No to School Budget Cuts

Religious leadership must speak out against cutting School funding. Indeed 12 Religious leaders have spoken at the Texas Faith Panel in the Dallas Morning News -  The Talibans keep the children out of schools with a barrel, and our representatives want to do the same to our Children with funds? Hell no, we can afford to cut them rascals but not cut a dime to our schools.

http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/04/texas-faith-should-religious-o.html


Mike Ghous is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day

http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Thanks to Unity Church of Dallas

A successful conference on Qur’aan was initiated by America Together Foundation at the Unity Church with ten panelists representing different faiths. It was not an Islamic or a Muslim conference, it was indeed an American conference where the beliefs of one group of Americans were mis-represented by the other and the need to de-falsify was in critical to build a cohesive America.

We thank the Unity Church for their support, pictures and the details are http://www.quraanconference.com/

I was on Fox TV discussing Egypt with Sean Hannity and Robert Spencer and the topic turned to Qur’aan.

Here is the latest on Fox TV with Hannity and Spencer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5Q64RUxSd4   

Spencer goes on to mis-quote Quraanic verses. There is not a holy book that tells its followers to lie, and Spencer says it is an Islamic thing to lie and pretend. He should know better than that, Americans are not dumb people, they will verify it before believing him. He was quoting verse 3:28 and I am producing verses 3:25 through 3:31 for the readers to judge.

You can buy a copy of the Qur’aan translated by Mohammad Asad or go online at http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch/ and plug in the verse numbers 3:28 and search with Asad translation.
If you are a researcher and have a genuine interest in finding the truth, we will furnish you an authenticated copy of the Qur’aan translation by Muhammad Asad.

Search For: 3:25-3:31 - -

Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) ·  3:25 (Asad) How, then, [will they fare] when We shall gather them all together to witness the Day about [the coming of] which there is no doubt, and every human being shall be repaid in full for what he has done, and none shall be wronged?

·  3:26 (Asad) SAY: "O God, Lord of all dominion! Thou grantest dominion unto whom Thou willest, and takest away dominion from whom Thou willest; and Thou exaltest whom Thou willest, and abasest whom Thou willest. In Thy hand is all good. Verily, Thou hast the power to will anything.

·  3:27 (Asad) "Thou makest the night grow longer by shortening the day, and Thou makest the day grow longer by shortening the night. And Thou bringest forth the living out of that which is dead, and Thou bringest forth the dead out of that which is alive. And Thou grantest sustenance unto whom `Thou willest, beyond all reckoning."

·  3:28 (Asad) LET NOT the believers take those who deny the truth for their allies in preference to the believers [19] - since he who does this cuts himself off from God in everything - unless it be to protect yourselves against them in this way. [20] But God warns you to beware of Him: for with God is all journeys' end. Note 19 (Quran Ref: 3:28 ) I.e., in cases where the interests of those "deniers of the truth" clash with the interests of believers (Manar 111, 278). Regarding the deeper implications of the term "allies" (awliya'), see 4:139 and the corresponding note.(Quran Ref: 3:28 ) Note 20 (Quran Ref: 3:28 ) Lit., "unless you fear from them something that is to be feared". Zamakhshari explains this phrase as meaning, "unless you have reason to fear that they might do something which ought to be guarded against" - obviously referring to situations in which "those who deny the truth" are more powerful than the Muslims, and are therefore in a position to damage the latter unless they become their "allies" in a political or moral sense.(Quran Ref: 3:28 )

·  3:29 (Asad) Say: "Whether you conceal what is in your hearts [21] or bring it into the open, God knows it: for He knows all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth; and God has the power to will anything."

·  3:30 (Asad) On the Day when every human being will find himself faced with all the good that he has done, and with all the evil that he has done, [many a one] will wish that there were a long span of time between himself and that [Day]. Hence, God warns you to beware of Him; but God is most compassionate towards His creatures.

·  3:31 (Asad) Say [O Prophet]: "If you love God, follow me, [and] God will love you and forgive you your sins; for God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace."

The organization, America Together Foundation will focus on bringing Americans together with a series of educational programs to address the critical issues facing our nation in an open forum to find pluralistic solutions to restore the cohesiveness of our society and work towards building a safe and secure America. No American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other. Programs on GLBT, Anti-Semitism, Racial Profiling, social justice and other issues are in the planning stage.

Mike Ghouse is a thinker, writer, speaker, futurist and an activist of Pluralism, Interfaith, Co-existence, Peace and Islam. He is a frequent guest at the TV, radio and print media offering pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. His work is reflected at three websites and 21 Blogs listed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

# # #

Americans together against Anti-semitism



Congresswoman Gifford

 We express our sympathies to the family of Congresswoman Gifford who is recovering from gun shots by a right wing extremist, Anti-Semitism seems to be one of the motives and her support for the health care reforms is another one.

