Shocking conversation with a teen and advise to parents

I just completed a full hours worth of conversation with a young man who was angry at his upbringing. He was raised in Sikh and Hindu traditions, he said he couldn't carry on a conversation with his father, raised with two (rather three) conflicting values in addition to the America values, he is angry at Sikhs and angry at Hindus. He called me off an article I wrote in Huffington post about how the unfinished social transactions keep messing people for years to come and what we need to do responsibly.

I was debating about giving so much time for him… then I remembered, before I could give time to a guy some 20 years ago, he hung himself in his house leaving behind kids who were classmates of my kids. So, I gave in and decided to hear him out.

My time is cut out to do things that I need to do… but will write a piece and ask parents to spend time with their kids, let the kids talk with you freely without fear of being shouted down. Everyone loses when there is no communications. I just saw the movie American Sniper last night – the first scene in the movies is where the father shouts down at his kids. Should we raise kids who fear us, as if we are monsters? Sometimes the kids are your reflection or go the opposite. We need to look in to the mirror and see if we are worth passing it on to the next generation.

The biggest shock to me was this 35 year old knew his stuff and has virtually read everything I have written, the range of his reading threw me off completely. He was referencing to my Articles ranging from Atheism to Zoroastrianism and every one in between, to social issues of India, Pakistan and the United States. Temptation is there to hold a heart to heart conference with the youth – I would say my expertise would be in cultural and religious conflict resolution. It is an eternal debate about spending time, when you already spend half of you time in volunteering.

Thank you
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
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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. He is a staunch defender of human rights and his book standing up for others will be out soon, and a movie "Americans together" is in the making.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links atwww.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. 

Happy Diwali - Essence of the Indian festival of Lights

Diwali is the Indian festival of lights and is celebrated on a large scale throughout India and the Indian Diaspora. It is also celebrated in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore, Guyana, West Indies, Fiji, and of course, here in the United States. Diwali is about hope, Diwali brings light, Diwali signifies end of darkness and Diwali signifies end of ignorance and beginning of enlightenment.  You can greet your friends with any one of these phrases, "Happy Diwali", "Diwali Mubarak", Diwali ki Shubh Kamnayein" and the very Best of Diwali to you. 

Diwali is spelled differently, and is called by many names. There is Divali among others, and Deepavali, meaning the festival of lights. Although Diwali is a Hindu tradition, many a people of different faiths participate in celebrations - Jains, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Zoroastrians and others of India and Indian origins.

People decorate their homes with lights and Rangoli, i.e., colorful drawing in the front yard of the home, sidewalks, even roads in India with colorful powders or colorful pieces of chalk. Women and Children look forward to expressing their artistic talent in this season. Their surroundings filled with colorful lights to enliven the day, to mark the dawn of a new era in one's life.

My childhood is filled with good memories of Diwali; the sparklers, the food and everything joyous you can imagine.

A few years ago, Jyoti and Nishi Bhatia, former President of DFW Hindu Temple and President of Dallas Hindi Association respectively, asked me to speak about Diwali in a dinner gathering to a group of people from different faiths and cultures, and I cherished it, I love talking about Diwali, as its essence reflects the ideals of pluralism, and symbolizes hope and positive energy, victory of good over evil; a new beginning. It is indeed seeing the light at the end of tunnel.

  

Diwali Celebration is a part of the epic Ramayana, and the Ram Lila (enactment of the story on stage) is played out all night long in towns across India. I grew up watching it in front of my house, and my friends played different roles in the show. Indeed, one of my former relatives played Hanuman’s role.

It was a challenge for me to teach Ramayana to a group of people who knew nothing about it. It turned out to be a successful program. I prepared the nearly all white audience that I will be narrating the story through the power point and along will be reinforcing the names and roles of the key persons in the story and will ask them for feed back at the end. Friends, I cannot tell you the joy, the Bhatias and I felt when each one of them answered the questions from the story. They got it! It is a powerful story and takes about 30 minutes to narrate.

