No matter how much a president loves his country, justice should be the core value to sustain the harmony and trust in societies and no compromise to be made.
URL- http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/02/texas-faith-should-leaders-love-their.html
Texas Faith: Should leaders love their country more than their souls?
By Bill McKenzie / Editorial Columnist
Dallas Morning News, Published on February 5, 2012
New York Times columnist David Brooks touches upon this theme in this essay. Here’s one excerpt:
“In the real world, a great leader is called upon to create a civilized order for the city he serves. To create that order, to defeat the forces of anarchy and savagery, the virtuous leader is compelled to do hard things, to take, as it were, the sins of the situation upon himself.
“The leader who does good things cannot always be good himself. Sometimes bad acts produce good outcomes. Sometimes a leader has to love his country more than his soul.”
That’s pretty disturbing. Should a leader really love his country more than his soul? If so, does that mean country should come before faith?
To me, this is one of the more challenging parts of the intersection of religion and politics. I would love to hear your thoughts about whether leaders must on occasion love their country more than their soul.
Fourteen panelists contributed to this forum, to read the contributions from all the panelists, please visit - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/02/texas-faith-should-leaders-love-their-country-more-than-their-souls.html/
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism and a Speaker on interfaith matters, diversity and pluralism
Do the means justify the end? Both the politicians and spiritual masters have made those decisions and have justified their actions. But there is always a price to be paid for all such actions, either in the moral deprivation of the society or the long-term destruction of justice.
When it comes to justifying the means, the Second World War always jumps out at us, and we continue to justify the bombing of Hiroshima-Nagasaki and, of course, Germany. Even the anti-war pacifists among us justify it to save greater number of lives, and in particular preventing the annihilation of Jews in the Holocaust. The Torah and Qur'an share this wisdom, “Saving a life is like saving the whole humanity.” With a tag that killing one is like killing the whole humanity, have we been able to balance between the two?
President Lincoln balanced the need to keep the nation together for the right purpose, and it was difficult on him to justify the war. Indeed, he loved America more than his soul. He could have listened to his advisers and not gone to war and lived his life. But the America he envisioned, which we benefit from today, justified the means.
The drone attacks in Pakistan are killing innocent civilians and creating more hatred towards us than taking the individual bad guys out. In that case, the end does not justify the means and we must speak out against this nonsense.
The unjust Bush war had its price, which we will continue to pay in terms of carrying the spiritual burden of mass killings of the innocent and destruction of the nations who had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks on us. President Bush was a revenge-seeking machine rather than someone who wanted justice.
Unfortunately, not all people feel that way, but the torch bearers of the conscience will live through it and question ourselves for not protesting the war that brought untold miseries to others and us in terms of unemployment, foreclosures, suicides among our soldiers and plain destruction of our nation.
Animals settle their disputes by locking their horns or tearing each other apart. Humans, instead, were endowed with the ability to dialogue and bring resolutions to the conflict.
No matter how much a president loves his country, justice should be the core value that sustains the harmony and trust in societies.
Additional writing:
Of course, how many Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist leaders follow their religion?
Quran condemns offensive war, and no one is to wage a war against the other, unless it is in self-defense. The guidance even extends to the individuals, when someone throws you out of your own home forcibly, harasses you and your family, then you have a right to search, and wherever you can find them on your property, you have a right to shoot (American Terms) the invader and be not responsible for it. It further adds, if the intruded begs for mercy, he should be given a chance, for God loves those who forgive and create harmony in the society.
I believe in the Reagan Doctrine, peace through strength, use the strength to bring peace. Animals settle their disputes by locking their horns or tearing each other, humans were not given the horns to do the same, and instead, they were endowed with the ability to dialogue and bring resolutions to the conflict. Reagan did that successfully.
Post morteming the events, no matter how much a president loves his country, justice should be the core value.
....... Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. He believes in Standing up for others and has done that throughout his life as an activist. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News; fortnightly at Huffington post; and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes all his work through many links.
Showing posts with label TEXAS FAITH. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TEXAS FAITH. Show all posts
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Texas Faith: Do we need a new national conversation about marriage?
Humanity
is diverse, that's God's intentional creation. The male/ female ratio
has always remained around 50/50 with +/- 2 points variation on either
side. The world would never be 100% male or female, likewise the world
would never be 100% Gay, it will be a natural 10-15% of the population.
Mike Ghouse
Texas Faith: Do we need a new national conversation about marriage?
By Bill McKenzie / Editorial Columnist
Dallas Morning News, Published on February 5, 2012
Ten panelists contributed to this forum, to read the contributions from all the panelists, please visit - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/02/texas-faith-do-we-need-a-new-national-conversation-about-marriage.html/
Has the conversation about marriage reached a dead-end in our country, as Blankenhorn suggests? If it has, please explain what you would like this conversation to now include. If you think we don't need a new conversation, please explain.
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas, and Speaker on interfaith matters, diversity and pluralism
The conversation on marriage has just opened up, and we are far from reaching the dead-end. But until that time we will need two parallel societies. They will not be in conflict with each other, but each on its own path.
What is missing in the conversation is our untapped ability in understanding the wisdom of God. As humans we are disgustingly selfish, and grind on to the selective verses that suit our insecurities to force the weak (minority) into obedience, as if we gain something.
The conservatives among us, particularly those who are Christians and Muslim, are stuck in the dished-out versions of the Sodom and Gomorrah story. We need to follow Jesus in spirit, and follow the merciful and inclusive God of the Universe (Quran).
God has endowed us with free will. He let Adam make the mistake without slapping him for eating the forbidden fruit. Instead, he kicked us out, and gave us an opportunity to multiply and live out in a bigger world with free will. He wanted us to figure out living with each other without punishing the few, who opt not to multiply.
