Gee Dad, God can be worshiped in so many ways!.

GEE DAD, GOD CAN BE WORSHIPED IN SO MANY WAYS. LESSONS IN PLURALISM

I am pleased to share the wisdom of a seven year old girl, my daughter. Who wants to raise their child as a bigot? Some of us recklessly do.

When we hear hate spout out of the mouths of men and women in politics or religion against Jews, Muslims, Christians, Atheists, Hindus, Blacks, Mormons, Gays and Lesbians, Hispanics or Immigrants, we just shake our heads with disbelief, that is of course, if we are not bigots ourselves.

I must give credit to face book, a great equalizer for humanity. Even though the hate mongers and bigots don't survive on the face book, they still continue to rant with a few or no friends liking their hate material. They still don't get the message - hate is not natural. .

When she was visiting the Baptist Church, as a father, I just advised her, if the Pastor by any chance denigrates other faiths, he is not being truthful and you don't need to listen to him. She was around 9 then, and argued with me, a part of our routine to argue as equals, "Dad, if he does not say bad things about other religions, why would people to go his Church when they can go somewhere else? I know it, don't worry Dad, I won't hate anyone".

I took my kids to every place of worship, so they were raised with familiarity of fellow humans with no bigotry towards others. At each place of worship, I would summarize to her what they were saying…over the years, I learned that, all she wanted to hear, a six year old, was a simplified version of the talk. I had gotten it down well - a standard reply - "Sweetie, they are telling that we must thank God, that God gives us life, ability to breath and live…" Mind you, I was an atheist then, but not anti-religious.

One day, we were in DFW Hindu Temple joining the group singing Bhajans (Chanting) in the sanctuary. In the middle of a Bhajan, she leans over me, and asks the standard question, "Dad, what are they singing"… out came my standard reply. To that, oblivious to the crowd, she gets up, and throws her hands up in the air, and cheerfully announces "Gee Dad, God can be worshiped in so many ways" to the amazement of the devotees!

That, my friends is pluralism. "Respecting the otherness of others." Thank God she ain't a bigot today. She is a rationalist and would question any one's ill-will or hate towards the other. If nothing else in my life, I have feel good about raising my kids with no bigotry. Like me, she would defend any faith, we won't let any one put down a faith, any faith - individuals yes, but not their faith.

I am writing a fuller article with Religion News with a few more anecdotes with my daughter. Meanwhile, enjoy this.
...........................................................................................................
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.
..........................................................................................................

Google Search for Mike Ghouse

My curiosity led me go from one search to the other, 
and here are the results as of 1:30 PM on May 20, 2013.

mike ghouse Christianity - 362,000

mike ghouse judaism  - 281,000

mike ghouse buddhism - 181,000

mike ghouse sikhism - 126,000

mike ghouse jainism - 85,800

mike ghouse bahai - 73,600

mike ghouse islam - 64,300

mike ghouse Native americans - 55,400

mike ghouse zoroastrianism - 35,400

mike ghouse hinduism - 35,200

mike ghouse wicca - 34,400

mike ghouse pluralism - 21,300

mike ghouse interfaith - 20,000

============

mike ghouse sunni - 189,000

mike ghouse shia - 163,000

mike ghouse ahmadiyya - 115,000
mike ghouse ismailia - 107,000

mike ghouse wahhabi- 64,000

mike ghouse bohra - 12,100

mike ghouse wd muhammad - 5,560

==========

mike ghouse muslim speaker - 30,100

mike ghouse islamic speaker - 30,100

mike ghouse plualism speaker - 13,200

mike ghouse interfaith speaker - 12,600

mike ghouse indian speaker - 27, 400

 

Mike Ghouse

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.

~ ~ ~
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 - Do you think monotheism is a superior form of religious belief?

Monotheism would not be a superior form of religious belief, if it gets Abrahamic faiths to gang up against others. However, if it becomes a panacea to develop cohesive societies where no one has to live with fear of the other, then it is a belief that works superiorly along with the polytheistic, native, pagan, atheistic and humanistic traditions who aspire to create a kingdom of peace for its inhabitants.

If we can learn to accept and respect the God given (genetic for those who do not believe in God) uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

To read the take by all the panelists go to Dallas Morning News at: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/09/texas-faith-is-monotheism-supe.html

# #

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

In spiritual terms, the phrase superior belief is oxymoronic. Religion is about humility and not arrogance. It is the inculcation of the value of humility that builds cohesiveness in a given society. Arrogance simply destroys it.

Every religious teacher and spiritual master was committed to harmony within the group and with others. Indeed with almost no exceptions, every tradition has established a form of prayer to connect with the creator. That, invariably, involves bowing, leaning, kneeling or prostrating, it is learning to be humble.

Arrogance and spirituality are inversely proportional to each other. The greater the arrogance, the lower the spirituality and vice versa. Arrogance depletes one's spirituality (humility), while humility enhances the blissful connection with oneself and the universe.

Claiming superiority of a "belief" gives a false sense of security to those whose belief is based on the assumption that the other is inferior. To them, other religions have to be wrong or inferior for theirs to be right. That's a false foundation for a belief to rest on. As with every aspect of life, monotheism, polytheism, theism or atheism is a security blanket and not a genuine source of solace to a small portion of the population resulting in discontentment and fear of learning the other.

Monotheism evolved as a panacea to "me and my God" attitudes causing one to dig in his (rarely her) heels leading to irresolvable conflicts and destructiveness. It was to offer a larger tent to accommodate everyone and develop the inclusive attitudes of "me, us and our God".

Much of this development originated in the Zoroastrian tradition and has been a part of Judaism, Christianity and Islamic traditions that firmly believe in Uno God as if God is a physical being. Even though Judaism and Islam do not collapse God into an image or a word, they still posit God as a being.