The epic is filled with educative tales, edifying poems, and fables. It is probably through their constant retelling in the villages over centuries that Hinduism is most efficiently disseminated from generation to generation.

Whenever a society rots with adharma (wrong path), where no one cares about the other, lying, stealing and dishonesty become rampant, Lord Krishna says,I will emerge among you and restore the righteousness and trust in the society to function smoothly." Zarathustra, Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad, Krishna, Nanak, Mahavira, Confucius, Tao and others served the same purpose. it is almost like the laws of physics ; water finds its own level, and righteousness finds its own existence.

Rama is one such incarnation who reestablished the moral code for social conduct and proper relation of mankind to divinity. He was truthful and a just king.

Diwali symbolizes hope and positive energy

• People wear new clothes
• Share sweets as a symbol of happiness
• Renew the relationships
• Strengthen the bonds

It signifies a new beginning, starting out fresh.

• for most businesses it is the new financial year
• An inventory of assets is taken
• An assessment of family and relationship
• Last harvest for the farmers
• New things are bought

To those celebrating Diwali, I wish you, your families and loved ones Happy Diwali and Saal Mubarak.”

Today, on this blessed day, we have a blank slate to start, let's plan on filling it with doing good things for ourselves, to our family, friends, community, nation and the world until next Diwali.

What are good things? Words and actions that bring peace, Mukti, salvation, Moksha, nirvana, Nijaat and freedom to us, yes us. There is so much of joy waiting to be had. If we can remove hatred and anger towards others, forgive others and ask for forgiveness (Michami Dukadam is a beautiful phrase the Jain's use), then a blissful year is sure to come for each one of you and me.

• May this Diwali purge your heart, mind and soul from hate, malice, anger and ill-will;
• May this Diwali open your hearts and minds towards fellow being;
• May this Diwali brighten your life, and may this Diwali mark the dawn of a new era;

Muslims are a big part of Diwali as well, and innumerable poets have written poetries and songs about Diwali. Here is my effort, I wrote this seven years ago on the occasion when Diwali and Ramadan were celebrated around the same time.

ये मेरी दिवाली है, ये मेरी ईद है
दोनों में खुशी ही खुशी है

A meri diwali hai, a meri eid hai
donon may khushi hi khushi hai -

दिवाली से नया साल शुरू होता है
रमज़ान एक नया इंसान बनाता है

 Diwali say naya saal shuru hota hai
Ramzan ek naya insaan banata hai -

दिवाली मैं एक एक बात का हिसाब होता है
रमज़ान में हर बात का रिव्यू होता है

 Diwali may ek ek baat ka hisab hota hai
Ramzan may her baat ka review hota hai -

दिवाली नए साल के लिए क्लीन स्लेट देता है
रमज़ान पिछले साल का स्लेट क्लीन करता है

Diwali nayay saal ke liye clean slate deta hai
Ramzan pichlay saal ki slate clean karta hai -

बात ही बात में मैंने एक नयी नज़्म लिख दी साहिर
दिवाली और रमज़ान से सबका अच्छा ही होता है

Baat hi baat may, my nay a sher likh diya Sahir
Diwali aur Ramzan say subka acha hi hota hai

Happy Diwali to you my friends, may this Diwali bring happiness, serenity and peace to you. Amen!

दोनों में खुशी ही खुशी है

Thank you
mike
Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 text/talk

Published at:

1. www.TheGhouseDiary.com
2. http://foundationforpluralism.blogspot.com
3. http://MikeGhouseforIndia.blogspot.com
4. https://www.saddahaq.com/humaninterest/EssenceOfDiwali/essence-of-diwali-the-indian-festival-of-lights

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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.

