AmericansTogether

America Together on Sean Hannity show

2012-03-03T20:30:00.002-08:00

I am pleased to see America Together Foundation plugged in every where. Thanks to Sean Hannity and Dallas Morning News for giving us continuous recognition. Please note, our organization is for every American of every faith, every ethnicity, race and political persuasion. I hope to be on Rachel Maddow show as well. We are all in this together and we have build a cohesive America for all of us. Read more in the About link on the left.

By: Dave Chaffin | Yesterday

Rep. Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney

All you “Great Americans”, listen up. Hannity has another great guest line-up.

5:05pm MST Governor Mitt Romney will discuss the upcoming Michigan and Arizona Primaries and his belief that opponent Rick Santorum is an “economic lightweight”

6:05pm MST Brigitte Gabriel of Act for America and Mike Ghouse of the America Together Foundation are here to debate events unfolding in Afghanistan over the accidental burning of Korans. Our guests will discuss President Obama’s apology to President Karzai and react to Anjem Choudary’s radical comments from yesterday’s program.

http://kgab.com/romney-and-america-together-on-sean-today/

Who should be the next President of the United States and why?

2012-02-23T05:57:00.000-08:00

At the Foundation for Pluralism and America Together Foundation, we will be developing a leadership program, which will incorporate the will of the people in shaping and orienting a person who would be the President of the United States a decade from now.

What is it that you want from the President? I want to begin the informal process here through your opinions. We value your opinion and make it a part of the archives.

Why We Need to Work for A More Cohesive America

2012-02-13T22:45:00.000-08:00

MIKE GHOUSE SPEAKS ON AMERICA

Dallas Campus of the College of Complexes

Weekly Free Speech Forum

Program Coordinator Tom Berry

February 18th Meeting #125 at 6:00 PM
Barbec's Restaurant, 8949 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218

Why We Need to Work for A More Cohesive America

The Playground for People Who Think

Continued

About Us - America Together Foundation

2012-02-06T17:47:00.003-08:00

OUR MISSION

Our Mission is to build a cohesive America, where no American has to live with anxiety, discomfort or fear of another.

OUR VISION

It is our individual and collective responsibility to keep law and order and faithfully guard the safety of every citizen. Hate, prejudice and stereotyping are some of the many root causes of disrupting the peace in a society. It is our duty to track down the source of such ill-will and work on mitigating it.

We believe humans are open to choices, and will make best choices if the path is paved for them. We have provided many paths, through our annual events, like Unity Day, Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides, Thanksgiving and other conferences. It has been our experience that our participants walk out with a commitment to be less biased, less prejudiced and willing to stand up for the others for the sake of general good of mankind.

We are committed to enhance the efforts nationally, one brick at time. We are building a cohesive America where each one of the 312 Million Americans feel safe in their homes, at their jobs, places of worship and in public places.

ENTITY

America together foundation is incorporated as a non-profit organization and pending the IRS Approval for 501 (3) (c) status.

America Together Foundation
2665 Villa Creek Drive, Suite 206
Dallas, TX 75234

IRS' EIN # 45-3851252
Registered with the Secretary of State of Texas 801508675

SERVICES

1. Education
2. Media Relations
3. Workshops
4. Conferences
5. Publications
6. Advocacy & Action
7. Grass root movement

GOALS

1. Commitment to safety and Prosperity for One America
2. Know thy neighbor - Grass roots programs
3. Standing with others, standing for others
4. Participatory Citizenship
5. Contributory Citizenship
6. Future Leaders of America
7. Dream of a Cohesive America

SYMPOSIUMS

1. Anti-Semitism
2. Quraan Conference
3. GLBT
4. Racial issues
5. Stereotyping
6. Hate Sermons
7. Sharia
8. Women's rights
9. Native Americans

WORKSHOPS, UNDERSTANDING
A. Zoroastrianism
B. Wicca
C. Sikhism
D. Judaism
E. Jainism
F. Islam
G. Hinduism
H. Christianity
I. Buddhism
J. Bahai
K.Atheism
L.Native American Traditions

~~~~~~~

America together foundation will build on all the events and programs established by the Foundation for Pluralism.

Our Board of Directors will ensure that all the activities of the organization meet our mission and vision.

Our Advisory Board Members will represent different faiths, civil society, politics and business leadership. We hope to invite all those members who can advance the idea of building a cohesive America. We are all in this together.

America together is an educational and pragmatic initiative to weed out myths from reality, which is hurting the social cohesiveness of America. The myths are vigorously propagated by a few to disrupt the delicate balance in our society by pitting one American against the other for their own perceived gains.

The purpose of “Americans Together” is to remove such myths in an open discussion forum. In that way we'll restore the cohesiveness of our society, working towards building a safe and secure America for every one of the 312 Million of us.

As a society, it is our responsibility to keep law and order and faithfully guard the safety of every citizen.

Hate is one of the many sources of disrupting the peace in a society and it is our duty to track down the source of such hate and bring understanding and nurture goodwill.

DETAILS

Ever since we declared our independence, we have been tested time and again by various political, economic and religious forces to divide us. However, in the end we have come out stronger as one nation. The Civil War, the Great Depression, the World War, Pearl Harbor, Women’s rights, Abortion rights, the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Budget Deficits, 9/11, unemployment, the Iraq and Afghanistan War have all been difficult, but we will make it through and sanity will prevail.

The controversy over the Muslim Community Center in New York has mirrored the difficulties Catholics, Jews, Mormons, Wicca and others have endured.

We have come a long way to embrace and accept the otherness of those different from us. However, this year has given rise to yet another temptation; to blame Islam, calling it an evil, evil religion and calling its prophet a false prophet. No American, no matter their religious beliefs, should have to live in fear, or live in anxiety or discomfort.

Some have been misused and abused in the name of religion. As Americans, are we going to let that happen? No, we can pull ourselves together and not fall into the temptations to divide us.

Goodness will come to our rescue, if we make an effort. Mike Ghouse adds, “As members of diverse family of faiths, we seek to demystify the myths, malice and falsification of our respective faiths. It is time for all of us to gather and understand the Qur’aan, the holy book of Muslims, which has been the subject of attack by a few among us. Indeed, a conference is a positive response to negative sermons delivered from a few pulpits in America this year.”

The first successful event was the Conference which placed Quraan in the hands of panelists made up of Pastors, Rabbis, Pundits, Shamans, Clergy, lay persons, elected officers and the public. The uniqueness of the event is highlighted by facing the “terrifying passages” of Quraan. For the first time in history, the actual verses from Quraan will be read directly and explained by the panelists (Pastors, Rabbis, Pundits, Shamans, Clergy, lay persons and elected officials) who have a deep interest in bringing Americans together on common grounds. The Muslim scholars either affirmed their reading or shared the additional information right from the Qur'aan for further understanding.

It is time now to replace the ill-will with goodwill; no American has to live with anxiety, discomfort or fear of the other. The purpose of this conference was to remove such myths in an open public forum and restore the cohesiveness of our society working towards building a safe and secure America.

We hope to address all the issues before 2012 Elections, so our politicians can be freed from myths to focus on the reality – creating Jobs and putting food on the table of all American families.

Mike Ghouse, Director
Americans Together
Building a cohesive America
www.AmericaTogtherFoundation.com

Misogyny – Stereotyping women - manipulating women

2012-01-15T12:56:00.000-08:00

Content development:

Women are 51% of our population, yet they are not fully represented in the government and leadership of the nation in civil and religious corridors. This has got to change for the sake of creating a better society. It should be your character and skills that determine your abilities and NOT your race, gender or religion.

Women have been taken advantage of throughout the history and throughout the world be it Arab, Chinese, Europeans, Latinos, Chinese, Indian, Americans or others, you still push around women to a secondary role.

We have to come together and respect and honor each one of the 7 billion of us equal beings in creating a better world. Each one of us has to do our personal share of work in seeing a better world.

Here is a video to begin with.

The media's manipulative influence over your morals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hZkC_fNxmQk#!

Step up and do your share.

Mike Ghouse

About Us - America Together Foundation

2012-01-15T12:13:00.000-08:00

OUR MISSION

Our Mission is to build a cohesive America, where no American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other.

OUR VISION

It is our individual and collective responsibility to keep law and order and faithfully guard the safety of every citizen. Hate, prejudice and stereotyping are some of the many root causes of disrupting the peace in a society and it is our duty to track down the source of such ill-will and work on mitigating it.

We believe humans are open to choices and will make best choices if the path is paved for them. It has been our experience through our annual events like Unity Day, Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides, Thanksgiving, Conferences, that our participants have walked out with a commitment to be less biased, less prejudiced and willing to stand up for the others for the sake of general good of mankind.

We are committed to enhance the efforts nationally, one brick at time in building a cohesive America, where each one of the 312 Million Americans feel safe in their homes, at their jobs, places of worship and in the public places.

ENTITY

America together foundation is incorporated as a non-profit organization and pending the IRS Approval from 501 (3) (c) status.

America Together Foundation
2665 Villa Creek Drive, Suite 206
Dallas, TX 75234

IRS' EIN # 45-3851252
Registered with the Secretary of State of Texas 801508675

SERVICES

1. Education
2. Media Relations
3. Workshops
4. Conferences
5. Publications
6. Advocacy & Action
7. Grass root movement

GOALS

1. Commitment to safety and Prosperity of One America
2. Know thy neighbor - Grass roots programs
3. Standing with others, standing for others
4. Participatory Citizenship
5. Contributory Citizenship
6. Future Leaders of America
7. Dream of a Cohesive America

~~~~~~~

America together foundation will carry over all the events and programs established by the Foundation for Pluralism.

Board of Directors will ensure that all the activities of the organization meet the mission and vision of the organization.

The Advisory board members would represent different faiths, civil society, politics and business leadership. We hope to invite those members who can advance the idea of building a cohesive America. We are all in this together.

America together, Americans Together is an educational and pragmatic initiative to wean out myths from reality, which is hurting the social cohesiveness of America. The myths are vigorously propagated by a few to disrupt the delicate balance in our society by pitching one American against the other for their perceived gains.