As a futurist of interfaith trends, I have been struggling to understand sin. I found guidance in Buddhist literature about sin from this analysis, which I read on ReligionFacts.com:
"'Sexual misconduct' has thus traditionally been interpreted to include actions like coercive sex, sexual harassment, child molestation and adultery. As homosexuality is not explicitly mentioned in any of the Buddha's sayings recorded in the Pali Canon (Tripitaka), most interpreters have taken this to mean that homosexuality should be evaluated in the same way as heterosexuality, in accordance with the following principles: I) Intention - Is the act motivated by love, generosity and understanding? And ii) consequential - does the act cause harm and regret (in oneself or others) or benefit and joy?"
As a pluralist, I draw upon different religious scriptures, and here is a corollary from Quran about carrying on a civil dialogue. "Respectfully, I do not practice what you practice, and you do not practice what I practice, so you live with your belief as I do with mine, as long as we understand our differences and not harm each other."
The dialogue must continue until we learn to respect the otherness of others and live in harmony. No one's belief should be thrust on the other. That kind of freedom is a hallmark of civil societies.
…
The phobias that acknowledging and accepting the gay sexual orientation will cause more people to become gay is as ridiculous as saying eating Chicken will make you a Chicken. The sooner we accept this, the quicker we can put this fear behind and move on with our lives, instead of harassing and denigrating fellow humans. Thank God, I am blessed to be friends with all of God's creation including many gay and lesbian friends. The alarmist attitude will evaporate one day, why not junk it now? Indeed, it's a blessing to be free.
…..
References:
New York Times piece on Blankenhorn. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/us/in-shift-blankenhorn-forges-a-pro-marriage-coalition-for-all.html?_r=0
American Values, marriage a new conversation
http://www.americanvalues.org/marriage-a-new-conversation/index.php
Buddhism about Homosexuality
http://www.religionfacts.com/homosexuality/buddhism.htm
Quran about Civil Dialogue
http://www.religionfacts.com/homosexuality/buddhism.htm
. . . . . . . Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a strong presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Texas Faith: Do we need a new national conversation about marriage?
By Bill McKenzie / Editorial Columnist
Dallas Morning News, Published on February 5, 2012
Ten panelists contributed to this forum, to read the contributions from all the panelists, please visit - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/02/texas-faith-do-we-need-a-new-national-conversation-about-marriage.html/
Has the conversation about marriage reached a dead-end in our country, as Blankenhorn suggests? If it has, please explain what you would like this conversation to now include. If you think we don't need a new conversation, please explain.
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas, and Speaker on interfaith matters, diversity and pluralism
The conversation on marriage has just opened up, and we are far from reaching the dead-end. But until that time we will need two parallel societies. They will not be in conflict with each other, but each on its own path.
What is missing in the conversation is our untapped ability in understanding the wisdom of God. As humans we are disgustingly selfish, and grind on to the selective verses that suit our insecurities to force the weak (minority) into obedience, as if we gain something.
The conservatives among us, particularly those who are Christians and Muslim, are stuck in the dished-out versions of the Sodom and Gomorrah story. We need to follow Jesus in spirit, and follow the merciful and inclusive God of the Universe (Quran).
God has endowed us with free will. He let Adam make the mistake without slapping him for eating the forbidden fruit. Instead, he kicked us out, and gave us an opportunity to multiply and live out in a bigger world with free will. He wanted us to figure out living with each other without punishing the few, who opt not to multiply.
As a futurist of interfaith trends, I have been struggling to understand sin. I found guidance in Buddhist literature about sin from this analysis, which I read on ReligionFacts.com:
"'Sexual misconduct' has thus traditionally been interpreted to include actions like coercive sex, sexual harassment, child molestation and adultery. As homosexuality is not explicitly mentioned in any of the Buddha's sayings recorded in the Pali Canon (Tripitaka), most interpreters have taken this to mean that homosexuality should be evaluated in the same way as heterosexuality, in accordance with the following principles: I) Intention - Is the act motivated by love, generosity and understanding? And ii) consequential - does the act cause harm and regret (in oneself or others) or benefit and joy?"
As a pluralist, I draw upon different religious scriptures, and here is a corollary from Quran about carrying on a civil dialogue. "Respectfully, I do not practice what you practice, and you do not practice what I practice, so you live with your belief as I do with mine, as long as we understand our differences and not harm each other."
The dialogue must continue until we learn to respect the otherness of others and live in harmony. No one's belief should be thrust on the other. That kind of freedom is a hallmark of civil societies.
…
The phobias that acknowledging and accepting the gay sexual orientation will cause more people to become gay is as ridiculous as saying eating Chicken will make you a Chicken. The sooner we accept this, the quicker we can put this fear behind and move on with our lives, instead of harassing and denigrating fellow humans. Thank God, I am blessed to be friends with all of God's creation including many gay and lesbian friends. The alarmist attitude will evaporate one day, why not junk it now? Indeed, it's a blessing to be free.
…..
References:
New York Times piece on Blankenhorn. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/30/us/in-shift-blankenhorn-forges-a-pro-marriage-coalition-for-all.html?_r=0
American Values, marriage a new conversation
http://www.americanvalues.org/marriage-a-new-conversation/index.php
Buddhism about Homosexuality
http://www.religionfacts.com/homosexuality/buddhism.htm
Quran about Civil Dialogue
http://www.religionfacts.com/homosexuality/buddhism.htm
. . . . . . . Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a strong presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Texas Faith, Is the religious left too nice and without influence?