Condemning the silence of Muslim Majority in Pakistan

Condemning the silence of Muslim Majority in Pakistan

.......... On the other hand, if you ever feel that the “other minority” community deserves to be persecuted, or “they asked for it” then you have a problem! You need help, please ask God to drain the solid waste from your system, it is dangerous for you, and you are your own enemy with that load of crap in you. Continued: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2013/01/condemning-silence-of-muslims-in.html

The majoritarian attitudes are the root cause of much of the evil in the world; Pakistan is no exception, indeed, the problem is exemplified with the silence by the government of Pakistan, I cannot believe a Government cannot reign in on extremists and bring law and order to the nation.

First they came for Ahmadiyya,
I remained silent because I am not an Ahmadi;

then they came after Hindu women,
it did not matter to me, I am neither a Hindu nor a woman;

They did not spare the Christians,
they lied and framed the blasphemy charges,

they turned towards the Shia,
singling out and murdering them in the public;

the evil men are coming after me, a mini-Sunni*
where the hell are my fellow Muslims?

The only way things will change is if all of us, each one of us, speaks up against injustice and killing of fellow beings, no matter who it is.


The least you can do is condemn all such acts in your daily conversations, nothing more.  Where ever you get a chance express yourselves, there is an energy that builds from there….

On the other hand, if you feel that the “other” community deserves to be persecuted, or “they asked for it” then you have a problem! You need help, please ask God to drain the sewer from your heart, it is dangerous for you, and you are your own enemy with that load of crap in you.


As a Sunni Muslim, I am embarrassed at these evil men, not only for harming fellow beings but also for maligning a religion that we consider to be a Rahmat (mercy) to mankind, these men are making liars out of us. I condemn the silence of the Majority in Pakistan.  I hope every one of you feels the energy to condemn this in your daily conversations and pray for peace and sanity, in the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).  Thank you.

Muslims Together dreaming of building a cohesive world.

Mike Ghouse
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

* Mini-Sunni to denote the factions within Sunni who declare each other in less than kind words. Shame on all of them!

FunAsia brings communities together for Malala

PRESS RELEASE

John Hammond

FunAsia brings communities together for Malala

Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and others from USA, Canada, UK, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other Diaspora came together to stand up in solidarity with Malala at FunAsia Richardson on Sunday evening at 8:00 PM.

Click picture for enlarged version

Shabnam Modgil opened the event followed by an array of speakers including, Shariq Hamid, Dr. Mona Shah, Anjum Anwar, Rashid Dara, Tina Sharma, Ghulam Jangda, Nadeem Zaman, Dr. Zahid Ayub, Mike Ghouse and John Hammond.

 

Three young kids Zan (11), Daniel (10) and Shawn (9) also expressed their strong feelings against terrorism and their unconditional support for peace and education for all, especially for girls.

Malala has become a catalyst for a change that Pakistan was looking for decades; her suffering will bring a new beginning, new dawn and a new determination to Pakistan.

It was heartwarming to note that 50 Key Muslim Scholars, in Pakistan, issued a statement condemning the extremism displayed by a loony; the support for Malala is increasing by the day. 

The candle light vigils are not only being observed in Pakistan, but throughout the world, including India, UK, Canada and the United States.

To honor this unity of people from different faiths and nationalities, the speakers at FunAsiA shared their religious greetings from different faiths, all greetings were designed to acknowledge the stranger with a desire to connect and a possible friendship. Whether it is Namaste, Salam, Shalom, and Satsriakal or peace, it is has the same ingredient in it. Attendees were welcome to recite quietly, or in chorus however they preferred. 

Mike shared the following greetings with the crowd:

Baha’i - Allah'u'Abha
Buddhism - Buddha Namo

Christian - Peace to you

Hindu - Namaste

Jain - Jai Jinendra

Jewish- Shalom
Muslim - Salaam
Native American - blessings of mother earth
Sikh- Satsriakal

Wicca - To goodness we bow

Zoroastrian - Hamazor Hama Ashobed.