The purpose of “Americans Together” is to remove such myths in an open discussion forum and restore the cohesiveness of our society and work towards building a safe and secure America for every one of the 312 Million of us.

As a society, it is our responsibility to keep law and order and faithfully guard the safety of every citizen. Hate is one of the many sources of disrupting the peace in a society and it is our duty to track down the source of such hate and work on mitigating it and nurturing goodwill.

DETAILS

Ever since we declared our independence, we have been tested time and again by various political, economic and religious forces to divide us, however, at the end we have come out strong as one nation. The Civil War, the Great Depression, the World War, Pearl Harbor, Women’s rights, Abortion, the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Budget Deficits, Unemployment, 9/11, the Iraq and Afghanistan War have all been difficult, but we will make it through and sanity will prevail.

The controversy over the Muslim Community Center in New York has unraveled the difficulties Catholics, Jews, Mormons, Wicca and others have endured.

We have come a long way to embrace and accept the otherness of other. However, this year has given rise to yet another temptation; to blame Islam, calling it an evil, evil religion and calling its prophet a false prophet. No American has to live in fear of the other, nor live in anxieties or discomfort.

Religion has been “abused” and “misused” to someone’s advantage, as Americans, are we going to let that happen? No, we can pull ourselves together and not fall for the temptations to divide ourselves.

The first successful event was the Conference which placed Quraan in the hands of panelists made up of Pastors, Rabbis, Pundits, Shamans, Clergy, lay persons, elected officers and the public. The uniqueness of the event is highlighted by facing the “terrifying passages” of Quraan. For the first time in history, the actual verses from Quraan will be read directly and explained by panelists made up of Pastors, Rabbis, Pundits, Shamans, Clergy, lay persons and elected officials who have a deep interest in bringing Americans together on common grounds. The Muslim scholars either affirm their reading or share the additional information right from the very Quraan for further understanding.

It is time now to replace the ill-will with goodwill; no American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other. The purpose of this conference was to remove such myths in an open forum in the public and restore the cohesiveness of our society and work towards building a safe and secure America.

We hope to address all the issues before 2012 Elections, so our politicians can be freed from myths to focus on the reality – creating Jobs and putting food on the table in an American Family.

Mike Ghouse
Americans Together
Building a cohesive America
www.AmericaTogtherFoundation.com

Sharia Conference

2012-01-15T12:06:00.000-08:00

www.ShariaLaws.com
As American Muslims we are committed to the safety, security and prosperity of America. That's a pledge we take seriously and act upon it. We are considering a Sharia conference in every major city in the US to demystify the myths about it. Every Republican candidate is talking about it without a clue and much of his/her talk is anti-fellow Americans, rather Anti-American. It is embarrassing to hear their ignorance when a good reporter asks questions.

Sharia will become a dominant theme in the 2012 Presidential Elections; the one who speaks the loudest earns the tea party support assuming that Tea Party represents the main stream Americans. I am not sure, if we the Americans would gulp down their rhetoric or would have the time to question the veracity of the comments.

The responsibility falls squarely on us, the American Muslims to become contributors and participants in the well being, peace and prosperity of America.

We are considering a Sharia conference in every major city in the US, it will be professionally developed with the help of our Imams and Scholars and those who have problems with it. We have to answer every possible question that there is. If you are cooking things up in your mind and judging, you must be a darn Republican.

If you have the will, it’s easy to do it.

Muslims together can work and build a safer and secure America for every one of the 301 Million Americans. This is your conference in your town, organized and managed by you. I hope all of us can call ISNA, CAIR, ICNA and other national organizations to take this project up.

We can do this for under $ 5000.00 per city. I have done over 40 events including the ones over 600 attendees within that budget. We should not expect the national organizations to put this event out, we have to do it on our own with their supervision to standardize the event. You’ll have to raise the funds locally- 100 Muslims $50/each or other combinations will do it. The question we have to ask is, are we willing to do it or find it comfortable to talk about our love of Islam without doing a thing. I am a volunteer and will be happy to assist anyone anywhere.
Together we can come up with great plans and just do it.

For the starters, I have pulled a few key articles together; there are much better articles out there, Insha Allah, we will gather them all and urge Muslims to post on their sites, the more places it is published, the better off we are.

10 ARTICLES

The articles range from simplicity for a lay person to understand ( Sumbul, Nezar , Nasim, Amjad and Mike’s articles) to Mainstream press writing ( Amy Sullivan and Justin Elliott), to Scholarly presentations ( Dr. Yusuf Zia Kavakci and Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq) . I hope to gather article critical (Plenty) of Sharia as well. If you know a great article, please share, together we can complete the spectrum and add value to its understanding. I further request that you post this on your site or ask those who have a site to post. The more it shows up in search engines, the better off we are collectively.

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Sharia in one Gulp – Mike Ghouse

Sharia in its simplest form is a how-to manual based on the Qur'an and the Hadith (Prophet Muhammad's sayings). It is a human effort to understand the concept of justice enshrined in the Qur'an for day-to-day living.

- http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/2011/07/sharia-in-one-gulp.html
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/sharia-law-not-in-america_b_653250.html

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What Sharia law actually means – Justin Elliott

Sharia is more than simply "law" in the prescriptive sense. It is also a methodology through which a jurist engages the religious texts to ascertain divine will. As a jurist-made law, the outcome of this process of ascertaining divine will is called fiqh (positive law), which is the moral and legal anchor of a Muslim's total existence.http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-sharia-law-actually-means.html

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Who's Afraid of Sharia? – Sumbul Ali Karamali

Hasn't the whole notion of shariah in America gotten a bit out of control? No, it hasn't -- it's gotten hugely, obscenely, ignorantly out of control. Aha! The six principles must be about killing infidels, veiling women, stoning people for adultery, honor killings and female genital cutting, right? Nope.

http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/2010/09/whos-afraid-of-shariah.html

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Sharia the law system inspired by the Quraan - Wikipedia

Sharia is often referred to as Islamic law, but this is wrong, as only a small part is irrefutably based upon the core Islamic text, the Koran. Correct designations would be "Muslim Law", "Islam-inspired", "Islam-derived," or even "the law system of Muslims."This is well known to most Muslims, yet Sharia is always referred to as "based upon the Koran", hence it is the "will of God."http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/2011/03/sharia-law-system-inspired-by-quraan.html

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Sharia is Not what you think it is – Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid

When some American pundits call sharia, "a growing threat to the United States," Muslim Americans wonder what in the world are they talking about. Sharia is overwhelmingly concerned with personal religious observance, not with constitutions and laws.

http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/2011/06/sharia-is-not-what-you-think-it-is.html

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The Myths of Sharia Law in America – Amy Sullivan

If you are not vitally concerned about the possibility of radical Muslims infiltrating the U.S. government and establishing a Taliban-style theocracy, then you are not a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination. In addition to talking about tax policy and Afghanistan, Republican candidates have also felt the need to speak out against the menace of "sharia."
http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/2011/07/myths-of-sharia-law-in-america-httpwww.html

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Sharia – Dr. Muhammad Omar Farooq

"While Islam under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad brought liberation and freedom from human bondage and ushered in scientific, technological, economic and cultural progress as part of a dynamic civilization, the Shariah as it is being presented today seems to do (and probably promise more of) just the opposite. Why? In this essay, it is argued that one pivotal problem has to do with some fundamental misunderstanding about Islam and Shariah.

http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/2008/03/sharia-value.html

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Sharia, Fiqh and Islamic Law – Imam Dr. Yusuf Ziya Kavakci
Dr. Kavakci is one of the 500 most influential Imams in the world
Sharia recently became a hotly debated subject. Archbishop of England made a statement at the middle of many statements, that has given the opportunity of Islamic law and Shari to be discussed and debated by westerners and some times the discussion apparently was taken out context. It is, as I believe, a fact that Sharia, Fiqh in its early stages got established and developed in the wide area of the world, mainly where Roman law was dominant.
http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/2011/07/sharia-fiqh-and-islamic-law_15.html

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Demystifying Sharia - Nasim Rehmatullah and Amjad Mahmood Khan

Shariah is a misunderstood and misused concept. Critics of Islam frequently employ terms like "creeping shariah" to stoke fear amongst the masses. The Park 51 controversy and the increasing media focus on Islam provide an opportunity to educate Americans about the true teachings and practices of Islam concerning shariah.
http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/2011/07/demystifying-shariah.html

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Sharia law is not a threat – Nezar Hamze, Cair

You can’t turn on the news these days or pick up a newspaper without seeing or reading about Islam, Muslims or Sharia law. Unfortunately, most of what you hear is from politicians with a religious viewpoint or media outlets creating an illusion of an enemy.

http://sharialaws.blogspot.com/2011/07/sharia-law-is-not-threat.html

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RULE OF LAW (SHARIA) PREVAILS IN OKLAHOMA

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/congratulations-to-the-pe_b_1198878.html

Mike Ghouse committed to nurturing the pluralistic values embedded in Islam. More about him at www.MikeGhouse.net

Stereotyping

2012-01-15T12:02:00.000-08:00

Content development:

Please note that this is the draft.

This is the most common form of ignorance that surfaces every minute of the day in our lives. Our freedom to think is lost when we stereotype people and fall in ditch when we justify it. If we want others to treat as fairly, we have to do it too.

If I murder someone, it is my heinie that needs to be hauled off to the jail and mete out the deserved punishment under the law and serve justice. Stereo typing in this instance would be to blame my race, parents, siblings, spouse, nationality or religion, it is dumb isn’t it? Yet we do it and let others do it without even imploring them to think. What has India or Islam got to do with my criminal act?

Shame on you and I to allow the mind to believe that the murder by a black man allows us to gossip that blacks are criminals, and start justifying some creepy facts to suit our beliefs. Oh well, the educated ones are not… that is even wronger than the first statement…Are all white people ruthless and war mongers? Are Muslims terrorists? Jews will get you one way or the other?