The
future of our society will be shaped by the moderate majority, for the
first time in our long history, the moderates have discovered that they
don't need to bang their fist on the table, or scream bloody murder to
be heard, they have done it effectively at the ballot box, they waited
for the left or the right to move towards moderation, and the left
jumped on it and got the ride in 2012, and now the right is scrambling
for the ride. Continued at: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/01/texas-faith-is-religious-left-too-nice.html
…..
Texas Faith, Is the religious left too nice and without influence?
By Bill McKenzie / Editorial Columnist, Dallas Morning News, January, 29, 2103
The Washington Post's Lisa Miller wrote earlier this month about how "nice isn't going to win the battle for the religious left."
Miller noted how the religious left once made the case for issues of great consequence, such as women's suffrage and civil rights. But she contends the religious left needs to greatly improve how it makes its priorities and activities more compelling and newsworthy.
Wrote Miller: "Kumbaya is not a story. Why can't we all just get along is not a story. Since the rise of the religious right in the 1970s in reaction to the Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade, the religious left has failed to gain any comparable visibility, traction or voice on major issues in the political sphere.
"News releases from the precincts of the religious left continue to emphasize niceness over moral authority….There's nothing wrong with being polite, of course. But a great, galvanizing, undeniable moral argument is better. 'Civility is a great friend of the status quo,' says Jim Naughton, partner at Canticle Communications, which advises faith-based groups. 'People aren't going to change because you're nice to them.'"
What do you think of her point? Is the religious left indeed without the same influence and profile as the religious right? If so, is it because the religious left has tried more to be civil and nice than to make a compelling moral argument?
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas
We are conditioned to seeing everything from a binary perspective; left or right. We lose sight of the critical third dimension; the deadbeat moderate majority. This is the group that is meek, civil and polite, but does act decisively while casting the ballot.
Indeed, the religious left is more influential than the right in pulling the moderate votes.
Obama is reelected with a greater margin over his rival on the right. The public support for legal abortion is accumulating despite the religious right. Same sex marriage is gaining greater acceptability. Obama care is in, Immigration reforms are underway, and gun safety regulation is gathering momentum. Heck, the wars will end with no desire to engage in another senseless war.
On the other hand, the religious right is losing, not because of inadequacy in their principles, but because of their belligerent, unintelligent pounding on the airwaves, and turning the moderate majority off.
Jim Naughton makes a powerful point that Civility is a great friend of the status quo; he is talking about the moderates, and not the ones on the left. Whether it is the city council meeting, church gathering or in informal gatherings, it is always the people on left or the right who drive the conversation, they have no qualms in speaking out passionately, even though they get shot at alternatively by the other, they don’t lose the enthusiasm for their point of view. Whereas the moderates, keep raising their hand politely, hoping to get their turn, but never get a chance to get their point across, they don’t know how to bang their fist on the table, such an act is rude and stupid to them.
Years ago, a Nun made a remarkable point on Tim Russert’s Meet the press. The right will frighten the public and attempts to win by guaranteeing to take care of them, the left will match their tall claims, while the moderates have difficulty in embellishing and giving false hopes, they lack passion.
America is moving towards the center, the moderate majority is realizing its power to keep things at an even keel; they want an America that is good for every one of her citizens, in fact they made that difference in 2012 through the ballot, as they do not have the passion to speak out. Indeed, Americas’ future will be shaped by the moderates.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
…..
Texas Faith, Is the religious left too nice and without influence?
By Bill McKenzie / Editorial Columnist, Dallas Morning News, January, 29, 2103
The Washington Post's Lisa Miller wrote earlier this month about how "nice isn't going to win the battle for the religious left."
Miller noted how the religious left once made the case for issues of great consequence, such as women's suffrage and civil rights. But she contends the religious left needs to greatly improve how it makes its priorities and activities more compelling and newsworthy.
Wrote Miller: "Kumbaya is not a story. Why can't we all just get along is not a story. Since the rise of the religious right in the 1970s in reaction to the Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade, the religious left has failed to gain any comparable visibility, traction or voice on major issues in the political sphere.
"News releases from the precincts of the religious left continue to emphasize niceness over moral authority….There's nothing wrong with being polite, of course. But a great, galvanizing, undeniable moral argument is better. 'Civility is a great friend of the status quo,' says Jim Naughton, partner at Canticle Communications, which advises faith-based groups. 'People aren't going to change because you're nice to them.'"
What do you think of her point? Is the religious left indeed without the same influence and profile as the religious right? If so, is it because the religious left has tried more to be civil and nice than to make a compelling moral argument?
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas
We are conditioned to seeing everything from a binary perspective; left or right. We lose sight of the critical third dimension; the deadbeat moderate majority. This is the group that is meek, civil and polite, but does act decisively while casting the ballot.
Indeed, the religious left is more influential than the right in pulling the moderate votes.
Obama is reelected with a greater margin over his rival on the right. The public support for legal abortion is accumulating despite the religious right. Same sex marriage is gaining greater acceptability. Obama care is in, Immigration reforms are underway, and gun safety regulation is gathering momentum. Heck, the wars will end with no desire to engage in another senseless war.
On the other hand, the religious right is losing, not because of inadequacy in their principles, but because of their belligerent, unintelligent pounding on the airwaves, and turning the moderate majority off.
Jim Naughton makes a powerful point that Civility is a great friend of the status quo; he is talking about the moderates, and not the ones on the left. Whether it is the city council meeting, church gathering or in informal gatherings, it is always the people on left or the right who drive the conversation, they have no qualms in speaking out passionately, even though they get shot at alternatively by the other, they don’t lose the enthusiasm for their point of view. Whereas the moderates, keep raising their hand politely, hoping to get their turn, but never get a chance to get their point across, they don’t know how to bang their fist on the table, such an act is rude and stupid to them.
