TEXAS FAITH: How do we create the common good in Texas?

Texas Faith: How do we create the common good in Texas?
Published in Dallas Morning News on 01/09/2012

Charity does not have to be Godly, noble or a drag on the well to do, but it certainly insures everyone in the society to function effectively. Pulling people up from ditches on to a level playing field can be viewed as an act of charity or an act of responsible investment in human capital.  Governor Perry needs to move on with the affordable care act or move away from being a hindrance to the public good.

Texas Faith is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News moderated by Bill McKenzie and Wayne Slater. At least ten panelists contribute each week including Mike Ghouse.  

Continue - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/01/texas-faith-how-do-we-create-common.html

So, as we start 2013, and the Texas Legislature begins its every-other-year session, let’s discuss that topic. More specifically: How do you think the state can create a greater sense of the common good?

For some, this will mean greater attention to poverty issues or those left behind. Texas often ranks high among states when it comes to providing various social services, such as mental health care. And high doesn’t mean good. It means we rank 45th, 46th, 47th, etc. in a comparison of states when it comes to spending for a social service.

At the same time, Texas’ economy is in a better place than that of most states. A recent survey of CEOs ranked Texas as the best place to do business. The result of the business-friendly attitude for workers is that Texas has shown a good ability to create jobs. Because we have a fairly robust economy, jobless figures here are better than those of most states.

So, there are two sides to the Texas question. And with those two parts in mind, I’d like to hear how you think Texas can create a greater sense of the common good.

 MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

Pulling people up from ditches onto a level playing field can be viewed as an act of charity or an act of responsible investment in human capital. The reality is, it adds to the common good in broadening a consumer base that will propel economic growth, and uplift everyone in the process. Charity does not have to be godly, noble or a drag on the well-to-do, but certainly insures every one in the society can function effectively.

The mother of all good is a good economy. This can be better understood by the housing industry, a barometer of economic health of a nation. There was a time when people could not purchase a home unless they had the cash. All of that changed with the creation of Federal Housing Administration in 1934. With less than 5% down, you could buy your home. Indeed, 20 homes were bought for the same money in place of cash for one.

Everything multiplies with it; the economists call it a multiplier effect. Building 400 homes instead of twenty homes creates jobs, rolls the lumber off the mills, appliances are manufactured, brick runs through the kilns, and masons, carpenters, plumbers, roofers, electricians and others get to work. Add to that the services it generates, such as gas companies, public schools and grocery stores. All those services generate additional tax revenues.

Indeed, our common good was created out of thin air, and we can do more of it in Texas by encouraging and uplifting small businesses through insured loans to otherwise unqualified borrowers but great entrepreneurs. Bangladesh is a story of success through micro-loans, and we can replicate that model. The more people we can have on a level playing field, the better off all of us would be.

We need both short and long term solutions. President Obama has articulated the long term goals as an investment in producing outstanding students in science, math, engineering and medicine to continue to have a lead in innovation to improve our quality of life.

The short term goals include re-training the unemployed and under-employed. Once they get the skills, they can support the services the state needs.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, a good investment in a healthy America will keep Texans working and producing with the least loss of sickness. That will add to the GDP and the state’s revenues. Governor Perry needs to move on with the program or move away from being a hindrance to the public good.

The answer has got to be a comprehensive approach to feeling good about ourselves and those around us. We need to build a society where no Texan – whether that person is a woman, an African- American, gay or lesbian, atheist, Muslim, Jew, Sikh, Hindu or an immigrant — feels threatened in the pursuit of his or her happiness.

Our well-being is nurtured by the well-being of what surrounds us, namely people and the environment.

For other contributions, please visit - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/texas-faith-how-do-we-create-the-common-good-in-texas.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 and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a 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 everything you want to know about him.

Texas Faith: Is separation of church and state an idea to keep religious people out of the public arena?

The separation of church and state has been a catalyst in guaranteeing freedom to every religious group. This can be better understood through stark contrasts between pluralistic nations and the nations where one religion dominates the others. We enjoy religious freedom, precisely because of our diversity; an antidote to extremism. You practice your faith and I will do mine.- Mike Ghouse

Twelve Texas Faith Panelists share their thoughts on separation of church and state

TEXAS FAITH: Is separation of church and state an idea to keep religious people out of the public arena?

By Wayne Slater/Reporter

11:18 am on September 25, 2012 | Permalink

In a conference call with Christian conservatives, Gov. Rick Perry dismissed the separation of church and state as an idea advanced to drive “people of faith from the public arena.” The governor went on to say Satan is using it to keep Christians from actively engaging in public policy. “The idea that we should be sent to the sidelines I would suggest to you is very driven by those who are not truthful, Satan runs across the world with his doubt and with his untruths and what have you, and one of the untruths out there is driven – is that people of faith should not be involved in the public arena.”