Catch yourselves in your stereotyping, where you make judgments about a people

Reaction of Americans when a Muslim is mistreated. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJikXyoYpgo&feature=share

….

Racism Hidden Camera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kg4DTssWTQ&feature=related

….

The media's manipulative influence over your morals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=hZkC_fNxmQk#!

….

Thanks
Mike

www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com

PLANNED CONFERENCES

· Anti-Semitism

· GLBT Conference

· Islamophobia

· Native Americans

· Quraan Conference

· Racial Profiling

· Sharia

· Stereotyping

Your participation is invited

Mike Ghouse

GLBT LGBT Gays and Lesbians

2012-01-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

Content development:

Please note that this is the draft.

There is a bold, unchecked hatred towards the people who are Gay, Lesbians, Bi-Sexual, and transgender. It is just not hatred for them in the play, but a determined effort to make their lives unlivable. This is not good for America.

It is embarrassing to watch our presidential candidates’ vitriolic against GLBT’s, yet they subscribe to our constitution where all men are equal, what hypocrisy? This may be a case of pandering to appease to the extreme and primitive interpretations of religions, where God punishes the Gays and lesbians in Bible, Quraan, Torah and other holy books.

For God’s sake, God may not have meant that at all, even if he were, why do we want to act God?

As a society, the only things we should be responsible for are; containment of those who steal, lie, beat others up, disturb peace, damage other’s properties or break the civil contracts between individuals and businesses. What you believe in your heart, what you do in privacy is between you, your conscience and God.

We need to understand this phenomenon and really understand the holy books and God’s words and hold off becoming Gods to other people.

It is in the interest of America to build a cohesive society through dialogue and understanding. As an example, I have share my personal work, together we all can produce work that will mitigate Islamophobia and hope all of us Americans can live without the fear of other that is our goal.

I have participated in many Gay and Lesbian events including fund raising. When Gays and Lesbians meet they do the same thing you and I would do – talk about politics, sports, family, friends, food, and movies. We need to clean our minds from imagining things that aren’t there.

The question is how many of you stood up when you hear Gay bashing? Would you want others to do that to you?

There is a lot of material; we need precise points in developing the program and content. Please join us.

A few of my personal examples:

In the parliament of world’s religion in 2009, there was a session about GLBT and the house was packed, the presenter was a Chief Judge of one of Australia’s provinces, who was a Gay. In the Q&A session, I spoke up in support of understanding the scriptures correctly and not go by what has been dished out for thousands of years… after the session, several people gathered around me to ask if I was a Gay, I asked them, do I have to be a Jew to defend the humans rights of a Jew? Do I have to be Hindu or a Muslim to defend the rights of Hindus or Muslims? To satisfy their curiosity, I told them that I was as straight as they were, but I feel it is the right thing to speak out against bigotry, prejudice etc and that is what every religion teaches, including mine; Islam.

I was in a fund raiser for Aid’s at the GLBT gathering at the Love Field Air Museum. There was an Indian fellow out there who was trying to hide from me, he and I were sticking out like sore thumbs in the gathering of nearly 400 people, yet he was attempting to hide, thinking that I will tell the Indian community about his gayness, he may not be as I was not. The idiot could have equally told about me being there. The important thing is if you are embarrassed with your company because what others say, you will live your whole life in embarrassment. Have the balls to be who you are and be free to live the life you want and let every American live his or her life freely without apprehension, discomfort or the fear.

Share your stories of resistance against bigotry.

Mike Ghouse

Islamophobia, Anti-Muslim phobia

2012-01-15T10:31:00.000-08:00

Content development:

Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, Racism, Xenophobia (hatred of Hindus, Buddhist and all others), Islamophobia are expressions of insecurity in men, they are frightened that their way of life will be replaced with something they don’t like. The extremists (Islamophobes, anti-Semitic, racists….) are just a handful among us and we need to take time to understand and lean and share that most of the fears are unfounded.

Islamophobia is a daily staple for the politicians. It’s a shame that a few of our politicians pander to the base emotions of a few to have a political gain, shame on men and women who fall into their trap. If we do not check this evil, it will eat us all out over a period of time.

The question is how many of you stood up when you hear someone maligning Muslims, would you want others to do that to you? Do you know if it is the truth?

The origins of organized Islamophobia go back the 11^th century.
http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/03/islamophobia-and-quraan.html

Please share how we can mitigate the prevalent Islamaphobic thoughts in the market.

The biggest story of 2011 is the Islamophobes pushing Lowes to pull out their sponsorship of America Muslims, a reality show depicting Normal day to day Muslims who are not different than others. The Family association of Florida wanted a depiction of terrorism…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/lowes-all-american-muslim_b_1145048.html

There is a lot of material; we need precise points in developing the program and content. Please join us.

Anti Semitism, Anti-Semitism

2012-01-15T10:11:00.001-08:00

Content development:

Not a week goes by when someone is making an anti-Semitic remark, and shame on us for not saying a thing about it. If each one of us can stand up against prejudices in the form of Anti-Semitism, we will individually contribute towards a better society that we really want to live in. It is subtle. Should others do that to you?

I am sharing a few personal examples to prompt you to share yours.

1. In Dallas City Council around 2005, someone made a comment looking at a Jewish council person "You People" - and thank God I wrote my outrage about it and published in Dallas Morning News.

2. I have written quite extensively about an incident where a Muslim made such a remark and I was on his tail all over, until he renounced and proved that he will not do that. http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/Jewish-Muslim-dialogue-a-necessity.asp

3. There are numerous examples I will be listing here that I have dared to speak out against, in the process I have lost many a “friends” but really, they were not friends. It is a choice we make to lose friends or do the right thing. At the end of the day, you have to decide to pile up guilt’s and weaken your soul or…

Please share real examples and link.

Please remember time is of the essence and want succinct, clear information that we can share in a conference or workshops.

Thank you
Mike Ghouse

Racism and racial profiling

2012-01-15T09:46:00.000-08:00

Content development:

We are developing the content for understanding racism and hope to make short documentaries and find solutions to remove this evil from our society to a great extent, it will not go away for a few generations, all we can do is to make an effort to reduce it and bring awareness to the society, how it hurts and affects the overall society. If each one of us can stand up against racism, we will individually contribute towards a better society that we really want to live in.

I just watched the following video, it is worth watching.
I have witnessed three such events in real estate business
How many times do you find yourselves watching injustice to others?
Should others do that to you?

1. I was discouraged to rent an office space in a posh building in Dallas
2. A prominent Real Estate company denied leasing a home to a lady because she had accent
3. I refused to serve two customers who wanted a neighborhood with no blacks
3. Took a black lawyer to buy a house at a home builder - the words were exactly the same as in the following video
...

I urge you to share your comments and possibly links with comments towards understanding racism.
Here is a perfect video

Racism Hidden Camera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kg4DTssWTQ&feature=related

Americans together in 2012

2011-12-29T23:00:00.000-08:00

http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2011/12/americans-together-in-2012.html

We wish a very happy and meaningful New Year.
. . . .

CITIZENSHIP, ISLAM AND AMERICA IN 2012

Law is one thing and practice is the other. As an American and as a Muslim, I have to be critical of both groupings and work towards creating cohesive societies where no citizen has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other. Here is a summary of 2011 and what we can aspire for 2012. First of all, let’s look at the bigotry prevalent in Muslim majority nations and then focus on America in the second half of the article. How do we make our lives better for us and for fellow Americans. Continued at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/citizenship-islam-and-ame_b_1174834.html

. . . . . . . .

HAPPY NEW YEAR – HOW TO MAKE YOUR 2012 MEANINGFUL

Whether you are with family, friends or alone, you can make your new year meaningful and reflective. For many years, I have set aside "TWO HOURS" yes, just two hours on new years eve or earlier and have focused on different aspects of my life and found a lot of peace and tranquility in knowing who I am and what I want out of life. In those two hours, I allow nothing else to crawl on my mind or deviate from the job I sat down for. Continued at- http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/12/purposeful-2012.html

. . . . . . . .

V ANNUAL REFLECTIONS ON HOLOCAUST AND GENOCIDES

Please consider hosting this event in your town, if you are in Dallas area, please plan on attending it. Education is the purpose; we have to learn, acknowledge and reflect upon the terrible things that we humans have inflicted upon each other, and to we have to understand that our safety hinges on the safety of all others around us. Please mark your calendar of Sunday, January 22, 2o11 between 5 and 7 PM. http://holocaustandgenocides.blogspot.com/

. . . . . . . .

CYCLISTS RALLY FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN DALLAS

We welcome the Japanese Americans bike riders at Dallas city Hall on January 2, 2012 to highlight an issue that we should all think about. As global citizens we need to commit ourselves to restoring social order in our societies where no one has to live with the fear of persecution. This is what all of the spiritual masters wanted to do, and precisely what Jesus wanted to do; to create the Kingdom of Heaven.” http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2011/12/cyclists-rally-for-religious-freedom-at.html

. . . . . . . .

TARRANT COUNTY MUSLIM MEDICAL CLINIC SERVING AMERICANS

This is the America you will come to love, where each one of us is serving the needy with blinders on, just service to Americans. Dallas is blessed with two clinics that serve the people without insurance. Here is a story of the one in Tarrant county Clinic initiated by Dr. Basheer Ahmed - http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2011/12/tarrant-county-clinic-provides-health.html

. . . . . . . .

FOUNDATION FOR GOOD MARRIAGE

Love, equity, and kindness are the hallmarks of an ideal marriage. Deep down each one in the relationship wants the experience to be a blessing. As long as both are just and fair to each other, it will remain blissful. The moment one takes advantage of the other, and does not consider the other as equal the marriage will start slip sliding. It is time to fix it immediately… nothing will work out by itself.. you have to work for it. The longer you wait, the worse it gets, you have to act now. Both are equally responsible to restore the marriage or let it go bad. Each should resist the temptation to get even, or telling the other to go to hell. Remember, it is really not the money that brings peace of mind, it is humility. You must consciously say the words and do the things that restores the bliss you once had and resist the temptation to aggravate each other. Happiness is a choice. May you commit yourselves to strengthening your relationship? Amen.