Years ago, a Nun made a remarkable point on Tim Russert’s Meet the press. The right will frighten the public and attempts to win by guaranteeing to take care of them, the left will match their tall claims, while the moderates have difficulty in embellishing and giving false hopes, they lack passion.
America is moving towards the center, the moderate majority is realizing its power to keep things at an even keel; they want an America that is good for every one of her citizens, in fact they made that difference in 2012 through the ballot, as they do not have the passion to speak out. Indeed, Americas’ future will be shaped by the moderates.
. . . .
Eleven panelists
contributed to this forum, to read the contributions from all the panelists, please visit - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/texas-faith-is-the-religious-left-too-nice-and-without-influence.html/
------------Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Texas Faith: What is America’s common creed and how do we forge it together?
President Obama is one of
the best communicators that there is. I am writing a full blown article on how I
felt through the inauguration and I am sure some of you can relate with it.
However, in this piece at Dallas Morning News, it is about his masterful skills
in building bridges between the entrepreneurial individualism of Republicans and
Communalism of Democrats. This is our moment in history, and we have to leave a
legacy of peace, prosperity and harmony to the next
generation.
Published at Dallas Morning News, Monday, January 21, 2013.
Continued at: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/01/texas-faith-what-is-americas-common.html
Texas Faith is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News moderated by Bill McKenzie and Wayne Slater. At least ten panelists contribute each week including Mike Ghouse.
Throughout his inaugural address today, President Barack Obama emphasized our common creed, we the people and taking action together. In short, his speech was heavy on the communal aspects of our work as Americans. His address contrasts with the individualism you often hear from Republicans. They regularly emphasize enterprenurialism, personal initiative and the power of local communities. So, here is the question I would like you to consider: What is America’s common creed and how do we forge it together?
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas
President Obama is one of the greatest communicators in our modern history. Perhaps he is the first president to have articulated America’s common creed profoundly, clearly and comprehensively as envisioned in the immortal declaration by our Founding Fathers: “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.”
The success of an individual hinges on the success of others around him or her. You cannot build a successful business without the support system and consumers for your goods and services. The president said, “We believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class.”
Indeed, the entrepreneurialism of Republicans will bear fruit and multiply when there is an environment for it. It is not a charity, welfare or a noble thing. Instead, it is a genuine investment in human capital that pulls up men and women from the ditches onto a level playing field. That effort allows more people to compete in the marketplace for resources and become “synergists” to each others’ success.
He also articulated the need to be free and to be regulated: “Together we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.”
The president turned the light on a bridge between individualism and the communal aspect of our life. The bridge was always there but had remained in the dark due to the chasm developed through arrogance of bigger majority in the house by each party in the last eight years. Instead of serving the purpose they were elected for their purpose became defeating the other for some.
The message of the president was for all Americans. I hope the elected ones will heed his wisdom and continue to be a catalyst in the pursuit of our happiness.
And here comes the ultimate wisdom from the president: We have always understood that when times change, so must we, that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges, that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action.”..... ..
Eleven panelists contributed to this forum, to read the contributions from all the panelists, please visit - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/texas-faith-what-is-americas-common-creed-and-how-do-we-forge-it-together.html/
Published at Dallas Morning News, Monday, January 21, 2013.
Continued at: http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/01/texas-faith-what-is-americas-common.html
Texas Faith is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News moderated by Bill McKenzie and Wayne Slater. At least ten panelists contribute each week including Mike Ghouse.
Throughout his inaugural address today, President Barack Obama emphasized our common creed, we the people and taking action together. In short, his speech was heavy on the communal aspects of our work as Americans. His address contrasts with the individualism you often hear from Republicans. They regularly emphasize enterprenurialism, personal initiative and the power of local communities. So, here is the question I would like you to consider: What is America’s common creed and how do we forge it together?
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas
President Obama is one of the greatest communicators in our modern history. Perhaps he is the first president to have articulated America’s common creed profoundly, clearly and comprehensively as envisioned in the immortal declaration by our Founding Fathers: “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.”
The success of an individual hinges on the success of others around him or her. You cannot build a successful business without the support system and consumers for your goods and services. The president said, “We believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class.”
Indeed, the entrepreneurialism of Republicans will bear fruit and multiply when there is an environment for it. It is not a charity, welfare or a noble thing. Instead, it is a genuine investment in human capital that pulls up men and women from the ditches onto a level playing field. That effort allows more people to compete in the marketplace for resources and become “synergists” to each others’ success.
He also articulated the need to be free and to be regulated: “Together we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.”
The president turned the light on a bridge between individualism and the communal aspect of our life. The bridge was always there but had remained in the dark due to the chasm developed through arrogance of bigger majority in the house by each party in the last eight years. Instead of serving the purpose they were elected for their purpose became defeating the other for some.
The message of the president was for all Americans. I hope the elected ones will heed his wisdom and continue to be a catalyst in the pursuit of our happiness.
And here comes the ultimate wisdom from the president: We have always understood that when times change, so must we, that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges, that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action.”..... ..
Eleven panelists contributed to this forum, to read the contributions from all the panelists, please visit - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/texas-faith-what-is-americas-common-creed-and-how-do-we-forge-it-together.html/
------------
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Texas Faith: President Obama’s Inaugural benediction and Pastor Giglio
PRESIDENT
OBAMA'S INAUGURAL BENEDICTION AND PASTOR GIGLIOShould the pastor who
once gave anti-gay marriage sermon been removed from Obama’s inaugural?