Years ago,  a council man in Dallas addressed a Jewish councilman as "you people" and I was enraged at the "you" version to address a fellow American and thanks to Dallas Morning news for publishing my outrage. Last year Pastor Fred Phelps set up his road show to show his hate for Jews and Gays and lesbians. I went from place to palce, from the Holocaust Musuem to the Jewish Post to the Akiba academy standing in solidarity with the Jews and GLBT community. The Muslims have taken one more initiative; to commemorate holocaust for four years in a row to tell the Jewish community that you are not alone, we are with you in your tragedy. In December we announced holding a series of educational programs to build a cohesive America and one of them was the the Anti-Semitism in America.
Anti-Semitism, Islamophobic and other phobias are a product of insecure people, as Americans together we have to bring them all in our fold and find solutions. Americans together will stand with Jewish people against Anti-Semitism. God willing we are planning on having a conference on the topic.

 Mike Ghouse for a cohesive America

http://www.americatogetherfoundation.com/

Sources:
1. "Exclusive: Jared Loughner Radically Changed Before Alleged Shooting, Friend Says," ABC News, January 9, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205717&id=25760-7955352-ehG1MAx&t=5

2. "Rep. Giffords' Tucson office vandalized after health care vote," Arizona Daily Star, March 22, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205718&id=25760-7955352-ehG1MAx&t=6

3. "Gabrielle Giffords Town Hall: Gun Left Behind," The Huffington Post, August 11, 2009
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205721&id=25760-7955352-ehG1MAx&t=7

4. "Tucson rampage casts light on toxic political tone," Arizona Daily Star, January 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205719&id=25760-7955352-ehG1MAx&t=8

5. "Sarah Palin Criticized Over Gabrielle Giffords Presence on 'Target List,'" CBS News, January 8, 2011
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20027918-503544.html

6. "News Conference with Pima County Sheriff & Others (Courtesy of KVOA TV, Tucson, Arizona)," C-SPAN, January 8, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205720&id=25760-7955352-ehG1MAx&t=9
Courtesy of

JTA News Alert
January 9, 2010

Memo notes Giffords' Judaism in motives of alleged attacker

(JTA) -- A U.S. Department of Homeland Security memo reportedly notes that Gabriel Giffords is Jewish in describing the motives of the Arizona congresswoman's alleged assailant.

The memo, obtained by Fox News Channel, says that Jared Lee Loughner mentioned American Renaissance, an extremist anti-immigrant group, in some of his own postings.

"The group's ideology is anti-government, anti-immigration, anti-ZOG (Zionist Occupational Government), anti-Semitic," says the memo sent to law enforcement, which also notes that Giffords, a Democrat, was the first Jewish congresswoman from Arizona.

Loughner was arrested after Giffords and at least 16 others were shot Saturday at a meet-your-lawmaker event at a Tucson shopping mall. Six people were killed, including a 9-year-old girl and a federal judge, John Roll. Loughner was tackled and arrested. Giffords, a Democrat in her third term, remains in critical condition after being shot in the head.

Loughner, who is being held by the FBI and has been described by authorities as "unstable," reportedly listed "Mein Kampf" and the "Communist Manifesto" as two of his favorite books on his MySpace page. Several hours before the shooting he reportedly left a "Goodbye friends" message, which also said "Please don't be mad at me."

Giffords was outside one of her signature "Congress at your corner" events outside a Safeway in Tucson, part of her congressional district, when the gunman approached and shot her. A Giffords staff member, Gabe Zimmerman, 30, the organizer of the event, was among the six casualties.

A suspected accomplice whose image was captured on a surveillance video camera outside the shopping center also is being sought, according to reports.

Dr. Michael Lemole a surgeon at the University Medical Center in Tucson, Ariz. said Sunday morning at a news conference that Giffords was responding to doctors' commands. During a two-hour surgery on Saturday, doctors removed bone fragments from her brain in order to help reduce swelling. The bullet went through the left side of her head, he said.
Giffords was elected to Congress in the Democratic sweep in 2006. She made her Jewish identity part of her campaign.
“If you want something done, your best bet is to ask a Jewish woman to do it,” Giffords, a former state senator, said at the time. “Jewish women -- by our tradition and by the way we were raised -- have an ability to cut through all the reasons why something should, shouldn’t or can’t be done, and pull people together to be successful.”
Giffords, 40, was raised "mixed" by a Christian Scientist mother and Jewish father, but said she decided she was Jewish only following a visit to Israel in 2001. She attended services at a local Reform synagogue.
In a recent photo, she posed with the new U.S. House of Representatives speaker, Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), at her swearing-in with her hand on the Five Books of Moses.
Giffords fought a hard re-election battle last year against the national anti-incumbent, anti-Democratic mood. She tacked to the right of her party on immigration, saying border security was of primary consideration.
The election was called in her favor weeks after the vote.

Giffords' office had been vandalized in March after she voted for health care reform. Friends said she had received threats for her positions on health care and for opposing her state's new law allowing police to arrest undocumented immigrants during routine stops.

The National Jewish Democratic Council suggested that the heated rhetoric of the last year contributed to the climate that led to the attack.

"One suspect, now in custody, may be directly responsible for this crime," the group said in a statement. "But it is fair to say -- in today's political climate, and given today's political rhetoric -- that many have contributed to the building levels of vitriol in our political discourse that have surely contributed to the atmosphere in which this event transpired."