. . . . . . . .

DONATE GENEROUSLY AND BE A PART OF A POSITIVE CHANGE!

We are committed to building a cohesive America, and have laid out the outline at www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com Together we can do our share of work in creating a better America and a better world, so that you and I to can live without apprehension discomfort and fear of the other. We need your support in creating such a society. PLEASE DONATE - http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2011/12/donate-to-america-together-foundation.html
. . . . . . . .

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, he is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and several nationally syndicated radio talk shows. Over a thousand articles have been published on the topics and two of his books are poised to be released on Pluralism and Islam in America. Mike's work is reflected in several websites and blogs indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/. Mike's most current articles are at www.Theghousediary.com

. . . . . . . .

REST OF THE DECEMBER BULLETIN

A MUSLIM'S CHRISTMAS - HUFFINGTON POST

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/a-muslims-christmas_b_1167258.html

. . . . .

HOW DID YOUR FAITH SHAPE YOU IN 2011 - DALLAS MORNING NEWS
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/12/texas-faith-how-did-your-faith-shape-in.html

. . . . .

MUSIC IS CENTRAL TO CHRISTMAS - DALLAS MORNING NEWS

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/12/texas-faith-why-music-is-central-to.html

. . . . .

THANKS TO DALLAS MORNING NEWS and SEAN HANNITY

http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2011/12/thanks-to-dallas-morning-news-sean.html

. . . . .

PLURALISM GREETINGS & INCLUSIVE PRAYERS

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/12/pluralism-greetings-and-prayer-at.html

. . . . .

HAPPY HANUKAH

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/12/happy-hanukah-jewish-festival-of-lights.html

. . . . .

BIGOTRY AGAINST HINDUISM IN RUSSIA

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/12/bigotry-against-hinduism-in-russia.html

. . . . .

WHAT SHOULD AMERICAN MUSLIMS TO WITH LOWE'S BIGOTRY?

http://www.indianmuslimobserver.com/2011/12/latest-editorial-what-should-american.html

A better 2012 for you with a little planning

2011-12-27T07:49:00.000-08:00

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/12/purposeful-2012.html

Donate to America Together Foundation

2011-12-27T07:44:00.000-08:00

Please mail your check to:

America Together Foundation

2665 Villa Creek Drive, Suite 206

Dallas, TX 75234

IRS' EIN # 45-3851252
Registered with the Secretary of State of Texas 801508675

501 (3) (c) pending

Contact: Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916/ MikeGhouse@aol.com

A Muslim's Christmas

2011-12-24T23:22:00.000-08:00

As a Muslim I will be celebrating Christmas, recommitting myself to listen to Jesus and follow his path. And in my Islamic tradition, I will reflect on chapter 19 of Quran, dedicated to Maryam, Mother Mary, and pray on his birthday. I will pray that we all honor his message of creating peace and building cohesive societies where no one has to be apprehensive of the other. Amen!

Continued: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/a-muslims-christmas_b_1167258.html

Thanks to Dallas Morning News & Sean Hannity

2011-12-21T14:47:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Dallas Morning News for publishing a slightly different version of the following text and Sean Hannity on Fox TV and Nationally syndicated radio show has been introducing me as President of America together Foundation a switch from Foundation for Pluralism. I have been on several Radio shows this month both conservative and progressive and all of them have been giving a lift to America Together Foundation.

I will request Sean to display our logo on the screen. That is a big boost to go forward. We hope to wrap up all the formalities before the end of February and go forward with the plans in the outline. The documentary continues at snail’s pace. We need volunteers.

The events in own own backyard have inspired us to go forward with the America Together Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to building a cohesive America, where no American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear stemming from the other American.

Should we set a model of co-existence to the world to follow or should we follow the very bigoted models we detest? America has always led in medicine, research, technology, innovation and other sciences. It is time we lead the world in the practice of pluralism, learning to respect the otherness of other and accept the God-given uniqueness of each one of us.

We hope to create comprehensive leadership programs to produce public leaders who would be committed to work towards building a cohesive America and put America's interests ahead of their own. God willing, we are moving forward with series of educational programs, seminars, workshops and talks to find pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Is this your calling?

Mike Ghouse
Committed to building a cohesive America
www.AmericaTogetherfoundation.com

Hinduphobia | Islamophobia | Bible Learning | Lowe's | Christmas

2011-12-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

This week's bulletin:

Bigotry against Hinduism in Russia

You and I have allowed blatant bigotry to be preached on our land unquestioned and unchecked. The damned thing is contagious and spreading to Russia and other nations. Bigotry exists not because of bigots, but because we have not spoken out against it.

Six years ago in December of 2006, the Archbishop of Russia called Krishna a Satan, and five years ago, the city of Moscow made serious attempts to usurp the land belonging to Krishna Temple. Of course, a few of us wrote about it and now per the news reports, the “Bhagvad Gita, one of the holiest Hindu scriptures, is facing a legal ban and the prospect of being branded as "an extremist" literature across Russia. A court in Siberia's Tomsk city is set to deliver its final verdict Monday in a case filed by state prosecutors.”

Continued: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/12/bigotry-against-hinduism-in-russia.html

My Sermon at Pathway Unitarian Universalist Church, South Lake

It’s a blessing to understand the beauty and wisdom of many a religious traditions and most certainly, I find a common ground at the Unitarian Universalist Church, a universal place of worship where all traditions are welcome. If you unchain yourselves from any pervious conditioning about a faith or a tradition, your boundlessness will offer the joys of seeing the beauty in every tradition. I thank God for blessing me with no boundaries.

My sermon was about three key points. http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-sermon-at-pathway-unitarian.html

Bible Workshop in Chicago

I'm in a Bible Workshop on "Original substance of divine principle" by Unificationist Church Ministry by Rev. Moon. I'm in Chicago for four days.

This learning is reaffirming my belief that religion is about bringing a balance to an individual and creating a cohesive world. It sounds so much like Islam and Hinduism in a few spots and Bahai at times.

I hope to attend the next conference by Unitarian Universalists. I'm blessed to have attended the Jewish, Hindu and Sikh workshops. The more you know the lesser you know, but the search for truth is wonderful, it's the same truth expressed differently and I thank God for helping me see the beauty and wisdom of each faith.

What should American Muslims do in case of Lowe’s?

There is hope for Muslim Americans. We have to look up what Prophet would have done in a situation like this. He was the ultimate peace maker and applied a simple formula; conflict mitigation and goodwill nurturance to situations. We know clearly that evil begins with an individual and acquires support from a few core members. The entire membership of Florida Family Association should not be held accountable for the actions of a few among them who are directly responsible to tear the cohesive fabric of America.

Huffington post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/lowes-all-american-muslim_b_1145048.html

Indian Muslim Observer: http://www.indianmuslimobserver.com/2011/12/latest-editorial-what-should-american.html

Texas Faith – Why music is central to Christmas or any religious story?

Music is one big part of the harmony that binds people; it is a reflection of one's moods. When we are joyous, we have to give expression to that sentiment to bring a sense of fullness to the feeling.

Dallas Morning news - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/12/texas-faith-why-is-music-centr.html

What should American Muslims do in case of Lowe’s?

2011-12-14T02:52:00.000-08:00

What should American Muslims do in case of Lowe’s?

We know clearly that evil begins with an individual and acquires support from a few core members. The entire membership of Florida Family Association should not be held accountable for the actions of a few among them who are directly responsible to tear the cohesive fabric of America.

Continued at: http://www.indianmuslimobserver.com/2011/12/latest-editorial-what-should-american.html

Lowe's yields to the bullies

2011-12-13T15:06:00.000-08:00

Please watch for two articles to appear in a few days at the following links

Huffington Post -
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse
----------
Indian Muslim Observer -

http://www.indianmuslimobserver.com

Lowe's chose not to fly American Flag

2011-12-13T14:58:00.001-08:00

Home Depot Flies American Flag

2011-12-13T14:57:00.001-08:00

No American Flag on Lowe's?

2011-12-13T14:48:00.001-08:00

Home Depot proudly displays American Flag

2011-12-13T14:42:00.001-08:00

Volunteer Opportunities

2011-12-05T08:22:00.000-08:00

We are looking for volunteers in Dallas and Washington DC area.

Volunteers for the program in Dallas
5th Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides set for Sunday, January 22, 2012 details at www.HolocaustandGenocides.com

Volunteers for the organization, America Together Foundation
We are looking to open an office in Washington DC and need volunteers

You can leave a message in the message box below

Thank you.

Mike Ghouse

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

2011-12-02T11:07:00.010-08:00

Please review about our organization,
and if you have a desire to volunteer, sponsor
or be a part of it, please write to
AmericaTogetherFoundation@gmail.com

A website is in the making, and we will have a new
email by the end of March 2012

Mike Ghouse

Pastor Robert Jeffress , Quraan Conference and birth of America Together Foundation

2011-11-30T04:54:00.000-08:00

Edited on Wednesday, November 30, 2011, written up November 30, 2010

Pastor Robert Jeffress attacks Mormons, Muslims, Catholics, Jews, Buddhists and Hindus consistently, he calls them all cults. Please note that I am not highlighting his affiliation with the Dallas Baptist Church, there is no way, the Church approves hate or ill-will towards other humans, it goes against the very teachings of Jesus Christ.

As a society we have faltered in blaming the group or the religion for the acts of individuals. The words of Pastor Jeffress generates fear, anxieties hate and ill-will, it is him and not the reflection of his Church, even if the congregation sheepishly claps and gives a standing ovation when the pastor calls out, “Islam is an evil evil religion and Quraan is a book written by a false prophet” with full passion.

