Foreign Policy - General Sisi is dangerous to Egypt's future; United States has to play its humanitarian role.

URL - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2014/03/foreign-policy-general-sisi-is.html

General Sisi has gone over the edge, and has issued a death warrant to 529 men who belong to the Brotherhood. This will begin a spiraling of violence ruining Egypt for years to come. As a Humanitarian, pluralist and a Muslim I condemn this, and urge the President of the United States to talk to Sisi and stop this non-sense. Those men belong in a prison, and most of them are habitable to normal life. It is easy to kill, and any idiot can do that if they have a gun, the wise thing is to end extremism, and not kill people. 

Sadly these bullies (in all religions with no exception) do not follow the very religion they claim to follow. Killing one person is like killing the whole humanity, there is wisdom in it - religion is about building cohesive societies where we all can live without fear of the other. 

Think about this. 

Everything on the earth is created with harmony and balance. Look at the stars, planets and the universe - everything is functioning precisely and in balance. Look at our own body, it functions well and in balance if we eat right - disturb that balance, everything goes wrong.

Injustice (taking advantage of, oppression, suppression, sidelining, cheating, robbing…..) is the only thing that messes that balance, once things are off balance they deteriorate faster unless checked.

Over the last three years, I have argued about the Brotherhood, and I do not like their ideology, and have almost called them a terrorist organization.  They want to impose strangulating form of Sharia on Egyptians - violating the very basics of Islam - there is no compulsion in religion, and no one is responsible for other's acts, Quran is absolutely clear on that. God will not place any one's burden on others.  The kind of Sharia that compels others to obey, the kind of Sharia that is unjust is Un-Islamic. More of us need to speak out. 

Sean Hannity (Fox News) was wrong and I was right in believing that Brotherhood will not gain power and will lose out because of the extremist ideology they were following. 
The short-sighted men and women in the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel would like to get the Brotherhood people killed, they do not know the mess it will make, they are revenge seekers and not the seekers of justice, balance and harmony in a society. 

Sisi wants to murder 529 men in broad day light. The bullies in power can do that, but that will mess up Egypt for years to come… he cannot kill the ideology by suppression, it will flare up even more. There is history to contend with; when King Farooq, Gen Nasser and President Sadat pushed them, and each time they crushed the Brotherhood, they grew in numbers. 

You can only change people through effective education. Violence breeds violence, and it is human to dig in their heels when pushed to the corner. 

I intend to write a full article on the topic and appeal to the dictators in Egypt to follow Islam. God is merciful, Prophet is a mercy to mankind… and if they are followers of Islam, they need to be merciful. 

Mike Ghouse committed to cohesive societies. 
www.MikeGhouse.net

Fred Phelps, one of the most hated men in America is dead, an eviction notice is in order.

URL - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2014/03/fred-phelps-one-of-most-hated-men-in.html

Reflexively most of us say good riddance!  Someone on the facebook wrote that he wants to know where Fred Phelps will be buried, so he can go spit on his grave!  Death of these rascals is a reminder. What did they gain from their hatred for fellow humans? What did he take with him? Nothing! Instead, he left behind ugliness as his legacy.  Should our hate for him make us mirror him? 

 All pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157624336357507/

Years ago, I approached a restaurant owner friend for concessions on dinner plates for a non-profit event; savings were to benefit a charity. They guy barked at me endlessly and screamed, “I have worked hard for my money, and so should others, I am not going to pay a penny for the damned charity let them pay.”  Finally, I had to ask him to shut up and just say no, and be done with.  Three months later, the guy was in a car accident, and the stop sign pole ran through his face to the back of his head killing him instantly.  My first response was shameful, but then I recovered quickly and mumbled to myself, “I wish you had given that concession, now that you are gone,  I will forgive you, but will not forget to tell the story to others."   

Forgetting is not an option; we simply cannot forget men like Pastor Fred Phelps. Indeed, we need to remind others like him that they will be remembered in a similar way; disdain.  I am not sure people like him would say – why did you not tell me about this before,  had known this, I would not have been an ass. Don’t we encounter these men and women every day? Do we say anything to them?

