Stereotyping - A contagious disease

When someone “blames” a group of people for a certain act of an individual or a band, a few will quickly add spice to it, it almost sounds like dogs joining in for a barking ceremony. It is quick to stereotype Arabs, Jews, Americans, Germans, French, Indian, Hindus, Muslims, Christians or Iranians etc. Thanks to Google, the disease of stereotyping can be contained. Just Google it and find freedom

Controlling others

The urge to control stems from insecurity in ourselves, and in our inability to handle an outcome we cannot cope with. Freedom on the other hand is nurtured, where you accept the outcomes, you accept the otherness of other and feel complete...ly at ease with oddities of life.

In the process, your seem to lose things, in reality you don't - if it is not yours and you take it through control, undue influence or a trade, you always worry about losing. Why have it then?

Cohesive Functioning

We have to consciously create institutions and systems that will become a catalyst to a positive change and bring about cohesive functioning of the society.

On Ground Zero issues

God is no more than our conscience.

Drake, I have pondered over this all my life - and comfortable with the belief that God is no more than our conscience; I read heaven and hell as sernity and anguish.

Religions are pluralistic by design

All faiths welcome the strangers, it is a tradition built in all religions.You may feel more at home the way Muslims worship, which is akin to meditation where there is no object of worship but the invisible, intangilbe, formless, energy is honored and sought to be in tune with it.

Indeed, that is the real bottom line in all faiths.

Pakistan Independence day

I wish a very happy Pakistan Independence day to all my Pakistani friends.

Now, it is your turn to bring independence to the millions who are going through trauma from the floods. My prayers to all those who have lost their lives and pray for the survivors to trust in the almighty for help to come.

We the people of the subcontinent also need to gain freedom from bias towards each other on religious, nationalistic or ethnic basis. We need to be free and achieve the Mukti, Nijaat, Nirvana, Moksha, Salvation and real freedom from our own littleness.

Article - http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2010/08/happy-indepdence-day-to-pakistan.html

BE YOURSELVES

BE YOURSELVES

It is liberating to be content with what you know and what you have,and not worry about what others know or have that you don't. Live your own life, be yourselves

Ramadan Mubarak - Happy Ramadan

Muslims around the world will begin fasting from Wednesday, August 11, 2010 and for a whole month thereafter.

Thanks to Washington post, they will publish three articles on Ramadan; The Politics of Ramadan, The Rituals of Ramadan and the Spirit of Ramadan towards the third of Ramadan.

True fasting is self-purification; and from this, a rich inner life brings about values such as justice, generosity, patience, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and empathy - values that are indispensable for the success of the community.Consciousness of behavior and vigilance over action are the most profound dimensions of fasting: the fasting of the heart focuses on the attachment to the divine.That is when Ramadan really becomes a source of peace and solace, just as Christmas goes beyond the rituals to bring forth kindness, charity and caring.For fasting to be truly universal, its benefits must extend beyond the fraternal ties of Muslims and must extend to forging a common humanity with others.

Fasting is meant to impart a sense of what it means to be truly human, and its universality is reflected by its observance in Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Wiccan, Zoroastrian, other faiths and importantly the native traditions.

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer on Islam and Pluralism and is a frequent guest at Media offering pluralistic solutions to the issues of the day. His work is listed on 22 of his blogs and two websites listed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Peace is pluralistic

Individuals and nations cannot have peace exclusively, if others around them are in peace, then your peace is automatic. It is in the interests of individuals and nations to work for mutual peace. You cannot be safe if you threaten others; as you live in constant fear of getting run over in your vulnerable moments.