Please remove any bias you may have against Baptist Church because you’ll find bigotry in every denomination and every religion and no one can cast the first stone. In a short span of 7 years, in my own town Dallas, just one Baptist Pastor’s ignorance is overwhelmed by many Baptist pastors, just to name a few who reflect the inclusive teachings of Jesus with substantial backing are Late Pastor Roy Harrell of Thanksgiving Square, who led the Christian Coalition prayers representing several denominations at the Unity day USA program in 1985; Pastor George Mason of the Wilshire Baptist Church who was the first one to agree to be on the panel of demystifying the myths about Quraan in the Quraan conference and Pastor Bob Roberts who has led many expeditions in exploring common grounds among faiths, including a joint commemoration of 9/11 by Muslims and Baptist. By the way, both the gentlemen were recipients of the “Pluralist Award” in 2009 for their work in living with no bias towards others.

The chronological sequence of the events from the day Pastor Robert Jeffress called Islam and evil evil religion to the Quraan Conference. Much of the documentation is on the Television, Dallas Morning News and at www.QuraanConference.com

This is how it began:

The intent of this piece is to understand Pastor Jeffress, unless more research is un-earthed, he seems to be a charlatan duping his congregation with falsities in the name of Christ.

One listen to his sermon can unravel so much about this man.

First, I must give credit to the man Mr. Jonathan Halsey of the Unificationists Church, who saw that it was an un-Christian thing to preach hate in a Church and he gathered Mr. Marzuk Jami and myself to attend the Church with him on Sunday, September 12, 2010. The day was a busy one for me as I had a major program Unity Day that evening. Alexis Yancey wrote a timely press release to the media.

The four of us including Paul ….. walked into the Dallas Baptist Church in down town on Sunday, September 12, 2010. During the sermon, I observe, he wanted 400 of his congregation members to sign up on Pastors committee; he would not proceed with the sermon unless he had the count. Their goal was to bring at least one potential convert to the church through the fall, spring and summer seasons.

He is an incredible mathematical genius – 2400 new converts at $ 1000 per head would give Pastor Jeffress in excess of $2million in revenues of which some will go to the expansion of the Church and the rest as a possible reward to him for his work.

During his sermon he shared the story of one of the convert founders who had donated over a million dollars and continues to dole out the monies. The Pastor was seeing the rainfall of green bucks.

Someone piped in his ears that a few Muslims are in his congregation and he duly asked us to stand up and had us acknowledged by the congregation. It indeed was a nice gesture.

In his sermon he told that he would walk and put the fire out on a Jewish home, but on the 3^rd day he said on My Fox News that he would reference the story of putting the fire out on a Muslim home. Both the videos should be available on FSB site and of course Fox news.

In the same sermon he praised the lord and extolled Jesus Christ, which Muslims do it with their heart. Indeed, Jesus is my mentor. The he adds, “No other religion teaches purpose of life, except Christianity”. Later on in the lobby I had a conversation with him – that Baha’i, Hindu, Islam and others teach the purpose of life – to serve God and his creation. I asked him if he had studied other religions to have made that claim. He simply ignored the question.

What made me visit the church was his comment a week earlier, “Quraan is an evil book written by a false prophet" and shamelessly, his congregation clapped and gave a standing ovation for a hateful speech in the name of Christ. I implored him to tell the truth or at least find the truth and share it with his congregation; he refused even to find the truth for this congregation. In that speech, he was berating Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Judaism. I am really surprised how the Jewish community let him get away with it, he may be the only one or they may look to him as a looney barking aimlessly. I am glad the African Americans and Jewish Americans will nail any one for one wrong word against them; Muslims need to learn from them and not take the crap from these men ( and of course a few women too).

What followed later were exchanges on NBC 5 and FOX 11 and write ups in Dallas Morning News. All of which is chronicled in the Bibliography below.

Pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress chickened out to my challenge to host the Quraan debate on his own turf. I offered him copies of the Quraan translation by Muhammad Asad, giving him the benefit of doubt that he may have read the two false translations out of 25 some translations. Steve Blow of Dallas Morning News framed my interview very well, “In the Middle Ages, European leaders commissioned a hostile Quran translation to foster warfare against Muslim invaders. Later, Muslim leaders produced another translation to inflame Muslims against Christians and Jews.” I asked the Pastor to invite all the Islamophobes and do a conference and put the falsities behind and look for better relations.

He had the biggest challenge of his life and he chickened out on that tood. “Pastor, I will present the right Quraan translation to you, you gather all the Islamophobes and let’s have a talk. If you find three evil things in the Quraan, I will abandon my religion Islam and join your Church, the Baptist Church.” We need to do a conference and put the falsities behind.

We did the most amazing conference on Quraan addressing difficult verses by Non-Muslims clergy bringing a graceful closure to Pastor Jeffress rants.

Myths are manufactured about others without any substantiation; it is an old business of maligning others to have a momentary gain. Quraan is challenged by Pastor Robert Jeffress, Pat Robertson, Terry Jones and others who have not made any effort to find the truth, let alone understand the book.

Ever since we declared our independence in 1776, we have been tested time and again by various political, economic and religious forces to divide us, however, at the end we have come out strong as one nation. The Civil War, the Great Depression, the World War, Pearl Harbor, Women’s rights, Abortion, the Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Budget Deficits, Unemployment, 9/11, the Iraq and Afghanistan War have all been difficult, but we will make it through and sanity will prevail.

The Quraan conference, Understanding GLBT, Quraan, Anti-Semitism, race, gender and other issues are American issues and not Jewish, Muslim or African American issues. We understand that a few are committed to pitting one American against the other for their own gains.

As Americans Together, we will find solutions to the issues we face and we are indeed committed.

Links in the article:

1. The Quraan Conference Program http://quraanconference.blogspot.com/2010/12/quraan-conference-program-sequence.html

2. List of difficult Passages in Quraan http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/12/list-of-difficult-passages-in-quraan.html

3. Graceful Closure to Robert Jeffress rantshttp://quraanconference.blogspot.com/2010/09/graceful-closure-to-dr-jeffress.html

4. Americans togetherhttp://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2010/11/americans-together-building-cohesive.html

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

VIDEOS AND PRINT LINKS

Dr. Jeffress Tells The Truth About Islam – At the end of the video, his congregation claps for the hateful remarks by Jeffress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfb9p3qSRqA

Uploaded by firstbaptistdallas on Aug 23, 2010

First Baptist's Robert Jeffress Won't Be Winning Muslim Converts This Way.http://www.dallasobserver.com/2010-09-02/news/first-baptist-s-robert-jeffress-won-t-be-winning-muslim-converts-this-way/

By Patrick Williams Thursday, Sep 2 2010

Unedited: Dr. Robert Jeffress statements on Islam (same as above)

http://www.wfaa.com/video/raw/Dr-Robert-Jeffress-statement-on--101772118.html

Posted on August 29, 2010 at 10:26 PM

Dr. Jeffress Responds to Dallas News Columnist
He claims to speak the truth...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4dHHbO7Slw&feature=player_embedded#!

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/dallas_pastor_islam_promotes_pedophilia_video.php
Uploaded by firstbaptistdallas on Sep 5, 2010

Dallas Pastor Defends Claim That Islam 'Promotes Pedophilia' (VIDEO) http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/dallas_pastor_islam_promotes_pedophilia_video.php

Jillian Ray field | September 7, 2010, 3:51PM

An Open Letter to Rev. Robert Jeffress, FBC Dallas

http://www.chicktalkdallas.com/blog/?p=4631

Posted on September 7, 2010 by Joanna Cattanach

Sunday Morning on Foxhttp://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/christians-and-muslims-meet
Published: Sunday, 12 Sep 2010, 10:55 PM CDT

Monday Morning on Foxhttp://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/091310-pastor,-muslims-meet-to-discuss-quran

Posted by Richard Ray: Monday, 13 Sep 2010, 4:52 PM CDT

Muslims, Jews and Hindus are going to hell http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/091310-pastor%2C-muslims-meet-to-discuss-quran

Dallas Morning News Responds - In defense of Islam, pursuing a civil dialogue: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/localnews/columnists/sblow/stories/DN-blow_19met.ART.West.Edition1.356a575.html

Published: 19 September 2010 02:28 AM

Mike Ghouse Challenges Quraan Translation with Pastor Robert Jeffress - 1 of 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMN8Zy1kc64
Uploaded by Pluralism center on Sep 17, 2010

Mike Ghouse Challenges Quraan Translation with Pastor Robert Jeffress - 2 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZOFLQSAOhA&feature=related

Uploaded by Pluralism center on Sep 17, 2010

Mike Ghouse challenges Robert Jeffress

Article: http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/09/rev-robert-jeffress-challenged-on.html
Monday, September 13, 2010

Islam is a false religion by a false prophet, unraveling the difficulties - Americans Together http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_slI-CwnW7g&feature=related

Uploaded by Pluralism center on Nov 3, 2010

Americans have been challenged time and again - Americans Together - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcW84KjXsqo

Uploaded by Pluralism center on Nov 3, 2010

Americans need not live in fear of others - Americans together

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E832SErFzJk&feature=related

Uploaded by Pluralismcenter on Nov 3, 2010

We have to build, rebuild and continuously build the social cohesiveness of our nation. Details at: http://dallasquraanconference.blogspot.com/

Perry's Values Voters Endorser: Islam is an "Evil, Evil Religion"http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/10/perry-values-voters-endorser-robert-jeffress-islam-evil

—By Tim Murphy Fri Oct. 7, 2011 6:29 PM PDT

Jeffress Says Satan Is Behind Roman Catholicism
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/category/individuals/robert-jeffress

Submitted by Brian Tashman on October 8, 2011 - 1:15pm

Jeffress on Mormons

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mht8Vq8aDs Uploaded by daveweigel81 on Oct 7, 2011

The Reverend Jeffress and Mormonshttp://www.rightwingnewswatch.com/2011/10/08/the-reverend-jeffress-and-mormons/

By () on October 8, 2011

Jeffress: Mormonism from Pit of Hell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xl8D7zEm_jI

Uploaded by RWWBlog on Oct 8, 2011

Jeffress Calls Mormonism A Cult – Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism are all false religions

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/jefress-stands-by-calling-mormonism-a-cult

Published: Sunday, 09 Oct 2011, 9:46 PM CDT

Jeffress: Jews, Mormons, Muslims And Gays Are Going To Hell
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/category/individuals/robert-jeffress
Submitted by Brian Tashman on October 8, 2011 - 8:55am

Richard Ray of Fox4 News interviewed me about Pastor Jeffress and the Quraan at 11:00 AM this morning, however due to time constraints, or other reasons they have edited out the critical points about killing the infidel and Quraan Translations. I will recreate that interview and post it on the web in a few days, right here.

