· AAMIR KHAN IS GOD SENT TO INDIA
He is changing India, and impacting the social attitudes. He is bringing Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, Christians, Buddhists, street people, palace people, men, women and children on common grounds. A deep sense of empathy and connection is binding people together. He will eventually strip biases and prejudices in people towards the other and bring mukti to them. Contd.
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/aamir-khan-is-god-sent.html
· TEACHING INTOLERANCE IN SAUDI ARABIA
What they are teaching in Saudi Arabia is a major concern, however, it should not be looked as an opportunity to laugh at them, but an opportunity for all of us to examine about ourselves and find a solution to bring about a world wide change, we are all in this together. Let’s never forget the words of wisdom from the first pluralist of the world; Jesus Christ, Contd. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/teaching-intolerance-in-saudi-arabia.html
· PAKISTAN TV PROGRAM HONORS INTERFAITH MIKE GHOUSE
Thanks to Safeer e Pakistan for honoring my work on Pluralism. By the end of 2020, there will not be a major city in the America, and perhaps in the world, where you will not find people of different faiths working, eating, and doing social things together. We need to prepare ourselves for those situations to prevent possible conflicts and lay a good foundation for nurturing goodwill. Exclusive communities will become a thing of the past.
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/safeer-e-pakistan-awards-night.html
· ARE WE A NATION OF OBAMA’S AND OSTEENS?
Years ago, I interviewed a Russian lady on my radio program about religion in America, her response was enlightening. She said, growing up in Russia, she was not conditioned about God or religion to have the proclivity to believe in either, but she was looking for a pigeon hole to fit in. America was not ready to welcome a Godless person then.
Of course, the Russian lady chose to become a Baha’i as it offered the least conflict to her, and I chose Islam as I took time to learn about the pluralistic values embedded in it. I could have chosen any religious path and each would have been equally good for me.
· INTERFAITH SYMPOSIUM ON ECONOMIC JUSTICE
What did Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad and others do? The idea of economic justice began, when man figured out a way to live with his enemies or perceived enemies, and live with the available food without worrying about the food being stolen or safety of his family.
Economic Justice is the key for the success of a nation, where everyone benefits from the prosperity, if there is an imbalance, it will start falling apart for wealth accumulators, consumers and producers alike.
I need to write a full blown article to teach economic justice and its benefits to my fellow Republicans. Doing good does well to all. Rich people will get richer, if they have a healthy work force. I hope to get this to them before they turn things upside down.
· INDIA BOUND- MY KIDS GO TO INDIA
Connecting with the families has its own rewards… it gives firm grounding in the moments of despair and joy. I hope we get over our egos and find our base. There is peace in it. It was a good feeling to see them off… I was lost for a fraction of a second, thinking I was to take them with me… heavens, they are adults – Jeff is a big time attorney, Fern is a big time research engineer and Mina just got her degree in Psychology… they are not kids any more. Get over it Mike! http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/india-bound-my-kids-go-to-india.html
· MY FIRST DAY IN NEW YORK CITY & NYPD
Anyway, I did not know what to do, so I ran towards a police officer far away… the guys chased me, I was fast… I used to run 6 miles every morning in Saudi… when they saw I was closer to the police officer, they held back. I asked the officer if he can help me get to the subway, and he obliged.. the good man walked with me and waited till I boarded the sub… http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-first-day-in-new-york-and-nypd.html
· MUSLIM TRACT ON SAME SEX MARRIAGE
On this topic there is a two tract conversation going on that I am aware of – the mainstream tract at Dallas Morning News/ Facebook and the Muslim tract. Here is a part of the Muslim conversation, I am responding to Mujtuba, because he has genuine question and not a judgmental response. We can debate with those who want to learn and not with those who are set in their tracts. I will, if I get the time, post the mainstream conversation here. http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/05/same-sex-marriages-and-changing.html
§ STANDING UP FOR GAYS & LESBIANS –
Don’t make the mistake that one has to be gay to stand up for gays, if that were the case, the world would be chaotic and ruthlessly selfish. Each one of the spiritual masters worked to build a society where no one had to live in fear of the other, as it will keep everyone in the fear. The role of religion was to build cohesive and secure societies. http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/05/standing-up-for-gays-and-lesbians.html
§ SAME SEX MARRIAGES AND CHANGING ATTITUDES
President Obama has indeed become a catalyst for this change. Right after he announced his personal take on the issue, a host of organizations are starting to come around to his view. It was a big risk for Obama politically, but it was the right thing to stand up for individual liberties, rights and freedom of expression. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-same-sex-marriages-and.html
§ AAMIR KHAN’S POWERFUL MESSAGE ON MOTHERS DAY
It is one hour show by Amir Khan I have cried, yes, I have and you will too and value your genuine feelings about what is going on in India. At the end there is mega hope…. The language of the film is “us, among us” and rarely them and they. Indeed, it is the first of the 7 goals we have set at America Together Foundation. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/amir-khans-powerful-message-on-mothers_12.html
§ SAME SEX MARRIAGE, ISLAM AND MUSLIMS
As long as a Gay, a Muslim, a Hindu or a Jew is not stealing your food, gas, house, clothing, money or hurting your loved ones – he or she can live his life the way he or she chooses. The society’s responsibility is limited to punishing the individual for the acts that affect public safety and those acts that an overwhelming majority agrees to abide by. A long conversation http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/05/islam-muslims-and-same-sex-marriages.html
§ CAN INDIAN AMERICAN BECOME PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES?