Forgiveness is central to all faiths.

Justice can be viewed as the ultimate harmony and balance between the subject and the elements that surround it, be it matter or life. Disturb that balance; everything goes haywire, until a new balance is attained or restored.

There are two sides to every equation – the receiving and giving. On the receiving end of the equation, the hurt is emotional or physical. When one is hurt physically, it has to be healed through medicine or physical therapy to restore the balance, but when it is emotional or spiritual; several options are available to be free including revenge, forgiveness or sulking forever.

Revenge appears to bring justice, but really not. It negatively bonds you to the hated, instead of mitigating your tensions, it aggravates your balance and causes you to brood, sulk, and seethe with anger towards the giver of such hurt.

Here is how it works; when my late wife was about to go under hospice, I started working with her in tying the loose ends of her life so she can be free from apprehensions.  One of examples was about an individual who had cheated her in a business transaction, she was angry at him and rightfully so, and said a lot of things to him on the phone despite my suggestions to move on. For years, she was seething with anger whenever she saw him, indeed if we entered a social gathering, either he sneaked out or we walked out. I called him up, reluctantly he came, and the two sought forgiveness and cried, what a relief it was for me to see my spouse become free again. It was not merely uttering the words but acknowledgment of the wrong doing on one side and letting it go on the other without consequence ( If you wish to read the full story, I will send you the link).  The Spiritual freedom is indeed the greatest achievement in one’s life and it permanently clings to you till eternity. Those of us, who can free ourselves from tension, pain, anxiety, apprehension, hostility, malice, pressure, tension, stress, strain and conflicts, are showered with blessings of peace and joy.

The humble option is Forgiveness. It will release us from bonding with the hated one, and helps us move on with life.  Let me assure you - forgiveness releases us.  It was central to Jesus’ teaching; Jesus loved us and wanted us to be free, and the teaching is same in every religious tradition.  In Quran, God says that the dearest person to him is the one who forgives, and adds, I am willing to forgive you, and you need to forgive others, it is for your own good.

 

Eviction Notice to Fred Phelps

When you give an eviction notice to a squatter (an unwanted occupant), not only he gets evicted, but will also be not forgotten, it will go on his or her record. I urge my fellow Americans, particularly Jewish, Gays and Lesbians and Hispanic immigrants to evict him from your hearts, but not forget him. ( Standing up for Jews, Gays and Immigrants - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/standing-up-for-jews-gays_b_650167.html ) Let him not cause your blood to boil, you should not give him that power. Evict him from your hearts and be free.

Sincere forgiveness benefits you the most, not him.  

I will not forget Fred Phelps, but will forgive him. I want to be free, free to do good things for fellow beings.  I had countered him at the Dallas Holocaust Museum, Texas Jewish post, Akiba Academy and a synagogue and few other places.  Pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeghouse/sets/72157624336357507/

In behalf of Muslims, I gathered many of the Holocaust survivors together in the Museum, and did a short Pluralism prayer asking God to give him sense. As I walked out of the Museum, there was a Jewish Kid holding an equally hateful placard – I asked him not to display, thank God the kid obliged while the elders looked on nodding an approval. We also prayed the Pluralism Prayer in front the Akiba Academy.  I have to find the videos and more pictures and my write up. I will be writing a full article on this to be submitted to Huffington Post.

May God help us to be civil and help us forgive him, and not become like him, Amen!

Please note: My book, “Standing up for others” will be released in April on Fox News. There is nothing like freedom!

If you wish to write a review, please send me an email at SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com

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Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and an author 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.

Hindu Temple burned to ground in Pakistan - the Muslim response

URL - http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/03/muslim-response-to-hindu-temple-torched.html

The World Muslim Congress is joined by the Institute of Quranic knowledge and Intrafaith Religious Acceptance of Quran, and Pakistan American Association of Texas in condemning the violent act of burning the Hindu Temple in Larkana, Sindh, by an aggressive mob, unfortunately in the name of peace; Islam.

Reuters reported, “Hundreds of angry Pakistanis attacked a Hindu temple and set it on fire in southern Pakistan overnight following a rumour that a member of the Hindu community had desecrated the Koran, police and community leaders said on Sunday.”

