Tuesday, October 26, 2010

TEXAS FAITH: Does firing Juan Williams improve our understanding of religious diversity?

That's this week's question: Are we better off by forbidding some views, some beliefs - however ill-expressed - in an honest discussion of America's view of Islam?

If you wish this article is worth reading, please feel free to comment at the end of the link, you can do thumbs up or down and recommend the article on top of the article

No, we are not better off forbidding any view however ill-expressed in an honest discussion of America's view of Islam. Neither God nor religion should be free from any critical study including Islam and Quraan. Yes, I am a Muslim, and like most Muslims I will defend that freedom to the core – Mike Ghouse

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, writer, optimist, educator and an activist of Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, India 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.  He is available to speak at your school, work or place of worship. He is a conflict mitigater and a goodwill nurturer. Mike's work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Juan Williams defines Muslim garbs

1. Juan Williams is frightened when he sees Muslim 'garbs', really?
2. Juan Williams is pandering to the fears of the "frightened”*
3. Juan Williams signs up $2 Million contract
4. Juan Williams makes a fool of the right wingers
5. Juan Williams - http://tinyurl.com/2al7s2j
6.  Juan Williams - http://tinyurl.com/27zx43n

CHECK OUT THE MUSLIM GARBS
http://muslimswearingthings.tumblr.com/

The frightened souls are those who seek a false sense of security by creating chaos and pitch one American against the other.

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 www.MikeGhouse.net

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Hannity, Ghouse, Gabriele on Hannity Show

TALKING POINTS  
Sean Hannity show with Brigit Gabriel and Mike Ghouse
1:30 CST PM Thursday, October 21, 2010
Actual Show Script will be added as a link.  

Freedom of speech must be guarded and defended at any cost; ultimately truth triumphs over every thing and most certainly truth is sustainable. However to have the moral courage to defend that freedom, its application must be universal and not selective.

Fox is defending Juan Williams saying that he followed his divisive comment up by supporting Muslims, but that sound byte has done a lot of damage.  It reminded me of my encounter with Sean Hannity and Brigit Gabrielle on the Hannity Radio Show on Thursday, October 21, 2010.

Sean Hannity reads the words off my Blog on the air, “You said, it is good for America that Juan is fired” and jumps on to the free speech bit.  I asserted, “Sean, you did not read the next sentence and the last sentence”  he was making the very same sound byte mistake defending the sound byte of Williams. I wrote, “It is good for America that Juan is fired, it sets a new precedent in placing “Anti-Islam” bigotry in its place following racial slurs, the N word, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism or anti-religion, we have ways to go, we have to include "anti-Gay" slurs and other bigotted statements in that category. This can take us further to purge public statements in the interests of building cohesive societies for America; we have to laud this decision.”

The ones who jumped most are the political opportunists with a right wing agenda and aggressively put a “freedom of speech” spin to it. Had they sincerely believed in freedom of speech, they would have defended Helen Thomas’s firing for her anti-Israel remarks, Don Imus for his racial slurs and Rick Sanchez for the Anti-Semitic comments. If you are honest, you stand for all or simply don’t take a stand on any. In this case the bias is obvious.

It is not about the Freedom of speech, it is about building responsible societies, we cannot use the "N" word, racial slurs, anti-Semitic words, so why anti- Islamic phrases should be allowed? Look at the good that ban has brought to the society. 

We owe it to America to build cohesive societies based on truth and separating the myths from reality. We have to get over the phobias, fears and doubts about each other. We have to play fair and honestly bring up every one on the level playing field.

Then Brigitte say, "All Americans" believe what Juan said, that is they are afraid of Muslim garbs in the plane. I jumped on it, "All Americans?" that is Garbage. Not all Americans may be the right wing Americans.  At that point, either they cut me off or as the assistant claimed technical problems. 

Brigitte was saying something else that nearly 3/4th of Americans.. I will have to recall and write, or pull the transcripts for accuracy.