§ TEXAS FAITH – RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION CREATING COMMON GOOD
When Moses came down from Sinai with the tablets, his unstated goal was to restore trust in the society through orderly conduct. Krishna emerged to reinstate dharma (righteousness). Jesus wanted to redeem the lost souls. And Muhammad revived the message of Abraham, of one common creator and accountability for our Karma. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-how-far-should-religious.html
§ 2 PERSPECTIVES ON WOMEN IN INDIA
The documentary is about Women in India, and sounds like a controversial film and may even be banned in India by the fundamentalists. It may be worth exploring the human gene that makes one a fundamentalist. Until it is proven, the “insecurity” and “impotency” in men particularly seems like the driving factor for them to be a fundamentalists. No matter what religion, culture, nationality or tradition one wears, the characteristics are familiar; Oppression of women. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/about-women-in-india-world-before-her.html
§ NATIONAL PRAYER DAY IN PLANO
I did my interfaith greetings, which includes explaining the essence of greetings in each traditions and what it means to you and me. The greetings shared were from Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Wicca, Native Americans and Zoroastrian traditions. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/national-prayer-day-2012-plano-city.html
§ OPRAH, CHOPRA AND GOD WITHIN
When one is at peace with himself or herself, God resides in him/her in full glory. God in itself is neither good nor bad, it is like the nuclear power, in the right hands it is a blessing and in the wrong ones it will destroy families, communities and nations. God is within us and we can make him a villain or an all loving God through our actions, the choice is ours. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-are-oprah-deepak-and-god.html
§ INDIA’S BEEF FESTIVAL SETS OUTRAGE
The messed up nations are looking up to India to be like India. As a model nation, we should continue to be an example to others and not even think of becoming like them. We are a witness to the prosperity of America, we pray the way we want to pray, we eat what we want to eat and believe what we want to believe, aren’t we successful?
http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/05/beef-festival-in-india-sets-off-outrage.html
§ MORMON MOMENT – Dallas Morning News –
The Christian battles with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are seemingly internal. I am convinced that it is better and more truthful to learn of others from them as they say “this is what we believe” rather than from those who would say, “This is what they believe”. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/texas-faith-mormon-moment.html
§ EARTH DAY – Don’t mess with Mother Earth.
§ YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION BY MUSLIMS
§ RELIGION FORMULA
Here is a Religious formula that needs empirical data to support it. However, if you make a serious observation of your groups of people over 100, you can comfortably see these numbers work more often than not. this formula can be applied across the board to every group; be it religious, racist, ethnic, nationalistic or political http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/religion-formula.html
§ CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
§ KORAN GIVE AWAY WORRIES THE RIGHT
One should have the freedom to distribute the copy of Quraan. Either you stop for all, or allow for all. Free speech ultimately wins, we don’t need to regulate it. If the worry is that the readers may convert to Islam, so what? Let people have the freedom to breathe, drink, eat, wear and believe what works for them. We cannot have double standards. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/koran-giveaway-in-germany-worries-right.html
§ VIRTOUS ADDRESS
§ ANTI-ISLAMIC EMAILS AND MY RESPONSE
§ STANDING UP FOR GAYS & LESBIANS
Americans Together, Cohesive America, Muslim Speaker, Interfaith Speaker, Speaker Mike Ghouse, Pluralism Center