After death

Every one of us ponders about death and what happens after that. On one hand we want to believe we are eternal and continue after the physical death, and on the other we are not entirely convinced what happens. For centuries a variety of explanations have been offered, we want to believe them but are not satisfied, so the search continues.

~~~~~
Mike - In preparing for tomorrow, I was reviewing everyone's presentation - thank you for your comments - yes, as you say, the search continues. We have a divine right to peace and my prayer is that everyone, regardless of what they believe about death, will find peace. Blessings, Marylou

Bin Ladens of America

Problems are not solved that way; the Bin Ladens like McCain, Palin, Romney,Guiliani and others do not understand the simplest logic; if we threaten other nations, we jeopardize the safety of our own people and become susceptible at the vulnerable moments. Thank God the Americans dumped the rascals, rather routed them out. There is a second coming, as long as the moderate Republicans crap in their pants and are afraid of speaking up, the American public will dump more of them in the mid-term elections.

Peace is anathema to Republican right wingers

I am yet to find a Republican from the leadership who can talk peace? I am yet to see a leading Republican’s presence in interfaith and peace groups? There was not one Republican leader who spoke peace making during the elections, they all have the arrogance that bombing and annihilating others will make the problems go away.

Checks & Balances in government

As Americans, our loyalty ought to be for our system of checks and balances. It is in the interest of sustainable and just policies to have each house run by Republicans and Democrats respectively. Most mistakes by our government have occurred when all the three branches of government were run by the same party. Monopoly in governance leads the other to resort to divisive politics.

Loyalty to democracy

As Americans, our loyalty ought to be for our system of checks and balances. It is in the interest of sustainable and just policies to have each house run by Republicans and Democrats respectively. Most mistakes by our government have occurred when all the three branches of government were run by the same party. Monopoly in governance leads the other to resort to divisive politics.

Liberals and Conservatives

The world needs the conservatives, moderates and the liberals. Without conservatives we would have fallen off the earth, they anchor us to the grounds. Liberals are the driving engines of the society, without them we would not have seen any progresss, medicine would not have been in vogue, none of the inventions would have taken place and we would have lived in caves, as it would have been agaisnt God's will to live in human made homes, drive in human made cars...

Unity Day USA

We are pleased to invite you to Unity Day USA; a purposeful event to bring Americans together. The idea for Unity Day USA was first conceived on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 and took its current form on Sunday, September 11, 2005. We cannot let things happen and drift into the abyss of incoherence. It is an initiative to come together to stand up for the safety, security and cohesiveness of America.

Continued: http://911unitydayusa.blogspot.com/

Oppression of Women

First of all, Islam is abundantly clear to treat all humans with dignity, and was very particular about treating their wives, in his last sermon, the prophet emphasized it.

Men and women are each others garments, each others respect, each others source of joy, blessing and happiness, they are each others security (Prophet was shaken upon his first wahi, and went to Khadija for security) and men and women are a catalyst for each others well being.

How can the idiotic idea even enter one's mind that the wife is less than the man? The woman was to retain her freedom in the matters of faith, she did not have to listen to her husband, such is the pureness of freedom encouraged in Islam, and absolutely there is no compulsion in faith. That is why a man or woman can marry the woman or man of other religions and divorce, because faith is personal and not to be dictated, and if it came to that, the woman was freed from social pressure to go for divorce. That freedom must have been a heaven to women for the first time in human history.

Most of the non-sense and mistreatment of women stems from insecurity among men who are not confident of themselves and their worth in the life, and they falsely believe their worth comes from controlling others, particularly women or the ones at a disadvantage.

It is not Islamic, Hindu, Christian or Jewish, it is damned men culture. The insecure men whether they are Arab, Indian, American, Chinese... Muslim, Christians, Jewish or any one is, it is the insecurity in men. They cannot dialogue and resort to violence, the AH's should go prove their manhood by fighting with some one stronger than them and quit abusing the dependent and taking advantage of them.

The Western Media takes advantage of this, because Muslims do not vociferously condemn this abuse, if we do it, they will have no room to take advantage of it. I am glad they do, it is a wake up call for Muslims, particularly men to take a stand, a strong stand against abuse and oppression.

Good Deeds

Although the environmental future looks gloomy, the world is a better place today because of a good legacy bequeathed to humanity by people of all faiths that came before us. We owe it to the coming generations to leave the world a little better than we found it, to usher an era of justice and peace. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) described a good deed as an act which benefits others, such as planting a tree that serves generations of wayfarers with fruit and the shade with a clear realization that we may not be the beneficiary.

Shaping our Future

If we shy away from consciously shaping our future, we may drift into the abyss of incoherence. We may be fighting against deeply entrenched positions rather than finding solutions to the common issues.

Religion, apple pie and peach cobbler

Each one of us likes either Peach Cobbler or applie pie, if that is the only choice we have. If the desserts are world wide, there are plenty of choices including these two. There is no rhyme or reason why any one likes one over the other.

