America has always led the world in science, medicine, math, agriculture, automation, information technology, exploration and all the advancements of the human race, and it is time for us to lead the world in building a cohesive nation. The book offers concrete solutions to Americans to make America a great and powerful model nation of inclusion for Americans to enjoy living their lives productively and purposefully, and the world to look up to us to emulate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">We have to assure each other and every American without exception that we are committed to each other's security, prosperity, and peace. Our goal is to reach out to every American who has not been reached before, particularly those who do not understand us. As American Muslims, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Mike will share a few incredible success stories of dealing with our friends on the right and answer questions about Muslim efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">The book “American Muslim Agenda” will become a reference manual to knowledge seekers and teachers of Islam, and those who want to see one nation, one people and one America. For Muslims, it is backed up with verses from the Quran. You can order this book from Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Google, and other book stores. See the talking points at http://www.AmericanMuslimAgenda.com and Mike’s profile appended at https://www.linkedin.com/inmikeghouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Title of the talk: Muslims making America the Greatest nation on earth</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Americans Muslims are committed to building a cohesive America, an inclusive America where each one of the 323 Million Americans feel secure about his/her faith, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual and political orientation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">When you are free from apprehensions, and connect with fellow workers, the workplace becomes a joy to be. You will give 100% of your heart and mind to your work, and your family benefits from having a whole of you with them creating a little heaven for yourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Dr. Mike Ghouse, author, public speaker, pluralist, interfaith wedding officiant, and the President of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC., will discuss how Muslim effort is ongoing in building a cohesive America, where each one of the 323 Million Americans feel secure about his/her faith, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual and political orientations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">He points out that we are Americans, we are free and brave people and must jettison our apprehensions about each other to live freely. Mike advises that if you are a conservative, then grudgingly you'll see a value in what this book offers, and if you are on the left, you want more of it, and the moderates will dance with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">The book paves the way for Muslims to own their mistakes, remedy them, and correct how fellow Americans perceive Muslims. Mike argues that Islam is not about imposing your ideas or governing others. Instead, Islam is about living your life and letting others live theirs with freedom. It is a bold challenge to Muslims. He shows a narration from humanity's (Aalameen) perspective of the essence and purpose of Islam for the first time in history.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Mike articulates, for the first time in Islamic history, twelve values of Islam that contribute to creating secure, orderly and cohesive societies. He concludes that the best way to combat Islamophobia (and other phobias) is through education, engagement, and dialogue. Mike lays out a clear agenda to foster harmony among fellow Americans. It is akin to planting a seed and nurturing to give the beneficence to the next generation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Mike believes when Muslims become one with all and defend American values with their souls, they will become part of the American story, and everyone’s language will automatically shift from us vs. them to us, the one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. As American Muslims, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">This book will become a reference manual to teachers of Islam and knowledge seekers about Islam, as it is backed up verses from the Quran. You can order his book from Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Google, and other book stores. See the talking points at http://www.AmericanMuslimAgenda.com and Mike’s profile appended at https://www.linkedin.com/inmikeghouse.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">The American Muslim Agenda is a primer, a blueprint, and a road map for Americans in general and Muslims in particular.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">A Muslim is someone who is a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer, following the formula for peaceful societies practiced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and guided by the Quran.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">As a community, American Muslims have not developed any concrete plans to extricate themselves out of the chaotic situations, hostility and incessant Islamophobic rhetoric we face. Each time a terrorist acts out, we start praying and wishing that the terrorist not be a Muslim. We are Americans, and we can do better than that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">There is only one America, and all of us are fully integrated parts of that nation. We need to learn to engage with those who are opposed to us, and reassure them that we are all in this together. Mike will share some success stories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">When we start defending America and the American values we are in! We become an integral part of American Fabric. That is the clear objective articulated in this book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">The book is available at Amazon, Kindle, Google, Xlibris, Barnes & Nobles, and other book stores. The softcover is priced at $19.99, and the hardcover is $29.99. It is also available as an eBook.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">The American Muslim Agenda will be in the hands of lawmakers, presidential candidates, media persons, lobbyists, think tanks, educators, interfaith activists, CEO, and fellow Americans. The book is about building a cohesive America where each one of us can live securely with our faith, race, ethnicity, and culture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">As American Muslims, we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Mike is a public speaker, author, interfaith wedding officiant, a newsmaker and the executive director of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC. More about him at <span style="color: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/" style="color: black; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 28px;">Email to: SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com or text (214) 325-1916</span></div>
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Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-84231286263625182212011-11-15T14:43:00.000-08:002011-11-15T14:43:27.948-08:00Does Quraan say to Kill Jews? <span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Can you help me understand the Qur'an a bit. I just was in a heated discussion and was taken back by this guy who I was on a date with tonight who was raised Jewish and he told me the <strong><span style="color: red;">Qur'an says that to kill Jews</span></strong>. That it is hateful religion. I am very opened minded by all religions and I attend xxxx but still lack the understanding of the Qur'an. Has it changed translations and a lot of Muslims follow that one or what am I missing now. I really didn't know what to say but I knew it was very personal and upsetting to him. Any insight will help me understand more of of the Qur'an<br />
<br />
Thanks <br />
<br />
G</span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%" /> </span></div><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dear G:</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The best way to handle difference is with patience, which you have done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously your friend has read something somewhere or must have heard it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I would proceed by asking him to share that information and ask if he has seen it in Qur’aan, and you would like to see it your selves, so you can honestly share with your friends. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you have the specifics, I will be happy to address them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are some abstracts<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Steve Blow writes in Dallas Morning News:<br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20100919-In-defense-of-Islam-pursuing-9397.ece"><span style="color: grey; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20100919-In-defense-of-Islam-pursuing-9397.ece</span></span></a> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Ghouse said he can understand fear and criticism of Islam because he went through a time of similar feelings. As a teen, he was troubled by passages of the Quran. He called himself an atheist for a while.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But he said deeper study led him to realize the Quran had been purposely mistranslated down through history. In the Middle Ages, European leaders commissioned a hostile Quran translation to foster warfare against Muslim invaders. Later, Muslim leaders produced another translation to inflame Muslims against Christians and Jews. "It was all for politics," he said.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Indeed there are two falsified “Translations” of Quraan, the one by a Muslim Hilali Khan is put out of circulation now, but several million copies are still floating out there. There are a total of 25 translations, 2 are bad and hateful to Christians and Jews, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>20 are ok, 2 are good and one is excellent which I don’t have a copy yet. The most recommended book the world over is the translation by Muhammad Asad, who was a Rabbi and a Jewish scholar. However, there are still a few verses he has not dealt with right. It is our responsibility to fix them. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Gina, Quraan is a book of guidance. God simply cannot hate any one and in Quraan God does not hate any one. He does prescribe severe punishment for wrong doers as a deterrent, but then offers a way out – repentance and asking for forgiveness. The most favorite person of God is the one who forgives. The most popular and most repeated vese in Quraan is – God is merciful, and kind – 114 times! That is the most dominant aspect of God. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There are bad dudes in Muslims, so are in Christians, Jews, Hindus and others. At this in history no one but Muslims are under the radar. A Rabbi announced and was endorsed by 70 Rabbis in Israel that it is authorized to kill even babies of the Palestinians. Does that make Judaism bad? No, it was that Rabbi not the religion. <br />