OK, it was the technical difficulty, they got me back on.
Brigitte comes back with 98% now, down from 100% Americans that would support Juan. Brigitte was jumping on NPR for freedom of speech, where were they when Don Imus, Helen Thomas and Rick Sanchez were fired?

She shoots her irresponsible mouth again claiming that all the crimes were committed by Muslims, when I listed Tamil Tigers, IRS etc, she discount, you can't use a singular incident. Heck what about Bombing Abortion clinics, murdering doctors, IRA, Meir Kahane’s shooting spree, and killing 22 worsippers in the Dome of the Rock, Gujarat Massacre, Gaza Massacre?

Here were my talking points, following that my note about Juan Williams this morning.

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 www.MikeGhouse.net

We have to build cohesive societies where no American has to fear the other

Helen Thomas for criticizing Israel as it set a new precedent; wasn’t that the right thing?

Rick Sanchez was fired for making a nearly anti-Semitic remark, wasn’t that the right thing?

So what if Juan Williams is fired? If you stand up for him, you need to stand up for the others as well, if not, you are a hypocrite.

As a society we have come a long way in restricting racial slurs, the N word, theHolocaust, anti-Semitism, discrimination against women, GLBT bashing and others. It was against free speech one, but look at the good it has done in creating a civil society, respecting the otherness of other.

We have come a long way and we have more to go, and now its time to add Anti-Islam hate mongering to that column of bigotry, no American should feel deprived, denied of and pushed to a corner. 

Juan makes me wonder about his mind-set; was he simply expressing his bigotry or was he bashing Islam to get into the “inner circle” of big boys for fame and fortune?

Brigitte Gabriel is an example of Islam bashing, it is not only fashionable but it brings big money. The right wingers give her a big lift and maker her become big.  It is an irresistible bait right wingers throw at greedy men like Juan.

Right wingers are those who mess with the social cohesion of our nation and attempt to set one American against the other.

In the interests of building cohesive societies for America; we have to laud NPR’s this decision.

Sean sorry to say this, Juan can remain on Fox, most of them except you are bigots any way. They don’t have any sense of justice or fairness anyway.  But NOT on NPR which is usually free from bigotry. Now, it is time for all the media to follow the suit.

Oklahoma Legislature – who is really behind this? There is only one News item today on the topic and guess where it comes from? Of course it is the right wing Republicans, the losers; I hope the Oklahomans don’t fall prey to the right wing tactics.  Right wingers are those who mess with the social cohesion of our nation and attempt to set one American against the other.

Sharia law as implemented in Iran, Afghanistan, and Somalia is abusive of the intent of Sharia and no American Muslim wants it in America.  However by opposing some thing that is not there, the loser right wing republican candidates hope to earn their votes through a hate campaign… of course, Brigitte has fame and fortune tied to it.  Even Robert Spence is there to make money.

Sean if these people spend the time in building a cohesive America we are better off, the frighten the crap out of constipated men and ask for money, look at their sites. People should give money to peace makers who bring good to all.

No one in America wants the kind of Sharia Brigitte is making up. The Personal Sharia is about relating with the Creator, whereas the Public Sharia is about rules governing relationships with others. There are indeed a few flaws in divorce methodology, which is contrary to Quraan by the way. The punishment for Adultery, Apostasy, and death punishment needs to go. Well, we have that primitive death penalty in Texas as well.

Wife beating is a shameful act of men.  Just as the some of the Pastors are causing hate against Gays and Lesbians using scriptures to suit their agenda. There more men who kill their wives in western societies than all Muslims combined. Google it.

Yes the way the men have interpreted the verse, they show it as one can beat a woman – that is when there is question of being unfaithful, men instead of shooting of drowning the lady in the bay, Quraan advises to Men to admonish them not sleep with them and then the recommends separation, which the men have interpreted to mean beating softly. There are several new translations coming up in the market.   It is abused in those three countries, but not all Muslims.

How many American Men would not want a woman bishop or a pastor? There is similar number of among Muslims. How many Rabbis would not even shake hands with women, you will find that among Muslim men as well.

Sharia law needs to be updated, but in America we don’t need it, and as a Muslim I am the first one to stand opposed to the Public form of Sharia, while following the Personal form of Sharia.