Published in Dallas Morning News on 01/15/2013
Texas Faith is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News
moderated by Bill McKenzie and Wayne Slater. At least ten panelists contribute
each week including Mike Ghouse.
By inviting religious conservatives to be part of a broad faith-based community, Obama seemed to be saying that while we don’t agree on everything, there are areas of common ground that Americans can share. Giglio was picked because of his work against human trafficking. Obama can have whomever he wants at his inauguration – but what if he had kept Giglio on the program and showcased the broad diversity of our faith? Would that have been a strong message about bridging the religious divide in our politics?
Which invites this question: In removing Giglio from the program, did the Obama inaugural do the right thing? What good comes from his absence? And what good — or bad– would have come had Giglio stayed on to deliver the benediction?
Reverend Giglio’s withdrawal from delivering the benediction was the right thing to do, although it may be a small ritual, it has the power to set the inclusive tone for the nation.
We are yet to be truthful to our own pledge that we take, that we are, “one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. Our benediction should strongly reflect the sentiment of oneness of our nation under God, and shed our hypocrisies of excluding fellow Americans even in our prayers.
Our nation has come a long way in fulfilling our immortal declaration, “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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Indeed, it was the consent of an overwhelming majority of Gays and Lesbians, Native and African Americans, women and men, Hindus and Muslims, Atheists and Wicca, Hispanics and Pagans, and others that the president derives his powers from, and he has the mandate to shape an inclusive America. Rev. Giglio’s comment about Gays and Lesbians was anathema to such a mandate, and his withdrawal bodes well in nurturing the inclusiveness.
However, had Giglio stayed on to deliver his benediction, representing his exclusive tradition, it would have sent negative vibes of betrayal to the very people who gave their overwhelming supported to bring the change.
On the positive note, we would have learned to live with our differences; that is our tradition. As long as it did not mean to impose our religious views on others, it would have done some good to the nation, including an exclusive individual to deliver the benediction would have added another feather in Obama’s hat of pluralism.
I am composing an ideal benediction for President Obama’s second term, and would be available at the WWW.FoundationforPluralism.com by Friday.
Ten panelists contributed to
this forum, to read the full intro and the contributions from the
panelists, please visit - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/texas-faith-should-the-pastor-who-once-gave-anti-gay-marriage-sermon-been-removed-from-obamas-inaugural.html/
Although the inaugural
benediction may be a small ritual, it has the power to set the inclusive tone
for the nation. One of the many roles of a president is to shape and nurture the
direction of the nation, and president Obama has been a good shepherd. Indeed,
he is committed to building an America, where each one of us becomes a catalyst
to the other, and eventually, each strand in the web of our society will
coalesce in building our nation to function cohesively. The president’s wisdom
is crystal clear, “We rise and fall together as one
nation.”Continue
- http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/01/texas-faith-president-obamas-inaugural.html
By inviting religious conservatives to be part of a broad faith-based community, Obama seemed to be saying that while we don’t agree on everything, there are areas of common ground that Americans can share. Giglio was picked because of his work against human trafficking. Obama can have whomever he wants at his inauguration – but what if he had kept Giglio on the program and showcased the broad diversity of our faith? Would that have been a strong message about bridging the religious divide in our politics?
Which invites this question: In removing Giglio from the program, did the Obama inaugural do the right thing? What good comes from his absence? And what good — or bad– would have come had Giglio stayed on to deliver the benediction?
MIKE
GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas
One of the many roles of a
president is to shape and nurture the direction of the nation, and president
Obama has been a good shepherd. Indeed, he is committed to building an America,
where each one of us becomes a catalyst to the other, and eventually, each
strand in the web of our society will coalesce in building our nation to
function cohesively. The president’s wisdom is crystal clear, “We rise and fall
together as one nation.”Reverend Giglio’s withdrawal from delivering the benediction was the right thing to do, although it may be a small ritual, it has the power to set the inclusive tone for the nation.
We are yet to be truthful to our own pledge that we take, that we are, “one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. Our benediction should strongly reflect the sentiment of oneness of our nation under God, and shed our hypocrisies of excluding fellow Americans even in our prayers.
Our nation has come a long way in fulfilling our immortal declaration, “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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Indeed, it was the consent of an overwhelming majority of Gays and Lesbians, Native and African Americans, women and men, Hindus and Muslims, Atheists and Wicca, Hispanics and Pagans, and others that the president derives his powers from, and he has the mandate to shape an inclusive America. Rev. Giglio’s comment about Gays and Lesbians was anathema to such a mandate, and his withdrawal bodes well in nurturing the inclusiveness.
However, had Giglio stayed on to deliver his benediction, representing his exclusive tradition, it would have sent negative vibes of betrayal to the very people who gave their overwhelming supported to bring the change.
On the positive note, we would have learned to live with our differences; that is our tradition. As long as it did not mean to impose our religious views on others, it would have done some good to the nation, including an exclusive individual to deliver the benediction would have added another feather in Obama’s hat of pluralism.
I am composing an ideal benediction for President Obama’s second term, and would be available at the WWW.FoundationforPluralism.com by Friday.
------------
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
TEXAS FAITH: How do we create the common good in Texas?
Texas Faith: How do we create the common
good in Texas?
Published in Dallas Morning News on 01/09/2012
Charity does not have to be Godly, noble or a drag on the
well to do, but it certainly insures everyone in the society to function
effectively. Pulling people up from ditches on to a level playing field can be
viewed as an act of charity or an act of responsible investment in human
capital. Governor Perry needs to move on with the affordable care act or move
away from being a hindrance to the public good.
Texas Faith is a weekly column at Dallas Morning News
moderated by Bill McKenzie and Wayne Slater. At least ten panelists contribute
each week including Mike Ghouse.