<br />
(<a href="http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/2011/02/rabbi-urged-no-mercy-in-killing-of.html"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: darkred; font-family: Verdana;">http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/2011/02/rabbi-urged-no-mercy-in-killing-of.html</span></span></a> )<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Islam has got some of those, and of course the fundamentalist want to kill the Palestinians so Jesus can come back over dead bodies, pat Robertson and other continue to say evil things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There is no justification for any one of these guys. No one should have the right to take a life out. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Here are some samples of mis translations.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Apology to Jews and Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/unlike-jews-or-christians-17.html"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: darkred; font-family: Verdana;">http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/unlike-jews-or-christians-17.html</span></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Muslim response to Geert Wilder’s bad movie about Islam<br />
<a href="http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/muslim-response-to-wilders.html"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: darkred; font-family: Verdana;">http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/muslim-response-to-wilders.html</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Islamophobia and Quraan<br />
<a href="http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/03/islamophobia-and-quraan.html"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: darkred; font-family: Verdana;">http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/03/islamophobia-and-quraan.html</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jews turned into Apes <br />
<a href="http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/jews-turned-into-apes.html"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: darkred; font-family: Verdana;">http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/jews-turned-into-apes.html</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; mso-fareast-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Difficult passages of Quraan<br />
<a href="http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/12/list-of-difficult-passages-in-quraan.html"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: darkred; font-family: Verdana;">http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/12/list-of-difficult-passages-in-quraan.html</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You can visit the sites, if you have the time.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.quraantoday.com/"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: darkred; font-family: Verdana;">www.Quraantoday.com</span></span></a> <br />
<a href="http://www.quraanconference.com/"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: darkred; font-family: Verdana;">www.Quraanconference.com</span></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.worldmuslimcongress.org/"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: darkred; font-family: Verdana;">www.worldMuslimcongress.org</span></span></a> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My site is <a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/"><span style="mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: Georgia; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Georgia;"><span style="color: darkred; font-family: Verdana;">www.MikeGhouse.net</span></span></a> </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-5368673173163938842011-09-07T13:44:00.000-07:002011-09-07T13:44:07.176-07:00Do Jews, Christians and Muslims better understand each other since 9/11?<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4664885385192404719"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RRNRoo9ZrChFpQJijfzPgbWgdSpLfyfX4-7Zp949NP9hY3OWpoYrGNTjLQTgEOuq1cWJAzVOzlrB9dksrqOh2lveYNEGKKlmzttVEznAkkX7qRXVywEIg1yj9Wybj5ELRO0uebltb1_S/s1600/Jews%252C+Christians+and+Muslims.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RRNRoo9ZrChFpQJijfzPgbWgdSpLfyfX4-7Zp949NP9hY3OWpoYrGNTjLQTgEOuq1cWJAzVOzlrB9dksrqOh2lveYNEGKKlmzttVEznAkkX7qRXVywEIg1yj9Wybj5ELRO0uebltb1_S/s200/Jews%252C+Christians+and+Muslims.png" width="190" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TEXAS FAITH: Do Jews, Christians and Muslims better understand each other since 9/11? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Abstract: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jews need sincerity and not duplicity. Native Americans need an apology and there is a good amount of phobia embedded in Hindus about conversions. We believe in Jesus as a Prophet and not as a son of God. Unless we deal with tough issues about our differences, we will continue to fake being nice to each other and brood with ill-will within. There is indeed improved understanding among faiths since 9/11. But there also is deepening suspicion among them. One is spiritually motivated and the other is political. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please note, most of my writings are inclusive of all theist and atheists traditions, we all inhabit the earth and we need to figure how best to co-exist cohesively.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"># # #<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Since September 11, 2001, many conversations have taken place among Muslims, Jews and Christians. There are official interfaith conversations occurring all over the globe, where participants dig into each other's texts. And numerous personal dialogues have been established over the last decade. Many of us have learned more about the three Abrahamic faiths since September 11, 2001 than perhaps we knew before that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But here's this week's question, which is simple in its wording but not necessarily simple to answer: <em><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Do followers of the three Abrahamic faiths really understand each other better since 9/11? </span></em><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eight Texas Faith Panelists including Mike Ghouse weighs in at: <a href="http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/09/texas-faith-do-jews-christians.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/09/texas-faith-do-jews-christians.html</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There is indeed improved understanding among faiths since 9/11. But there also is deepening suspicion among them. One is spiritually motivated and the other is political. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We were better off when we knew very little about each other. But as we faced the hostage crisis in 1979, the evangelical foray into politics, the Baptist convention on harvesting poor souls and finally 9/11, religion moved on to center stage. It will get better when we know more about each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">On September 11, 2001, I was on the radio in Dallas attempting to make sense out of the chaos of the day and pave the way for relevant actions. Interfaith-faith prayers, blood donation and fundraising for the men and women in uniform were all in place by evening. The fog was clearing up. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nB_c5qHlj0"><span style="color: blue;">Osama bin Laden</span></a> was the bad guy and Muslim-Americans had nothing to do with his actions, nor did they authorize him to terrorize any one. Indeed, he placed a wedge between Americans that still needs to be undone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Atheists, Baha'i, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Jews, Native Americans, Pagans, Sikhs, Wicca and Zoroastrians along with area city mayors, FBI, police and fire chiefs and community leaders graced the first interfaith event in Frisco. Out of which a new tradition evolved called Unity Day. It continues year after year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But while we are trying to know more about each other, more needs to be done. Here are a few examples; <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">* Mosques in Dallas/ Fort Worth area opened their doors right after the 9/11 incident. As Christians walked in, they were naively welcomed by yet-to-be trained volunteers who said, "We believe in Jesus as a Prophet and not as a son of God." However, the volunteers were trained to welcome without conflict the very next week.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Of course, back in the 8th Century, a Syrian bishop had declared that Islam was a false religion. That declaration has remained in the psyche of a few Christians forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pastor Robert Jeffress of the First Baptist Church of Dallas reiterated the statement and added, "Quran is a false book written by a false prophet." He was asked to prove it but failed. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There are several verses in Quraan that are mistranslated for political gains. Steve Blow in <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20100919-In-defense-of-Islam-pursuing-9397.ece"><span style="color: blue;">Dallas Morning News</span></a> quoted me, "In the Middle Ages, European leaders commissioned a hostile Quran translation to foster warfare against Muslim invaders. Later, Muslim leaders produced another translation to inflame Muslims against Christians and Jews." <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">One such difficult passage is "Kill the infidels wherever you find them." <a href="http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/12/difficult-passages-in-quraan.html"><span style="color: blue;">Ten such propaganda verses</span></a> were read to separate the myths from reality. They were not read by Muslim clergy, but by Baptist, Mormon, Protestant, Catholic, Unitarian, Methodist, New Age, Unificationists, Sikhs, Hindu and others at the Quraan Conference<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">*Shamelessly, anti-Semitism continues to operate under the radar. The anti-circumcision bills in San Francisco and Santa Monica were irksome to some, but frightening to others. Indeed, there are still a few Christians out there who cannot shake off what Fred Phelps was demonstrating with reckless posters such as "Christ Killers." <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Judeo-Christian phrase was thrown around in the 40's to build relationships between Jews and Christians. A whole industry of opportunists was born from it. The support for Jews by Billy Graham, Richard Nixon, Pat Robertson, John Hagee, Glenn Beck and other chest thumpers have ulterior motives. They want to cash in on the name of Israel and perhaps convert them. Jews need sincerity and not duplicity to feel genuinely secure.