GOOD FOR AMERICA: Juan Williams is FIRED

Thanks to NPR for firing him. It is a new precedent in placing bigotry in its place following racial slurs, the N word, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and now Anti-Islam or anti-religion. This can take us further to purge public statements in the interests of building cohesive societies for America; we have to laud this decision.

Juan makes me wonder about his mind-set; was he simply expressing his bigotry or was he bashing Islam to get into the “inner circle” of big boys for fame and fortune? Islam bashing is not only fashionable, it brings big money. The right wingers give them a big hug and help them become big. It is an irresistible bait right wingers throw at greedy men like Juan. (Right wingers are those who mess with the social cohesion of our nation and attempt to set one American against the other)
Thank God again for the media to fire Helen Thomas for criticizing Israel as it sets a new precedent. If she does not have the right to criticize a nation, and the media forced her out to retirement, then most certainly NPR has a right to do the right thing.   http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/helen-thomas-you-cannot-criticize-israel-in-the-u-s-and-survive-1.318705  

Rick Sanchez was fired for making a nearly anti-semitic remark - http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2010/10/rick-sanchez-syndrome.html


Juan can remain on Fox, but not on NPR which is usually free from bigotry. Now, it is time for all the media to follow the suit.

Mike Ghouse
Americans together
For Building a cohesive America

 # ##

OK Legislature
On Election Day, not only will Oklahoma voters help decide who represents them in Congress and their state legislature; they will also decide whether to officially prohibit Islamic law from being used in rulings in Oklahoma courtrooms. The measure puts renewed focus on those who claim that Sharia law is working itself into European courts and may soon spread to America.
FoxNews.com reports that the "media blitz" has started from a group called Act! For America which supports the proposed state constitutional amendment.

We want to make sure that the people in Oklahoma are educated about what Shariah law is all about and its ramifications," Brigitte Gabriel, president and CEO of the group, told FoxNews.com. "We're not taking any chances with this initiative passing marginally. We hope it passes with great victory."

But opponents say the initiative is the latest example of Muslims being unfairly targeted and could discourage foreign companies from doing business in the state if they believe international agreements won't be honored in court.

Muneer Awad, executive director of the Oklahoma branch of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), told FoxNews.com, "We take a stand in opposition to the proposed amendment." (As a side note, CAIR has also been linked to the funding of Hamas, has supported the NAACP's claim that the Tea Party movement is racist, and supported the judge's ruling that blocked Arizona's new illegal immigration law.)

Shariah is the basis of law in most Islamic countries and has been used in Iran and Somalia, among other places, to condone harsh punishments like amputations and stoning.

Gabriel argued that Shariah law is taking hold in Europe, noting that at least 85 Shariah courts are operating in Britain.

"When we look at Europe, it is a preview of what's coming to the United States," she said. "We want to make sure this does not happen here."

But is Sharia law already working its way through America? Robert Spencer thinks so. In an article published by Human Events, Spencer calls out the "mainstream media" for its effort to "deny both that there is any attempt to bring Sharia to the United States, and that Sharia is anything to be concerned about in the first place." Spencer notes the New Jersey court case which I wrote about on Tuesday in which the judge ruled that it was ok for a husband to beat and rape his wife because the man followed Islamic law. The ruling was overturned, but the fact that the lower court judge was influenced by Sharia law is clear.

Another example of Sharia insinuating itself into American life are the footbaths that have been constructed in airports and schools for the ablutions prescribed before Islamic prayers. Imagine the outcry if holy water fonts were being placed in airports for Catholic travelers - but Islamic footbaths have been dismissed as non-religious, on the pretext that anyone can use them. It would be interesting to see what would happen if a non-Muslim tried.

The fact that Sharia law can be construed to allow any type of wife-beating is absolutely deplorable. The fact that Christians living in Muslim countries face persecution and "second class" status all in the name of Sharia law is also unacceptable. And yet, it goes on. That last thing we want is to have those kinds of actions accepted in America.