As Muslims, we are embarrassed with the acts of these men who acted on their own, and we condemn these acts unequivocally, commented Mike Ghouse who heads the World Muslim Congress, a think tank in Dallas, Texas.

We do however, appreciate one small ray of hope, “The Pakistani Muslim scholars have denounced attacks on a Hindu temple in Sindh's Larkana district, calling for urgent probe into the incident in which protests against Qur'an desecration turned into violent clashes.”

The Muslim majority is deeply concerned about it, and we urge Muslims around the world in general and Pakistani Muslims in particular to create a fund to rebuild the temple that is the least one can do to fellow countrymen. Every society has a responsibility to guard the safety of its minorities, women, seniors and the children; no one should feel fearful of the majorities that is the hallmark of civil societies.

Dr. Basheer Ahmed of IQRA and Dr. Amer Suleman of PAAT felt the responsibility to take that first step in building a cohesive Pakistan where every Pakistani feels safe. The least we can do is to contribute towards restoring the Temple. The Pakistan American Association of Texas is celebrating the Pakistan day on March 23rd in Dallas, and has generously donated a booth at the Mela to raise the funds.  All proceeds will go towards restoration of the temple.

We have ways to go; a few among us feel insecure in our faith. God is not going anywhere, Quran will not disappear if someone desecrates or burns it, nor Prophet will be affected by any acts, they have been around, and Alhamdu Lillah they will be there forever.

It is odd that Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), told The News on Monday, March 17, “Our religion, Islam, preaches peace, love and forbearance,” Then he goes on to justify the violence. “However, it is also necessary that the followers of other religions should respect the sentiments of the Muslims.” This is disrespectful to Islam’s principles of peace.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prayed for those who threw rocks at him on his way to Taif, even Arch angel Gabriel offered to crush the miscreants, but prophet did not extract a pound of flesh, nor did he blame the miscreants, he forgave them and prayed for them unconditionally. That is the religion of peace, and that is the model we need to follow.

While Law and order brings the situation under control; it does not put off the fires completely, the dying sparks grow and explode again unless they are addressed.

Muslims at large are at fault for allowing the abuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, which is anathema to the Character of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), regarded as mercy to the mankind. It is time for us Muslims to mean it, that we the followers of Prophet Muhammad follow the principles of peace he taught us; indeed he was Rahmatul Aalameen - a mercy to mankind. No human should fear us, instead they should feel safe and secure and say it out of their hearts that Muslims are peace loving people and follow the principles of their prophet.

Do Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Quran and God need our protection? If we believe that they need our protection, then we are dead wrong. As Muslims, we need to believe in the prophet, he is not going anywhere nor will he be hurt or harmed with any insults.

Islam stands on its own; it does not need our defense, and it is silly to protect God or the Prophet, they are not weaklings or our property to protect, they belong to the whole universe, don't they?

 If they curse the prophet, prophet is not going to be cursed, let us have the strength in our faith and return badness with Good, as he guided us to do; we know all the examples of his work, can we not be Rahmatul Aalameen to the people of the Alam?

Contact information

1.    Mike Ghouse, President, WMC,  MikeGhouse@aol.com (214) 325-1916

2.    Dr. Basheer Ahmed, President, IQRA,  mbahmed05@yahoo.com 

3.    Dr. Amer Suleman, President, PAAT,  suleman.amer@gmail.com

Funds can be donated to PAAT or IQRA, and funds of over $100.00 can be donated online at America Together Foundation http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/ - 100% of the proceeds will go the restoration of the temple. All donations will be reported, and donations of over $100 will be listed at WorldMuslimCongress.com website.
...............................................................................................................................
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.

Muslim response to Hindu Temple torched in Larkana, Pakistan

URL - http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/03/muslim-response-to-hindu-temple-torched.html

The World Muslim Congress is joined by the Institute of Quranic knowledge and Intrafaith Religious Acceptance of Quran, and Pakistan American Association of Texas in condemning the violent act of burning the Hindu Temple in Larkana, Sindh, by an aggressive mob, unfortunately in the name of peace; Islam.