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">*Native Americans need an apology for the destruction of their religion and there is a good amount of phobia embedded in Hindus about conversions. Some of them feel that Governors Nikki Haley and Bobby Jindal made it in politics because they converted to Christianity. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">*The spiritual balance in the community needs to be restored through observing and following the Golden Rule, which is treat others as you would like others to treat you. Although we have failed in the past, such as when the city of Plano rejected a permit to build a Hindu temple in the early 80's and Richardson did not permit a Muslim school to open there in the mid-1990s, we still have come a long way. Thank God, those are now history and the public in the metroplex welcomes diversity. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">* Interfaith meetings are still social gatherings. Leaders from smaller groups are invited as tokens rather than to genuinely get to know each other. Unless we deal with tough issues about differences, we will continue to fake being nice to each other and brood with ill-will within. There is plenty of room for honesty to grow and mature.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If we can learn to respect the otherness of other people and accept the God-given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. One of these days we will get there. Meanwhile, I am pleased to invite you to the 7th Annual 9/11 Memorial, the Unity Day USA on Sunday September 11 at 5:00 PM at the Unity Church of Dallas on Forest Lane. Details are at www.UnitydayUSA.com <o:p></o:p></span></div>----<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">References:<br />
Steve Blow – Dallas Morning News: <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20100919-In-defense-of-Islam-pursuing-9397.ece" title="http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20100919-In-defense-of-Islam-pursuing-9397.ece"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20100919-In-defense-of-Islam-pursuing-9397.ece</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>----<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">List of difficult passages: <a href="http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/12/difficult-passages-in-quraan.html" title="http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/12/difficult-passages-in-quraan.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/12/difficult-passages-in-quraan.html</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>----<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quraan Conference program sequence: <a href="http://quraanconference.blogspot.com/2010/12/quraan-conference-program-sequence.html" title="http://quraanconference.blogspot.com/2010/12/quraan-conference-program-sequence.html"><span style="color: blue;">http://quraanconference.blogspot.com/2010/12/quraan-conference-program-sequence.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-----</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and the public. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Politics, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace. Over a thousand articles have been published on the topics and two of his books are poised to be released on Pluralism and Islam. Mike's work is reflected in 4 website's and 27 Blogs indexed at <a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.mikeghouse.net/</span></a> and you can find all of his current articles at <a href="http://www.theghousediary.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.TheGhousediary.com </span></a></span></div><div style="clear: both;"></div></div><br />
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-3"><span class="post-location"></span></div>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-40604556671217786522011-04-12T17:19:00.001-07:002011-04-12T17:23:47.765-07:00Pluralism Speaker Mike Ghouse<div class="post hentry"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="199655750721301928"></a><br />
<div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-199655750721301928"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://pluralismspeaker.blogspot.com/">http://pluralismspeaker.blogspot.com/</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Pluralistic solutions have the power to sustain and take us into the next century with relative security, peace and prosperity. We cannot have peace and security when we do injustice to others.<br />
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Full profile at: <a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/"><span style="color: #4e3d89;">http://www.mikeghouse.net/</span></a> </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Mike Ghouse is a speaker, writer, thinker, futurist and an activist of Pluralism, <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Islam</city>, <country-region w:st="on">India</country-region></place> and Civil Societies passionately offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He is a commentator at Fox News on the Hannity show, nationally syndicated Radio shows along with Dallas TV, Print and Radio networks and occasional interviews on NPR. He has spoken at international forums including the Parliament of Worlds Religions in <city w:st="on">Melbourne</city>, Middle East Peace initiative in <city w:st="on">Jerusalem</city>, International Leadership conference in <state w:st="on">Hawaii</state>, <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Washington</place></state> and elsewhere. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Concerned by the divisiveness, he saw the need to bring Americans together and founded America Together Foundation committed to building a cohesive <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">America</place></country-region>, indeed it is in response to ACT America which is bent on pitching one American against the other. We will be holding series of educational programs, conferences and workshops to address the issues that divide us such as Civil Right, GLBT, Quraan, Abortion, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, Racial Profiling and Stereotyping. </span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Annual Unity Day USA is in its 7<sup>th</sup> year now, it is a purposeful event to bring Americans together, </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">on this Unity Day, we the people of the <place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">United States of America</place></place></country-region> of every faith, race, ethnicity, culture and background will gather to express our commitment to co-existence, unity, prosperity and wellbeing of our nation. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Thanksgiving Celebration is in its 15<sup>th</sup> year showcasing cultural diversity. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The 5<sup>th</sup> Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides is to </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">learn and to acknowledge and reflect upon the terrible things we have inflicted upon each other and commit to avert such tragedies. Through this event non-Jewish people have consciously learned about Holocaust for the first time, it was also for the first time that people of 14 faiths came together to join in to commemorate the Holocaust that commemorated within the Jewish Community for years. They are not alone anymore in their anguish, we are all in it together with them, and it is a Muslim initiative to effect a positive change.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The programs, seminars and workshops conducted by the Foundation for Pluralism have become a part of the America Together Foundation. While the Foundation for Pluralism continues championing the idea of co-existence through respecting and accepting the otherness of other, the commitment to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam through the World Muslim Congress continues.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">T</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">wo books will be released this year; The American Muslim Agenda and My Journey to Pluralism.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mike has written over 1000 Articles on Pluralism, <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Islam</city>, <country-region w:st="on">India</country-region></place>, Peace & Justice and civil societies published in a wide spectrum of Newspapers and Magazines around the world. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Locally, he is a panelist at Dallas Morning News's and writes weekly on a range of issues facing the nation. Washington Post, Huffington Post and other news papers and sites regularly publish his work. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">Mike is available to speak on Pluralism, Islam, Civil Societies, and Peace & Justice at your place of worship, school, work place, seminars, workshops or conferences. His work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at </span><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">http://www.MikeGhouse.net/</span></u></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"># # #</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mike is an organizer of events, conferences, workshops and lectures to impart the values of pluralism at work, places of worship and the society at large, He is a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer and believes that by learning to respect the otherness of others and accepting the God given uniqueness of each one of the seven billion of us, conflicts fade and solutions emerge. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">He has dedicated his time to work with the leadership in offering insights and solutions to effectively managing the multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multicultural societies. <br />