Read more: http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/2010/10/save-our-state-vs-islam-in-oklahoma.php#ixzz130vSbuoQ

GOOD FOR AMERICA: Juan Williams is FIRED

by Mike Ghouse on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 9:08am

Thanks to NPR for firing him. It is a new precedent in placing bigotry in its place following racial slurs, the N word, the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and now Anti-Islam or anti-religion. This can take us further to purge public statements in the interests of building cohesive societies for America; we have to laud this decision.
Juan made me wonder about his mind-set; was he simply expressing his bigotry or was he bashing Islam to get into the “inner circle” of big boys for fame and fortune? Islam bashing is not only fashionable, it brings big money. The right wingers give them a big hug and help them become big. It is an irresistible bait right wingers throw at greedy men like Juan. (Right wingers are those who mess with the social cohesion of our nation and attempt to set one American against the other)

Thank God again for the media to fire Helen Thomas for criticizing Israel as it sets a new precedent. If she does not have the right to criticize a nation, and the media forced her out to retirement, then most certainly NPR has a right to do the right thing.   http://www.haaretz.com/news/international/helen-thomas-you-cannot-criticize-israel-in-the-u-s-and-survive-1.318705  

Rick Sanchez was fired for making a nearly anti-semitic remark - http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2010/10/rick-sanchez-syndrome.html

Juan can remain on Fox, but not on NPR which is usually free from bigotry. Now, it is time for all the media to follow the suit.

Mike GhouseAmericans together For Building a cohesive America

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 www.MikeGhouse.net
# ##

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/21/juan-williams-fired-npr_n_770901.html

Juan Williams FIRED: NPR Sacks Analyst Over Fox News Muslim Comments Huffington Post   |  Jack Mirkinson First

NPR announced late on Wednesday night that it has terminated the contract of longtime analyst Juan Williams over his comments on Fox News that, when he is on a plane with Muslims, "I get nervous."

NPR's media reporter David Folkenflik broke the news on Twitter.

Williams' comments came during a discussion with Bill O'Reilly on Monday's "O'Reilly Factor." O'Reilly asked Williams if he had been in the wrong during his now-infamous appearance on "The View" last week. (There, O'Reilly's statement that "Muslims killed us on 9/11" caused Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg to walk off the set in anger.)

Williams replied that he thought O'Reilly had, in fact, been right. He continued:

"I mean, look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous."

Williams did go on to tell O'Reilly that he had to be "careful" to stress that he was not talking about all Muslims when he criticized some and that America was not at war with Islam. He also compared blaming all Muslims for the actions of extremists to blaming all Christians for the actions of Timothy McVeigh. (O'Reilly responded that he was "done" being careful.)

In a statement, NPR said that it had informed Williams of its decision on Wednesday night, and that his remarks were "inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR."

Williams had been a contributor and analyst at NPR for decades, but his dual role on Fox News -- where he has also been a longtime and frequent contributor -- drew so many complaints from NPR's listeners that it asked Fox News to stop identifying Williams as an "NPR News Political Analyst" in 2009.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Purple day today 10202010

PURPLE DAY TODAY 10/20/1020

To commemorate the suicide of 6 young boys who were harassed and driven to committ suicide. This reflects un-civility on our part. We have to work for a society, where everyone's space, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation and belief is respected. If you can wear or show purple today, it reflects your support for the innocent victims.

Please take the time to watch this 12 minute video. I salute the council man Joe you for standing up for them, it is the duty of whole humanity to do that. Joel, You have restored my faith in you as a human, unburdened by bias propagated by self appointed guardians of religions... to feel the pain and to stand up for the oppressed is what religion teaches one to be, every religion indeed.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax96cghOnY4

Americans Together
BUILDING COHESIVE SOCIETIES
An initiative of the Foundation for Pluralism & World Muslim
 

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Should Christians (and other non-Hindus) beware of yoga?


Courtesy: Dallas Morning News, Texas faith Panel. The president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Albert Mohler, caused a stir with a recent column decrying the practice of yoga by Christians.