However, in the Hindu tradition, the causer and the creator was the same and was called by many names including Brahma, the ultimate reality. The societies accepted physical manifestation of that reality in different iconic forms. They found pluralism was the panacea to resolving conflicts involving abstract aspects of life.

The Baha'i and Sikh faiths evolved as unifying and inclusive traditions. Buddhism and Jainism did not see the need to manufacture God as an arbitrator of their conflicts and or a source of peace within. Many earth based and native traditions have their own systems that work beautifully for them.

Monotheism would not be a superior form of religious belief, if it gets Abrahamic faiths to gang up against others. However, if it becomes a panacea to develop cohesive societies where no one has to live with fear of the other, then it is a belief that works superiorly along with the polytheistic, native, pagan, atheistic and humanistic traditions who aspire to create a kingdom of peace for its inhabitants.

If we can learn to accept and respect the God given (genetic for those who do not believe in God) uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.
# #

MY NOTES AT DALLAS MORNING NEWS IN RESPONSE TO READERS

There is no such thing as Islamic, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Bahai or God. All that we can see comprehend or believe has evolved from a single act. The people of religion call that cause or the causer with many different names including God. This is the broadest definition.

Whether you call that element Manito, Yahweh, Elahi, Ishwar, Allah, Mahavira, Buddha, Wahe Guru, Ahura Mazda, mother earth, Jesus Christ or any name, it is the same thing.

Monotheism is fine, and I am a monotheist, meaning I see God as one energy and I have no problem if you see God as one, none and many and in every form; male, female, genderless and non-existent, being and non-being, nameless and with innumerable names. I will not claim that my belief is superior to any, it amounts to arrogance. The religion I follow brings humility to me and not arrogance.

Claim of superiority makes the other inferior. Who am I to say that, and who will accept that non-sense? The conflict has continued for thousands of years. The guardians of every religion somehow pose that their faith is the only one, the best, the wise, the scientific, the oldest… so what? It does not make others anything less.

Twenty years ago, almost all Christians believed that Salvation is only through Jesus and others would go to hell – today nearly 30% of Christians subscribe to that, a survey is warranted for Jews, Muslims, Hindus and others. Muslims outside the religious institutions may have a similar percentage based on my discussions and the Quraan supports that where God says, whether you are a Jew, Christian or other, you need not worry, be good to fellow beings and your reward comes through me.

# # #

Tex65

Madjess has addressed your concerns and I appreciate his (or her) take on it, which is very close to my understanding. It is the one that starts with "A person can believe that there is no god but God ….." I have also addressed it in my response to Nityananada Das, which starts with, "Even if there were multiple causes leading to creation, life evolved from one single act…" the following is related to the above referred comments.

Indeed, I am pleased to re-iterate your quote, "I testify that there is no god except God." As a Muslim, I see the corollary "there is no act but one act, the act that we call God. Not every Muslim will subscribe to this but he or she can see the validity. In Islam God is not a material, not a being, not an entity, it is just nature or the energy that powers the creation.

The idea of monotheism was to bring people on singular abstract platform and a form of God where most people can agree with the attributes ascribed to that energy, it was to mitigate the conflicts of your God vs. my god and agree to the idea of our God, hence we are one family (Hinduism – Vasudaiva Kutumubukum and other religions have expressed it in the format the Golden rule, what is good for me has got to be good for the other for both of us to co-exist without apprehension.

We are all learning to see the depth and meaning of God and the search continues, and I am happy for those who believe in absolutes and appreciate those who are on their journey.

# # #

Nityanands Das;

Even if there were multiple causes leading to creation, life evolved from one single act. I believe the people of religion call that cause or the causer with many different names including God. However, the atheist may be content with not giving it a name to that cause; they may not even have the desire to create a system around it.

Monotheism is a belief in that singular energy, whereas polytheism is seeing that one causer in multiple forms. We all create God in our own image, to some it is absolutely one and to some they see different aspects of the same causer, as Hinduism calls it Demi-Gods, or Devas. Both systems work for the believers.

To believe that Monotheistic format is absolutely right and the other ain't reflects the arrogance of the believer. What is the need for such assertion? Monotheistic belief is to lead societies into coherence and reduce conflicts by accepting that we are all diverse people from one source and it is in our interest to maintain that cohesiveness. The polytheistic belief accepts the diversity to begin with, that in itself leads to cohesive societies. It is not the belief in one, none or many Gods that is the problem in the society; rather it is the greed and insecurities of the individuals that is the problem. Both the systems are designed to help the individual gain his own balance and balance in relating with others, they are good systems, most people get it and a few don't. Those who don't get, tend to be intolerant. It is our responsibility to share with them the purpose of life – to live without apprehension or live in balance, to the religious it means in devotion of God where one feels secure.

# # #

Dear Nityananda Chandra Das;

"To claim God supreme is not arrogance but rather a humble recognition of the truth of our position in relation to God. ". Mr. Das, I fully agree with your comment, however to claim Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism or… other faith is superior, or monotheism is superior to polytheism, then it amounts to arrogance. No faith is superior; each faith is beautiful to the believer. Why one's faith has to be superior?

Indeed, our humility is realized when we realize the superiority of God. Humility is essential to build cohesive societies.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day to the media and the public. He is a speaker thinker and a writer on the topics of pluralism, cohesive societies, Politics, Islam, interfaith, India and Peace. Over a thousand articles have been published on the topics and two of his books are poised to be released on Pluralism and Islam. Mike's work is reflected in 4 website's and 27 Blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/ and you can find all of his current articles at www.TheGhousediary.com

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/