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Mike Presides the </span><a href="http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/"><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Foundation for Pluralism</span></a><span style="color: black;"> championing the idea of co-existence through respecting and accepting the otherness of other <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">INITIATOR </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">The following events were initiated, organized and established with the theme of bringing diverse people together to learn and to know about each other. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;">Annual reflections on </span><a href="http://www.holocaustandgenocides.com/"><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Holocaust and Genocides</span></a><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> since 2007; </span></span></span><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/Aboutus/MikeGhouse_Holocaust%20I.jpg"></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><憼ˢ><stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock><imagedata o:title="MikeGhouse_Holocaust%20I" src="file:///C:\Users\MIKEGH~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.jpg"></imagedata><wrap type="square"></wrap></憼ˢ><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/Aboutus/MikeGhouse_Holocaust%20I.jpg"></a></span></span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;">The mission is to create awareness of the inhumanity in us and find solutions for peaceful co-existence. Mike believes that, "we cannot be safe, unless others around us are not" ( ADD LINKS - </span></span><a href="http://tjpnews.com/?p=728"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">TJP</span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"> - </span><a href="http://carrolltonblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/06/carrolltons-ghouse-calls-for-i.html"><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">DMN 2009</span></a><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> - </span></span></span><a href="http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Images_Press/Holocaust_DallasMorningNews_Macesch.htm"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">DMN 2006</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> - </span><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/Aboutus/Holocaust-Surivor-MikeGhouse-and-Jewish-Leaders-Rabbis.jpg"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Survivors</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">-</span><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/Aboutus/TexasJewishPost_Holocaust2009_announcement.jpg"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Jewish Post</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> - </span><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/Aboutus/Holocaust-telivisionCoverage_MikeGhouse.jpg"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Fox TV</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> )</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The annual </span><a href="http://www.unitydayusa.com/"><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Unity Day USA</span></a><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> took root in 2005, on this Unity Day USA, we the people of the <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">United States of America</place></country-region> of every faith, race, ethnicity, culture and background will gather to express our commitment to co-existence, Unity, safety, prosperity and well being of our nation with liberty and justice for all. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Annual </span><a href="http://thanksgivingcelebrations.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Thanksgiving Celebrations</span></a><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> began in 1993 to bring immigrant, indigenous and born Americans together. The purpose of celebrating this event is to give thanks to the creator for the blessings of precious life while enjoying the cultural heritage of each ethnic group. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">EDUCATOR</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"Wisdom of Religion" - all the beautiful religions of the world was an hourly Radio talk show broadcasted daily. Over 700 hours of educational programming was relayed learning about religious, humanistic and the pluralistic traditions. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/Aboutus/MikeGhouse2003-2.jpg"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><shape alt="" href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/Aboutus/MikeGhouse2003-2.jpg" id="_x0000_s1027" o:allowoverlap="f" o:button="t" style="height: 75pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; mso-position-horizontal-relative: text; mso-position-horizontal: left; mso-position-vertical-relative: line; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 0; mso-wrap-distance-left: 0; mso-wrap-distance-right: 0; mso-wrap-distance-top: 0; position: absolute; width: 102.75pt; z-index: 2;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:title="MikeGhouse2003-2" src="file:///C:\Users\MIKEGH~1\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image003.jpg"></imagedata><wrap type="square"></wrap></shape><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/Aboutus/MikeGhouse2003-2.jpg"></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">"Festivals of the World" was a weekly Radio program on Saturdays, where the essence of every festival was shared, so we all can have an idea of how other people celebrate or commemorate their holidays. (more on right panel) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Workshops titled “Understanding Religion – every beautiful religion” were conducted for two years. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mike's purposeful presence in the media is to foster critical thinking. He is blessed to have been given the time on national and local TV, Radio and Print medium to share pluralistic solutions on the issues of the day. <br />
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Pluralistic solutions have the power to sustain and take us into the next century with relative security, peace and prosperity. We cannot have peace and security when we do injustice to others.</span></div></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mike Presides the</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/"><span style="color: black; mso-ansi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-font-weight: normal; mso-ascii-font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; mso-hansi-font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Foundation for Pluralism</span></a><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> championing the idea of co-existence through respecting and accepting the otherness of other.</span></span></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWjLXyITZ6-kmsXwnAboev369g6s-3rp7bMOM-m7GZZLYRHqa-J8yxeoaIJgVaF-YPVESMAIx_mvFzmT4wObfm4zb_Dzjp_XPlcRgbhARedRBkFI0kXghkA6dJkr6aypXi6pH0pHCs9E/s1600/DiyaMagazine.MikeGhouse.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWjLXyITZ6-kmsXwnAboev369g6s-3rp7bMOM-m7GZZLYRHqa-J8yxeoaIJgVaF-YPVESMAIx_mvFzmT4wObfm4zb_Dzjp_XPlcRgbhARedRBkFI0kXghkA6dJkr6aypXi6pH0pHCs9E/s1600/DiyaMagazine.MikeGhouse.1.jpg" /></span></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEk_ySx2u3n-_IwGF0eNXt_qx8Z-iyrYrMpvdbS20L_4NBkxvmWlhPD_6ctMofPYfff7gY5TMFjzLkFRRLidfkwhvGjqwb5qzpNof-S7MiEQMwIAcKhlDWCMLkN2B4dRUUG2_YPLrP68/s1600/DiyaMagazine.MikeGhouse.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEk_ySx2u3n-_IwGF0eNXt_qx8Z-iyrYrMpvdbS20L_4NBkxvmWlhPD_6ctMofPYfff7gY5TMFjzLkFRRLidfkwhvGjqwb5qzpNof-S7MiEQMwIAcKhlDWCMLkN2B4dRUUG2_YPLrP68/s1600/DiyaMagazine.MikeGhouse.2.jpg" /></span></a></div></div>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-64006287824839997642010-10-14T03:34:00.001-07:002010-10-14T03:34:36.924-07:00Quraan (Koran) Conference in Dallas, an American effort to build cohesive societies<h1 style="margin: auto 0in 15pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Quraan (Koran) Conference in <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Dallas</city></place>, an American effort to build cohesive societies </span></span></span></h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color: black;">The Conference puts a Quraan in the hands of panelists made up of Pastors, Rabbis, Pundits, Shamans, lay persons, elected officers and the public. It is to demystify the myths about Quraan and Islam. An American effort to build cohesive societies.</span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><i><span style="color: black;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></i><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i><span style="color: black;">Oct 10, 2010</span></i><span style="color: black;"> – <city w:st="on">DALLAS</city>, <state w:st="on">TEXAS</state> – The Foundation for Pluralism and the World Muslim Congress have announced a conference on Quraan in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Dallas</place></city> to be held between 3:00 PM and 6 PM on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at the Unity Church of Dallas. <br />
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Representing the organizations, Mike Ghouse adds, “As members of diverse family of faiths, we seek to demystify the myths and falsification of our respective faiths. It is time for all of us to gather and understand the Qur’aan, the holy book of Muslims, which has been the subject of attack by a few among us. Indeed, the conference is a positive response to negative sermons delivered from a few pulpits of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">America</place></country-region> this year.” <br />
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The uniqueness of the event is highlighted by facing the “terrifying passages” of Quraan. For the first time in history, the actual verses from Quraan will be read directly and explained by non-Muslim panelists made up of Pastors, Rabbis, Pundits, Shamans, Clergy, lay persons and elected officials who have a deep interest in bringing Americans together on common grounds. The Muslim scholars either affirm their reading or refer to the Quraan for further understanding. It would be indeed a first hand educational experience. <br />
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It is time now to replace the ill-will with goodwill; no American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other. The purpose of this conference is to remove such myths in an open forum in the public and restore the cohesiveness of our society and work towards building a safe and secure <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">America</place></country-region>. <br />
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Bring your children to experience the multi-cultural costumes in a designated room for them. <br />
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Refreshments will be served after the event. <br />
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<b>THE EVENT IS FREE</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
Please R.S.V.P. to <a href="mailto:confirmattendance@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue;">confirmattendance@gmail.com</span></a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Direct your inquiries to <a href="mailto:QuraanConference@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue;">QuraanConference@gmail.com</span></a> . <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black;">For details visit website <a href="http://www.quraanconference.com/">http://www.quraanconference.com/</a> </span></div><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, writer, optimist, educator and an activist of Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam and Civil Societies. He heads the Foundation for Pluralism and World Muslim Congress and offers Pluralistic solutions to the media and the public on issues of the day. Mike's work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at <a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" target="_blank" title="http://www.mikeghouse.net/"><span style="color: #003366;">http://www.mikeghouse.net/</span></a></span>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-38440686412955313722010-10-14T03:29:00.000-07:002010-10-14T03:29:19.742-07:00Why do our faiths shape some political views, but not others?Why do our faiths shape some political views, but not others?<br />