Reuters reported, “Hundreds of angry Pakistanis attacked a Hindu temple and set it on fire in southern Pakistan overnight following a rumour that a member of the Hindu community had desecrated the Koran, police and community leaders said on Sunday.”

As Muslims, we are embarrassed with the acts of these men who acted on their own, and we condemn these acts unequivocally, commented Mike Ghouse who heads the World Muslim Congress, a think tank in Dallas, Texas.

We do however, appreciate one small ray of hope, “The Pakistani Muslim scholars have denounced attacks on a Hindu temple in Sindh's Larkana district, calling for urgent probe into the incident in which protests against Qur'an desecration turned into violent clashes.”

The Muslim majority is deeply concerned about it, and we urge Muslims around the world in general and Pakistani Muslims in particular to create a fund to rebuild the temple that is the least one can do to fellow countrymen. Every society has a responsibility to guard the safety of its minorities, women, seniors and the children; no one should feel fearful of the majorities that is the hallmark of civil societies.

Dr. Basheer Ahmed of IQRA and Dr. Amer Suleman of PAAT felt the responsibility to take that first step in building a cohesive Pakistan where every Pakistani feels safe. The least we can do is to contribute towards restoring the Temple. The Pakistan American Association of Texas is celebrating the Pakistan day on March 23rd in Dallas, and has generously donated a booth at the Mela to raise the funds.  All proceeds will go towards restoration of the temple.

We have ways to go; a few among us feel insecure in our faith. God is not going anywhere, Quran will not disappear if someone desecrates or burns it, nor Prophet will be affected by any acts, they have been around, and Alhamdu Lillah they will be there forever.

It is odd that Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), told The News on Monday, March 17, “Our religion, Islam, preaches peace, love and forbearance,” Then he goes on to justify the violence. “However, it is also necessary that the followers of other religions should respect the sentiments of the Muslims.” This is disrespectful to Islam’s principles of peace.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prayed for those who threw rocks at him on his way to Taif, even Arch angel Gabriel offered to crush the miscreants, but prophet did not extract a pound of flesh, nor did he blame the miscreants, he forgave them and prayed for them unconditionally. That is the religion of peace, and that is the model we need to follow.

While Law and order brings the situation under control; it does not put off the fires completely, the dying sparks grow and explode again unless they are addressed.

Muslims at large are at fault for allowing the abuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, which is anathema to the Character of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), regarded as mercy to the mankind. It is time for us Muslims to mean it, that we the followers of Prophet Muhammad follow the principles of peace he taught us; indeed he was Rahmatul Aalameen - a mercy to mankind. No human should fear us, instead they should feel safe and secure and say it out of their hearts that Muslims are peace loving people and follow the principles of their prophet.

Do Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Quran and God need our protection? If we believe that they need our protection, then we are dead wrong. As Muslims, we need to believe in the prophet, he is not going anywhere nor will he be hurt or harmed with any insults.

Islam stands on its own; it does not need our defense, and it is silly to protect God or the Prophet, they are not weaklings or our property to protect, they belong to the whole universe, don't they?

 If they curse the prophet, prophet is not going to be cursed, let us have the strength in our faith and return badness with Good, as he guided us to do; we know all the examples of his work, can we not be Rahmatul Aalameen to the people of the Alam?

Contact information

1.    Mike Ghouse, President, WMC,  MikeGhouse@aol.com (214) 325-1916

2.    Dr. Basheer Ahmed, President, IQRA,  mbahmed05@yahoo.com 

3.    Dr. Amer Suleman, President, PAAT,  suleman.amer@gmail.com

Funds can be donated to PAAT or IQRA, and funds of over $100.00 can be donated online at America Together Foundation http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/ - 100% of the proceeds will go the restoration of the temple. All donations will be reported, and donations of over $100 will be listed at WorldMuslimCongress.com website.

# # #

Muslim response to Hindu Temple torched in Larkana, Pakistan

The World Muslim Congress is joined by the Institute of Quranic knowledge and Intrafaith Religious Acceptance of Quran, and Pakistan American Association of Texas in condemning the violent act of burning the Hindu Temple in Larkana, Sindh, by an aggressive mob, unfortunately in the name of peace; Islam.