The governor’s take on theology and American history got mixed reviews – at best – from our Texas Faith panel of pastors, teachers, theologians, lay leaders and religious experts. The recent conference call was an effort to motivate conservative Christians to vote their values in November. Perry used language familiar to social conservatives – “spiritual warfare” and “Christian soldiers” and a growing tide of “secularism and atheism” – in warning of those making “efforts to remove any trace of religion from American life.”

The premise of the governor’s comments is that separation of church and state is sometimes invoked simply to discourage people (read it: people whose ideas you don’t like) from getting involved in politics and public policy. Is that true? And, perhaps more to the point, how do we make sure that doesn’t happen? In our political debate this election season, what’s the proper balance between warning against theocracy and encouraging faith in the public square? The Texas Faith panel had some ideas.

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

The separation of church and state has been a catalyst in guaranteeing freedom to every religious group. Indeed, it is an incentive to participate in the political process to ensure that one’s rights are protected, and prevent domination by any group from dictating its terms to others.

If an attempt is made to infringe on the rights of others, we all need to stand up for them, just as we did with the Catholic Church about contraceptives. Most certainly, protection of our rights depend on protecting the rights of others; a hallmark of enduring civilizations.

This can be better understood through stark contrasts between pluralistic nations and the nations where one religion dominates the others.

In Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Pakistan and other countries, the majority through their deafening silence, continues to deny the basic religious rights to its minorities. The merciless upper hand of one religion over the other(s) has undeniably screwed up justice; the source of anguish, unrest and consequent instability and pain for all.

Compare that to the United States, where the religious rights of all are protected (relatively). On any given street in Dallas, you will find places of worship of multiple denominations functioning together, that was not the case in the United States generations ago, and we have come a long way, thanks to the separation.

We enjoy religious freedom, precisely because of our diversity; an antidote to extremism. You practice your faith and I will do mine.

Governor Perry is perhaps using phrases like “spiritual warfare” and “Christian soldiers” to whip up support for his declining political power, and probably may not succeed in his motives, as the Evangelicals know that the freedom to practice their faith is not trampled. Religion has been used, abused and misused by politicians throughout the history of mankind for political gains, Perry is no exception.

We are a land of the free and need to keep it that way. The separation of church and state is a catalyst that has assured safer and securer communities in the United States, and we don’t want to regress from that.

Texas faith is a weekly column, where panelists from different traditions respond to the issues of the day - for all the responses, please visit Dallas Morning News at  http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/09/texas-faith-is-separation-of-church-and-state-an-effort-to-keep-religious-people-out-of-the-public-arena.html/

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 blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily

Texas Faith: Religion and the right to free speech

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/09/texas-faith-religion-and-right-to-free.html

Freedom of Speech is understood in two different ways; one group believes that irresponsible statements must be controlled and censored by the government, whereas the other group believes in complete freedom of speech.  It’s an alien idea for us, the Americans to imagine that Government can control free speech.

Of course, freedom of speech is an inherent value of all religions, without which no religion would have come into being, or would have flourished. Islam and Christianity are the biggest beneficiaries of that freedom.

A few representatives of Islam believe in killing the person who insults the prophet, though they sound like loonies, they are not. They are (mis) guided by the books, not the Quraan, or the Hadith (sayings of the prophet), but the books written up in the last 100 years. They have a solid back up in those books, no amount of talking or quoting Quran will do any good.

Hold it, we cannot write them off, we need to work with them for the common good, and we have to be inclusive in finding sustainable solutions for the benefit of all. What is good for Muslims has got to be good for others and vice versa to sustain the goodness.  

The hypocritical righteousness permeates in all religions; no one has a monopoly over it. This past week, I have become an Ambassador of American value in engaging with people from around the world in explaining the ultimate common good that freedom of speech facilitates. I used the phrase "Freedom of expression ultimately triumphs", as a corollary to Mahatma Gandhi's "truth ultimately triumphs".

I have written a few pieces, but was asked by many to write a full paper on the topic with the intention of finding short and long term solutions. I wish I was an Ambassador to the Middle East to seek, initiate and get the Muslims scholars to issue opinions (fatwa) to be delivered in Friday Sermons across the Muslim lands, it would have handled the short term solutions. I am writing the paper to produce long term solution and seek your thoughts to be included as a quote. I am asking people of different faiths to pitch in their thoughts.

Please remember our suggestion must encourage people to consider replacing the old books with the new, they need to see the value in it. 

To give a general idea of where I am going, here is my weekly column at Dallas Morning News

TEXAS FAITH: Religion and the right to free speech

The situation in the Mideast and North Africa has been fluid the last week, and no one knows how exactly events will turn out. But it is clear that a clash of values is sparking at least part of the conflict. As our editorial said last week, if not in Libya, then certainly in Egypt and Yemen, we have seen yet another clash between religion and free speech.