10 Members of the Texas Faith Panel respond to the question. <br />
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"An element of hypocrisy is embedded in what is conveyed from the pulpit. An excessive emphasis is placed on homosexuality which the scriptures do not "appear" to favor, but that is not the only item that is disfavored. An equally strong punishment is prescribed for adultery and incest which are down played by the clergy as though they don't exist." Mike Ghouse, Foundation for Pluralism. <br />
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Full Story at: <a href="http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/10/texas-faith-why-do-our-faiths.html">http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/10/texas-faith-why-do-our-faiths.html</a> <br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, writer, optimist, educator and an activist of Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam and Civil Societies. He heads the Foundation for Pluralism and World Muslim Congress and offers Pluralistic solutions to the media and the public on issues of the day. Mike's work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" target="_blank" title="http://www.mikeghouse.net/"><span style="color: #003366; font-size: 11pt;">http://www.mikeghouse.net/</span></a></span>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-86343973683680931672010-09-30T20:19:00.000-07:002010-09-30T20:19:15.428-07:00Qur’aan Conference, an American eventQur’aan Conference, an American event <br />
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From times immemorial Religion has been “abused” and “misused” to someone gain, usually for controlling others. Are we going to let that happen? As Americans, we can pull ourselves together and not fall for the temptations to divide ourselves. No American has to live in fear of the other, nor live in anxieties or discomfort. <br />
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All our faiths reinforce the creed of "One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.” Details at <a href="http://www.quraanconference.com/">http://www.quraanconference.com/</a> <br />
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Mike Ghouse is a speaker on Pluralism and Islam offering pluralistic solutions to the media and public on issues of the day. His blogs and sites are listed at </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" style="color: darkred; font-family: Verdana; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none; text-underline: none;"><b><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400;">www.MikeGhouse.net</span></span></b></a> </span>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-22123880612119632832010-02-01T21:52:00.000-08:002010-02-01T21:54:40.693-08:00Mitigating communal conflictsdear soul,blessings<br />how cammunal war controle in our area &universe tell me easy method we are accepting all valuable opinion it is more help full for universal peace activity<br />yours truely<br />shree c k p swami<br />------------------------------------<br />Swamiji,<br /><br />Thanks for taking this initiative,<br />it is a need of the day in our state; Karnataka.<br /><br />First Analyze the conflict - whether it is Budangiri, or bashing the girls in bars in Managalore or elsewhere, determine the source and motivation of such conflict.<br /><br />Was the conflict real or imaginary?<br />Real conflicts involves affecting any one or all of the three elements; 1) one's space 2) one's sustenance [food and water] and 3) nurturance (loved ones who give us reason to live).<br /><br />Imaginary conflicts?<br />You go to the bathroom and I go to the bathroom, when we meet back in hallway, does it bring conflict? That was a private matter between you and commode, just as you pray in a corner and I pray in the other corner, how does it affect either one of us?<br /><br />You have got to get the parties sit down face to face and have a heart to heart talk.... its amazing what you find out in a majority of the cases. It usually is based on imaginary fears and phobias.<br /><br />Our role, the role of religous people is to bring peace to humanity, it is achieved through mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill. We have to have the guts, to speak the truth and lead the people in the right direction - and not succumb to people who fund us or scream at us.<br /><br />Best wishes, I will be happy to talk with you about the process in a particular situation<br /><br />Mike Ghouse<br /><em><span style="color:#000099;">A conflict mitigator and a Goodwill nurturer.</span></em><br /><br />From shree c k p swami… to ALPANA JAIN, ARUN KUMAR JAIN, Adriana Miraglio, Ajith K Benadi, Alisa Roadcupand 130 more<br />Sent 11 hours agoMike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-2793911557854999692010-01-31T12:35:00.001-08:002010-01-31T12:35:48.932-08:00How to live with corrupt peoplePratibha: I am interested or to know how to live peacefully with the corrupt dominating people in a society. They influenced everything/. In this situation what to do , Please suggest me<br /><br />Dear Pratibha,<br /><br />The Physical or the metaphysical world is structured to have positive, negative and neutral charges in it ,and every structure is constantly seeking its own equilibrium through a variety of combinations and permutations. <br /><br />Living with corrupt people is part of existence, not that we have to agree with the ills of corruption, but we can be a part of it and effect changes in our own way. Non-Violent way is sustainable, where as the violent way is destructive for the time, but it is a part of the system. <br /><br />Lord Krishna was clear when he said, whenever and wherever there is adharma, I will appear and restore the righteousness back to the society. It is not necessarily him in reality, but the spirituality is built on balance and justice and it works on an auto-pilot. Qur’aan says, to every nation, every tribe, God sends a peacemaker, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Krishna, Rama, Nanak, Buddha, Mahavir, Confucius, Zarthustra.... and numerous others in native traditions have precisely done that; restore the society back to normalcy. <br /><br />From a political point of view, the colonial masters in most every colony were un-just, when the adharma and injustice reached a point of no-return; there was Gandhi, to restore it. When the American society was forced upon by a few masters to mistreat the African Americans, there was Lincoln and MLK to restore justness and morality. <br /><br />Medha Parker stood up in defense of the villagers that were going to be affected by urbanization, there was Shabana Azmi fighting for the slum dwellers...Seshan fought the corrupt election system. <br /><br />Justice and fairness is the ultimate of a balanced society, and every one including you and I are part of the solutions while some others may be doing the opposite of it. <br /><br />Prophet Muhammad said, when you see injustice, the least you can do is to speak up. Martin Neimoller in his poem wrote, first they came for Jews and I did nothing about it, as I was not a Jew, then they came after Communists..... and finally when they came for me, there was no one to speak for me. <br /><br />Pratibha, the least we can do is to speak up and if we have the energy and passion, apply it and build a momentum in the society. Yes, you can make the difference and you will, as you have the concern that is the first step. Co-existence must be at the bottom of every thing. <br /><br />God bless you. <br /><br />Mike Ghouse <br />www.FoundationforPluralism.comMike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-88832377561342172082010-01-16T16:22:00.000-08:002010-01-31T12:36:18.297-08:00Press Release, Holocaust and Genocides in Dallas<div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">PRESS RELEASE</span></strong><br /></span>Contact: Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916,<br />email: MikeGhouse@aol.com<br />event email: HolocaustandGenocides@gmail.com<br />Website: http://www.holocaustandgenocides.com/<br /><br /><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrUDl8AyO9wwpyuBF5DP2L1a6lXQQDeEKksDCj8y3ZlRUNHq2TvlwR4gQ1KoIosQuMRXWJXUtNAEWnAmZmgtEiBr5hde2SeHMWMD5mrM4IHPMjotj9O5labUjAeLoqsWzxbCm-ytGcz8/s1600-h/Holocuast-Genocides-010710.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 171px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427497789563704482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrUDl8AyO9wwpyuBF5DP2L1a6lXQQDeEKksDCj8y3ZlRUNHq2TvlwR4gQ1KoIosQuMRXWJXUtNAEWnAmZmgtEiBr5hde2SeHMWMD5mrM4IHPMjotj9O5labUjAeLoqsWzxbCm-ytGcz8/s200/Holocuast-Genocides-010710.jpg" /></a>III ANNUAL REFELCTIONS ON THE HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDES</span><br /><br />DALLAS – (January 14, 2010) –The Foundation for Pluralism announces the 7/7 speakers Panel to reflect upon the Holocaust and Genocides event at 5:00 PM on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at the Center for Spiritual Center, 4801 Spring Valley Road, Dallas, TX. 75244.<br /><br />Each individual in the seven member panel would acknowledge the inhumanity in each one of us and reflect upon the solutions for co-existence. It is a purposeful event to learn, acknowledge and reflect upon the terrible things, that we humans have inflicted upon each other.<br /><br /><strong>What can you do as individual?</strong><br /><br />Continue: <a href="http://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/2010/01/press-release-on-holocaust-and.html">http://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/2010/01/press-release-on-holocaust-and.html</a><br />~ ~ ~ </div>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-24951110923349911672010-01-11T15:56:00.000-08:002010-01-11T16:02:03.179-08:00Pluralism and IslamThis is particularly address to Muslims<br /><br />We are still fighting a battle with the Neocons, and they are constantly mis-representing Islam. As Muslims, we need to rise above and make an effort to understand ideas and concepts without being judgmental.<br /><br />Let me give you the example of the railway lines, two parallel rail lines run for the length they have designed to run and each line stands on its own. They do not converge, but they exist side by side.<br /><br />Like wise, there are several faiths that exist side by side. Acknowledging their existence and accepting that it is God’s will to have made us different, and then his guidance for us to know each other is simply Pluralism. Pluralism is not a religion, it is an attitude to be respectful of others sentiments and faiths.