Mr. Mike Ghouse mentioned that Pakistan has endured extremism, and it reached its peak when a 14 years old girl was threatened not to seek education, and was shot and she is hurt. Prophet Muhammad had said to go the far ends of the earth to educate yourself. This catalytic event is changing the course of history in Pakistan.

The solution does not lie in matching their extremism with our in-tolerance towards them, there is no end to that, what we need to find is a way to have a dialogue with them, they are obviously misguided from some source, we need to go that source with them and remove it from the root, and with their consensus, and not through oppression. It can be done.

FunAsiA, always has and is still working on "Brining the Community Together"

Pictures attached.

FunAsiA management;
Shabnam Modgil, Shariq Hamid, John Hammond.

What % of Hindu, Christian, Jew or a Muslim are you?

As a pluralist, I take a quiz at Beliefnet every year, and have consistently found that I am 100% Unitarian Universalist, 97% Quaker, 88% Buddhist, 85% Reformed Jew, 85% Neo Pagan, 79% Baha’i, 80% Muslim, 68% Hindu and 28% Catholic among others. 

My low score about Catholic faith bothers me, and I am committed to read books on Catholicism. I want to improve my understanding to at least 50%.

To be in tune with the whole humanity, meaning peace within, we have to remove ill-will, bias, hatred, anger and other elements that disturb our tranquility. That is what Vedas teach Vasudaiva Kutumbukum (Hinduism), Rabbul Aalameen (Islam) and all of us are God's children (Christianity) and Mother earth (all native and earth based traditions including wicca and Pagan).

We can call ourselves a good Muslim, a good Hindu, a good Jew, a good Christian or a good Sikh when we don't have hatred for any. Most people get their religion right and a few don't. We need to develop the ability to see the ones who do and not re-act to the ones who don't get it. 

1. Every one of us should score 50% on all religions.

2. It is the rituals that separate one from the other. My score of 80% in Islam is strictly due to a few ritual questions.

3. Philosophically, we should score at least 66.7% on all.

4. In essence, we should all score 100% if we believe the purpose of religion is to bring tranquility to an individual and create cohesiveness with others. 

I will update it later today with more information.

Mike Ghouse
www.MikeGhouse.net 

TEXAS FAITH: Is religious freedom under attack in America?

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/05/texas-faith-is-religious-freedom-under.html

Indeed, every group feels that their religious liberty is under attack. Is there a time in history when a group did not feel threatened by co-religionists, other religions and the governments? Here is a short history and possible solutions.

This a weekly column at Dallas Morning News, here is Mike’s contribution on the topic.

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

Indeed, every group feels that their religious liberty is under attack. Is there a time in history when a group did not feel threatened by co-religionists, other religions and the governments? Here is a short history and possible solutions.

Jews have always been under attack. They felt at home in Spain, which was destroyed by butcher Ferdinand. Then, they felt at home in Germany, but the Holocaust tore them apart and their belief in humanity was shattered. Every day, they have to be on guard. Someone or another is making anti-Semitic comments.

Fred Phelps was in Dallas in July 2010 demonstrating hate against Jews. The anti-circumcision bills in San Francisco and Santa Monica in 2011 were irritants. Last month in Houston, the Jewish academy could not participate in a basketball game. It was set on Saturday, most Jews refrain from activity that day. Indeed, it is restricting their freedom to practice their religion by exclusion and being insensitive to their faith.

Hindus are an open game to evangelists. A few years ago, a Baptist convention made a declaration to harvest the "Poor Hindu souls". This year, Russians made a serious attempt to ban Bhagvad Gita, the Hindu Holy Book. In November 2011, a Kentucky state senator attacked Hinduism as an idolatrous belief. California textbooks portrayed Hinduism in negative light, so the battle is still on. There is a debate among Indians: Had Bobby Jindal of Hindu parents and Nikki Haley of Sikh parents practiced their faiths, and not converted to Christianity, would they have become governors?