Mohler seems to be threatened with the popularity of Yoga, a beautiful practice to bring composure to oneself. He is obsessed with the idea that Yoga is a bait to lure his congregation away into “a spiritual practice that threatens to transform their own spiritual lives into a `post-Christian, spiritually polyglot’ reality”, and then he asks, “Should any Christian willingly risk that?” How mistaken can one be? Yoga is not a mutually exclusive practice, nor is it a religion; it is indeed a catalyst in achieving the union of mind and body that is central to all spirituality.

Yoga is neither Christian nor Hindu; it is a beautiful gift that originated in India for the benefit of mankind to function cohesively.  All individuals and nations should give and receive the good without labeling it.

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 www.MikeGhouse.net  


Thursday, October 14, 2010

Quran (Koran) Conference in Dallas, an American effort to build cohesive societies

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct 10, 2010 - DALLAS, TEXAS - The Foundation for Pluralism and the World Muslim Congress have announced a conference on Quraan in Dallas to be held between 3:00 PM and 6 PM on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at the Unity Church of Dallas.  

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 America this year."

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.

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 America.  

Bring your children to experience the multi-cultural costumes in a designated room for them.

Refreshments will be served after the event.

THE EVENT IS FREE

Please R.S.V.P. to confirmattendance@gmail.com  
Direct your inquiries to QuraanConference@gmail.com .

For details visit website http://www.quraanconference.com/


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 http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Why do our faiths shape some political views, but not others?

Why do our faiths shape some political views, but not others?
10 Members of the Texas Faith Panel respond to the question.

"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.

Full Story at: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/10/texas-faith-why-do-our-faiths.html 

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 http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Friday, October 8, 2010

Rick Sanchez Syndrome

Rick digs into his memory and relates, “When my father and I delivered the furniture to this Rich lady in Boca Raton, I asked her for a glass of water and she told me to go outside and get it from the spigot or the water hose”. It’s amazing what holds people and what motivates them to go and excel. Rick is a decent human being and has the balls to ask tough questions, I hope more Journalists learn from him. No one should nurture anti-Semitic, anti-Islamic or anti-any sentiments to begin with, but if you find yourselves in a unnatural sentiment, fight from within, do you Jihad, the struggle to fight the temptation to slip from righteousness get out of it. Repentance and apology are the best cures and thank God, he did very well in that interview with Stephanopoulos.  http://voices.washingtonpost.com/howard-kurtz/2010/10/rick_sanchez_is_sorry_really.html

In 1982, the Sales manager at the now defunct Centennial homes did not hire me because I had an accent and he did not trust that I would sell the American dream of homeownership to folks walking in that door. It never left my memory and years later not only was I #1 community Sales Manager for Ryland Homes and Drees Homes, but also went on serving as a fellow board member on the Marketing team at the Home Builders Association.

In September, I gave a pre-show talk on the play “Kite runner” by the way no one should miss that show, it is a powerful drama about human aspirations, racism, humility, hope and getting even. In one scene, the bad dude confronts the man he hated when he was a kid and pushes him on the floor and says, “We have old scores to settle” and calls on him to fight like a man. Isn’t it human to bind ourselves with setting scores as well as expressing gratitude.

Way back in 1971, I drafted company letters for Sunder Chemicals in Bangalore, India. The owner Mr. Harbans Lal, praised every time, “you are going to become a writer” and I have now written over 300 articles on Pluralism and over 700 pieces on every aspect of Islam and hope to get two books out soon; one on Pluralism and the other one on Islam. Thank God my articles have been published in a large number of international news papers including Washington Post, Austin Statesman and Huffington Post including and oddly Tehran Times, Arab News, Sudanese News Paper and several Asian News papers. I was happy writing all over, but my happiest moment came when I started writing for Dallas Morning News, my home town paper.

Every time some one says a few good words, Harbans Lal comes on vividly with those words echoing in my ears.

The negative comments of that lady turned Sanchez to be someone, to be something and finally it came out. It negates the negative and brings a balance back. Let’s call it Rick Sanchez Syndrome.

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 www.MikeGhouse.net