The challenge is simple; I will present the right translations of the Qur'aan to Rev. Robert Jeffress in his congregation and challenge him to find 3 evil things about Quraan, if he does, I will go work for his ministry, if he does not, I ask of him to retract the thoughtless cavalier statements he made about Islam and Quraan, and take up the challenge of becoming a peace maker.

Thanks to the Islam bashers for telling me what is it that bothers them, they have time and again given me a list of about 60 verses, and I have made serious effort to address them most directly at: http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/ I have dealt with some of the Islamophobes who have made their business by maligning others including Islam, in this case. Look at their websites; they shamelessly ask for money, people should seriously debate if their money is going to bring peace or chaos.

Whether it is Pastor Jones, Jeffress, Phelps or Robertson, the media has failed to nail down the exact words or phrases that cause them to make such divisive declarations, and the unfinished business is frustrating the public.

America needs peacemakers who can boldly clarify the un-truths and myths about each other for the sake of peace. We owe peace and security to each one of the 301 Million Americans, our efforts ought to be directed so everyone us can live without fear, without harassment and without prejudices. My question to Pastors Jeffress, Jones, Phelps, Robertsons and their likes is this; Didn't Jesus pray and worked to create the kingdom of heaven on the earth, so all of us can live freely?

Some 2000 years ago, Jesus delivered the sermon "Blessed are the peace makers" on Mt. Beatitude, I was there and felt the power of that statement. I walked where Jesus walked on via Dela Rosa; I was baptized in the river Jordan where Jesus was baptized. Symbolically, I accepted Jesus’ message to become a peace maker by drenching myself in the holy water.

The role of people of religions is to mitigate conflicts and nurture goodwill. I ask Rev. Robert Jeffress, Rev. Pat Robertson, Rev. Fred Phelps and Rev. Terry Jones to walk the journey of peace with me.

Pastor, Muslims Meet to Discuss Quran
Published : Monday, 13 Sep 2010, 4:52 PM CDT

Richard Ray
FOX 4 News
Adapted for Web by Tracy DeLatte, myFOXdfw.com

DALLAS - First Baptist Church of Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress said he has no regrets about calling Islam an evil religion. But on Sunday he gave a warm welcome to a group of Muslims visiting his church.

It was an unusual meeting of the minds. A pair of Muslim leaders showed up unexpectedly wanting to talk to the pastor, not sure what kind of reception they’d get.

“We have some very special guests here this morning. Leaders, members of the Islamic faith in Dallas and I want you to join me in giving them the warmest First Baptist welcome you can,” Jeffress said to his congregation.

Muslim Mike Ghouse was part of that small delegation and afterward met with Jeffress to discuss the Quran.

“He asked us to stand up and there was a good welcome. It was beautiful. I really liked that,” Ghouse.

He is convinced that Jeffress and most Americans have only read mistranslations of the Quran, where ugly language about Christians and Jews has been incorrectly inserted.

“What he said about the Quran and Islam I agree with him. He has read the wrong translation. To find the truth, to be peacemakers, we have to find the truth for the sake of a secure America. His statements are divisive and offense,” Ghouse said.

A study last month by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that over the past five years the percentage of Americans with a positive view of Islam has dropped dramatically from 41 to 30 percent.

Jeffress said he enjoyed his meeting with Ghouse and the others, but still believes he has read an accurate translation. He expresses no regret for what he’s said about the religion.

“I have to regrets at all. I think some of my statements have been mischaracterized simply because the whole statement wasn’t given. I don’t believe most Muslims are terrorists. I don’t think most Muslims oppress women. But there is something within the religion of Islam itself that I believe incites violence,” he said.

Jeffress said he thinks he can disagree in a loving and kind way.

“I think we need to quit walking on egg shells. I think we do need to tell the truth. We tell it in love. But we still tell the truth,” he said.

Ghouse and the others involved in the meeting said they’d like to meet with Jeffress again in the future to have a deeper discussion.
# # #

Americans Together, a documentary

2011-11-11T19:51:00.001-08:00

What the majority of Americans want is a just society where everyone feels safe, secure and without the fear of other. What exactly do we want? How will we make the change? How do we convince those cashing in on hate and fear mongering? Can we find a way to make peace lucrative and redirect energy towards creating a cohesive America?

Our Founding Fathers laid the ground work for such a society, “ We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Martin Luther King Jr. expressed that in his speech, “ I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Chief Seattle, a Native American said this perfectly, “All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the webs, he does it to himself."

The questions we face are;

1. What are we doing to preserve that delicate web?
2. What are our initiatives?
3. What are the issues that divide us?
4. How would we allay the prevalent phobias and fears?
5. What is your vision for America?

John F Kennedy, "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." We hope to capture your responses in a moving story about America. The "Occupy Movement" is a reflection of doing something. We need to channel that energy and passion in building a cohesive America.

Americans Together is a documentary about Americans working toward building that cohesive society. Our Mission is to build a cohesive America, where no American has to live with anxiety, discomfort or fear. We will highlight the role of the Muslims in this documentary.

It is time we bring fruition to the change we want, here is the first step in working towards building a cohesive America that is good for every one of the 312 Million Americans. Our focus will be overall prosperity rather than pitting one against the other.

Every American must feel a sense of security, safety and freedom. If we can learn to accept the otherness of others and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

"...We are one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all." We are represented by every race, nationality, ethnicity, language, culture and religion. We 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. America Together Foundation is committed to preserve this pluralistic heritage of America.

Indeed, we are not connected enough with each other for a vast majority of Americans to stand up for each other, empathize with each other, or even understand the truth about each other that we are no different in our endeavors and aspirations in life.

The Prophets, Messengers of God, Spiritual masters, Wise Men and Women and the Peace Makers believed in peaceful co-existence of humanity and consistently solved differences and encouraging kindness among us all. Their effort was to bring about a positive change and create a cohesive society where no one was to be apprehensive of the other.

Prophet Muhammad, the peace maker, believed in peaceful co-existence and consistently mitigated conflicts and nurtured goodwill amongst various groups. He wanted to bring about a change and create a cohesive society where no one lived in fear.

We have begun on our plan to interview and present different perspectives representing the full spectrum of America from extreme right to the extreme left and most certainly the moderate majority. We started with the heads of major Muslim organizations and will be reaching out to every representation of America. It’s my commitment to work towards building a unified America.

We hope to document the efforts that go towards building a just America that every one desires and is doing something about it. This documentary, Americans Together, will be released this year at a conference to be attended by political candidates, elected representatives, religious, civil, business and community leaders.

We are looking for stories;

where people have stood up for each other, did everything they can towards creating a better America.
compelling story to tell,
has got to make people think, ponder and want to take an action.

We are looking for partners:

to fund and participate in our conference and documentary,
find and research stories
to write script

If you know someone who has a story or who wants to help us, please let us know.

The purpose of “Americans Together” is to remove myths in open discussion forum. In that we will restore the cohesiveness of our society, working towards building a safe and secure America for every one of the 312 Million of us.

We have come a long way to embrace and accept our differences. However, this year has given rise to yet another temptation; to blame Islam, calling it an,"evil, evil religion" and calling its Prophet, " a false prophet. No American has to live in fear of the other, nor live with anxiety or discomfort.

Some have been misused and abused in the name of religion. As Americans, are we going to let that happen? No, we can pull ourselves together and not fall for the temptation to divide us.

Goodness will come to our rescue, if we make an effort. Mike Ghouse adds, "As members of diverse family of faiths, we seek to demystify the myths, malice and falsification of our respective faiths. It is time for all of us to gather and understand each other and purge ourselves from ill-will towards fellow Americans."

Americans Together is an educational and pragmatic initiative to weed out myths from reality, which is hurting the social cohesiveness of America. The myths are vigorously propagated by a few to disrupt the delicate balance in our society by pitting one American against the other for their own perceived gains.

Ever since we declared our independence, we have been tested time and again by various political, economic and religious forces to divide us, however, at the end we have come out strong as one nation. Let’s take that first step in bringing a positive change through dialogue.

As a society, it is our individual and collective responsibility to keep law and order and faithfully guard the safety of every citizen. Hate, prejudice and stereotyping are some of the many root causes of disrupting peace in a society. It is our duty to track down the source of such ill-will and work on mitigating it.

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 these topics and two of his books on Pluralism and Islam are poised to be released.

Mike's work is reflected in 4 website's and 27 Blogs indexed at www.mikeghouse.net, and you can find all of his current articles at www.TheGhousediary.com

United States Constitution

2011-11-11T19:40:00.000-08:00

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. It is the framework for the organization of the United States government and for the relationship of the federal government with the states, citizens, and all people within the United States.

The first three Articles of the Constitution establish the three branches of the national government: a legislature, the bicameral Congress; an executive branch led by the President; and a judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court. They also specify the powers and duties of each branch. All unenumerated powers are reserved to the respective states and the people, thereby establishing the federal system of government.

The Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, by the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ratified by conventions in each U.S. state in the name of "The People". It has been amended twenty-seven times; the first ten amendments are known as the Bill of Rights.^[1][2]

The United States Constitution is the second oldest written constitution still in use by any nation in the world^[3] after the 1600 Statutes of San Marino.^[4][5][6] It holds a central place in United States law and political culture.^[7] The handwritten original document penned by Jacob Shallus is on display at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.

The Constitution consists of a preamble, seven original articles, twenty-seven amendments, and a paragraph certifying its enactment by the constitutional convention.