Sikhs had to fight with Arizona to keep the name of a Sikh 9/11 victim on a memorial wall. Wicca had to fight for the headstone in Arlington Memorial Cemetery for those who died serving America. Of course, there are enough stories about Native Americans, atheists and others.

Muslim Americans strongly feel the noose tightening on their freedom. Most restrictions are coming out of sheer ignorance and a false understanding of what their faith is about, as they practice in America rather than Saudi Arabia or Iran. The senators and representatives who have initiated anti-Sharia bills can't even tell what they are opposing.

The irony is neither the organizations nor the Muslims are seeking Sharia to be a part of the American law. All they are asking is to have options to square personal matters between family members through a jury, mediation, court hearing or the Sharia guidelines. Indeed, it is no different than the option of Jews using Halaqa in their personal conflicts or going to a psychologist for counseling.

Most Christian denominations have been under attack by fellow Christians. Missionaries were unforgivably cruel to natives around the world, including America. Most of the groups that infringe on the freedom of others have also been a victim.

The Catholic diocese has rightly filed the law suit protesting the Government's intrusion in the practice of their faith that the employers provide workers free contraceptives. This is the right thing to do - to stand up for the freedom of religion. As a Muslim I have stood up for freedom of every religious group, in this case with the Catholic Church. Indeed, it was good to see evangelical leader Richard Land make the same pledge along with me on Sean Hannity Radio.

In summary, the issues are about whether a majority - or the government - can arrogantly push vulnerable ones into obeying.

We need to build an America where no one is apprehensive or afraid of the other. Each one of us needs to feel home, a home where everyone can drop his or her guards and lives freely.

It is our duty to safeguard the liberties endowed by our creator to practice our beliefs. It behooves for us to stand up for each other, why should anyone stand up for you, if you are not willing to do the same for them?

To see all the contributors, please visit Dallas Morning news at:
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2012/05/texas-faith-is-religious-freed.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.

INTERFAITH WEDDINGS

One must admire the couples that marry outside their tradition, ethnicity, faith, and race. Indeed, they are doing what the spiritual masters had done for thousands of years; to fall the barriers between people, and learn to respect the otherness of other and accept the God given uniqueness of each other.

I have seen disappointments, where couples from different faiths wishing to marry were not able to do that.  Either the parents or the guardians of the religions were not comfortable with the situation and did not want to be a part of it, which we must respect.  All that the couples wanted was a touch of their own tradition and I feel their anguish and a sense of in-completion in their marriage when the tradition is not followed.  I recall a situation where a Jewish mother disowned her daughter for marrying an “infidel” Baha’i, it happens with every religion including Atheists. 

By the way, these issues are prevalent chiefly among immigrant families; however, it is not an issue with the 2^nd and 3^rd generation down the line.

Recently I officiated a Jain-Muslim wedding, and it was a pure delight to see the parents on both sides focused on giving their kids a sense of fulfillment that I really had to give them a hug. After the ceremony the parents were literally crying with joy, it was a beautiful moment for me to witness their heartfelt joy. I was literally taken back with the admiring looks they bestowed on me.

Here is one of the many paragraphs of the sermon. The others paragraphs dealt with specifics of each faith and their commonality of values.   

The Dharmic (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism) religions point out that it is your Karma that determines your life path in terms of continuation of the journey after the body form collapses, into possibly a new form. The same thought is echoed in the Abrahamic (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) traditions in a different format; a life after the death – both sides prop up the idea that there is an eternal heaven, Mukti, Moksha, Nijaat or salvation from the cycles of suffering.  The interfaith (Sikh and Baha’i) religions, the independent (Zoroastrian) religion and the native traditions as well have a similar take.  It is all there, it is our arrogance that prevents us from seeing the good in others.

I just could not believe the request to officiate the weddings since then. I am happy for them that they saw the essence of each beautiful religion as I shared with them.    A Hindu-Jain, A Muslim-Catholic, and a full Muslim wedding are in the making. And today, I had a call to do, a Hindu/Agnostic wedding.  God willing, it will be a delight to be a part of happiness of others.