Reuters reported, “Hundreds of angry Pakistanis attacked a Hindu temple and set it on fire in southern Pakistan overnight following a rumour that a member of the Hindu community had desecrated the Koran, police and community leaders said on Sunday.”

As Muslims, we are embarrassed with the acts of these men who acted on their own, and we condemn these acts unequivocally, commented Mike Ghouse who heads the World Muslim Congress, a think tank in Dallas, Texas.

We do however, appreciate one small ray of hope, “The Pakistani Muslim scholars have denounced attacks on a Hindu temple in Sindh's Larkana district, calling for urgent probe into the incident in which protests against Qur'an desecration turned into violent clashes.”

The Muslim majority is deeply concerned about it, and we urge Muslims around the world in general and Pakistani Muslims in particular to create a fund to rebuild the temple that is the least one can do to fellow countrymen. Every society has a responsibility to guard the safety of its minorities, women, seniors and the children; no one should feel fearful of the majorities that is the hallmark of civil societies.

Dr. Basheer Ahmed of IQRA and Dr. Amer Suleman of PAAT felt the responsibility to take that first step in building a cohesive Pakistan where every Pakistani feels safe. The least we can do is to contribute towards restoring the Temple. The Pakistan American Association of Texas is celebrating the Pakistan day on March 23^rd in Dallas, and has generously donated a booth at the Mela to raise the funds.  All proceeds will go towards restoration of the temple.
 
We have ways to go; a few among us feel insecure in our faith. God is not going anywhere, Quran will not disappear if someone desecrates or burns it, nor Prophet will be affected by any acts, they have been around, and Alhamdu Lillah they will be there forever.

It is odd that Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC), told The News on Monday, March 17, “Our religion, Islam, preaches peace, love and forbearance,” Then he goes on to justify the violence. “However, it is also necessary that the followers of other religions should respect the sentiments of the Muslims.” This is disrespectful to Islam’s principles of peace.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) prayed for those who threw rocks at him on his way to Taif, even Arch angel Gabriel offered to crush the miscreants, but prophet did not extract a pound of flesh, nor did he blame the miscreants, he forgave them and prayed for them unconditionally. That is the religion of peace, and that is the model we need to follow.

While Law and order brings the situation under control; it does not put off the fires completely, the dying sparks grow and explode again unless they are addressed. 

Muslims at large are at fault for allowing the abuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, which is anathema to the Character of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), regarded as mercy to the mankind. It is time for us Muslims to mean it, that we the followers of Prophet Muhammad follow the principles of peace he taught us; indeed he was Rahmatul Aalameen - a mercy to mankind. No human should fear us, instead they should feel safe and secure and say it out of their hearts that Muslims are peace loving people and follow the principles of their prophet. 

Do Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Quran and God need our protection? If we believe that they need our protection, then we are dead wrong. As Muslims, we need to believe in the prophet, he is not going anywhere nor will he be hurt or harmed with any insults.
 
Islam stands on its own; it does not need our defense, and it is silly to protect God or the Prophet, they are not weaklings or our property to protect, they belong to the whole universe, don't they?

 If they curse the prophet, prophet is not going to be cursed, let us have the strength in our faith and return badness with Good, as he guided us to do; we know all the examples of his work, can we not be Rahmatul Aalameen to the people of the Alam?
 
Contact information

1.    Mike Ghouse, President, WMC,  MikeGhouse@aol.com (214) 325-1916

2.    Dr. Basheer Ahmed, President, IQRA,  mbahmed05@yahoo.com  

3.    Dr. Amer Suleman, President, PAAT,  suleman.amer@gmail.com

Funds can be donated to PAAT or IQRA, and funds of over $100.00 can be donated online at America Together Foundation http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/ - 100% of the proceeds will go the restoration of the temple. All donations will be reported, and donations of over $100 will be listed at WorldMuslimCongress.com website.

# # #

 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.

Texas Faith - how do we forgive?