<br /><br />Pluralism is not Deen-e-Elahi and pluralism is not a religion. Pluralism is simply an attitude of who we deal with others. Pluralism is co-existence. The idea of integration is oppressive and expects the minority to merge with the majority.<br /><br />Pluralism is NOT integration, it is purely co-existence. You are who you are and, I am who I am, and let’s figure out a way to live with least conflicts.<br /><br />Pluralism is an attitude of respecting the otherness of other and accepting the God given uniqueness of each one of his creation.<br /><br />Of the several beautiful values, one of the most important values of Islam is to leave the judgment call to Allah and practice non-judgementality in our daily lives. We recite the verse Malik-i-yomiddin so many times a day and hope that becomes a part of it.<br /><br />Here on this group, except personal attacks all views on a given topic have been posted. We need to resist the thought of gaining support from a few to be against some one. What is the need for it? We all can read between the lines.<br /><br />As a moderator of this group, I express my views and welcome all other views. My Pluralistic attitude encourages me to present all views, even if they are contrary to my own. This is a critical value, as Muslims, we need to consider adopting. This leads to a development of healthy societies.<br /><br />Conformity kills creativity; it is the push for conformity that we have gotten behind. The world would not have moved an inch forward if we were all conformist. From a religious point of view – we would not have had the two divisions or six schools of thought.<br /><br />Muslims are not a monolithic lot, and most certainly each one of us is responsible on the day of reckoning – I am responsible for me and no else will come to rescue me except the good things I have done. Your take and my take on Islam would differ on a few issues and that is healthy. There is no compulsion in Islam.<br /><br />Mike Ghouse<br />~~~~~~~Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-42863222096745050112009-12-23T23:37:00.001-08:002009-12-23T23:38:09.602-08:00A tribute to Jesus<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqw7zmrtiZbQOB90w-l6sXA41OxiQ09XeMK5X1yWLscEAAyvp7Byj2bKab73EvHqqH8llfcpnC7kZJdBVikUlIfD3JSUmKRfArygs2fiSmtnTPaC4TTp-Qk3Qi9h9GBzc4CkFi8tZCqY/s1600-h/Baby+Jesus.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 288px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418703741005114258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqw7zmrtiZbQOB90w-l6sXA41OxiQ09XeMK5X1yWLscEAAyvp7Byj2bKab73EvHqqH8llfcpnC7kZJdBVikUlIfD3JSUmKRfArygs2fiSmtnTPaC4TTp-Qk3Qi9h9GBzc4CkFi8tZCqY/s320/Baby+Jesus.jpg" /></a>A tribute to Jesus on this Christmas;<br /><div>What does it mean to be religious?</div><br /><div>Mike Ghouse</div><br /><div>This column is dedicated to Rev. Petra Weldes of the Center for Spiritual Living in Dallas. Some of my conversation with her inspired me to write this tribute to Jesus and what it means to be religious.<br /><br />Continued: <a href="http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/12/tribute-to-jesus.html">http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/12/tribute-to-jesus.html</a></div><br /><div>~~~</div>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-22155818990857419022009-10-30T23:48:00.000-07:002009-10-30T23:53:48.434-07:00Comfort with other forms of prayers<div align="justify">I am compelled to respond to you for I share a similar experience.<br /><br />Learning about other faiths need not mean infidelity to one’s own, it is rather an enriching experience to know that it is all belief, my belief, your belief and others’ belief in action and each one works for the believer.<br /><br />I have an odd usage of the word “translator” that I turn on when I am in a place of worship other than what I am brainwashed with. The imaginary gadget filters the crude data into refined essence. Some 15 years ago, I took my five year old daughter and ten years old son to every place of worship, they invariably would ask me “Dad, what are they saying?” and knowing this I prepared my self to translate in a language that they would comprehend. Be it the Synagogue, Mosque, Church or a Temple, the bottom line was same “God is the creator, we have to be grateful to him/her/it, we have to be thankful for the life, that our actions and have consequences….” I had that down well.<br /><br />One day, at the middle of the Bhajans (hymns chanting) at the Hindu Temple, my daughter popped the question and I had the answer to which she stood up (every one in the temple sits cross legged on the floor) and raise her hands and said it aloud “Gee Dad, it is cool, that God can be worshipped in so many ways”. That was it, which statement now has become a part of my Pluralism teaching.<br /><br />I do not see God, as it does not exist in form, nor is it compressed in words, but I see her presence in everything, and he is indeed omnipotent. Whether it is a synagogue, Temple, Church, Mosque or any place of worship, I see the same essence of the creator in a variety of words. My translator device kicks in and reads the words Jesus, or Jesus the son of a God into the creator, Krishna gets translated into the same creator, Allah gets translated into the same creator.<br /><br />There is just one singular cause that caused the existence and we can call it God for convenience. No matter what words you say, or how you bow, lean, kneel or prostrate, you are acknowledging something that is greater than you, and that brings humility and humility removes conflicts and gives birth to conflictlessness while retaining the diversity, which is oneness of nature and One God (not opposed to NO or many Gods, but oneness of our existence).<br /><br />I was trained to thank the lord in the Islamic format, and I will continue to live with that schema without grading other ways of worshipping. The Christian, Hindu, Jewish or other formats of acknowledging the creator are working formats to the subscriber and the format that I am trained works for me, as other formats feel natural to the other. I see the same essence in all forms of worship. It is the religion bud that I am attuned to.<br /><br />Mike Ghouse<br />www.MikeGhouse.nt<br />__________________<br /><br />Re: Mind During prayers<br /><br />Thank you for this beautiful and eloquent insight, Jannah.<br />When I’m least distracted, I seek the understanding that Jannah describes, plus an intention to be fully in God’s compassionate Spirit and Will. </div><div align="justify"><br />The first time I visited a Masjid, I just showed up cold. A friendly Muslim explained what would be happening, and assured me I was welcome to join the prayer, or to observe without joining in. I got into the prayer line. (That was what was I there for.) </div><div align="justify"><br />When prayer started I struggled with lots of scary inner turmoil. Would praying with Muslims repudiate of my relationship with the Holy Spirit? Was I communing with some spirit other than God’s? Was I eschewing a personal relationship with God, and embracing an abstract and impersonal thought construct? Was I compromising or diminishing my devotion to Christ or even my salvation? Was this inner turmoil an affront to God? A warning from God? A sacrilege against the worship taking place around me? </div><div align="justify"><br />This agitation continued. I kept holding all these questions up, asking for grace, direction and mercy. I felt a touch of Christ spirit (what we Quakers call a “leading”) – like directed insight calling up words and thoughts: “Don’t be troubled. Be at peace. These worries are unnecessary. These are good people. I (God) love(s) them. They love me (God). They are worshiping me (God). Honor their worship.” </div><div align="justify"><br />David Humanitycheck<br /></div><div align="justify">~~</div>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-51628662969594504612009-10-18T17:21:00.000-07:002009-10-18T17:22:23.006-07:00Questions on PluralismIf you have a question, please leave it in the comment section below<br /><br />#Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-21407110047677024862009-08-09T11:15:00.000-07:002009-08-09T11:21:14.829-07:00Muslim DenominationsMay you be drenched in peace and every word you utter, and every action you take reflect peace, indeed that is the essence of Islam.<br /><br />It is tempting to give tit-for-tats, when you do that, you are getting away from the subject and moving on to attacking the person or his belief. Is that what religion teaches? No, it does not.<br /><br />To be a Muslim is to be a peacemaker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; that is indeed the purpose of religion, any religion. Mission statement<br /><br />The basic requirements to be a Muslim are: i) belief in a creator, ii) belief in accountability for our deeds and secondary requirements are the pledge, and following the will of God, i.e., to work for a world of peace and justice as God wants his creation to be in peace.<br /><br />God is fully aware of our nature; to be individualistic and has made an allowance for that. Look at the matter, no star is alike, no piece of rock is alike and look at life - no ones DNA is alike. God has intentionally created diversity so that we can use our intelligence to respect the otherness of other. If we can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.<br /><br />God does not care if you follow Ismaili, Bohra, Ahmadiyya, Shia or Sunni traditions or of any faith, but he cares if you are good to each other and treated others as you wanted to be treated.<br /><br />I hope you care about Humanity to drop this, no one will go any where with, so what is the point?<br /><br />Akbar Ally you are doing a great job and one of your comments is included on the Islamic blogs. I admire what HH Aga Khan is doing on Pluralism, he is one of my mentors and a person I receive knowledge from by reading or listening to his lectures. It is in my profile at: <a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/ProfileMikeGhouse.asp">http://www.mikeghouse.net/ProfileMikeGhouse.asp</a> <br /><br />May we all be enlightened and work for a balanced life.<br /><br />Mike Ghouse<br /><a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/">www.MikeGhouse.net</a><br /><br /># #Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-78864315344519737312009-06-24T06:37:00.000-07:002009-06-24T07:13:35.664-07:00Shouldn't there be one religion?Paula Johnson:<br /><br />My 15 year old son Joshua wants to know. How can there be a God when there are so many religions? If there was really a God wouldn't there be just one, right religion???<br /><br />Mike Ghouse:<br /><br />Everything was intentionally created (came into being or evolved) to be different and unique and every piece of matter is designed to seek its own balance, that is what sustains and gives continuity.<br /><br />Humans were not designed to auto-balance, we have the element of freedom to find that balance within ourselves and what surrounds us. Each group, community, nation or tribe finds (figures out) its own balance; social, spiritual, economic, physical, biological, cultural or other.