Mike Ghouse bulletin

·         AAMIR KHAN IS GOD SENT TO INDIA

He is changing India, and impacting the social attitudes. He will eventually strip 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   http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/teaching-intolerance-in-saudi-arabia.html

·         PAKISTAN TV PROGRAM HONORS INTERFAITH GHOUSE

Thanks to Safeer e Pakistan for honoring my work on Pluralism. By 2020, http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/safeer-e-pakistan-awards-night.html

§  ARE WE A NATION OF OSTEENS AND OBAMAS?

She was looking for a pigeon hole to fit in. America was not ready to welcome. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-is-that-state-of-religion.html

§  ECONOMIC JUSTICE INTERFAITH SYMPOSIUM

Economic Justice is the key for  success of a nation if there is an imbalance http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/interfaith-symposium-on-economic.html

§  INDIA BOUND – MY KIDS   

Connecting with the families.. it gives firm grounding in the moments of despair and joy. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/india-bound-my-kids-go-to-india.html

§  MY FIRST DAY IN NEW YORK & NYPD
so I ran towards a police officer far away... the guys chased me, I was fast... http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-first-day-in-new-york-and-nypd.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 http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/05/standing-up-for-gays-and-lesbians.html

§  TEXAS FAITH – SAME SEX MARRIAGES AND ATTITUDES - a big risk for Obama politically, but it was the right thing     http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-same-sex-marriages-and.html

§  US MILITARY’S COURSE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE - Did the teaching cause our men to urinate on dead soldiers, kill innocent http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/us-military-teaching-is-not-acceptable.html

§  CHRIST STATUE INDIA PROMPTS BLASPHEMY - Those  who are eager to laugh at others, need to look into their own pants http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2012/05/christ-statue-in-mumbai-prompts.html

§  HAJ SUBSIDY IN INDIA ABOLISHED – MUSLIMS WELCOME IT -   Good riddance, it is gone.    http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/05/haj-subsidy-in-india-abolished-muslims.html

§  CAN AN INDIAN AMERICAN BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?- One does not have to belong to Abrahamic faiths  http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/05/can-indian-american-become-president-of.html

§  MOTHER’S DAY – HAPPY MOTHERS DAY – Religious take by Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Baha’i and Christendom… http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/mothers-day-happy-mothers-day.html

§  AAMIR KHAN’S POWERFUL MESSAGE ON MOTHERS DAY - one hour show by Amir Khan  I have cried, yes, I have and you will too 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, Muslim, Hindu or a Jew is not stealing your http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/05/islam-muslims-and-same-sex-marriages.html   

§  RELIGION CREATED BY GOD OR MAN – Two perspectives; God and Man, both alien to the unconditioned http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/who-created-religion-man-or-god.html

§  RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS CREATING COMMON GOOD- when man figured out a way to live with his enemies or perceived enemies http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-how-far-should-religious.html

§  2 PERSPECTIVES ON INDIAN WOMEN - a controversial film and may  be banned in India by the fundamentalists http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/about-women-in-india-world-before-her.html

§  NATIONAL PRAYER DAY IN PLANO -  explaining the essence of greetings in each traditions and what it means to you and me. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/national-prayer-day-2012-plano-city.html

§  OPRAH, CHOPRA AND GOD WITHIN - God is within us and we can make a villain or a loving God out of him

 http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-are-oprah-deepak-and-god.html

§  OBAMA’S VICTORY IS HIS TO KEEP - Republicans should shut up and back off, before the disgusting videos http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/obama-deserves-full-credit-he-has-right.html

§  BEEF FESTIVAL IN INDIA SETS OUTRAGE – India should continue to be an example to others nations.  http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2012/05/beef-festival-in-india-sets-off-outrage.html 
  

§  MORMON MOMENT - The Christian battles with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are seemingly internal. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/texas-faith-mormon-moment.html

§  EARTH DAY – Don’t mess with Mother Earth.  Those who deny global warming must be given a tour of these places. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/earth-day-dont-mess-with-mother-earth.html