If a doctor, dietician, nutritionist, connoisseur, scientist or your mother tries to explain one tastes better than the other, you would still eat what appeals to you? Whatever one is conditioned or nurtured (convert) with, it becomes a part of one. Faith has no rhyme reason logic or any grounding to it, it is just faith.

Let me enjoy my peach cobbler and you enjoy your apple pie, both give the pleasure to each others senses, is there a problem with it? Each faith gives tranquility to the one it is part of both nature and nurturance. As the beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, I say, faith is in the heart of the believer.

Submission to God

The word "submission" is yet to be understood in its full context.

There are those who believe the words of Jesus "follow me" in literal sense but more of them believe it is the essence of what Jesus said - to be like him, to be like God, open and loving towards fellow beings. Like wise, there are those ... See MoreMuslims who believe submission means just performing the rituals, whereas the majority silently believes in being like God, being in tune and balance with his creation and God who loves us all despite our shortcomings. The society is composed of both views; the problem is when one tries to impose his or her views on others. If we can learn to respect the otherness of other and accept the God given uniqueness of each one of the seven billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

Dealing with Terrorism

While we must not condone any terrorism, we must also take the moral high ground by addressing the underlying grievances and problems and avoid pursuing policies, and undertaking ventures that provide new impetus to the terrorists, as it has unfolded in Iraq.

You and I have opportunities to find satisfaction in life through food, entertainment, family, friends, freedom…. What options to the terrorist have? The only option we have forced on them is to hit us back before they crumble, that is the only source of joy they have left. Shame on us, we need to give them options a way out of it, so the end result is a sense of security in us and hope for them.

In fighting the menace of terrorism, if we go after the individuals responsible for the crimes and not their families, not their nation or their religion, we will achieve far greater success, if we learn to laser bark at the right criminals, instead of barking at the universe.

A dash of unselfishness

A dash of unselfishness in each one of us is a necessity, it carries an individual or a nation through the good and bad times fairly smoothly. It is an insurance policy against the vulnerable moments.

Standing up for others

Unless we learn to stand up for the rights of others, we cannot claim to be just, and we have no right to expect others to stand up for us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrjU0KULv-Y

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/standing-up-for-jews-gays_b_650167.html

Faith is in the heart of the believer

Our insecurities cause us to believe that "ours has to be right" and "others have to be wrong". Other religions don't need to be less than ours for ours to be good. Again, other faiths don't have to be wrong for my faith to be right.

As beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, faith is in the heart of the believer.

My faith in Islam is stronger than ever, perahps stronger than most traditional religious scholars, because it is on its own merits and not based on perceived weakness of others. Islam gives me everything I want, it would be dumb of me or you to believe that Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism or other faiths dont give the solace their followers want.

I see the beauty in every faith and praise and appreciate it, not an ounce of my faith is lost.

There are hunderds of cars out there in the market and thousands of colors - you cannot have all, you chose one because it appeals to you , not because others are bad or ugly, the moment you say that your friend, sister or brother will buy that other ugly car, what do you do?
You like your car based on the strenght of your likes not otherwise.

Islam works for me and it is beautiful faith to me, just as other faiths are beautiful and work for others.

It is unveiling the truth that was covered up for centuries. I hope this gives an idea of where I am coming from.

Woman's freedom

A woman is as free as a man, no one should have advantages over the other, such advantages are deleterious to lasting relationships of free will. Let the woman choose what she wears.

We all need to stand up for the oppressed; The lousy idiotic french want to force women not to wear and the creepy Talibans force the women to wear... who the hell are they to tell a free person what to eat, belive or wear? It is time we stand up!... See More

Islam teaches non-judgment.

Every one who claims to be a Muslim is a Muslim, who are we to judge that some one is not? This is the reason Muslims recite "malik-e-Yommiddin" at least 21 times a day - meaning he alone is the master of the day of judgment about one's faith and no one else is. If we cannot get it even after uttering 21 times, then what do we get out of our prayers and our recitations. Iqbal had rightly said, "Tujhe kya milay ga namaza may"

If one is insecure in his or her faith, the find security by denying other's faith. what a way to feel secure? It makes one doubly insecure.

Reponded to comments at:
Standing up for Gays, Jews and Catholics
http://www.facebook.com/MikeGhouse#!/note.php?note_id=450919337773

One God concept

The Concept of one God need not be threatening if we all understand the intent behind the word "One God". It is extensively used in the monotheistic traditions, it is not opposed to "many iconic representations" of God, and rather it is the oneness of universe, oneness of creator and oneness of humanity. When there is oneness, you would feel the pain for the rape victims in a remote village or pray for the people who are being washed away in floods. It brings the humanity together.

