Texas Faith: The religion and faith issues that will be the big story in 2014

The Golden Rule in its various manifestations will gain traction in 2014.  Even though it is one of the oldest rules to create just and safe societies, its aggressive revival is taking shape now.  Mark 12:31: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
To start the year, let’s take a look ahead. What issue dealing with religion do you think Americans — or people around the world — will be talking about in a year that we are not discussing today?

Of course, there is some hoping and dreaming in all of this. But it is easy to get caught up in the rush of events and focus only on today. For a moment, let’s look over a longer horizon. We asked the Texas Faith panel this question:

What religious issue is likely to gain traction in 2014?

From health care, the gap between rich and poor, the Middle East, genetic medicine, Islam and the West, and most especially Pope Francis, our experts on religion and faith have predictions that are thoughtful, upbeat and diverse.

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism and speaker on interfaith matters, Dallas

The Golden Rule in its various manifestations will gain traction in 2014.  Even though it is one of the oldest rules to create just and safe societies, its aggressive revival is taking shape now.  Mark 12:31: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Bhagvad Gita puts the idea forward, as though it is the law of physics – for every action there is a reaction, and the water finds its own level. In chapter 4:7, Lord Krishna says, “Whenever and wherever a decline of righteousness and a predominance of unrighteousness prevails, at that time, I manifest myself personally,” and restore the balance.

Because God loves us all, he has communicated this to every society with no exception.  Quran 10:47 and in innumerable verses, “And for every Ummah (a community or a nation), there is a Messenger; when their Messenger comes, the matter will be judged between them with justice, and they will not be wronged.”

The idea is a part of all philosophical and religious schools and now the new school of Pluralism that I run, advocates the same idea, “If we can learn to respect the otherness of others and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge”.

The two most important people on the world stage are President Obama and Pope Francis, and both are addressing the Golden Rule, “treat others as you would treat yourselves” in its multi-dimensional forms. While one is talking about minimizing the inequities, the other is more direct about taking care of the poor. When Obama dared about the inclusion of GLBT community, there was a domino’s effect and many states have since passed the marriage equality laws. Obama care is another investment in a healthy, inclusive and productive America by treating the less fortunate with dignity.

On the political front, Obama’s treatment of Iran as an equal partner in the community of nations is about to produce lasting peace and security for Israel and all others. Instead of destructive attitudes of messing up everyone including American economy, Obama followed the Golden Rule and it works.

Every century produces a great soul and we are blessed again to start this century with Pope Francis; a mercy to mankind. His acts will bring hope and relief to the women, children, oppressed, abused, poor, minorities, the weak, and believers and non believers alike in due course.

To read the view of all the panelists, visit Dallas Morning News - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2014/01/texas-faith-the-religion-and-faith-issues-that-will-be-the-big-story-in-2014.html/

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Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and a book with the same title is coming up. Mike has a strong presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links.