Thursday, December 16, 2010

Should school books include Religion?

My 6th grade social studies book had a summary of each religion; two pages were dedicated to each faith and its fountain head, something that no religious person had difficulty with. I am pleased to have replicated that and include it in my upcoming book on Pluralism as a way forward in creating cohesive societies.
No one should give up his or her uniqueness, each one of us has his or her own thumb print, DNA and a unique taste for food, clothing and other activities of life, it is time we also learn about our faiths and accept the otherness of other, not to please anyone but to please ourselves that we know and we care about what is around us. 
Learning about other religions indeed enriches one to know that humans continue to search for peace and find different paths, as valid as mine. Knowing about others does not mean we are disloyal to ours, it simply means while driving on the road we are aware of all the things we need to know about driving safely for us and for others and to have a pleasant drive when we are ready to handle the unknown.
 We have to learn about our neighbors and friends, not to be experts, but to understand each other to get along and create a society where no one is afraid of each other or stranger to each other. I cannot be safe or at peace if people around me aren’t. 
Did you learn about other religions in school or college or not at all.
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Mike Ghouse runs the Foundation for Pluralism championing the idea of co-existence through respecting and accepting the otherness of other and has dedicated his life to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam through the World Muslim Congress.

Mike is available to speak on Pluralism, Islam, Civil Societies, Peace & Justice at your place of worship, school, work place, meeting, conferences or seminars. He is a regular commentator on the national TV, Radio and Print media offering pluralistic solutions to the issues of the day. He is a speaker, thinker, writer and a peace activist.

Mike's work is reflected at three Websites & twenty two Blogs listed at
http://www.mikeghouse.net/

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