Forgiveness brings complete relief, and this is how it works; when my late wife was about to go under hospice, one of the things I started working was tying the loose ends of her life. One of the examples was about an individual who had cheated her in a business transaction, she was angry at him and rightfully so, and for years, she was seething with anger whenever she saw him, if we entered a party, either he sneaked out or we walked out. I called him up, reluctantly he came, and the two sought forgiveness and cried. It is not merely words but acknowledgment of the wrong doing on one side and letting it go on the other without consequence.

Published at Dallas Morning on March 18, 2014 - How do we forgive
Continued - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2014/03/texas-faith-how-do-we-forgive.html


Texas Faith: How do we forgive?
By Rudolph Bush | rbush@dallasnews.com
1:25 pm on March 18, 2014 | Permalink
    
Three days after police found the body of 17-year-old Ivan Mejia in the woods in Garland, his father, Flavio, offered forgiveness to those responsible for the young man’s murder. It was the family’s first public statement.

Two of Ivan’s classmates are in custody for the murder, something police say occurred because of a fight over a girl.

Forgiveness is central to so many faiths. But how do we forgive? And what does forgiveness do for the one who forgives and the one who is forgiven? Can true forgiveness come so quickly as the Mejia family offered it, or must it come through time and grief?

Below is Flavio’s statement.

First, we want to thank you on behalf of our family for
respecting our privacy and our silence. We want Ivan to be remembered as a good servant of society who sought the well-being of others and gave a friendly hand in very humble ways and without pretensions. Also he held in high esteem his faith and his passion for Jesus.

It is because of the faith that we profess and that we instilled in Ivan that we hold no grudge toward the people involved in this unfortunate event. We pray for their families because we understand that just like us they are going through a very unpleasant time. We thank God for his strength, for his care of our family. We thank from our heart our congregation El Lugar de Su Presencia, the community, friends and relatives who have been of help and blessing in these moments that are so difficult for our family.

We have the certainty that our Ivan lived each moment of his life impassioned by his Creator and we know that he did it as a good soldier of Christ. Like the word says in 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.”

Thanks for your attention. We bless you in the name of Jesus.

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


Forgiveness is indeed central to all faiths, and the right time to forgive starts from the moment one is harmed, hurt and injured by the other until one is free from anguish, discomfort and the need for justice.

Justice can be viewed as the ultimate harmony and balance between the subject and the elements that surround it, be it matter or life. Disturb that balance; everything goes haywire, until a new balance is attained or restored.

There are two sides to every equation – the receiving and giving. On the receiving end of the equation, the hurt is emotional or physical. When one is hurt physically, it has to be healed through medicine or physical therapy to restore the balance, but when it is emotional or spiritual; several options are available to be free including revenge and forgiveness.

In every occurrence of imbalance, there is a negative bonding that takes place, and causes one to brood, sulk, and seethe with anger towards the giver of such hurt. One is bonded to the other and simply cannot be shaken off. It can come off in two ways; getting even or forgiveness.

The Old Testament offers solace in getting even, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. I am not sure if they would be psychologically free from such an action, as the revenge is a continuum, it reshapes one from being a receiver to a giver of the hurt, and hence a new imbalance is created. This method is used by a portion of the population in each group.

Forgiveness brings complete relief, and this is how it works; when my late wife was about to go under hospice, one of the things I started working was tying the loose ends of her life. One of examples was about an individual who had cheated her in a business transaction, she was angry at him and rightfully so, and for years, she was seething with anger whenever she saw him, if we entered a party, either he sneaked out or we walked out. I called him up, reluctantly he came, and the two sought forgiveness and cried. It is not merely words but acknowledgment of the wrong doing on one side and letting it go on the other without consequence.

A few days before the end, when she could not speak any more, I asked forgiveness for my shortcomings, without blinking an eye she asked back. That brought us relief and gave us freedom, nirvana, moksha, mukti and salvation to both of us. That is precisely what Flavio Mejia did in Garland.

In my tradition Islam, forgiveness and compassion are placed at the highest of all deeds. God in the Quran says,  the most dearest person to him is the one who forgives. (this sentence modified).


