Atheism making space in Saudi Arabia

ATHEISTS IN SAUDI ARABIA
URL - http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/06/in-cradle-of-islam-growing-number-of.html

God tells in Qur'an, " ... Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error ..." [2:256]

This is Islam's unambiguous affirmation of freedom of faith, which also applies to changing of faith. The Qur'an illuminates before the humanity the two highways [90:10], one of which leads to salvation. Islam is an invitation to the highway toward salvation, but it is based on

FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

The role of the Prophet was to explain what it means.  To paraphrase his quote, you cannot force anyone to believe what they don't, it has to come from within and if they can see the value in it.

The sad part of religion, any religion be it Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism or the others, a majority of the folks get it, some don't.  No one should trample on one's freedom to eat, drink, wear, or believe what he wants. There shall be no compulsion.

Indeed, Islam or any religion thrives where there is freedom. Saudi Arabia can enforce their extreme rules as the policy of their government but not as Islam. I cannot call it repugnant, because in the United States we still have the Death Penalty, and our Congressmen and Senators still make stupid remarks about women. Had we not had the rule of law, or if we vote in the conservatives by mistake, we can see them want to emulate Saudi Arabia when it comes to LGTB, Women's rights and other rights.

Freedom of speech, assembly and expression are the way to go, the governments have to be righteous to feel secure. Indeed, I can safely conclude,  freedom is directly proportional to how secure the government is, and Saudi Government (Not Islamic) is not, will crumble within two decades.

Mike Ghouse
Center for Pluralism
www.FoundationforPluralism.com
www.MikeGhouse.net

Studies in Social, religious, cultural, Gender, Political and work Place Pluralism. Pluralism is neither a religion nor rule of law, it is merely our attitude of "Respecting the otherness of others." and accepting the God-given uniqueness of each one of the 7.2 Billion of us.

# # #
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/belief/atheism-saudi-arabia-illegal
Caryle Murphy, GlobalPost

 

 

Worshippers outside of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia (Credit: Associated Press)

Obamacare Is Good for America, Time for Republicans to Realize It

Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/obama-care-is-good-for-am_b_4082498.html

I am a moderate Republican, and am here to tell you, that neither I, nor the Republicans or the Americans gave permission to Ted Cruz to turn the nation upside down, we cannot break the rules and do what we please. You and I are safe today, and our government remains a model of stability to the world because we are a nation of laws. We have systems to follow, a due process to hang on to, and rules to obey.

This act cannot be approved by conservative Republicans either, who prefer stability over chaos, and are disciplined enough to follow a system. That is how democracies work.



Ted Cruz sounds like a class room bully who frightens the kids and gets away with it. He is indeed excess baggage of the Republican Party that can be done with. Can the Senate or the president fire him? The answer is obviously no, because we have a due process to do everything, and it is embarrassing that the Republicans got bullied by him, and even the conservatives threw the system of due process out the door. It is not good for the country, it brings chaos.

Shame on me and fellow Texas Republicans for voting him in, but 2018 is not too far, we will do the right thing, but do it respectfully obeying the law of the land.

The prime responsibility of Government is to protect her citizens from external and internal enemies -- the external being other nations attacking us, and we need not worry, we have got the best defense forces in the world. However, we are not defending millions of Americans with our #1 internal enemy; disease, which is crippling productivity of Americans from contributing to the greatness of America.

My fellow Republican need to understand that a healthy America makes us a productive Americans, the health care is an investment in human capital, and not a charity or subsidy. A corporation would rather have productive employees than the ones who get sick frequently and lower its productivity. It behooves for us to invest in the health care, even it were totally paid for by our taxes. Healthy Americans makes a healthy America.

The Affordable Care Act is not a political issue. It is neither Republican nor Democratic, it is an American issue, and it has two dimensions; legal and human.

It is illegal to drive on the wrong side of the road, it is illegal to go 40 MPH in a school zone during the school hours and it is illegal to rob the bank at gun point. It is illegal to bust onto Capitol Hill and stop their proceedings; it is illegal to stop the congressman from doing his duty if we don't like him or her. It is illegal to mess with the established systems.

The Affordable Care Act was passed by the Congress, the Senate and signed by the president and ratified by the Supreme Court. It is a shame that few of the Republicans to claim that no Republican voted for it, that is gross disrespect to our system. We honor all the legislations passed by the elected representatives. This is a dishonorable act on the part of the few and illegal. Shouldn't there be consequences for breaking the law? Shouldn't I be arrested if I block Ted Cruz from entering his office and doing his job just because I don't like him?

The human side of the equation is inhuman, that these nuts continue to be rewarded with a paycheck, and deny the same to 2 million federal workers. I was listening to NPR, some congresswoman said, she has got to have her paycheck because her son goes to college, what about the 2 million Americans, and don't they have kids? Why should you be bloody special?

Then my own story -- I could not afford the expensive health insurance, and was hit by a massive heart attack on July 9 this year and will be indebted for life to pay those bills. Then they say I needed a Quad-pass surgery and I was tense, and did not want to get into debt, no one would sell me the insurance. Thank God for the affordable health care, my wife found me the company to insure me with the pre-existing conditions. I am paying $380/month compared to $800 quotes I had received before. There are millions of Americans out there who can't even afford that. 

What Republicans need is an education in business besides basic biology and mathematics. We need to understand that the economy expands with volume and brings prosperity to everyone. If we make insurance affordable, the enrollment volume will pay for it, there is more money in the piggy bank to even out with the consumption. Then of course, a healthy America is good for the economy, good for business and good for the American spirit.

Video on Youtube

I urge my fellow Republicans and Americans to call on the Congress and demand to reopen the government. I have sent faxes and published the same. Please remember evil exists not because of men like Ted Cruz, but because of men and women like you and I, who do nothing. What are we afraid of doing the right thing? Please pick up the phone and make the call to your representative. You can find his or her number at here.
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

Huffington post; Choice Between Chaotic Romney and Stable Obama

Huffington Post - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/chaotic-romney-and-stable-obama_b_1998900.html

 

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net
www.TheGhouseDiary.com