Authority and purpose

Main article: Preamble to the United States Constitution

opening phrase
inspires friends, provokes opponents.
virtual tour online^[131]

See also: wikisource:Constitution of the United States of America#Preamble

“	We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.	”
—United States Constitution, Preamble

National government

Article One: Legislature

Main article: Article One of the United States Constitution

See also: wikisource:Constitution of the United States of America#Article I

19th Century Growth - government housing its branches

Article One describes the Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. The United States Congress is a bicameral body consisting of two co-equal houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The article establishes the manner of election and the qualifications of members of each body. Representatives must be at least 25 years old, be a citizen of the United States for seven years, and live in the state they represent. Senators must be at least 30 years old, be a citizen for nine years, and live in the state they represent.

Article I, Section 1, reads, "All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives." This provision gives Congress more than simply the responsibility to establish the rules governing its proceedings and for the punishment of its members; it places the power of the government primarily in Congress.

Article I Section 8 enumerates the legislative powers. The powers listed and all other powers are made the exclusive responsibility of the legislative branch:

The Congress shall have power... To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.

Article I Section 9 provides a list of eight specific limits on congressional power and Article I Section 10 limits the rights of the states.

The United States Supreme Court has interpreted the Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause in Article One to allow Congress to enact legislation that is neither expressly listed in the enumerated power nor expressly denied in the limitations on Congress. In McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the United States Supreme Court fell back on the strict construction of the necessary and proper clause to read that Congress had "[t]he foregoing powers and all other powers..."

Article Two: Executive

Main article: Article Two of the United States Constitution

See also: wikisource:Constitution of the United States of America#Article II

Section analysis Section 1 creates the presidency. The section states that the executive power is vested in a President. The presidential term is four years and the Vice President serves the identical term. This section originally set the method of electing the President and Vice President, but this method has been superseded by the Twelfth Amendment.

· Qualifications. The President must be a natural born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years old and a resident of the United States for at least 14 years. An obsolete part of this clause provides that instead of being a natural born citizen, a person may be a citizen at the time of the adoption of the Constitution. The reason for this clause was to extend eligibility to Citizens of the United States at the time of the adoption of the Constitution, regardless of their place of birth, who were born under the allegiance of a foreign sovereign before the founding of the United States. Without this clause, no one would have been eligible to be president until thirty-five years after the founding of the United States.

· Succession. Section 1 specifies that the Vice President succeeds to the presidency if the President is removed, unable to discharge the powers and duties of office, dies while in office, or resigns. The original text ("the same shall devolve") left it unclear whether this succession was intended to be on an acting basis (merely taking on the powers of the office) or permanent (assuming the Presidency itself). After the death of William Henry Harrison, John Tyler set the precedent that the succession was permanent; this practice was followed when later presidents died in office. Today the 25th Amendment states that the Vice President becomes President upon the death or disability of the President.

· Pay. The President receives "Compensation" for being the president, and this compensation may not be increased or decreased during the president's term in office. The president may not receive other compensation from either the United States or any of the individual states.

· Oath of office. The final clause creates the presidential oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution.

Section 2 grants substantive powers to the president:

· The president is the Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces, and of the state militias when these are called into federal service.

· The president may require opinions of the principal officers of the federal government.

· The president may grant reprieves and pardons, except in cases of impeachment (i.e., the president cannot pardon himself or herself to escape impeachment by Congress).

Section 2 grants and limits the president's appointment powers:

· The president may make treaties, with the advice and consent of the Senate, provided two-thirds of the senators who are present agree.

· With the advice and consent of the Senate, the President may appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States whose appointments are not otherwise described in the Constitution.

· Congress may give the power to appoint lower officers to the President alone, to the courts, or to the heads of departments.

· The president may make any of these appointments during a congressional recess. Such a "recess appointment" expires at the end of the next session of Congress.

Section 3 opens by describing the president's relations with Congress:

· The president reports on the state of the union.

· The president may convene either house, or both houses, of Congress.

· When the two houses of Congress cannot agree on the time of adjournment, the president may adjourn them to some future date.

Section 3 adds:

· The president receives ambassadors.

· The president sees that the laws are faithfully executed.

· The president commissions all the offices of the federal government.

Section 4 provides for removal of the president and other federal officers. The president is removed on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

Article Three: Judiciary

Main article: Article Three of the United States Constitution

See also: wikisource:Constitution of the United States of America#Article IIIArticle Three describes the court system (the judicial branch), including the Supreme Court. The article requires that there be one court called the Supreme Court; Congress, at its discretion, can create lower courts, whose judgments and orders are reviewable by the Supreme Court. Article Three also creates the right to trial by jury in all criminal cases, defines the crime of treason, and charges Congress with providing for a punishment for it. This Article also sets the kinds of cases that may be heard by the federal judiciary, which cases the Supreme Court may hear first (called original jurisdiction), and that all other cases heard by the Supreme Court are by appeal under such regulations as the Congress shall make.

Federal relationships

Article Four: The States

Main article: Article Four of the United States Constitution

See also: wikisource:Constitution of the United States of America#Article IV

Article Four outlines the relation between the states and the relation between the federal government. In addition, it provides for such matters as admitting new states as well as border changes between the states. For instance, it requires states to give "full faith and credit" to the public acts, records, and court proceedings of the other states. Congress is permitted to regulate the manner in which proof of such acts, records, or proceedings may be admitted. The "privileges and immunities" clause prohibits state governments from discriminating against citizens of other states in favor of resident citizens (e.g., having tougher penalties for residents of Ohio convicted of crimes within Michigan).

It also establishes extradition between the states, as well as laying down a legal basis for freedom of movement and travel amongst the states. Today, this provision is sometimes taken for granted, especially by citizens who live near state borders; but in the days of the Articles of Confederation, crossing state lines was often a much more arduous and costly process. Article Four also provides for the creation and admission of new states. The Territorial Clause gives Congress the power to make rules for disposing of federal property and governing non-state territories of the United States. Finally, the fourth section of Article Four requires the United States to guarantee to each state a republican form of government, and to protect the states from invasion and violence.

Article Five: Amendments

Main article: Article Five of the United States Constitution

See also: wikisource:Constitution of the United States of America#Article V

An amendment may be ratified in three ways:

· The new amendment may be approved by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, then sent to the states for approval.

· Two-thirds of the state legislatures may apply to Congress for a constitutional convention to consider amendments, which are then sent to the states for approval.

· Congress may require ratification by special convention. The convention method has been used only once, to approve the 21st Amendment (repealing prohibition, 1933).

Regardless of the method of proposing an amendment, final ratification requires approval by three-fourths of the states.

Today Article Five places only one limit on the amending power: no amendment may deprive a state of equal representation in the Senate without that state's consent. The original Article V included other limits on the amending power regarding slavery and taxation; however, these limits expired in 1808.

Article Six: Central government

Main article: Article Six of the United States Constitution

See also: wikisource:Constitution of the United States of America#Article VI

Article Six establishes the Constitution, and the laws and treaties of the United States made according to it, to be the supreme law of the land, and that "the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the laws or constitutions of any state notwithstanding." It also validates national debt created under the Articles of Confederation and requires that all federal and state legislators, officers, and judges take oaths or affirmations to support the Constitution. This means that the states' constitutions and laws should not conflict with the laws of the federal constitution and that in case of a conflict, state judges are legally bound to honor the federal laws and constitution over those of any state.

Article Six also states "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."

Article Seven: Ratification

Main article: Article Seven of the United States Constitution

See also: wikisource:Constitution of the United States of America#Article VII

Article Seven sets forth the requirements for ratification of the Constitution. The Constitution would not take effect until at least nine states had ratified the Constitution in state conventions specially convened for that purpose, and it would only apply to those states that ratified it.^[20] (See above Drafting and ratification requirements.)

Bill of Rights

2011-11-11T19:30:00.000-08:00

Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which limit the power of the U.S. federal government. These limitations serve to protect the natural rights of liberty and property including freedoms of religion, speech, a free press, free assembly, and free association, as well as the right to keep and bear arms.

They were introduced by James Madison to the 1st United States Congress as a series of legislative articles, were adopted by the House of Representatives on August 21, 1789,[1][2] formally proposed by joint resolution of Congress on September 25, 1789, and came into effect as Constitutional Amendments on December 15, 1791, through the process of ratification by three-fourths of the States.

Originally, the Bill of Rights included legal protection for land-owning white men only,[3] excluding African Americans[4] and women.[5][6] It took additional Constitutional Amendments and numerous Supreme Court cases to extend the same rights to all U.S. citizens.

The Bill of Rights plays a key role in American law and government, and remains a vital symbol of the freedoms and culture of the nation. One of the first fourteen copies of the Bill of Rights is on public display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C..

ten amendements

First Amendment [Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition (1791)] (see annotations)
Second Amendment [Right to Bear Arms (1791)] (see annotations)
Third Amendment [Quartering of Troops (1791)] (see annotations)
Fourth Amendment [Search and Seizure (1791)] (see annotations)
Fifth Amendment [Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process (1791)] (see annotations)
Sixth Amendment [Criminal Prosecutions - Jury Trial, Right to Confront and to Counsel (1791)] (see annotations)
Seventh Amendment [Common Law Suits - Jury Trial (1791)] (see annotations)
Eighth Amendment [Excess Bail or Fines, Cruel and Unusual Punishment (1791)] (see annotations)
Ninth Amendment [Non-Enumerated Rights (1791)] (see annotations)
Tenth Amendment [Rights Reserved to States (1791)] (see annotations)

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

Amendment VII

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Americans Together, a documentary

2011-11-07T15:06:00.001-08:00

Each one of us wants a change. What is it that we want? The majority of Americans, the 99% want a just society where everyone feels safe, secure and without the fear of other while the 1% is cashing in on hate and fear mongering, it’s business to them. Can we make peace lucrative for them to redirect their energies towards creating a cohesive America?

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/11/americans-together-documentary.html

Our founding fathers laid the ground work for such a society, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Martin Luther King Jr. expressed that in his speech, “ I have a dream that our little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Chief Seattle, a Native American said this perfectly, “All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the webs, he does it to himself."