To read the take of other panelists, please go to Dallas Morning News at http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/03/texas-faith-how-do-we-forgive.html/#more-36312

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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.

My Religion is beautiful

My religion is beautiful to me,
as yours is beautiful to you.
 

MY RELIGION IS BEAUTIFUL

My religion is beautiful to me,
as yours is beautiful to you.

Religion is about humility,
that builds bridges.

Religion is not arrogance,
arrogance causes  conflicts.

You did not get your religion right,
if it makes you look down on others.

If religion causes you to hate the other,
then you did not get your religion right.

So, I declare today;
that my religion is NOT superior to any,
my religion makes me humble and caring,
and respecting the otherness of others.

 My religion is beautiful, so is yours!

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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.
 

Salute Mayors Blasio and Walsh for boycotting St. Patrick's day parade

It takes guts to stand up for what is right! These two Mayors refused to join the St. Patrick ’s Day parade – because the organizers refused to include fellow Americans who are Gays and Lesbians. Is this the America we want? If you like the message, share it. 

Thank you. Mike Ghouse, America Together Foundation.

India's experiment with clean politics and preferred election outcome

Years ago, India ranked # 1 on the list of corrupt nations in the world, and today it is not. Despite the economic, social, cultural frictions we have, we are inherently a pluralistic democracy.

The General Elections are going to be held from April 7 through May 12, 2014, and we have several regional and national parties competing for the 543 Parliament seats. There are two major alliances of regional parties;  NDA - National Democratic Alliance with BJP as its anchor, and UPA- United Progressive Alliance with Congress as its anchor. There is a third front is emerging with regional parties and AAP.  It takes 272 Members to form a government.  Currently Congress holds 228 seats and BJP 137, all of this is likely to turn upside down.

Arvind Kejriwal leads a brand new Party called AAP -Aam Aadmi Party, and his party will be competing with two well organized established parties – Narendra Modi leads the BJP – Bharatiya Janata Party (Indian version Republicans) and Rahul Gandhi heads the INC- Indian National Congress (Democrat equivalent).

You may differ, but my personal choice is for no party to win the majority. A coalition government would be much better, as it compels them to be watching each other, decisions will be made by issue and not party line. It will also lend to greater debates on the issues. Unlike the US, if the coalition government does not perform, it can be brought down with a no confidence vote.

Arvind Kejriwal – no experience in governance, nor does he have an established system to carry the Party – the AAP; Aam Aadmi Party – common man’s party. But he is good for India. He wants to run a clean corruption free government. My worry is simply this –what if he is killed by the same party that killed Mahatma Gandhi, does he have an established system to carry the party forward without him? Is the manifesto written up?

Arvind is a good guy – at least corruption will be checked, but we need to make sure, he has systems in place to carry the business of governance.

The man leading the BJP plank is Narendra Modi, who needs lessons in history, biology, math and society, he is making blunders upon blunders. His popularity sounds like Ted Cruz's but not sure if it is managed or real. He is not an inclusive man and does not seem to believe in freedom. His state is one of the few where Christians, Dalits and Muslims are harassed, people do not have the freedom to choose their faith.

In the last two months he has worn over 25 different style hats in every town he visits, but refused to wear a hat given by Muslims – Under his watch nearly 1200 people were massacred while he did not stop the mayhem, 20,000 People are still living in wretched camps displaced by the massacres. To this day, he has not expressed remorse or regret for the deaths, just like George Bush has not done it yet. He promises prosperity and development, and is compared to Hitler, who promised and delivered prosperity to Germans at the cost of Jews and others, at the end nothing survived. If he does not care for social structure, all that development will not be sustainable.

Rahul Gandhi on the other hand represents the INC – it appears that he does not want to fight to win, nor does he have the experience. The only thing going for him is the party machinery which is well established. He lacks experience and does not have guts to run the largest government in the world.

Again, no one should be given a free hand, let there be a coalition government, let them learn to work with each other and deliver prosperity without hurting the social structure. A cohesive India is the way to go, a prosperous India without cohesiveness is doomed, the disparities may give birth to communism - to rip from the over night rich to give it to the depressed ones.

