Thursday, December 29, 2011

Americans together in 2012

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

We wish a very happy and meaningful New Year.
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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
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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
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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/

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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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

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REST OF THE DECEMBER BULLETIN


A MUSLIM'S CHRISTMAS - HUFFINGTON POST
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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
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MUSIC IS CENTRAL TO CHRISTMAS - DALLAS MORNING NEWS
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THANKS TO DALLAS MORNING NEWS and SEAN HANNITY
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PLURALISM GREETINGS & INCLUSIVE PRAYERS
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HAPPY HANUKAH
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BIGOTRY AGAINST HINDUISM IN RUSSIA
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WHAT SHOULD AMERICAN MUSLIMS TO WITH LOWE'S BIGOTRY?

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A better 2012 for you with a little planning

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:

Donate to America Together Foundation


 



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 

Saturday, December 24, 2011

A Muslim's Christmas

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

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Thanks to Dallas Morning News & Sean Hannity


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

Monday, December 19, 2011

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

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.


 
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.

 
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.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

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

 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.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Volunteer Opportunities

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

Friday, December 2, 2011

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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

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:

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.

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 3rd 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:




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.

Uploaded by firstbaptistdallas on Aug 23, 2010






By Patrick Williams Thursday, Sep 2 2010




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

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#!




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









An Open Letter to Rev. Robert Jeffress, FBC Dallas




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 Fox
http://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

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





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

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





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




Jeffress on Mormons


By () on October 8, 2011




Jeffress: Mormonism from Pit of Hell


Uploaded by RWWBlog on Oct 8, 2011







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


Read more on myFOXdfw.com: http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/jefress-stands-by-calling-mormonism-a-cult#ixzz1aM0DqHyH














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.
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