The questions we face are;

1. What are you and I doing to preserve that web?
2. What are our initiatives?
3. What are the divisive issues?
4. How would we allay the prevalent phobias and fears?
5. What is your vision for America?

John F Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country". We hope to capture your responses in a moving story about America. The occupy movement is a reflection of doing something about it. We need to channel that.

Americans together is a documentary about Americans working towards building that cohesive society. Our Mission is to build a cohesive America, where no American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other. We will highlight the Role of Muslim in this documentary.

It is time we bring fruition to the change we want, here is the first step in working towards building a cohesive America that is good for every one of the 312 Million Americans, our focus would be an overall prosperity rather than pitting one against the other.

Every American must feel a sense of security, safety and freedom. If we can learn to accept the otherness of other and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

We are one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. We are represented by every race, nationality, ethnicity, language, culture and religion. We 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. Americans together are committed to preserve this pluralistic heritage of America.

Indeed, we are not connected enough with each other for a vast majority of Americans to stand up for each one of the 312 Million of us, empathize with us, or even understand the truth about us that we are no different than them in our endeavors and aspirations of life.

The Prophets, Messengers of God, Spiritual masters, Wise Men and Women and the Peace Makers believed in peaceful co-existence of humanity and consistently mitigated conflicts and nurtured goodwill amongst various groups. Their effort was to bring about a positive change and create a cohesive society where no one was to be apprehensive of the other.

Prophet Muhammad was the ultimate peace maker, he believed in peaceful co-existence and consistently mitigated conflicts and nurtured goodwill amongst various groups. He wanted to bring about a change and create a cohesive society where no one was to be apprehensive of the other.

We have begun on our plan to interview and present different perspectives representing full spectrum of America from extreme right to the extreme left and most certainly the moderate majority. I have started out with the heads of major Muslim organizations and will be reaching out to every representation of America. It’s my commitment to work towards building a cohesive America.

We hope to document the efforts that go towards building an America that every one desires and is doing something about it. God willing this documentary will be released by next year at the Sharia Conference to be attended by political candidates, elected representatives, religious, civil, business and community leaders.

I am looking for stories where people have stood up for each other, did everything they can towards creating a better America. If you know someone who has a compelling story to tell, let me know. It has got to make people think, ponder and want to take an action. I am looking for partners to write script, find stories, fund and participate.

The purpose of “Americans Together” is to remove myths about each other in open discussion forums and provide a platform to build cohesiveness in our society and build a safe and secure America for every one of the 312 Million Americans.

We have come a long way to embrace and accept the otherness of other. However, this year has given rise to yet another temptation; to blame Islam, calling it an evil, evil religion and calling its prophet a false prophet. No American has to live in fear of the other, nor live in anxieties or discomfort.

Religion has been “abused” and “misused” to someone’s advantage, as Americans, are we going to let that happen? No, we can pull ourselves together and not fall for the temptations to divide ourselves.

Goodness will come to our rescue, if we make an effort. As members of diverse family of faiths, we seek to demystify the myths, malice and falsification of our respective faiths. It is time for all of us to gather and understand each other and question the motives of those who propagate malice and ill-will towards fellow Americans.

Americans Together is an educational and pragmatic initiative to wean out myths from reality, which is hurting the social cohesiveness of America. The myths are vigorously propagated by a few insecure souls from among us to disrupt the delicate balance in our society by pitching one American against the other for their perceived gains.

Ever since we declared our independence, we have been tested time and again by various political, economic and religious forces to divide us, however, at the end we have come out strong as one nation. Let’s take that first step in bringing a positive change through dialogue.

As a society, it is our responsibility to keep law and order and faithfully guard the safety of every citizen. Hate is one of the many sources of disrupting the peace in a society and it is our duty to track down the source of such hate and work on mitigating it and nurturing goodwill.

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 www.mikeghouse.net and you can find all of his current articles at www.TheGhousediary.com

Palestine Statehood must be approved by the UN

2011-09-18T07:22:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mike Ghouse
Tel. (214) 325-1916
Text Message (214) 325-1916

Email: MikeGhouse@aol.com

PRESIDENT OBAMA, YOU MUST PASS THE VOTE NOWGood for Israel, good for Palestine and good for America

September 18, 2011 (Dallas, Texas). Mike Ghouse, President of America Together Foundation urges President Obama not to VETO the approval of statehood for the Palestine at the United Nations. It will do more damage to America’s stature in the community of nations besides keeping Israel in the state of anxiety until another Truman is born.

The following two videos are released on the occasion for the United Nations Vote on September 20, 2011

MR. PRESIDENT, YOU MUST VOTE FOR PALESTINE NOW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hb0Y-4lRkM

YES TO PALESTINE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WA2NlDU-LM

OP-ED http://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/2011/09/president-obama-you-must-vote-for.html

Shamelessly, anti-Semitism continues to operate under the radar in the United States. Not a month passes here in the United States without the markings of Anti-Semitism. Some one’s house is painted with Swastika, someone yells at them “you people” or opens the fire in the Holocaust Museum or demonstrates hateful placards like “Christ Killers”, there are still a few Christians out there who cannot shake this off from their DNA.

Recognition of Palestine will put an end to the phobias and fears. The Jewish anxieties will subside when they realize for the second time in their history (first one was creation of Israel) that they are able to live a life of justice, which is a central tenet of Judaism that they had abandoned for security. It will free their psyche. It will have a domino effect, one by one, the Arab nations will recognize Israel’s right to exist over a few years. It simply means acceptance of Israel and a welcome call to the neighborhood.

Jews need sincerity and not duplicity to feel secure. Let’s recognize Palestine and continue the peace process. It will abate the strife between Jews and Muslims and restore the cordiality that existed prior to the World War I. It is good for Israel, good for Palestine, good for America and good for the Middle East and the World.

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If you ‘d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Mike Ghouse, please contact or text him at (214) 325-1916. America Together Foundation, 2665 Villa Creek Dr, Suite 206, Dallas, TX 75234 – www.MikeGhouse.net

Americans Together for Israel and Palestine

2011-09-18T05:53:00.001-07:00

Since President Truman, none of the American presidents have had the balls to take a stand and do the right thing; facilitate a lasting solution for the conflict between Israel and Palestine. The talk of two states remains a hoax without recognition of Palestine as a nation. It is a necessity for the security of Israel to recognize Palestine; it will tie the loose ends.

Two videos:..

MR. PRESIDENT, YOU MUST VOTE FOR PALESTINE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Hb0Y-4lRkM

YES TO PALESTINE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WA2NlDU-LM

Sixty three years have been squandered with no signs of genuine security for the Jews; they have been living with an unsettling fear and have been on-the-run for their whole history. Not a week goes by where Anti-Semitism is not countered in Europe, it is there in Latin America and it is there in Asia.
The Jews have not been able to breathe freely. There is a genuine phobia that someday a segment of radical Christians will uproot them as Germany did in the recent past and Spain some five hundred years ago, those were the only nations where the Jews felt home twice in their history but were betrayed both the times.

Shamelessly, anti-Semitism continues to operate under the radar in the United States. Not a month passes here in the United States without the markings of Anti-Semitism. Some one’s house is painted with Swastika, someone yells at them “you people” or opens the fire in the Holocaust Museum or demonstrates hateful placards like “Christ Killers”, there are still a few Christians out there who cannot shake this off from their chests.

Shame on our civilization that one group of people has to live in apprehensions of the other. It is just not the Jews but many a minorities in the world live in fears of the other. Shouldn’t we feel bad about it? Are we evil that someone has to be afraid of us? It has got to change.

Recognition of Palestine will put an end to the phobias and fears. The Jewish anxieties will subside when they realize for the second time in their history (first one was creation of Israel) that they are able to live a life of justice, which is a central tenet of Judaism that they had abandoned for security. It will free their psyche. It will have a domino effect, one by one, the Arab nations will recognize Israel’s right to exist over a few years. It simply means acceptance of Israel and a welcome call to the neighborhood.

The real enemies of Israel are those who are milking monies in the name of Israel. It is business to them, they are the Madoffs whose sincerity to Israel is doubtful but loyalty to cashing in the name of Israel is certain. They are manipulators and constantly coerce our congress and senate and get their way. Heck, they have made it worse for Israel by aggravating the conflicts.

The Judeo-Christian phrase was thrown around 40's to make up for the guilt. A whole industry of opportunists was born from that. The two faced support for Jews by Billy Graham, Richard Nixon, Pat Robertson, John Hagee, Glenn Beck and other chest thumpers had ulterior motives. They wanted to cash in on the name of Israel and perhaps convert them or pre-empt God for the Armageddon.

Jews need sincerity and not duplicity to feel secure. A genuine security is like a child in mother’s lap; safe and free from fears. Jews need to feel there is a home for them, where they can chat with friends in a café and carry on conversations without any fear, have zero fears for their school going children or ride the bus without fear. More than that, Jews can live their life again as they wanted to; to be a just people.

All of that is possible once the Palestinians feel justice is finally served to them. Shame on our cvilization, we have not cared for the lives of Palestinians, they are deprived of the very basics of life; a home and a nationality. We have stripped them from their hopes, it will change with this recognition.

President Obama has an opportunity to finalizing the transaction for Israel which was opened by President Truman. Prior to President Truman’s decision to recognize Israel, he was vehemently opposed by many in his administration including the Secretary of State George Marshall, Truman was threatened that his administration will be wrecked, indeed “the wise men” firmly opposed recognition of Israel. Did Truman budge?

President Obama will be equally hounded by Fox News and the right wingers. He has a choice to stand up and act with courage and become a one term president with balls and leave a lasting legacy of bringing genuine security to Israel and hope for the Palestinians.

If President Obama vetoes for Palestinian Statehood, he will do more damage to America’s stature in the community of nations besides keeping Israel in the state of anxiety until another Truman is born.

Let’s recognize Palestine and continue the peace process. It will abate the strife between Jews and Muslims and restore the cordiality that existed prior to the World War I. It is good for Israel, good for Palestine, good for America and good for the Middle East and the World.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive Societies 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