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Louisville Quraan Conference

Please mark your calendar for the upcoming Quraan Conference in Louisville.

The purpose of the conference is to weed out the myths from reality.

As members of the diverse family of faiths, we need to work on mitigating the ill-will and falsification of our respective faiths. What is the bottom line?  No one has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other.  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.

I need your help to make this happen. Please let me know how you can be a contributor towards a cohesive America,  and I further request to forward this to your groups and friends via the forward link below.

We need to invite elected officials, mayors, clergy, shamans, rabbis, pastors, pundits, imams and people in leadership roles along with the public.  

SUMMARY
What: Qur’aan Conference
Purpose: To demystify myths about Quraan & Islam
When: Sunday, February 20, 2011 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Where: Cathedral of the Assumption
Address: 433 S. Fifth Street, Louisville, KY 40202
Details on Website: www.quraanconference.com/
RSVP/Inquiries: quraanconference@gmail.com

Quraan Conference by Non-Muslim PanelistsPRESS RELEASE

Hate is one of the many sources of disrupting peace in a society, and it is our responsibility to track down the source of such hate and mitigate it for the benefit of all Americans. No American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other.     

Since our independence we have endured divisive issues like the Civil war, Vietnam War, Abortion, Prayer in School, Anti-Semitism, Civil Rights, Racism, Iraq- Afghanistan wars and the GLBT rights. Indeed we have consistently worked on the conflicts to keep America together.

Religion has been used, abused and misused to someone’s advantage, as Americans, are we going to let that happen? Absolutely not, we can pull ourselves together and not fall for the temptations to divide ourselves.

However, the newly framed hate towards fellow Americans, who follow the religion of Islam, is going to consume our energies for years to come if we do not take the right steps now.  The attacks on Qur’aan, their holy book have just begun. 

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 this year.”  If we make an effort, goodness will come to our rescue.  

A panel of Non-Muslim clergy and scholars from different faith traditions will respond to questions that the audience or the media will pose. The Panel members will be given a copy of the English translation of the Qur’aan to refer to when a question is asked about a verse. The audience will also have access to such translations. The program is NOT to glorify Islam or Quraan, but to remove the falsifications about it so we can live without fear of each other.

As Americans, we have led the world in science, medicine, technology, business and innovation, and it is time for us to lead the world with the ideals of Pluralism and co-existence. Let us become a model nation and pave the way for cohesive societies around the world.
It is time now to replace the ill-will with goodwill; no American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other.

Thank you.

Mike Ghouse
AMERICANS TOGETHER  BUILDING COHESIVE SOCITIES
http://www.quraanconference.com/ 
http://AmericaTogetherFoundation.com

(214) 325-1916

Purple day today 10202010

PURPLE DAY TODAY 10/20/1020

To commemorate the suicide of 6 young boys who were harassed and driven to committ suicide. This reflects un-civility on our part. We have to work for a society, where everyone's space, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation and belief is respected. If you can wear or show purple today, it reflects your support for the innocent victims.

Please take the time to watch this 12 minute video. I salute the council man Joel Burns for standing up for those kids, it is the duty of whole humanity to do that. Joel, You have restored my faith in you as a human, unburdened by bias propagated by self appointed guardians of religions... to feel the pain and to stand up for the oppressed is what religion teaches one to be, every religion indeed.

I cried on this Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax96cghOnY4

And here is Joe on Ellen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8MPVQfDwnw

Americans Together
BUILDING COHESIVE SOCIETIES
An initiative of the Foundation for Pluralism & World Muslim

Quran (Koran) Conference

No American has to live in anxieties, discomfort or fear of the other. The purpose of this conference is 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.

The next in Series would be Homosexuality
It is time now to replace the ill-will with goodwill;

The Conference puts the Quraan in the hands of panelists made up of Pastors, Rabbis, Pundits, Shamans, Clergy, lay persons, elected officers and the public. It is to demystify the myths about Quraan and Islam. It is an American effort to build cohesive societies.

PRESS RELEASE
Oct 09, 2010 – DALLAS, TEXAS – The Foundation for Pluralism and the World Muslim Congress have announced a conference on Quraan in Dallas to be held betwee...n 3:00 PM and 6 PM on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at the Unity Church of Dallas.

Representing the organizations, 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, the conference is a positive response to negative sermons delivered from a few pulpits of America this year.”

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 non-Muslim 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 refer to the same 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 is 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.

Bring your children to experience the multi-cultural costumes in a designated room for them.


PROGRAM SUPPORTED BY

1. American Clergy Leadership Conference
2. Dallas Peace Center
3. Unity Church of Dallas
4. If you wish to be a supporter, please call me.

THE EVENT IS FREE
Refreshments will be served after the event.
R.S.V.P. to confirmattendance@gmail.com
Inquiries: QuraanConference@gmail.com.
Website: http://www.quraanconference.com/
Call: Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916

Unity Church of Dallas See More

6525 Forest Lane,

Dallas, TX 75230