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/IndiaPluralism
Yahoogroups: DallasIndians@yahoogroups.com 
URL: http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/2014/03/indias-experiment-with-clean-politics.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.

Fox News : Missing Malaysian Plane and Terrorism angle on Sean Hannity show with Brigitte Gabrielle and Mike Ghouse

Missing Malaysian Airlines flight: Was it terrorism?

Published March 12, 2014 | Hannity | Sean Hannity

With: Brigitte Gabriel, Mike Ghouse
Video: http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/2014/03/13/missing-malaysian-airlines-flight-was-it-terrorism

This is a rush transcript from "Hannity," March 12, 2014. This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.
SEAN HANNITY, HOST:  And this is a Fox News Alert. A Chinese government agency is reporting tonight that it has satellite images of suspected debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines plane. Meanwhile, authorities are still not ruling out the possibility that terrorism played a role in the disappearance of the airliner. Remember, this happened on Saturday.

Joining me now to talk more about the tragic possibility are Act for America president Brigitte Gabriel and the president of the America Together Foundation, Mike Ghouse.

Mike, look, we live in a post-9/11 world. Does your first thought go towards terrorism? I have -- I am unapologetic in saying that's where my thoughts go to.

MIKE GHOUSE, AMERICA TOGETHER FOUNDATION: Well, you're absolutely right. That was my thought and the thought of many Muslims. Praying God, I wish it is not terrorism. And you're right, Sean, that goes out.

But first of all, my prayer to the victims of the 293rd (ph) people who died. And also, I want to condemn the cavalier attitude of the aviation minister of Malaysia. The guy said...

HANNITY: Oh, they've been awful.

GHOUSE: ... the Chinese -- Chinese (INAUDIBLE) to nothing. And I was very upset with that.

HANNITY: All right, Brigitte, I mean, this is the world we live in. And it seems, you know, in a post-9/11 world, it would be foolish not to suspect right out of hand that this could be an incident of terrorism, right?

BRIGITTE GABRIEL, ACT FOR AMERICA PRESIDENT: Exactly. And I believe, Sean, that both the Chinese and the Malaysians believed immediately that it had something to do with terrorism.

Listen, the Taiwan national security bureau already warned China that there going to be a terrorist attack against the Beijing airport and the subways just few days before this disappearance of this airline.

Also, China has been on high alert regarding terrorism, especially after the first of the month, March 1st, where there was a terrorist attack in a train station, where 29 people were killed and 140 injured.

The Chinese government suspects it is a group called the East Turkistan Islamic Movement, which is a separatist movement in China trying to declare independence from China. They are also known as ethnic Uighurs. As you may remember, Sean, we had three of them in Gitmo arrested because they were fighting with Al Qaeda that we -- China did not want them back. We ended up sending them to Bermuda, where we settled them three years ago.

HANNITY: All right...

GABRIEL: So that's what the Chinese know, and that's what they are dealing with.

HANNITY: All right, Mike, your final thought?

GHOUSE: Well, I'm glad we were able to find the debris. What a relief to the families that at least they know they are dead. It did not disappear somewhere in the air. That is a big relief. And again, my prayers go out to the victims. And again, I condemn the Malaysian minister for taking that cavalier attitude. We should worry about every life. Every life is precious, and I hope we find out...

HANNITY: But the debris is the first -- the debris gives us the answer. Was this an act of terror, was it an accident of some kind?

All right, guys, thank you both for being with us. Appreciate it.

Content and Programming Copyright  2014 Fox News Network, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Copyright 2014 CQ-Roll Call, Inc. All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content.
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TONITE ON FOX NEWS – SEAN HANNITY SHOW WITH GHOUSE & GARBRIELLE

TERRORISM FEARS FLY IN CHINA AS SEARCH FOR MISSING JET CONTINUES

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2014/03/10/China_MH370_terrorism_chatter

 MONITORING FOR NEWS: WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY JAY CARNEY BRIEFS AT 1PM ET

I hope to condemn their aviation minister who was reckless with his statement and discounted the passengers as mostly Chinese, as if their life means less. 

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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.