In Judaism and Islam there is an emphasis about no God but God, it is stressed to make the point of oneness with the creator, so we can feel the pain of other humans no matter where they are. It avoids the apathy that they are worshippers of XYZ God and their pain is not my pain. Which Hinduism titles as ekantha or Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or the other traditions call it one God. Reverend Moon, whom I admire, calls "one family under God”. We are seven billion unique beings God has intentionally created us to be different, look at our minds, our thumb prints and DNA's, each one is unique, if we can learn to respect the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

Terrorists bullshit the Neocons

Why are we giving credence to the crackpot terrorists who claim to be inspired by a religion, why are we buying that non-sense, they are duping us to believe that their actions are religiously inspired so we blame the religion and let them go scot free? Hell no, individuals must be accountable and held responsible for their acts. As societies we need to grow up and point the finger precisely at the wrong doers and not bark at the religion, which you cannot kill, slaughter, hang or eloctrocute.

God in Judaism Islam and Atheism

The concept of God is identical in Judaism and Islam, it is akin to Atheism, there is not a being that exist, there is not a face to affix the word G_d, and there is not a central diety that has all the computers to control the planet earth and there is no image either to take a picture. It is simply an energy that has the built-in mechanism to keep things in balance, if they go off, then we have the Tsunamis. Deep down, the concept is similar in all tradtions but some traditions found comfort in an iconic representation of God.

Mike Ghouse

God can be worshipped in so many ways

Around 1994, my daughter and I were in the Dallas/ Fort Worth Hindu Temple and I took my kids to every place of worship. We were in the midst of the devotional songs in the sanctuary and as usual my little girl would get on her knees and look around as if no one is watching her and then whisper the standard question in my ears, "Dad, what are they saying?" to which I reel off.... God is the Nourisher, sustaine... sweeite they are saying to thank God for the life.

OMG, I want those moments back in my life… how much I loved those tender moments! She could not contain her excitement, right in the middle of the Bhajans, the six year old stands up with her eyes wide open, and in an excited voice blurts out, “Gee Dad, that’s cool, God can be worshipped in so many different ways!” Indeed that sentence has become a part of my teaching in Pluralism. Pluralism is simply respecting the otherness of other and appreciating the god given uniqueness of each one of the seven billion of us. We can learn from children, they are pure, they see the beauty in diversity and cherish everywhich way one worships the divine.

THIS IS A NEW BEGINNING IN RELIGIOUS DISCOURSE

Imam Hussain

Imam Hussain remains an icon of principles in the Islamic world. He refused to surrender to the unjust ruler Yazid, who destroyed the concept of leadership through consensual democracy and began a spiritually destructive greedy dynasty. However, the sacrifice of Imam Hussain is looked up as the revival of the faith and justice, as encapsulated in a couplet in Urdu language, “Islam zinda hota hai, her karbala ke baad”.

Mosque on Ground Zero

“Would Muslims in any part of the world let the Jews or Christians build a Church/Synagogue” .
It is this rotten attitude that keeps the nations and individuals digging in their heels and this is the very reason we need to support the mosque near ground zero. It is to set an example to the world what freedom of religion means, to express the American spirit of liberty and to show how a nation and people treats their minorities. We need to be that example where other nations look up to us, and not the other way around. As Americans regardless of our religion have to set the new standards in the world of co-existence.

Group compositions

Every community; be it religious, ethnic, racial or cultural is composed of a spectrum of attitudes - from benevolent, merciful, caring, to ruthless, intolerant, bigoted and violent radicals, it is a mix. No group is an exception to that mix. My guesstimate is the violent intolerant ones are less than 1/10th of 1% of any group including the Atheists.

Score keeping does not solve the problem, the world has witnessed ruthlessness from Atheists to Zoroastrians and every one in between. They have massacred people, butchered people and have forced people to do things against their will. Singling out any group is downright ignorant; no one can cast the first stone.

Villian God

Shamelessly there are an insignificant percent of people among Muslims, Evangelists, Baptists, Jews and others who are not only intolerant but make a villain out of God by making that God favor one over the other behind their backs. Would God do that? That goes against the very concept of God who is all loving, caring and just.

God does not have a religion

This reminded me of my favorite Mike Ghouse quote: "God does not have a religion."

Carol Covington Mason

Blaming religion

Blaming religion is like barking aimlessly, religion is intangible, you cannot jail, hang or electrocute it. It is gutlessness on our part to blame the religion and pass the buck... to NO one. It has become a bloody fashion to blame the religion and that is why we were not able to bring justice or restore faith in the system. Let's blame where it belongs and punish the wrong doer.

Womens right

We men need to stand for women's right, the ugly and cruel among us have usurped their rights.. it is time to be equal in thoughts and actions

Conflict

Indeed, if you really want to understand and solve a conflict, you have to see others persons motivation.

Existence and conflict

"We exist and that is a fact, we might as well make our existence enjoyable, after all belief should not be the source of conflict, the only real conflicts are one’s space, sustenance and nurturance, all else is intangible and don’t have to be in the category of conflict."

Hello Mr. Ghouse,I read the essay "Guest Voices: Harris, Hitchens, Dawkins, Dennet: Evangelical Atheists?" by Reza Aslan and your comment on it. In general I found it very insightful and dead on but one sentence in particular stood out to me.

That, sir, is pure and simple genius. Just thought you should know. I look forward to delving into your other writing and works in the future.
Hope you and yours have a good weekend.
- Charlie Vollmer III