§  YOM HASHOAH COMMEMORATION BY MUSLIMS - Muslims join Jews in commemorating Yom HaShoah http://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/2012/04/muslims-commemorate-yom-hashoah.html

§  RELIGION FORMULA DIALOUGE - The following is a conversation between Dr. Kumar and Myself, it is a sequel to my piece Religion http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/religion-formulaa-engaging-dr-kumar.html

§  STANDING UP FOR OTHERS – Why should anyone stand up for you, if you are not willing to stand up for others? http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/

§  CATHOLIC BISHOPS AND CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE - on Hannity Radio, Richard Land and I, a Muslim, joined them in support. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/texas-faith-catholic-bishops-and-civil.html

§  RISE OF ATHEISM IN AMERICA - There is nothing evil being an Atheist, and one should not look down on it, if we do that, it amounts to arrogance of being righteous.. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/rise-of-atheism-in-america.html

§  NEW FRIENDS PLEASE JOIN ME
If you wish to be friends, please join me at the link, as this facebook account has reached the limit, click here and LIKE next to the name www.facebook.com/speakermikeghouse and we become friends.  Thank you.

§  KORAN GIVE AWAY WORRIES THE RIGHT -  Either you stop for all, or allow for all. Free speech ultimately wins, we don't need to regulate it http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/koran-giveaway-in-germany-worries-right.html

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

§  ANTI-ISLAMIC EMAILS AND MY RESPONSE – When I answer his questions, he does not read a word but continues to attack. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/anti-islam-emails-and-my-response.html

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

§  MUSLIM SUPERSTAR SRK  AND HATE MONGERS -  It is about the hate expressed towards fellow Indians by the right wingers http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/hate-in-america-towards-bollywood-actor.html

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

§  DARK EASTER FOR PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANS -  As humans we are instinctively inclined to take sides & strength en positions http://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/2012/04/dark-easter-for-palestinian-christians.html

§  PAKISTANI OVER INDIAN FOOD- PLURALISM - Each palette longs for certain food, and no food is superior or inferior. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/prefer-pakistani-to-indian-food.html

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

§  Dallas Park Rotary Club about building a cohesive America – Speaker Mike Ghouse http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/04/mike-ghouse-speaks-at-dallas-parks.html

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

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

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

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

§  STANDING UP FOR OTHERS - Why should anyone stand up for you, if you are not willing to stand up for others?
http://standingupforothers.blogspot.com/2012/02/standing-up-for-others_05.html

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

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

§  STANDING UP FOR GAYS & LESBIANS

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

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

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

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

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

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

§  RELIGION FORMULA – 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

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

§  PLURALISM /INTERFAITH SPEAKER PROFILE http://www.mikeghouse.net/InterfaithSpeaker_MikeGhouse.asp

§  MUSLIM SPEAKER PROFILE http://mikeghouse.net/MuslimSpeaker.MikeGhouse.asp

TEXAS FAITH: Should the ban on political activity by churches be repealed?

Should the federal ban on political activity by churches and religious institutions be repealed – or remain in place? Our Texas Faith panel weighs in – and they don’t agree on the answer. This is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News, addressing the issues facing the nation. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/03/texas-faith-should-ban-on-political_20.html

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas, Texas

As Americans of Republican, Democratic, Libertarian, independent and other persuasions, we are collectively and partially funding religious institutions through tax subsidy, and the least we can expect from them is to remain neutral to each one of us on political matters.

Every American has 1/312 Millionth of a share in such subsidy, why would I, a Republican want my money to go to a church that supports democrats or vice-versa?

As a nation we have to debate the need for giving tax breaks to religious organizations, and why do they need the tax break? We may disagree with Governor Perry on a lot of issues, except the idea that every foreign nation must justify their need for even a dollar to go to them. How does giving a tax break for religious organizations benefit every American indiscriminately?

Dallas Morning News had a similar question a few months ago. Can the Pastor of a Church publicly endorse a candidate without influencing or dividing his or her congregation? That is the fine line that blurs the separation of Church and state.

The fact of the matter is, every one of us is politically inclined towards one candidate or the other; for a majority of us it is an emotional decision. Nearly 2/3rds of Americans have decided through party affiliation who they will vote for – it is a clear choice to them; Democrats or Republicans. It is really the 1/3^rd of undecided voters that the parties are vying for.

So the top ten evangelicals ganged up on Romney, simply because of his faith - cloaked in the disguise of not conservative enough. Wouldn’t their congregations follow their lead? The most conservative states are following that lead and giving boost to Santorum. He in turn has followed the bait by going to the extreme and becoming Mullah Santorum.

If we allow any majority to dictate the nation, we will lose the very essence of America; a God’s country where everyone of His creation lives in harmony.

We are not a mobcracy-democracy, where the majority bullies the minorities, like the Republican house bullied the Democratic minority in holding out the payroll tax break for majority of Americans. We need to follow the rule of law and temper the majority with righteousness and honor everyone’s space and right to the pursuit of their happiness.

Greatness of our nations lies in our system, the checks and balances. The representative form of governance has not let us fall into a pit like most other nations. We must keep the separation of church and state and strip the tax breaks from those institutions that break the rules.

Had it not been for bad politics, there would have been one Christianity; one Islam, one Judaism, one Hinduism and one Native Tradition. Now let’s not allow the same bad politics to divide our nation based on religion.

For all the responses from the panelists, please visit Dallas Morning News at http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/03/texas-faith-should-the-ban-on.html
- - - - -
MikeGhouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he writes weekly at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, The Smirking Chimp and several other periodicals. His daily blog is www.TheGhousediary.com

Happy Purim, one of the happiest Jewish Holidays

I am pleased to wish a very Happy Purim to our Jewish friends across the globe.  Purim is one of the happiest of holidays of the Jewish people, it the story of freedom from anxiety of being annihilated.  This has reference to a point in history where an evil man plots to annihilate the Jews, but the Persian king is persuaded by Esther otherwise. It was a major victory and thus the celebration.  Happy Purim.

I have written a heartfelt article on Israel and Palestine, published in 3 installments at Huffington post.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/israel-and-palestine-moving-forward_b_1258261.html . You might understand the history of Jewish people to understand Purim.

The book of Esther

The story of Purim is told in the Biblical book of Esther. The heroes of the story are Esther, a beautiful young Jewish woman living in Persia, and her cousin Mordecai, who raised her as if she were his daughter. Esther was taken to the house of Ahasuerus, King of Persia, to become part of his harem. King Ahasuerus loved Esther more than his other women and made Esther queen, but the king did not know that Esther was a Jew, because Mordecai told her not to reveal her identity.

The villain of the story is Haman, an arrogant, egotistical advisor to the king. Haman hated Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman, so Haman plotted to destroy the Jewish people. In a speech that is all too familiar to Jews, Haman told the king, "There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your realm. Their laws are different from those of every other people's, and they do not observe the king's laws; therefore it is not befitting the king to tolerate them." Esther 3:8. The king gave the fate of the Jewish people to Haman, to do as he pleased to them. Haman planned to exterminate all of the Jews.

Mordecai persuaded Esther to speak to the king on behalf of the Jewish people. This was a dangerous thing for Esther to do, because anyone who came into the king's presence without being summoned could be put to death, and she had not been summoned. Esther fasted for three days to prepare herself, then went into the king. He welcomed her. Later, she told him of Haman's plot against her people. The Jewish people were saved, and Haman and his ten sons were hanged on the gallows that had been prepared for Mordecai.

The book of Esther is unusual in that it is the only book of the Bible that does not contain the name of G-d. In fact, it includes virtually no reference to G-d. Mordecai makes a vague reference to the fact that the Jews will be saved by someone else, if not by Esther, but that is the closest the book comes to mentioning G-d. Thus, one important message that can be gained from the story is that G-d often works in ways that are not apparent, in ways that appear to be chance, coincidence or ordinary good luck.