<br /><br />The creator is all about love and has gifted the humans with an ability to think and choose what is good for them, and has reached out each one of us and has delivered a beautiful formula called religion through the spiritual masters to live in peace with oneself and others.<br /><br />However, to maintain diversity, a guaranteed element for survival, limitation was built into the ability of the masters to deliver that message. Jesus, Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Mohammad or Shamans… and all of them could reach only so many, but together they have reached every one.<br /><br />Whether one is a theist or an atheist, humans find their own balance. I would rather say “we have created God in our own image and every image works for the follower.”... Read More<br /><br />Religion and God are supplements to bring peace (balance) to each individual and what surrounds it; life and matter.<br /><br />As beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, God is in the heart of the believer. Co-existence (Pluralism) is about accepting every which way one appreciates (worship) his creator and lives a full life without fear. No matter what name you call God, the source of all that has happend is same. All faith systems are beautiful and do what they are intended to do, if followed<br /><br />The Pluralism Balance, a New equilibrium<br /><br />Exclusive Claims on God worked when societies were exclusive - the whole nation was Catholic, Protestant, Wiccan, Zoroastrian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist.... each group found its own balance. (excesess were made against free will by men who donned religious lables) and some times those men shamelessly determined peace will come through violence.<br /><br />As the societies evolve, exclusive conclaves of groups by faith, race, ethnicity or culture will fade. Greater acceptance.<br /><br />15 ears ago, when I began the foundation for pluralism, many in the town did not even know how to pronounce the word, some thought it was a religion. The interfaith movement has brought a greater degree of acceptance of the otherness of other. The subscribers to Pluralism and interfaith are creating their own balance. They are comfortable in beleiving that God can be worshipped any way you want, my way works for me as your works for you, what is the problem? God is diversity<br /><br />Mike Ghouse is a Dallas based Speaker, Writer, Thinker and a Moderator. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and television networks offering pluralistic perspectives on issues of the day including Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, Peace, India and Civic issues. His comments, news analysis and opinions are on the Blogs listed at his personal website <a title="http://www.mikeghouse.net/" href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/">www.MikeGhouse.net</a>. Mike is a Dallasite for three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at <a title="mailto:MikeGhouse@gmail.com" href="mailto:MikeGhouse@gmail.com">MikeGhouse@gmail.com</a><br /><br />#Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-68489620858752496122009-05-26T10:14:00.000-07:002009-05-26T11:29:34.111-07:00Kudos to the Unitarian Universalist Church<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tQ-wdjmyXi1jbvggax54WUtcMVTO3V-1NjDBju4yxA32cpQ9x6BAuwH4_S9zT3B47LRFpF1n-kjobdu8oW323ZzY5hh5EH_7_2PRsZujgm9f3NqkZ5Rauaks0FZ8onakDwCXE3zp42s/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340193659422165938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tQ-wdjmyXi1jbvggax54WUtcMVTO3V-1NjDBju4yxA32cpQ9x6BAuwH4_S9zT3B47LRFpF1n-kjobdu8oW323ZzY5hh5EH_7_2PRsZujgm9f3NqkZ5Rauaks0FZ8onakDwCXE3zp42s/s400/012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOm8stfwkWMucu_x-0kaaeTQ05aGz1J0RxJT8gsQbUX8z2lzjOVHiwfVVof2qzHx1xj31soXNkgTAvD35LKVpRANJddbhufka-8WKGbfJB2tGo-3wALtK3lcFTdajymu-fwl5FSUY7XI/s1600-h/012.JPG"></a><div><img class="gl_video" alt="Add Video" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" border="0" /><a href="http://pluralismquestions.blogspot.com/2009/05/kudos-to-unitarian-universalist-church.html">http://pluralismquestions.blogspot.com/2009/05/kudos-to-unitarian-universalist-church.html</a></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span></div><div>Kudos to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Carrollton! Your leadership in creating a world of co-existence and respect for each one of God's formulas (religions) is appreciated. I hope and pray that other places of worship follow your steps.</div><div><br />This is so good to see!<br /><br />Indeed Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had also advised his community that learning is the most important thing in life - he had said; if you have to go to China to learn something good, go for it. He even made a suggestion that "if Romans practice and it works for them, you can follow it as well...”<br /><br />The question is what does one learn going to China? Certainly not about Islam at that time, but definitely one would learn the art of living; how other people live, pray and earn their livelihood.<br /><br />We have to work for that day, when you hear the beauty and wisdom of every faith included in the sermons in every place of worship. We should be preaching respect, dignity and honoring the otherness of other.<br /><br />Let individuals in each congregation speak up against any bigotry spewed out by the individual preachers towards others; there shall not be any demeaning of other faiths, peoples or cultures, there shall not be any relegation of others to a lower status, that amounts to loading one with negative sentiments or slowly poisoning the minds and hearts.<br /><br />A place of worship should not be a place of uploading hate, but rather of forgiveness and embracement just as Jesus did. The place of worship should be uplifting, it should be the sanctuary of conflict mitigation, and it should be the place to nurture good will. That is what God wills; peace and co-existence amongst his creation. That is what brings peace in communities, and that is the purpose of religion, every religion.<br /><br />If you want a better society, you have to speak out and take the responsibility for creating it, the least you can do is, do your share of the work. Speak up against any bigotry spewed out towards others in your congregation; there shall not be any demeaning of other faiths, peoples or cultures, there shall not be any relegation of others to a lower than us status, that amounts to loading one with negative sentiments or slowly poisoning the minds and hearts.<br /><br />A place of worship should load one with peaceful thoughts, words and actions.<br /><br />The place of worship should be uplifting, it should be the sanctuary of mitigation of conflicts, it should be the place to nurture good will. That is what God wills, and that is what brings peace in communities.<br /><br />Mike Ghouse</div><div><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span></div>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-69693846498776215502009-05-26T09:42:00.000-07:002009-05-26T09:44:36.303-07:00ARROGANCE and SPIRITUALITYArrogance and Spirituality are inversely proportional - i.e., greater the arrgoance, lower the spirituality (or religiosity) and higher the spirituality, lower the arrogance. Even claming your faith to be wiser, saner, better, deeper or philosophical is sheer arrogance, they you are not religious any more. To be religious is to care for life and what surrounds one. - Mike Ghouse<br /><br />People are free and should always have the freedom to choose. The greater security and freedom comes when people around you are minding their own business. When you think your faith is superior, you don't look to others around you as equal partners of the planet earth, but some one who is less than you on the soft side and on the extreme side, destroying the balance including ecological, food and energy through wars, dominance, subjudgations... causing every one, the oppressor and the oppressed to live in tensions. It is all rooted in arrogance. ... <br /><br />Religions are constantly guiding one to be humble, a few don't get it and create conflicts for their own end, but shamelessly using religion or claiming exclusivity that is not there in the scriptures.<br /><br />Mike<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-75978033828777704682009-05-19T19:54:00.000-07:002009-05-19T20:00:53.950-07:00Who Owns God?God is not owned by any,<br />God belongs to every creation,<br />God has not signed a deal with any,<br />God is all about love - the love that brings gratitude,<br />God is equilibrium in one's life,<br />God is free from all religions,<br />God is not a man or a woman,<br />God is not a being or a thing,<br />God is just a word infinite,<br />God is not limitable or definable ,<br />God is nothing but love,<br />God is the balance in one's life<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WybvhRu9KU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WybvhRu9KU</a><br /><br />Mike Ghouse<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-40732032129816817852009-02-21T16:51:00.001-08:002009-02-21T16:51:55.949-08:00Is Qur'aan perfect?Is Qur'aan Perfect?<br /><br />It is the true and final word of God for the Muslims who believe in it, it is not for the Christians, Hindus, Jews or others who are not familiar with it. However, if one sincerely understands the Qur'aan, he or she will find the essence of Justice, fairness; truth and peace resonate in Qur'aan as they may find it in their own scriptures.<br /><br />Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer on Pluralism, interfaith, terrorism, peace, Islam, Multiculturism and India. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television networks discussing these and the civic issues. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website <a href="http://www.mikeghouse.net/">www.MikeGhouse.net</a>. Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:MikeGhouse@gmail.com">MikeGhouse@gmail.com</a><br /><br />Continued: <a href="http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/WorldMuslimCongress/Articles/Is-Quraan-Perfect.asp">http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/WorldMuslimCongress/Articles/Is-Quraan-Perfect.asp</a>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-23369646503668517292009-02-10T08:13:00.000-08:002009-02-10T08:19:08.459-08:00What did you want to know?Please write your question, and we will do our best to find answers<br /><br />thank you<br /><br />Mike Ghouse<br />PluralistMike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-43587783933700335942009-02-10T08:10:00.000-08:002009-02-10T08:19:49.380-08:00Things to ponder<p>Things to Ponder</p><ol><li><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/your-questions-answered.html">Your questions answered</a> </li><li><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/true-god-and-pluralism.html">True God and Pluralism</a> </li><li><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/jesus-says-no-man-comes-to-father.html">Jesus says no man comes to father except through m...