One side saw their faith being defamed and believed that justified a violent response. The other side believes that free speech protects even idiotic films.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this kind of conflict. We saw it, for example, after a Danish cartoon lampooned the Prophet Muhammad. And we probably will continue to see this tension between religion and free speech.

With that in mind, here is the question for discussion: If religion is about ultimate values, doesn’t it stand to reason that some will see it as trumping the right to free speech?

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas.

Clash of values is an appropriate phrase in this particular context, it is just not the Muslims, but the entire world differs with us on the value of freedom of speech. It’s an American value and not necessarily a western or a Christian value.

This last week, I have become an Ambassador of American value in engaging with people from around the world in explaining the ultimate common good freedom of speech facilitates. I used the phrase “Freedom of expression ultimately triumphs”, as a corollary to Mahatma Gandhi’s “truth ultimately triumphs”.

Thanks to Google for turning down the request to yank the film clip on Innocence of Muslims from YouTube.  I hope this sends a message to Muslim nations that even the President of America cannot meddle with the freedom of speech guaranteed in our constitution, a good solid enduring system of laws. So, it is not America, it was the individual who made the movie. Most Americans, including American Muslims have condemned the trailer and the idiot who made it, but are willing to defend his right to the free expression.

However, we must value the responsibility of the state to protect her citizens, and if this is what it takes to save the lives of Americans elsewhere, it may be considered as a short measure. In long run, however, we must not compromise on free speech that is a God given right and hallmark of civilizations.

Most of the world has laws restricting the freedom of speech, Europe is no exception. One of the most common challenges I have encountered is restrictions placed on, and the punishment prescribed for questioning the Holocaust.

If religion is about ultimate values, doesn't it stand to reason that some will see it as trumping the right to free speech?

Indeed, if we lived in exclusive societies of a particular brand of Muslims, Jews, Christians and others, their brand of religion would trump the right to free speech. Thank God, America is God’s own country and diversity is an anecdote to extremism.

After so much destruction and ill-will, the Mufti (chief clergy) of Saudi Arabia and the Brotherhood have issued statements that it is un-Islamic to do harm to people and property in the name of the prophet.   The problem with the Muslim world is they do nothing when problems erupt, but American Muslims have responded instantly with advice and condemnation.

I am writing a paper on finding sustainable solutions to the clash of values.  Shamelessly Islamists like Maududi, Banna and others have cooked up books that declare if someone insults the prophet, he can be killed. Over a period of time, we have to replace those books systematically ( through mutual agreements and consensus, no impositions).

There is a clash of ignorance, as Imam of the Ismaili Muslims; HH Aga Khan explains it in another situation. In this particular situation what the Quraan and the Prophet call for is different than it is practiced. A segment believes that if someone insults the prophet, he should be killed, whereas the majority believe in freedom of faith, the God-given freedom and believe killing one person is like killing the whole humanity. The majority also believes that your mind your business and I do mine.

The only good news is that the ones involved in the violence were less than a 10^th of 1% of the populace.

Muslims have failed God, prophet and their religion. Quraan (5:32) is  clear - Killing one person is like killing the whole humanity, and saving one life is like saving the whole humanity.  We need to get them and not others. Why should a religion be responsible for your bad acts?

Prophet Muhammad said, “if you are unjust to a fellow being, Muslim or a non-Muslim, by God on the Day of Judgment, I will stand against you and stand up with the victim.” That was a strong warning that these criminals did not heed.

Those who murdered Ambassador Christopher Stevens and his staff members, and those who are vandalizing our embassies were purportedly defending the name of Prophet Muhammad, but have done the exact opposite of their intention; tarnish the name of the prophet. 

Muslims have failed God, prophet and their religion.  

Texas faith is a weekly column, where panelists from different traditions respond to the issues of the day - for all the responses, please visit Dallas Morning News at  http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/09/texas-faith-religion-and-the-right-to-free-speech.html/
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Note the last four paragraphs are an addition to what is in Dallas Morning News.

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 blogwww.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily. 

Texas Faith: Is the 2012 election serving the common good?

As a way of introducing this week's question, I want to announce that our next Texas Faith public forum will be held on Thursday, September 27. Bill Lawrence and the Perkins School of Theology will be hosting the event at SMU's Prothro Hall. The session will start at 7 p.m. and run until 8:30 p.m. I will send out a reminder later this month, but hope you can put the date on your calendar. And, as I have mentioned before, everyone will get a chance to participate on a panel as we roll these out. For this session, Bill, Katie Sherrod, Dwight McKissic, Mike Ghouse, Gordon Wright and George Mason will lead the discussion, which will focus on whether the election is furthering the common good, and how it can do so better. I will moderate. If Wayne is able, he will make it up from Austin.