From Judaism 101

Mike Ghouse
www.ProfessionalSpeakerMikeGhouse.com 

www.foundationforpluralism.com 

Dallas' Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge opens on Trinity River

It is a tiny butterfly and not an eagle over Mike's head

March 3, 2012 - Dallas New Land Mark opened today. It’s the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge over Trinity River. One of these days, we will have River walk like in San Antonio, and probably bigger than that, as it is a huge basin with levy on either side…. It is scenic! It’s been debated for over 20 years now. The citizens have not approved the bond to make it happen.

It is amazing how a small group of people oppose prosperity, and not see the overall benefits to the common man in terms of jobs, economic growth and all...

Three pictures in the linked album are unusual….. What seems to be an eagle over my head in this picture is actually a butterfly; it is the same size as the one sitting on my head in the picture... I am trying to understand the magic of this picture....how did the photographer take the picture to make the butterfly look so big? The other picture is the contrast, looks like a scene from a movie... Dallas Skyline with Native Americans... indeed, Dallas is enriched with the presence of over 100 Native American nations. The story and a few amazing pictures at:http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157629141809118/

Mary Ann Thompson-Frenk and Coke Buchanan had organized the butterfly release synching with the opening of the bridge. I was unable to get the butterfly on my finger, she flew the moment I opened the packet… however, there was a kid on whose finger a butter fly rested… and took off … it was amazing… and I was simply admiring and watching it and woke up little too late to take a picture …however, the photographer took it is in the link !

I will write about how Cities function and dysfunction; Cities like Plano, Frisco, Garland, Carrollton, Dallas, Irving and Colorado Springs… That’s another story, you can watch for at www.TheGhousediary.com

# # #

Bridge -O-Rama Press Release

To honor Dallas’ cultural diversity, Memnosyne Foundation is gathered people attired in traditional regalia from international cultural organizations to release butterflies into the air. The butterfly is a sacred ancient symbol of freedom, independence, transformation, personal journey and faith. The image will imprint a message of Dallas’ growing diversity and desire for unity for years to come.

Dallas has become the incubator for America's future.

Forty-four percent of North Texas residents were born in another country or are the children of foreign-born who recognized the city's potential for ever-growing prosperity and we want to celebrate in unity!

To honor this diversity, Memnosyne Foundation gathered people attired in traditional regalia from international cultural organizations to release butterflies into the air. The butterfly is a sacred ancient symbol of freedom, independence, transformation, personal journey and faith. The image will imprint a message of Dallas’ growing diversity and desire for unity for years to come.

Memnosyne Foundation is grateful for its participation by

Paula Caldwell - Consul General of Canada for Texas, Cheryl Mansour - Chancellor of the Royal Norwegian Consulate; John M. Stich - Honorary Consul General of Japan in Dallas, Av. Nelu Prodan - Honorary Consul Of Romania in Dallas -Texas, Dr. Don Beck with The Center for Human Emergence, Ed Fjordbak with the Essilor Vision Foundation, Mike Ghouse with the America Together Foundation, Peggy Larney with the American Indian Heritage Day Council, Daniel Patricio with the Native Indian Youth Assembly, Natasha Ksendzoff with the Russian School of Dallas, Sandy Kloberdanz with the Ukrainian American Society of Texas, Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Polish American Foundation, Mayumi McDonald with the Japan America Society of Dallas, DFW Native American Chamber of Commerce, Unity of Dallas and over 200 others in its Butterfly Release celebrating Dallas’ cultural diversity at the Margaret Hunt Hill Celebration Bridge-O-Rama on March 3.

A special thanks of sincere appreciation to Grupo Cualli Tepec Danza Azteca Chichimeca Conchera with the sound of conch shells for opening the ceremonial sacred space, calling the spirits of the four cardinal directions—South, West, North, and East—and Mother Earth and Father Sky, and to Bandan Koro African Drum Ensemble for providing the heartbeat of Mother Earth in the ceremonial release of butterflies as a symbol of our nation’s most precious gift “Freedom”.

The event was joyful for everyone as the Monarchs were introduced to a new destination in their annual migration from Mexico to Canada – the banks of our Trinity River