Continue - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/01/texas-faith-how-do-we-create-common.html
So, as we start 2013, and the Texas Legislature begins its every-other-year session, let’s discuss that topic. More specifically: How do you think the state can create a greater sense of the common good?
For some, this will mean greater attention to poverty issues or those left behind. Texas often ranks high among states when it comes to providing various social services, such as mental health care. And high doesn’t mean good. It means we rank 45th, 46th, 47th, etc. in a comparison of states when it comes to spending for a social service.
At the same time, Texas’ economy is in a better place than that of most states. A recent survey of CEOs ranked Texas as the best place to do business. The result of the business-friendly attitude for workers is that Texas has shown a good ability to create jobs. Because we have a fairly robust economy, jobless figures here are better than those of most states.
So, there are two sides to the Texas question. And with those two parts in mind, I’d like to hear how you think Texas can create a greater sense of the common good.
Published in Dallas Morning News on 01/09/2012
Charity does not have to be Godly, noble or a drag on the
well to do, but it certainly insures everyone in the society to function
effectively. Pulling people up from ditches on to a level playing field can be
viewed as an act of charity or an act of responsible investment in human
capital. Governor Perry needs to move on with the affordable care act or move
away from being a hindrance to the public good.Continue - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/01/texas-faith-how-do-we-create-common.html
So, as we start 2013, and the Texas Legislature begins its every-other-year session, let’s discuss that topic. More specifically: How do you think the state can create a greater sense of the common good?
For some, this will mean greater attention to poverty issues or those left behind. Texas often ranks high among states when it comes to providing various social services, such as mental health care. And high doesn’t mean good. It means we rank 45th, 46th, 47th, etc. in a comparison of states when it comes to spending for a social service.
At the same time, Texas’ economy is in a better place than that of most states. A recent survey of CEOs ranked Texas as the best place to do business. The result of the business-friendly attitude for workers is that Texas has shown a good ability to create jobs. Because we have a fairly robust economy, jobless figures here are better than those of most states.
So, there are two sides to the Texas question. And with those two parts in mind, I’d like to hear how you think Texas can create a greater sense of the common good.
MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism,
Dallas
Pulling people up from ditches onto a
level playing field can be viewed as an act of charity or an act of responsible
investment in human capital. The reality is, it adds to the common good in
broadening a consumer base that will propel economic growth, and uplift everyone
in the process. Charity does not have to be godly, noble or a drag on the
well-to-do, but certainly insures every one in the society can function
effectively.
The mother of all good is a good economy.
This can be better understood by the housing industry, a barometer of economic
health of a nation. There was a time when people could not purchase a home
unless they had the cash. All of that changed with the creation of Federal
Housing Administration in 1934. With less than 5% down, you could buy your home.
Indeed, 20 homes were bought for the same money in place of cash for
one.
Everything multiplies with it; the
economists call it a multiplier effect. Building 400 homes instead of twenty
homes creates jobs, rolls the lumber off the mills, appliances are manufactured,
brick runs through the kilns, and masons, carpenters, plumbers, roofers,
electricians and others get to work. Add to that the services it generates, such
as gas companies, public schools and grocery stores. All those services generate
additional tax revenues.
Indeed, our common good was created out
of thin air, and we can do more of it in Texas by encouraging and uplifting
small businesses through insured loans to otherwise unqualified borrowers but
great entrepreneurs. Bangladesh is a story of success through micro-loans, and
we can replicate that model. The more people we can have on a level playing
field, the better off all of us would be.
We need both short and long term
solutions. President Obama has articulated the long term goals as an investment
in producing outstanding students in science, math, engineering and medicine to
continue to have a lead in innovation to improve our quality of
life.
The short term goals include re-training
the unemployed and under-employed. Once they get the skills, they can support
the services the state needs.
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, a good
investment in a healthy America will keep Texans working and producing with the
least loss of sickness. That will add to the GDP and the state’s revenues.
Governor Perry needs to move on with the program or move away from being a
hindrance to the public good.
The answer has got to be a comprehensive
approach to feeling good about ourselves and those around us. We need to build a
society where no Texan – whether that person is a woman, an African- American,
gay or lesbian, atheist, Muslim, Jew, Sikh, Hindu or an immigrant — feels
threatened in the pursuit of his or her happiness.
Our well-being is nurtured by the
well-being of what surrounds us, namely people and the
environment.
For other contributions, please visit -
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2013/01/texas-faith-how-do-we-create-the-common-good-in-texas.html/
------------
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Texas Faith: The future of religion in America
Interfaith friendships are on rise, and so are interfaith
marriages. In an informal survey, nearly 35% of Muslims and Hindus marry
outsides their faiths. The Pew religious landscape pegs it at 31% for the Jewish
community, and the General Social Survey points it to 25 percent for the whole
nation. Hence, affiliations with universal places of worship to accommodate their
special needs are on rise – continued http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2013/01/texas-faith-future-of-religion-in.html
TEXAS
FAITH: The future of religion in America
Published by Dallas Morning News on
12/31/12
Texas Faith is a weekly column
at Dallas Morning News moderated by Bill McKenzie and Wayne Slater. At least ten
panelists contribute each week including Mike Ghouse,
For all the
responses, please visit - http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/12/texas-faith-the-future-of-religion-in-america.html/
Frank Newport, Gallup’s editor-in-chief, has written
a new book, God is Alive and Well: The
Future of Religion in America. One of his main conclusions deals with the
communal aspect of religion. Here’s what the public opinion analyst writes about
the data his organization has collected:
“The
religion of tomorrow may increasingly emphasize informal aspects of community
and less hierarchy. Growth will come to branded churches to the extent that they
emulate nondenominational approaches and highlight community, togetherness, and
social fabric ties. Religious leaders will recognize that the social lives of
today’s potential parishioners are more and more involved with ad hoc groupings,
informal networking, and interaction with those who share affinities. Americans
will increasingly recognize that the social and community aspects of religion
are very valuable.”
