Composition of a given society.

There is a dire need for us to understand the social structures, how the societies put together, it will help us cut down the prejudices and stereotyping of the others.  Pluralism is respecting the otherness of others and accepting each other's God-given uniqueness.

This template is merely a guideline, and you can impose this on any religion, social group, racial group, ethnic group... and it seems to work.

Let me define one items at a time.

Moderates - Those who have the least problems with others, they mind their own business, and they are busy with living their life and letting others live theirs and they are the majority.

Kill or get Killed conservatives - These are the terrorists and conservatives. The strongly believe in exclusions, it is their way or no way, they may resort of violence like a lion or act like Hyenas.

More next week. 



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Conservatives v. Progressives

First of all, it really should be Conservatives V. Progressives.  Indeed, they are two forces that pull and push the society to stay put or move forward. Yester year’s progressives are today’s conservatives.  In social terms, it means the acceptance of un-married couples “living together” by an average conservative was a liberal idea 50 years ago, and 10 years from now acceptance of GLBT community without reluctance would be a conservative ideal.  

Both are essential to maintain a continuous equilibrium in a given society.  |

If conservatives had won the full battle – we would still be thinking the world would be flat; we would not have allowed modern medicine to save lives; we would not have allowed newer delicious foods that we enjoy today or even allowed the movies to flourish and would have lived in caves.  

On the other hand if Liberals had won the full battle – we would have fallen out of the orbit of the earth; individualism (me, me and me) would have taken over to the detriment of family, community and societies;  and we would have had a society that goes nuts with no regulations.

Neither of them will ever win the full battle, there is always going to be a give and take to accommodate the overwhelming majority of moderates, who see the value in both conservatism and progressivism.

What has been short in supply is the voice of moderates and the peace makers.

I have chosen to be a passionate moderate, who would assert the values that work for all of us; the conservatives, progressives and the rest of us, who make up 90% of the society, any society. Where do you stand?

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Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism at work place, politics, religion, society, gender, race, culture, ethnicity, food and foreign policy. All about him is listed in several links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com and 10 other blogs. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Incredible Muslim contribution - 1001 Inventions.

Please take a look at this site listed below, you will be lost, there is so much to see on this site!  There are so many powerful videos, all made with grand themes and unbelievable production quality.  After a while in frustration you bang you fist, where did we go wrong from that point?

It is precisely the time when Muslims were made to shut up, and compelled not to ask questions; it is the time when Muslims were turned into takfiri robots conditioned to ignore “ Malik-i-Yomiddin” and pre-empt God in judging others to be less than Muslims or no Muslims at all.  Its time when we forgot the bottom line of God’s commandment – Mind your own damned business!

What do we need to do? First, open up our minds, no one is inferior or superior to us, except by our good acts that benefit mankind. Second we judge no one for their “faith” that is between the individual and God. Finally, learn to respect the otherness of others, that is how God has created each one of us by design, no one will bear other’s burdens, and you are responsible for you own deeds and not others. God assures his grace to everyone who takes care of his creation; life and matter.

The social atmosphere is conducive to do a lot of good to fellow beings, remember that is the highest of all the goods one can do. Just speak up, when you see something wrong, and if you do, you will be freed that you have done your job and that is the least you can do.

God has given us the life to cherish and enjoy it to the fullest both here and here after, we cannot be unjust and sacrifice one for the other.  Enjoy the God Given life, be free, Islam makes you free.

Site to visit - http://www.1001inventions.com/

Well, we have an organization in Dallas called Institute of Medieval Sciences that promotes the Muslim contribution to society, science and mathematics from that era. Their site is http://impms.net/. Thanks the Ambassador Ahsani, Dr. Basheer Ahmed and Mr. Edward Thomas the founding chairs of the organization, and if you have an interest join them and support their effort.

1001 Inventions: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Civilization - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB0UUiS6ZNU
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Mike Ghouse
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com