</a> </li><li><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-religion-is-superior.html">My Religion is superior</a> </li><li><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/ask-your-selves-are-you-pluralist.html">Ask your selves, are you a pluralist?</a> </li><li><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-is-pluralism.html">What is Pluralism</a> <a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/about-trinity-mary-jesus-and-christmas.html">About Trinity, Mary, Jesus and Christmas</a> </li></ol>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-90769758643175512692008-12-24T15:27:00.000-08:002009-02-10T08:25:19.476-08:00List of Questions & Answers<span style="color:#990000;">December 2008</span><br /><br /><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/your-questions-answered.html">Your questions answered</a><br /><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/true-god-and-pluralism.html">True God and Pluralism</a><br /><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/jesus-says-no-man-comes-to-father.html">Jesus says no man comes to father except through m...</a><br /><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-religion-is-superior.html">My Religion is superior</a><br /><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/ask-your-selves-are-you-pluralist.html">Ask your selves, are you a pluralist?</a><br /><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-is-pluralism.html">What is Pluralism</a><br /><a href="http://pluralismcenter.blogspot.com/2008/12/about-trinity-mary-jesus-and-christmas.html">About Trinity, Mary, Jesus and Christmas</a><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-84260541363617553592008-12-24T14:58:00.000-08:002009-02-10T08:24:28.905-08:00Your questions answeredPlease click the comment section below and leave your question, I will get around to answer it.<br /><br />.Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4113055003675271009.post-20469335471065072902008-12-24T10:15:00.000-08:002009-02-10T08:23:33.452-08:00True God and PluralismCampbell asks about True God and Pluralism<br /><br />How does a pluralist view things? If you have specific questions, please send to info@foundationforpluralism.com<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />09/15/2008<br /><br />Mike,<br /><br />I hope you had a great weekend and I hope you and your family was safe from the Hurricane and devastation along the Texas coast. I want to say thank you for the kind wishes and comments on my face book. Not sure yet what I think of face book whether it is a useful tool to stay connected to people or a time waster. I guess time will tell.<br /><br />I had a couple of questions I was pondering and thought I would ask your perspective. These questions are more from a pluralistic perspective vs. an Islamic perspective. As you know I am not a pluralist, but it certainly does help in understanding where others are coming from. So if you will further indulge me, I would appreciate it.<br /><br />1) I am assuming that a Pluralist holds that there are many paths to God. Is that correct?<br /><br />2) Can you be a pluralist and believe in one True God. Or better stated, that there is only one God? From my understanding a pluralist would believe that there would be many paths to that one God. Is that a correct understanding?<br /><br />3) As a pluralist, is there any room for absolutes? For instance, is there any room to say that there is something always true regardless of time and other factors? Can something be universally true?<br /><br />Just curious,<br /><br />David Campbell<br /><br />##<br />David,<br /><br />Thanks for the email, here are the responses for your questions<br /><br />1) I am assuming that a Pluralist holds that there are many paths to God. Is that correct?<br />Yes, each path is divine to the believer<br /><br />2) Can you be a pluralist and believe in one True God. Or better stated, that there is only one God? From my understanding a pluralist would believe that there would be many paths to that one God. Is that a correct understanding?<br /><br />David, Pluralism is an attitude of accepting other forms and other beliefs, as one accepts his or her own. The ultimate source of all cause and creation is one - the term "True God" bothers me, as though there is a false God. You are right, a pluralist Muslim, a pluralist Jews, a Pluralist Christian would honor other ways of worshipping the creator, and will not be arrogant to believe his is the only way.<br /><br />3) As a pluralist, is there any room for absolutes? For instance, is there any room to say that there is something always true regardless of time and other factors? Can something be universally true?<br /><br />Yes matter is universally true, there is a room for absolutes as much as there is a room for abstracts. However abstracts and beliefs are one's perspectives that work for the believer.<br /><br />The natural tendency of anything life or matter is to seek balance. All religions consciously, divinely, mysteriously or deliberately are designed for that to bring a balance to the individual and balance with what surrounds him/her - life and matter. To believe one is superior or true is denying the other his or her right to believe and living with imbalance.<br /><br />Hope this answers some of your questions<br /><br />Mike Ghouse<br /><br />##<br />Mike<br /><br />Yes they do answer my questions, but perhaps raise others in their place. I, on the other hand am bothered if there is not a 'false god.' It would be of grave concern to me if I was worshipping 'a figment of my imagination.' If there was not a God who created all that exists and sustains that creation, I would kind of feel left adrift. If my goal is not offend another's beliefs then I have no problem with pluralism as a whole. But my goal is to worship and follow the God who does exist. If He does exist, then how does the creature have the right to tell the Creator what is and is not fair?<br /><br />I guess I have a problem with being left to me being the one who chooses what is right for me or not. Where does one determine that it is ok to determine what works best for one's self? That sounds really good until you factor in the fact that there is a God who created the world. There is a universe that operates with a preciseness and exactness yet holds tremendous mystery. Just like in order for me to EXIST there has to be the possibility that I can NOT exist. Likewise with God if He exists then there is the possibility that He NOT exist. Therefore there can be a True God and by contrast a False God--or more plainly a non-god (a god that does not exist).<br /><br />So if there is a True God and also a god's) that does not exist, would it not be possible to worship that which does not exist?<br /><br />oh BTW, I think I have stated it but incase I did not. I am not really interested in telling another they are wrong or right or whatever, I believe that is left to God who makes that judgment. I am just curious how one operates in pluralism and how it affects the rest of life. As a Christian I cannot reason a person to God, it is God who makes that determination and it is God who woos a person to Himself. As a Christian I am to reflect His nature, His Character, and speak the truth in love, and proclaim his excellencies--the rest is up to Him. As I have said before, all men and women were created in the image of God and therefore by that fact alone are afforded the benefits of mutual dignity and respect. I believe that He gives purpose and He gives life and that apart from Him one cannot truly have life.<br /><br />David Campbell<br /><br />##<br /><br />David,<br />Worshipping is a ritual embedded in religion. Feeling the presence of a higher power and understanding that every thing finds its own balance is spiritual. It is the freedom you feel when you feel you have a grasp of the nature and takes away your fears, even though you do not have complete answers to your fears and doubts.<br /><br />The problem with most of us is giving a shape, a body, a physical presence to this “higher power”. Higher in this context is something that is beyond our understanding and has been around before we were aware of our existence and will continue to exist when we are gone.<br /><br />If you see this power labeled as God in some comprehensible form, then you would be worshipping the figment of your imagination. Every religion emanates from the same fountain of wisdom, but I do know that Hindu, Jewish and Islamic scriptures do not give a form, shape, color, time or any sense of a being to that power. However, some people are pre-disposed to imagining “that power” in our own image, as the Bible points that God created us in his own image.<br /><br />God does not have to be anything; God can be viewed as the energy that causes everything to be in place, sustain it and bring about a balance.<br /><br />Prayers are an expression of gratitude to such a thing; they are legitimate sentiments and produce a balance in you, as much as repentance and forgiveness lifts you up.<br /><br />The act of ‘balancing it out’ is your own, as there are 7 billion other acts performed simultaneously. Feel confident that you are in balance, free from hate, jealousy, anger, and ill-will and loaded with goodwill, charity and kindness towards other. This is what every religion does to us, each way is legitimate and none is wrong.<br /><br />Let me take a step further, the animist, Wiccan, the pagans and others are as right as the Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Bahai’s, Sikhs or any one is. It is arrogant of us to believe that they worship false God; it is not to them, even if you consider that they worship an idol. The act of worship is a self balancing act. Each one of the system does the same to allay human confusion and give hope and sense of security that everything is going to be alright.<br />Please ponder over this. No one has to be wrong for you or me to be right. We are wrong only when we deflect that balance; rob from others what is legitimately theirs, forcibly taking others space, grabbing others food and hurting the loved ones. Again, God is about balance in life and it can hit your imagination the way you are conditioned.<br /><br />I reiterate that my path, Islam is a familiar path to me to keep my balance and it works for me, as your path works for you. Neither is superior or inferior, it is just a different faith bud.<br />Mike Ghouse<br /><br />Our Mission is to encourage individuals to develop an open mind and an open heart toward their follow beings. If we can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. We believe that knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of a different point of view.<br /><br />Workshops Seminars Education News Letters<br />Foundation for Pluralism, Studies in Religious Pluralism & Pluralistic Societies<br />2665 Villa Creek Dr, Suite 206, Dallas, TX 75234 (214) 325-1916<br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span>Mike Ghousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01647894600183489442noreply@blogger.com0