Here, then, is the question for
discussion:
How
do you see the future for religion in America, especially the communal aspect?
If Newport is right, how do you see your tradition adapting to the religion of
tomorrow?
MIKE
GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas
Frank Newport has captured the essence of tomorrow’s
communal aspect of America very well. Indeed, there is a parallel experience at
Facebook, the center of our new universe, where we function in a similar pattern
in a different social setting.
The message of Pluralism and inclusiveness in both
religion and politics has delivered over 10,000 Facebook friends to me, and the
number is still growing with subscribers. While at the same time, Facebook has
made it easier for one to create his or her own group to cater to fulfill his or
her narrow interests as well, thus there is an explosive growth and formation of
innumerable ad hoc groups.
I see the awakening of liberties in each individual
to run from exclusive theological teachings and move towards inclusive
non-denominational churches.
There is rarely a school, workplace, playground or
social settings in urban areas where one is not exposed, and is not connected
with people of different faiths and cultures. Indeed, it is comfortable to be a
part of a congregation where such values are embraced to fulfill of our communal
needs. Indeed, we are built to live in harmony with others and are drawn towards
inclusiveness.
Interfaith friendships are on rise, and so are
interfaith marriages. In an informal survey, nearly 35% of Muslims and Hindus
marry outsides their faiths. The Pew religious landscape pegs it at 31% for the
Jewish community, and the General Social Survey points it to 25 percent for the
whole nation.
Religion is a part of 85% of Americans. Nearly a
1/3rd of all Americans are marrying outside their faith. Hence, affiliations
with universal places of worship to accommodate their special needs are on
rise.
There is also the pleasure principle at work, where
we are drawn toward our comfort zone for our individual needs. Ad hoc groupings
are also increasing to share affinities within religion, social networking,
music, politics, cuisines, hobbies, humor, poetry, gun control etc. And Facebook
has become instrumental in the formation of smaller self-interest
groups.
The shift is toward connecting a piece of an
individual with a similar piece of the other. instead of the whole that may come
with pain from conflict.
------------
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace, Islam, Israel, India, interfaith, and cohesion at work place and standing up for others as an activist. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a presence on national and local TV, Radio and Print Media. He is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Texas Faith: Why do we say grace over a meal, including at Thanksgiving?
Expression of gratitude is
the ultimate balancing act in everyone’s life. We know from whom we receive the
good and to whom we offer our gratitude. The absence of a simple “thank you”
creates an imbalance in the relationship and spiritual energy while a simple
“thank you” will tie the loose ends and restore the balance - Mike Ghouse
Texas Faith: Why do we say grace over a meal, including at Thanksgiving?
MIKE GHOUSE,
President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas
Life is a self-balancing act. Everything we do and say is spiritual as well as a real-life transaction that moves the needle from balance to imbalance, and back to balance.
The mechanism is built around forgiveness, repentance, service and gratitude. These values are a product of co-existence and inculcated through religious teachings. However, atheists would also achieve the same without invoking God.
The accountant chants that for every debit there is a credit. The physicist has proved that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. And the doctor declares that blood lost from the body of an individual must be replenished with an equal amount of blood to sustain life.
As a spiritualist I say, for every wrong we do, an equal amount of energy is drained from us. And for every good we do, energy is recouped. We are constantly receiving and giving energy. Intake and output must be equal to have a healthy living, or else we are thrown off balance.
For every hurt we hurl on others, an equal amount of burden gets dumped on us. Until we say “sorry” and repent genuinely, the energy balance within us deteriorates. The transaction remains incomplete.
Why do we say grace over a meal?
Expression of gratitude is the ultimate balancing act in everyone’s life. We know from whom we receive the good and to whom we offer our gratitude. The absence of a simple “thank you” creates an imbalance in the relationship and spiritual energy while a simple “thank you” will tie the loose ends and restore the balance.
When the giver is not identified, to whom do we give thanks? The accident we got out of safely, the job we did not lose or the meal we are able to have must be accounted for.
For believers, that source is identified as God, and it behooves them to say grace over the meal. The transaction will be fully complete when we become considerate to those who do not have the same basic things in life as we do. Prophet Muhammad had said when you have nothing to give to others; the least you can give is hope, and a smile to let them know that we care.
Published in Dallas Morning News. Message from all contributors at:
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/11/texas-faith-why-do-we-say-grace-over-a-meal-including-at-thanksgiving.html/
# # #
Texas Faith: Why do we say grace over a meal, including at Thanksgiving?
The
Texas Faith blog is a discussion among formal and informal religious leaders whose
faith traditions express a belief in a transcendent power – or the possibility
of one. While all readers are invited to participate in this blog, by
responding in the comments section, discussion leaders are those whose religion
involves belief in a divine higher power or those who may not believe in a
transcendent power but leave room for the possibility of one. Within this
framework, moderators William McKenzie and Wayne Slater seek to bring a
diversity of thinkers onto the Texas Faith panels.
But why do we say grace over a meal, including a traditional one like the Thanksgiving dinner?
But why do we say grace over a meal, including a traditional one like the Thanksgiving dinner?
Life is a self-balancing act. Everything we do and say is spiritual as well as a real-life transaction that moves the needle from balance to imbalance, and back to balance.
The mechanism is built around forgiveness, repentance, service and gratitude. These values are a product of co-existence and inculcated through religious teachings. However, atheists would also achieve the same without invoking God.