With that in mind, I would like each of you to provide your thoughts about:

1. Is this election furthering the national common good? If so, how?

2. How do you think it could better serve the good of America?

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

This particular election is highlighting the perverse things about politics as well as the common good that can be had through the process. It is time to seriously think about the purpose of the elected; to serve the people or those who put them up to serve their specific interests?

The national common good is here to stay, and no one can shake the foundation of our nation. Our systems are firmly rooted in our constitution and neither the right nor the left will dare touch it, although they mess with it from time to time... However, the Majority of the Americans will get back at the rascals on November 6, 2012, as they have done in eliminating the ones who did not represent the common good of the populace.

The loosening of campaign finance is like a leash-less dog hounding people to mend. Whoever throws the most money can create false or truthful impressions to gain support. Neither Obama nor Romney are scoring points on their own merits, but rather on what the other guy does not have, at the end both will be stripped from whatever good they have.

The rich are investing in a marketable commodity called President, hoping to reap the rewards later. The oil companies and Wall Streeters can throw millions of dollars into the race, it is a paltry sum to them, and they expect their man to make things easy for them. Obama had his day, and now the bones are thrown at Romney. Superpacs need to go.

To protect the common good of our nation, we need to investigate each bill passed, and why it passed - did it serve common good or can the passing be traced to money’s showered on the Senators and Congresspersons? Should we keep them? 

 There is a petition out there, which I have signed; in fact someone beat me to it. If Obama or Romney shoots his mouth off in the debates, let the giant screen show it to them that they do not have their facts. Here is an opportunity to bring common goodness to the election process.

The strength of our democracy is based on people voting their conscience, rather than bullied, induced or influenced into party loyalties.

Texas faith is a weekly column, where panelists from different traditions respond to the issues of the day - for all the responses, please visit Dallas Morning News at  

http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/09/texas-faith-is-the-2012-election-serving-the-common-good.html/

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 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 and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.comis updated daily. 

TEXAS FAITH: How far should religious institutions go in defining the common good?

How far should churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious institutions go in helping define the common good? I am pleased to offer the pluralistic solutions on the issue at Dallas Morning News in its weekly column.  

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

The idea of common good began when man figured out a way to live with his enemies or perceived enemies, and went hunting for food without worrying about the safety of his family.

What did the subsequent religious leaders do? They reconstituted precisely what the hunters and gatherers had learned. They created societies where no one had to live in discomfort, apprehension or fear of the other.

When Moses came down from Sinai with the tablets, his unstated goal was to restore trust in the society through orderly conduct. Krishna emerged to reinstate dharma (righteousness). Jesus wanted to redeem the lost souls. And Muhammad revived the message of Abraham, of one common creator and accountability for our Karma.

Buddha taught that one can achieve freedom through self-regulating. Guru Nanak saw the commonalities between Hindus and Muslims on the basis of Seva (service). And Bahaullah taught the oneness of humanity. Of course, the Native Americans had set a fine example of sharing knowledge among various tribes for the common good.

Deviously, even the tyrants had similar goals, but went about it the wrong way. Whether it was Hitler, Bin Laden or others like them, they did not grow out of their animal within them. Rather, they believed in creating a homogenous society by annihilating those with whom they differed. They did not try to establish dialogues and find solutions.

The kind of politics we choose may reflect the insecurity in us. We can pull down the religion from its pristine level of loving and caring to competing, asserting and ceaselessly confuting the other. Most of us wake up to the thought that religion is about humility and not arrogance.

It is time to consciously uplift our religions to serve the common good of humanity, as they were intended and taught by every prophet, messenger, spiritual master or the peace maker.

Religious leaders can converge on the notion of one nation under the creator, and get the politicians to see it. Together, we can work on the idea of pledging allegiance to one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Isn't that what God wants?

Issues like abortion, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, gay marriage, anti-Mormonism, anti-idolatry, racism and misogyny are indeed difficult and divisive. They also have become fodder for politicians to take advantage of. If we, the religious leaders, can pave the way for the future by learning to respect the otherness of others and accept the God-given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

Why should anyone stand up for you, if you are not willing to stand up for others? Some of the Texas Faith panelists have taken the lead in this original but lost idea of standing up for others. They wrote and spoke out against the negative attitudes towards the Ground Zero mosque and anti-circumcision bill in San Francisco. They stood up for Catholics for their rights about birth control, Fred Phelps demonstrations against Jews, immigrants and LGBT communities and most of the other divisive issues. That is the leadership the nation needs.

As religious leaders, we have the responsibility to keep God above us and not become gods and judge others for what they believe and how they worship. If we can learn to respect the God-given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge, and the common good takes root.

To see the take by all the panelists, please visit Dallas Morning News at: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/texas-faith-how-far-should-hou.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 contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhousediary.com is updated daily.