I am writing an article on the topic and will be including part of the sermon I gave after the main ceremony – I will be happy to share it, if you are serious and have a need for it. Please  send an email to SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com . It will not be on my blog.

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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 writes weekly at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post,and several other periodicals. www.TheGhousediary.com is Mike's daily blog.

TEXAS FAITH: Why do some religious affiliations produce more political leaders?

The world's history records endless stories of chasing minorities or the powerless out of their own dwellings and it continues today. They were driven out, annihilated, enslaved, forcibly converted or made to run, whether you are a native American, African American, Jewish, Catholic, Mormon, Palestinian, Hindu, Muslim, Baha'i, Zoroastrian, Sikh, Buddhist, Dalit, Pagan, Wicca, Gay, Falun Dafa, Tutsi, Bosnians, or other minority or the powerless. You know your painful story.

This is a weekly column in Dallas Morning News that I contribute to, this weeks questions was why do some religious affiliations produce more political leaders? This week 9 members of the panel responded to the question, here is mine:

This week 9 members of the panel responded to the question, here is mine:

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

The world's history records endless stories of chasing minorities or the powerless out of their own dwellings and it continues today. They were driven out, annihilated, enslaved, forcibly converted or made to run, whether you are a native American, African American, Jewish, Catholic, Mormon, Palestinian, Hindu, Muslim, Baha'i, Zoroastrian, Sikh, Buddhist, Dalit, Pagan, Wicca, Gay, Falun Dafa, Tutsi, Bosnians, or other minority or the powerless. You know your painful story.

Oddly, chasing-out took several avatars in the guise of civility; creating reservations and the idea of 'paying to move' was born. In 1649 the Puritans paid a stipend to Solomon Franco, the first Jewish man to step on American soil to go back to Holland. Indeed, the Jewish people have the longest recorded history of enduring oppression; the birth of Israel gave hopes of security and peace to them. Thus, protection of Israel became their prime motivator followed by instinctive involvement in affairs of the nation, and the disproportionate representation will continue until they feel secure.

Gays, lesbians and Muslims are next in line to seek representation in governance and at the beginning it will be a disproportionate representation. I am writing a book to nurture a balanced approach for Muslims with this theme: "What is good for Muslims has got to be good for others and vice-versa to sustain a balance in a cohesive society."

It will take some time and momentum for members of Congress to be truthful about their affiliation and it is getting closer. When I came to America some thirty years ago, I was taken back by the bizarre looks when I said I was an atheist. It was not acceptable. Indeed it was demonic to be an atheist then.

America has come a long way in accepting and absorbing the non-majoritarian norms and practices into her mainstream and the strand of political representation of minorities was born out of necessity. The need for security will continue to drive groups to seek representation, and until such time we become a cohesive society and accept the otherness of other as legitimately as our own, the pendulum will swing from over-representation to under-representation.

Thank God for the vision of the founding fathers to inculcate and nurture the values of separation of state and church, the biggest contributor towards the political stability of our nation and our way of life, a value we need to worship.

 To Read 8 other response - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/01/texas-faith-why-do-some-religi.html

Mike Ghouse is a speaker on Pluralism and Islam offering pluralistic solutions to the media and public on issues of the day. His blogs and sites are listed at www.MikeGhouse.net 

Bottom line prayers-wishes

Right in the middle of the devotional songs, the six year old stands up with her eyes wide open, and in an excited voice blurts out, “Gee Dad, that’s cool, God can be worshipped in so many different ways!” Indeed that sentence has become a part of my teaching in Pluralism. Pluralism is simply respecting the otherness of other and appreciating the god given uniqueness of each one of the seven billion of us.

Continued: http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/07/bottom-line-prayers-wishes.html

http://www.mikeghouse.net/