The accountant chants that for every debit there is a credit. The physicist has proved that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. And the doctor declares that blood lost from the body of an individual must be replenished with an equal amount of blood to sustain life.
As a spiritualist I say, for every wrong we do, an equal amount of energy is drained from us. And for every good we do, energy is recouped. We are constantly receiving and giving energy. Intake and output must be equal to have a healthy living, or else we are thrown off balance.
For every hurt we hurl on others, an equal amount of burden gets dumped on us. Until we say “sorry” and repent genuinely, the energy balance within us deteriorates. The transaction remains incomplete.
Why do we say grace over a meal?
Expression of gratitude is the ultimate balancing act in everyone’s life. We know from whom we receive the good and to whom we offer our gratitude. The absence of a simple “thank you” creates an imbalance in the relationship and spiritual energy while a simple “thank you” will tie the loose ends and restore the balance.
When the giver is not identified, to whom do we give thanks? The accident we got out of safely, the job we did not lose or the meal we are able to have must be accounted for.
For believers, that source is identified as God, and it behooves them to say grace over the meal. The transaction will be fully complete when we become considerate to those who do not have the same basic things in life as we do. Prophet Muhammad had said when you have nothing to give to others; the least you can give is hope, and a smile to let them know that we care.
Published in Dallas Morning News. Message from all contributors at:
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/11/texas-faith-why-do-we-say-grace-over-a-meal-including-at-thanksgiving.html/
# # #
Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker and a
writer on pluralism, politics, peace making,
foreign policy, Islam, Israel, India, Pakistan, interfaith, and cohesion at
work place or social settings. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and
offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a
strong presence on national local TV, Radio and Print Media, and is a frequent
guest on Sean Hannity
show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he
contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning
News, fortnightly at Huffington
post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you
want to know about him.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Texas Faith: What did the 2012 election results mean?
This election is an endorsement
of separation of church and state, and complies with the First Amendment. The
November ballot has produced two clear outcomes: A loss of control and start of
Armageddon countdown for conservatives. And the beginning of freedom enshrined
in our constitution for the moderate majority - Mike Ghouse
Continued at:http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2012/11/texas-faith-what-did-2012-election.html
Published in Dallas Morning News on November 13, 2012
......
Texas Faith: What did the 2012 election results mean for people of faith?
By Bill McKenzie, Dallas Morning News
Before we move away from the
election, I would like to ask you another question stemming from last week’s
results:
What do the outcomes at the
ballot box mean for people of faith?
That question may sound broad,
but look at some of the issues:
Not only did we have a president
reelected with an agenda of middle-class economics, but we had states both
ratifying and defeating gay marriage amendments and approving and disapproving
the use of marijuana. We also had two Senate races determined in part by the
way candidates talked about God and rape.
What’s more, we had a Mormon
heading a ticket for the first time. We had one party in the unusual position
of not having a Protestant running for president or vice president. And we had
minority voters who once had been on the fringe of society sharply shaping the
outcome of a presidential election.
Mercifully, we had little
religious skirmishing during the general election. But there were plenty of
religious-themed issues in play.
Published in Dallas Morning News in the Texas Faith column,
about ten panelists share their thoughts at: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2012/11/texas-faith-what-did-the-2012-election-results-mean-for-people-of-faith.html/
MIKE GHOUSE, President,
Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas
This election is an endorsement
of separation of church and state, and complies with the First Amendment.
The November ballot has produced
two clear outcomes: A loss of control and start of Armageddon countdown for
conservatives. And the beginning of freedom enshrined in our constitution for
the moderate majority.
The idea of end days is common
among Christian and Muslim fundamentalists, but no stranger to other traditions
either.
Abortion is a major issue, and
it is appalling to many conservatives that we are going against God and
listening to Satan. Seven candidates lost election on this count. We may
disagree with them, but that is their belief and we have to honor that, as long
as it is not imposed on others.
Same-sex marriage continues to
be a difficult issue and every conservative has his own understanding of Sodom
and Gomorrah at the tip of their tongue. And a few of them have blamed Katrina,
Haiti and other disasters as God’s punishment.
The moderate majority sees this
as reaffirmation of our Founding Fathers dream: “ 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.”
As a pluralist, I don’t see it
as liberals ganging up on conservatives, but rather seeking their God-given
freedom to live in pursuit of their happiness, without imposing it on those who
believe otherwise.
Even God did not impose his will
on Adam, he gave him the choice to eat the forbidden fruit or not, and when the
choice was made, God did not slap Adam or Eve for making the wrong choice.
Thank God for that, I would not have wanted to miss experiencing the joy of
living on the earth.
My religious beliefs are for me
to practice and not impose on others. Each one of us has to live by our own
moral compass.
This vision was expressed by
President Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address: “This nation, under God, shall
have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people,
for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Did Lincoln ever mean
government of clergy for the people?
. . . . . .
The
Texas Faith blog is a discussion among formal and informal religious leaders
whose faith traditions express a belief in a transcendent power – or the
possibility of one. While all readers are invited to participate in this blog,
by responding in the comments section, discussion leaders are those whose
religion involves belief in a divine higher power or those who may not believe
in a transcendent power but leave room for the possibility of one. Within this
framework, moderators William McKenzie and Wayne Slater seek to bring a
diversity of thinkers onto the Texas Faith panels.
MikeGhouse is a speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, peace making, foreign policy, Islam, interfaith, and cohesion at work place or social settings. He is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day at www.TheGhousediary.com. Mike has a strong presence on national local TV, Radio and Print Media, and is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News, fortnightly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. His personal site www.MikeGhouse.net indexes everything you want to know about him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)