Sunday, February 14, 2016

America the beautiful, Valentine Day Celebrations

What a joy it is to sing songs about America while praying for other nations to be blessed like ours,  and live like us, which is live your life and let others live theirs. There is nothing like America.

Yasmeen and I were at Brazarios Restaurant in down town Louisville for the Valentine’s Day lunch. What I want to share is our conversation and what we saw around us, which I have captured to a little extent in the camera, though the pictures aren’t good, but you can see through them.

On the table to our right were African American Couples, two tables down was a white middle aged couple, and behind to the right of us were a Chinese Couple with a few Japanese with them, and one directly behind two tables was a gay couple and way to the right was a Jewish couple.

I can’t tell you the euphoric feeling to be in the midst of this environment. This is the America we all cherish and want to sustain.  Just 55 years ago, this would not have happened, none of this would have been possible. Thanks to Martin Luther King, John F Kennedy, Lyndon B Johnson and the majority of White Americas for uplifting America to be one of the most exemplary nations on the earth.  


Regardless of the rhetoric of a few (yes a few) men in the fore front, who are misogynists, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamophobic and anti-Semitic, America ain’t like them and a majority of American’s are like them either. The presidential candidates are not a representation of Americans.

America is a nation where we respect the otherness of others, and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of us whether we are Atheists, Baha’i, Buddhist, and Christian, Jain, Jewish, Muslims, Native Americans, Pagans, Sikhs, Wicca, Zoroastrians and every one in between.

It saddens me to see “a few” radicals among Hindus and Muslims, who are hell bent on  terrorizing or harassing the lovers in India and Pakistan, be it in a store or restaurant, let alone in the parks. I wish the heads of the states in both nations speak up and tell everyone that they will not tolerate harassing and terrorizing fellow countrymen for celebrating Valentine’s day. Here is a note for them atwww.TheGhousediary.com or www.Interfaithspeaker.com

I also appeal to a few religious parents in America not to put down our culture, you can tell your kids that Valentine’s day is not a part of your tradition, but you cannot put it down, as their friends do celebrate and your kids don’t see anything wrong with the celebration.  If you oppose them, you are pushing them to live two lives – one a pretentious life with you and the other with their friends and that is wrong. You have a choice to raise them in another country where they live their lives in silos. No one should live two lives and it is not good for them or you.

Next year, if I am alive, we will have discussions within the ethnic and religious groups who are yet to integrate in our society.  Meanwhile, enjoy my current article at www.TheGhouseDiary.com




Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net for his writings at TheGhousediary.com and several blogs listed there in.

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Experiments in religious understanding

Experiments in religious understanding

Baptized Muslim Mike Ghouse in Jordan River

Baptized Muslim Mike Ghouse in Jordan River
I was blessed to be baptized in River Jordan last year in the same spot where Jesus was baptized. It was an enriching experience to me, particularly feeling the symbolic transformation. Jesus is my mentor, a true pluralist who had no barriers between him and humanity, as a Muslim I felt the affirmation of that thought; of being boundless. Article and pictures at http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/04/happy-easter.html

Interfaith Experiments

Interfaith Experiments

Interfaith Radio, wisdom of religion, all the beautiful religions

Interfaith Radio, wisdom of religion, all the beautiful religions
At the conclusion of two years of the daily Radio program called “wisdom of religions all the beautiful religions", where both Atheism and Pluralism were included, a handbook of Religion was released in 2005. Over the period of two years we read the Bible, Torah, Quraan, Bhagvad Gita and the other holy books. I will talk about the program in my speeches; it is thrilling to know that we all seek truth in our own ways. Finding the truth is our own responsibility.

TALK TOPICS

  • Ultimate Interfaith dialogue
  • Experiments in truth
  • Reversing Roles
  • God does not sign exclusive deals
  • Purpose of Religion
  • Psychology of Prayers
  • Arrogance and Humility
  • Wisdom of Religion

Pastor Robert Jeffress was challenged to find the truth

Pastor Robert Jeffress was challenged to find the truth
Pastor Robert Jeffress of Dallas (unfortunately representing the First Baptist Church of Dallas) called Quraan an evil book written by a false prophet, his congregants rewarded him with a standing ovation. However it cannot be the church doctrine, it was his individual take. Mike visited the pastor to offer the right translation of the Quraan so he can find the truth and share with his congregation. It was followed by interviews on Local Fox News and NBC channels, followed by Dallas Morning News exchanges leading to Quraan Conference to demystify the myths. Mike’s challenge to the Pastor was to “find me three verses in Quraan that are evil, and if you do, I will join your ministry.” The pastor has blown the opportunity to harvest the poor souls; he chickened out from holding the conversation on his turf in his church. Details, videos and write up at www.QuraanConference.com

Interfaith experiments, public understanding of other religions

Interfaith experiments, public understanding of other religions
Religious leaders representing different religions were asked to share about their religion in three sentences, then towards the end of the program audience was randomly given to read (other than their own religion) a 100 word summary of each one of the religions. It was an eye opener for the people to see the difference in what the media and the politicians say, and the holy books of the respective religions say. You have to read it yourselves the whole paragraph or chapter and not a sentence to get a fuller picture.

Interfaith Solidarity; standing up for the Gazans and the Israelis.

Interfaith Solidarity; standing up for the Gazans and the Israelis.
We have to stand up for the rights of all people, joined in at the Gaza Rally protesting the killing of Gazans and led the Pluralism Prayer for the wellbeing of the people of Gaza and Israel at North Haven United Methodist Church. Love and Prayers are the positive energies that prevent your heart from contamination of ill-will, malice, hate and prejudice. We have to be blind when it comes to justice and not appease or pander to any one.

Arab Imams on Interfaith

Arab Imams on Interfaith
I thank God for presenting limitless opportunities to talk about the Pluralistic values embedded in Islam and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) being an interfaith dialoguer. I have been a small part of the interfaith dialogue movement in Saudi Arabia, which began in 2003 in Dallas. In 2010 about twelve Arab Imams visited Dallas and I hosted the luncheon to talk about Interfaith in Islam. I can sum this up in one sentence, “those imams were ahead of us in pluralism in Islam, for every sentence I uttered, they produced Prophets Sayings and verses from Quraan.” God willing one major good is going to come out of it; stopping the printing and distribution of mistranslated Quraan by Muslims; Al-Hilali translation.

The Prestigious Slater Award

The Prestigious Slater Award
Mike Ghouse was honored with teh prestigious Slater Award as the Religious communicator fo the year.