SMU-DMN Election forum on common good

Event: Public forum on Elections and Common Good

Date: 09/27/12 by SMU-Perkins School of Theology & Dallas Morning News

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• Dallas Morning News - Texas Faith’s next public forum  http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/09/texas-faiths-next-public-forum-will-be-held-on-thursday-september-27.html/
• SMU's Perkins School of Theology to host Texas Faith Public Forum http://www.smu.edu/News/2012/texas-faith-forum-12sept2012 
• SMU's News paper - after the event. Panel discusses politics and the common goodhttp://www.smudailycampus.com/news/panel-discusses-politics-and-the-common-good-1.2914434#.UGXHYpjA9bU
• More pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157631640500469/show/

My opening remarks;

This particular election has made us acutely aware of the purpose of Governance; to find people from among us, to bring goodness to America at large, and to every American with bias towards none.

What is an ideal society?

Is where, no individual has to live in apprehension or fear of the other, live his or her own life and let others live theirs.

Indeed if we look at the work of all the spiritual masters, be it Zarathustra, Moses, Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius, Mahavira, Muhammad, Native Chiefs, Shamans, Nanak, Baha'ullah  Joseph Smith and others . They all had a singular determination - for people to live in harmony. The common values like Justice, truth, trust and respect the otherness of others, were their corner stone’s.

What does God want?

Like a mother who wants her children to do well,

 Like a teacher who want his students to make A’s,

Like a Chef who wants his patrons to enjoy his food,

God wants us to do well and live in harmony.

God loves us all, and he makes sure, no one is deprived of his care. There is always a peace maker, prophet, messenger or a spiritual master who guides the group to live in harmony.

America is God's own Country

America is God’s own country; everything you can imagine is here in America…Whether it is a race, religion, ethnicity, culture, cuisine, nationality… or even different seasons, hot, cold, mild… it is all here. We are a representation of the universe.

Indeed our diversity is the anecdote for extremism. Please remember God has not signed a deal with any one behind our backs, he, she or it will never do that.

As the societies evolve, so did the complexities, crime and good things. And we needed someone to manage our affairs for us, and we elect them to do so.

We expect them and their efforts to be driven by common Good. They need to think in terms of what is good for every American? Without infringing their rights, do unto others is the best values to guide us.

All of us have to make sacrifices for the common good. What is good for you has got to be good for me to sustain.

It’s time to reflect daily..

The Elections have re-invigorated the though process, thanks to Dallas Morning News for bringing this up and making people think about it, more than that, each one needs to ask ourselves… what good have I contributed to the people around me, without a benefit?

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Mike Ghouse 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 onSean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly atHuffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily.