TEXAS FAITH: When is it okay to apply moral absolutes to public policy?

Dallas Morning news weekly question: When is it okay to bring a faith-based belief grounded in moral absolutes to public policy debate?

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism, Dallas

The faith-based belief grounded in moral absolutes has always been a part of the public policy debate though not postured as such. After all we are conditioned with certain beliefs and are driven by it. Most of the issues that were debated have had strong religious grounding and opposed or supported the Women's rights, Roe v Wade, the civil rights, the Catholic president, Civil Unions, GLBT marriages, immigration and other.

Despite the emerging moral absolutes, I am confident that the moderation (in terms of giving space to the other) will prevail in the long haul.

The ones who speak up in general and Teavangelicals in particular are driven by strong absolutes, while the majority of any group of people tends to be moderate and gives space to another point of view.

However, the nations, religions, politics and the communities are not driven by the majorities; the initiatives are taken by the extreme right and the left and the outcome is determined by their wrangling and is supported or rejected by the majority at the polls when things get out of handle.


Even the budget that just passed did not have the full support of all the Tea party candidates, the votes were divided and that is how things should work, we cannot stereotype the Tea Party, liberals or the conservatives, each one of us is a composition of different values. Indeed, we have come a long way to accept and respect the otherness of other without resorting to extreme solutions. That is the benchmark of civil societies.

Thanks to the wisdom of the founding fathers and the strength of our constitution for giving durable governance in the history of mankind. The extremes will fizzle out in the long haul, and moderation will prevail. I salute the checks and balances built into our system and as long as the Americans give the house and senate to different parties, America will be safe and the governance of the people will endure and the idea of live and let live remains intact.

Dallas Morning news - 8 panelists respond: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/08/texas-faith-when-is-it-okay-to-1.html

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, writer and a frequent guest on Hannity show and nationally syndicated Radio shows and Dallas TV, Radio and Print Media. He presides America Together Foundation and is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Over 1000 articles have been published on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, India and cohesive societies. Two of his books are poised to be released this fall on Pluralism and Islam. He is available to speak at your place of worship, work, school, college, seminars or conferences. His work is encapsulated in 27 blogs, four websites and several forums indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Norway, Terrorism & Counter Terrorism

Firstly, we the people of all faiths, traditions and nations condemn the disgusting terrorist attack on Norway, killing at least eight and injuring scores. We extend our sympathies to the families and the victims of mindless terrorism.


Secondly, it is time to get rid of all the Terrorism experts that disgrace our television screens, Radio, Print and the Internet. Their advice to bomb and annihilate others has not worked and will never work. We cannot be safe if we keep threatening others with our might. Non-Violence approach will ensure that we all can live with freedom and without the fear of someone sticking it to us in our vulnerable moments.

Thirdly, it is time to re-consider a long term policy on Terrorism; we cannot shut down terrorism with terror, when people take a position they dig in their heels and do more harm to themselves and others. Fact, religion, reason and logic are out of question for them, it’s you or me.

Full article is publication pending and will be available at www.TheGhousediary.com or http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2011/07/norway-terrorism-counter-terrorism.html

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Over a 1000 articles have been published on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, India and cohesive societies. Two of his books are poised to be released this fall on Pluralism and Islam. He is available to speak at your place of worship, work, school, college, seminars or conferences. His work is indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

 

Terror hits India again, Muslims condemn

Mumbai, July 13, 2011. Three serial blasts have hit three different parts of Mumbai, killing 8 and injuring several.

When tragedy hits, we need to come together and focus on finding the fountain head for such evil acts and remove the cancerous cell and hold on to the temptations to blame anyone else. Blaming will do further damage to the society in times like this. This would be patriotic thing to do; to preserve life and safety of citizens.

If you committed a crime, let's haul your ass to jail and bring justice for the crimes against the public. Your parents, siblings, spouse, neighborhood, community, religion or state has nothing to do with your evilness. If we want justice and peace, get the bad guys and not mess with good people.

Let no Indian look at the other with suspicion, out of a 1.2 billion people a dozen are responsible for this cowardice, we need to get them and get their fountain head. That is the right thing to do... one mishap should not tear India further apart. Hold on to the temptations to blame and you will serve your motherland right.

This is the time for us to come together.
As an American Indian Muslim I condemn this acts of terrorism.

Jai Hind

 

Mike Ghouse
http://mikeghouseforindia.blogspot.com/

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, writer and a frequent guest on Hannity show and nationally syndicated Radio shows and Dallas TV, Radio and Print Media. He presides America Together Foundation and is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Over 1000 articles have been published on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, India and cohesive societies. Two of his books are poised to be released this fall on Pluralism and Islam. He is available to speak at your place of worship, work, school, college, seminars or conferences. His work is encapsulated in 27 blogs, four websites and several forums indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

My Challenge to Frequent Sean Hannity Guest Mike Ghouse

Facts don't matter to some.

I am pleased to respond to Logan’s challenge on the net hoping he and his friends will be open to seeing another point of view. I pray that he and his friends read this with an open mind and an open heart. (of the 3200 words nearly 2400 are quotes from Quraan)

 

Each one of us bears responsibility to do his or her share of work in creating cohesive societies where everyone feels safe and secure, and trust one another to make life easier for one and the others. You and I are responsible for our own actions and we have to do our share of good in creating such societies. We have a choice not do a thing and not hear from any

Just around the crusades, the European kings commissioned a hostile Quran translation to foster warfare against Muslim invaders to get their subject to go fight for them. Then after the fall of Ottoman Empire, a Muslim turns around and produced a hostile translation of Quran to inflame Muslims against Christians and Jews.

Religions were introduced to bring sanity to people, most people get it and few don’t. There are a few Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Jews and others who don’t get their religion and resort to oppression and hate mongering without realizing it. If they spend their energy on building peace we will have a much better society to live.

Robert Spencer, Geert Wilders, Brigitte Gabriel, Nonie Darwish, Wafa Sultan, Alan Dershowitz, Ali Sina and a host of others are guided by those translations and it suits them to sell hate and frightened nincompoops write those checks.

I am willing to discuss this further, if there is intellectual discussion without judgments, if not, don’t expect me to correspond any further. I have referenced some material below where a few men have run off instead of dealing with the issues they raised.

Mike Ghouse

…………

It is a response to the article published at Logan’s challenge, http://loganswarning.com/2011/07/04/my-challenge-to-frequent-sean-hannity-guest-mike-ghouse/. I have quoted critical paragraphs and responded as diligently as I can.

 

“Koran 009.029 - YUSUFALI: Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”

Although Yusuf Ali’s translation is the first one in English by a Muslim, Muhammad Asad’s translation is closer to meaning than Yusuf Ali and I have opted to go with Asad’s translation locatable at: http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch/
9:29 (Asad) [And] fight against those who - despite having been vouchsafed revelation [aforetime] ^[40] -do not [truly] believe either in God or the Last Day, and do not consider forbidden that which God and His Apostle have forbidden, ^[41] and do not follow the religion of truth [which God has enjoined upon them] ^[42] till they [agree to] pay the exemption tax with a willing hand, after having been humbled [in war]. ^[43]

^[40] Lit., "such of those who were vouchsafed revelation [aforetime] as do not believe...” etc. In accordance with the fundamental principle-observed throughout my interpretation of the Qur'an -that all of its statements and ordinances are mutually complementary and cannot, therefore, be correctly understood unless they are considered as parts of one integral whole, this verse, too must be read in the context of the clear-cut Qur'anic rule that war is permitted only in self-defense (see 2:190-194, and the corresponding notes).

In other words, the above injunction to fight is relevant only in the event of aggression committed against the Muslim community or state, or in the presence of an unmistakable threat to its security: a view which has been shared by that great Islamic thinker, Muhammad `Abduh. Commenting on this verse, he declared: "Fighting has been made obligatory in Islam only for the sake of defending the truth and its followers.... All the campaigns of the Prophet were defensive in character; and so were the wars undertaken by the Companions in the earliest period [of Islam]" (Manar X, 332). (Quran Ref: 9:29)

^[41] This, to my mind, is the key-phrase of the above ordinance. The term "apostle" is obviously used here in its generic sense and applies to all the prophets on whose teachings the beliefs of the Jews and the Christians are supposed to be based - in particular, to Moses and (in the case of the Christians) to Jesus as well (Manar X, 333 and 337). Since, earlier in this sentence, the people alluded to are accused of so grave a sin as willfully refusing to believe in God and the Last Day (i.e., in life after death and man's individual responsibility for his doings on earth), it is inconceivable that they should subsequently be blamed for comparatively minor offences against their religious law: consequently, the stress on their "not forbidding that which God and His apostle have forbidden" must refer to something which is as grave, or almost as grave, as disbelief in God.

In the context of an ordinance enjoining war against them. this "something" can mean only one thing-namely, unprovoked aggression: for it is this that has been forbidden by God through all the apostles who were entrusted with conveying His message to man. Thus, the above verse must be understood as a call to the believers to fight against such-and only such-of the nominal followers of earlier revelation as deny their own professed beliefs by committing aggression against the followers of the Qur'an (cf. Manar X, 338).(Quran Ref: 9:29 )

^[42] See in this connection the statement (in 5:13-14) that the Jews and the Christians "have forgotten much of what they had been told to bear in mind". (Quran Ref: 9:29)

^[43] Sc., "and having become incorporated in the Islamic state". The term Jizya, rendered by me as "exemption tax", occurs in the Qur'an only once, but its meaning and purpose have been fully explained in many authentic Traditions. It is intimately bound up with the concept of the Islamic state as an ideological organization: and this is a point which must always be borne in mind if the real purport of this tax is to be understood. In the Islamic state, every able-bodied Muslim is obliged to take up arms in jihad (i.e., in a just war in God's cause) whenever the freedom of his faith or the political safety of his community is imperiled: in other words, every able-bodied Muslim is liable to compulsory military service. Since this is, primarily, a religious obligation, non-Muslim citizens, who do not subscribe to the ideology of Islam, cannot in fairness be expected to assume a similar burden. On the other hand, they must be accorded full protection of all their civic rights and of their religious freedom: and it is in order to compensate the Muslim community for this unequal distribution of civic burdens that a special tax is levied on non-Muslim citizens (ahl adh-dhimmah, lit., "covenanted" [or "protected"] people", i.e., non-Muslims whose safety is statutorily assured by the Muslim community).

Thus, Jizya is no more and no less than an exemption tax in lieu of military service and in compensation for the "covenant of protection" (dhimmah) accorded to such citizens by the Islamic state. (The term itself is derived from the verb jaza, "he rendered [something] as a satisfaction", or "as a compensation [in lieu of something else]" - cf. Lane II, 422.) No fixed rate has been set either by the Qur'an or by the Prophet for this tax; but from all available Traditions it is evident that it is to be considerably lower than the tax called zakah ("the purifying dues") to which Muslims are liable and which - because it is a specifically Islamic religious duty-is naturally not to be levied on non-Muslims.

Only such of the non-Muslim citizens who, if they were Muslims, would be expected to serve in the armed forces of the state are liable to the payment of Jizya, provided that they can easily afford it. Accordingly, all non-Muslim citizens whose personal status or condition would automatically free them from the obligation to render military service are statutorily - that is, on the basis of clear-cut ordinances promulgated by the Prophet-exempted from the payment of Jizya: (a) all women, (b) males who have not yet reached full maturity, (c) old men, (d) all sick or crippled men, (e) priests and monks. All non-Muslim citizens who volunteer for military service are obviously exempted from the payment of Jizya. My rendering of the expression `an yad (lit., "out of hand") as "with a willing hand", that is, without reluctance, is based on one of several explanations offered by Zamakhshari in his commentary on the above verse. Rashid Rida', taking the word yad in its metaphorical significance of "power" or "ability", relates the phrase can yad to the financial ability of the person liable to the payment of Jizya (see Manar X, 342): an interpretation which is undoubtedly justified in view of the accepted definition of this tax.(Quran Ref: 9:29 )

 

“Mike you are not the spokesperson for Muslims in America. So do not pretend to be. What Mike fails to mention is that the God of Islam is not the same God as Christianity. The proof of this is that the Islam scriptures state that Jesus will come back as a Muslim and destroy Christianity. The God of Christianity would not want his or her religion destroyed. Mike thinks that statement from Mohammad will fool us.”

As individuals we are responsible to create cohesive societies where everyone feels secure and trusts one another to make life easier for the self and others. You and I are responsible for our own actions. In our solitude if we reflect, or on the day of accountability, we are to account for our karma. That puts the responsibility on you and I to speak out when there is injustice, when there is falsehood and when there is oppression and I am doing my share of the work.

There is just one creator; there is no such thing as Christian God or Muslim God that is sheer ignorance. God is not a being, not a thing with specific characteristics to limit his acceptance to the universe.

Jesus represents hope for humanity, when things are rough, when people are creating division, hating each other, bombing each other and become revenge seeking, they are simply reacting. As humans we hope for a just and peaceful world and that hope is anchored in Jesus, his re-appearance gives us hope and salvation from the hatefulness that has permeated in the society. When good becomes a common place, it simply means evil is subsided or gone.

Since Jesus is the promised Messiah predicted in Islam, the right wing Christian assumes that Jesus is a Muslim (p0litical) and will destroy them, as the Logan website writes it up. Likewise the right wing Muslim believes that when Jesus takes out the evil, he took out Christianity. How ignorant are some of these folks.

Destroying Christianity is the manufacture of right wing Christians and right wing Muslims and they do not represent the majority of Christians and Muslims.

 

“But the reality is his statement does not include the words “no superiority over other religions”. What else do you have Mike?”

First of all, the spiritual aspect of every religion brings goodness to humanity, the insecurity in weak men of religion causes division, mine is better than yours. Historically, Islam did not exist during the time of Jesus, if it was, he would have talked about it, as he was a pluralist. Christianity did not exist during the times of Moses, if not Moses would have delivered the New Testament as well. Both Christianity and Judaism did exist during the times of the Prophet Muhammad and both are respectfully talked about in Islam and Quraan.

I don’t know how knowledgeable you are, but it is a requirement for Muslims to believe in Moses, Jesus and all the prophets of Old Testament. Indeed, one’ faith is incomplete without that belief. Add to this, the Prophet tells his followers not to treat one prophet to be superior over the other – Islam was not Muhammad’s religion, it was a universal idea to bring peace to humanity through the removal of arrogance. He did not want people to worship him, he never claimed to be divine, in fact he said, I am just like you, a mortal being, when I die, bury me in an unmarked grave.. He insisted that no one paint his picture, lest someone starts worshipping him rather than God. That was the best example of humility of the Prophet.

Christianity or Judaism does not say that their religion is not superior to any, then why do you expect Islam to say that, that is hypocrisy, is it not?

However, read these verses;

[2:136] Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters."

[21:47] we will establish the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection. No soul will suffer the least injustice. Even the equivalent of a mustard seed will be accounted for. We are the most efficient reckoners.
[2:148] each of you chooses the direction to follow; you shall race towards righteousness. Wherever you may be, GOD will summon you all. GOD is Omnipotent.

[10:99] had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed. Do you want to force the people to become believers?

[4:123] it is not in accordance with your wishes, or the wishes of the people of the scripture: anyone who commits evil pays for it, and will have no helper or supporter against GOD.

5:8 (Asad) O YOU who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of any-one ^[19] lead

[49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: verily, God is aware of all that you do.

[22:17] Those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, the Christians, the Zoroastrians, and the idol worshipers, GOD is the One who will judge among them on the Day of Resurrection. GOD witnesses all things.

[2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

Quraan also tells that one can marry a Jewish or Christian woman without converting..

“You claim that Muslims love the US legal system, in which juries judge others. Then you turn around and state only God should judge. So which is it?”

Mr. Simpleton, when you rape, murder, cheat and loot, you are affecting the civil balance of a society. It is the society that judges you and hauls your heinie to the jail. Whereas, God judges your belief in oneness of God, humanity and the universe. He gives ample opportunities to repent. God loves those who repent and put themselves on moral high grounds.

American Muslims have placed their trust in the American justice system; the civil laws of our nation provide ample justice. The Muslim majority in America is happy with the American system and does not want to have Sharia law here in America. Check the link below on Sharia.

Imam Feisal is pro-Sharia, so he is no friend of America. He also uses the freedoms of America against America, in his Islamic cause.”

Have you ever read his book, “What is right with Islam is right with America”? If you send me an email with your address, I will have a copy of that book mailed to you. Sharia simply means living by rules and it has two sides to it; personal and public. Imam Feisal was referring to Personal Sharia. Is there is a nation, including our own, where laws are always just? The stoning of adulterers is wrong, the punishment for Blasphemy is wrong… neither of them are in Quraan. Go fact check – the number of adulterers stoned to death number less than the deaths we executed in Texas and none need to be singled out, and both need to be condemned.

“Muslim Hadith Book 019, Number 4366:
It has been narrated by ‘Umar b. al-Khattib that he heard the Messenger of Allah (May peace be upon him) say: I will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula and will not leave any but Muslim.”

I have not checked the veracity of your quote and I ask you to do that and not rely on hearsay. It sounds good to the right wing Christians and they will make a capital out of it, and it also appeals to the right wing Muslims as it suits their agenda. But that is not in the spirit of Quraan, Islam and the Prophet.

If one is allowed to marry a Jewish or Christian woman without asking her to convert, then this Hadith is meaningless and perhaps cooked up by the right wingers.

Take a look at the following:

[10:99] had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed. Do you want to force the people to become believers?

“Mike, my challenge to you is for you to come here, and prove my statements on Islam to be false. Unlike Hannity, I will not sit silently as you try and cover for the Islamic menace!”

I have done my part and it is up to you to research the truth. I have responded to Geert Wilders, Robert Spencer, and Naomi… Ali Sina and several others, they don’t read, their purpose is to make money - look at your own site, asking for money, that is your business. I am not looking for any money and just doing my share of the work to build a cohesive America where no one has to live in apprehension of the other. 

Please feel free to clarify anything you wish but refrain from anything that you cannot substantiate from Quraan.

Thank you.

Mike Ghouse

. …………

SHARIA LAWS: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/sharia-law-not-in-america_b_653250.html

Geert wilders: Muslim response to Geert Wilders’ Fitna
http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/muslim-response-to-wilders.html

Robert Spencer: One Islam - http://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=26113

Nona Derwish: Joys of Muslim Women - http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/2009/08/nonie-darwish-hate-monger.html

 

MA Khan: Does Quraan incite Violence?
http://desicritics.org/2009/02/15/000156.php

 

Hate Sermons: http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/2008/03/hate-sermons-from-pulpit.html

 

Quraan conference: www.Quraanconference.com

My Challenge to Frequent Sean Hannity Guest Mike Ghouse

http://loganswarning.com/2011/07/04/my-challenge-to-frequent-sean-hannity-guest-mike-ghouse/

The World Muslim Congress is committed to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam.

Mike Ghouse

Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, writer and a frequent guest on Hannity show and nationally syndicated Radio shows and Dallas TV, Radio and Print Media. He presides America Together Foundation and is committed to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Over 1000 articles have been published on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, India and cohesive societies. Two of his books are poised to be released this fall on Pluralism and Islam. He is available to speak at your place of worship, work, school, college, seminars or conferences. His work is encapsulated in 27 blogs, four websites and several forums indexed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/

 

Can Muslims be good Americans?

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2011/06/can-muslims-be-good-americans.html

Can Muslims be good Americans

June 15, 2011 at 12:09am

AN MUSLIMS BE GOOD AMERICANS? BELGIANS?

June 15, 2011 at 12:09am

  

You many have received an email with the heading, “Can Muslims be good Americans?” I have received this at least a dozen times. Do you need to respond to it? The choice is yours; no one has the time to hammer away hatred. 

There is a lot out there in circulation and I am pleased to have worked on responses, if you get that again, send them this or create your own. Indeed some of the Islamophobes like Robert Spencer, Nonie Darwish, Geert Wilders, MA Khan, Ali Sina, Walid Shoebet, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Newt Gingrich, Brigitte Gabriele, David Horowitz, Steven Shamrock, Wafa Sultan and others are consistently showing their dumbness in attacking Islam. These men with hate cannot speak love, the lust for power has made them abandon common good things about civility, just like some of the radicals among Muslims.

Let me ask you this, if there are 800 murders a year in New York City, can we say, all the New Yorkers are murderers? Can we deduce that if Dallas gives 5,000 traffic tickets a month, all the Dallasites are reckless drivers? If there are a few bad Muslims out there, how does it make all Muslims bad guys?

In the following, dialogues, some dude responded to it in a dozen ways to the question, can Muslim be good Americans followed by my response. 

# # #

Can a good Muslim be a good American? 

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Theologically - no... Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon god of Arabia. 

Mike Ghouse: There is no such thing as moon God, no Muslim has ever heard of it. You can call any Muslim and find the truth for yourselves.  There is only one God; he (it or she) is merciful and just. Every one of the 114 chapters in Quran start with those attributes except one, where it is mentioned in the text. The allegiance is to the invisible creator of the universe who belongs to all of us, and all of us are his creation.  

Muslims are certainly good Americans and their loyalty to America is no different than any Americans. They are serving the nation in every which way; indeed, nearly 10% of the Medical Doctors in America are Muslims.  

  

Dude:   Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Religiously - no... Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah except Islam. (Quran, 2:256)(Koran) 

  

Mike Ghouse: This man could have at least read the quote. How many of you believed him when he said, “Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah except Islam.”  The quote reads differently.

Well, here is Quran 2:256 "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error ..." This is Islam's unambiguous affirmation of freedom of faith, which also applies to changing of faith. The Qur'an illuminates before the humanity the two highways [90:10], one of which leads to salvation. Islam is an invitation to the highway toward salvation, but it is based on Freedom of choice.

However many a Muslims believe that “No other religion is acceptable to Allah except Islam” based on misquoting the verse: 3:85 (Asad) “For, if one goes in search of a religion other than self-surrender unto God, it will never be accepted from him, and in the life to come he shall be among the lost.” They take the verb Islam as noun Islam.

Islam in its general meaning is submission to the will of God; which is caring for life and environment and maintaining the balance within oneself and with others. The key word is “self-surrender unto the creator”. Anyone who follows the laws of goodness (surrender) to keep peace in the society is following the Den, the dharma, the righteous path to sustain peace. As the verses are quoted earlier, if you do the right karma, God will shower his grace regardless of whether you are a Muslim or not.

God in the Quran also repeatedly says, “Whether you are a Jew, Christian or a Pagan, you need not worry, if you are good to your fellow beings, your rewards are with me.” And the Quran addresses mankind thorough out the book, from the very first verse to the last one. (Check out “Our Mission at WorldMuslimCongress.com).

Quran 2;62 - “VERILY, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians -- all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds -- shall have their reward with their Sustainer; and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.”

Quran 22:34 – “For each congregation we have decreed rites whereby they commemorate the name of GOD for providing them with the livestock. Your god is one and the same god; you shall all submit to Him. Give good news to the obedient.”

Dude:   Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Scripturally - no... Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of Islam and the Quran.

Mike Ghouse: This is as dumb as asking, if Muslims loved their mothers. America is their home and they will do everything to defend safeguard and protect their land. You will not find an individual American of any race, religion or ethnicity who will do nothing if his mother is attacked?

Muslim Allegiance is to God, the day of accounting and righteous deeds, the five Pillars of Islam are the ritual practices to achieve piety. They are 1) Witness that there is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet, 2) Prayers, 3) Fasting, 4) Zakat (tithe) and 5) Pilgrimage.  

By the way, a Muslims faith is incomplete without a belief in all the prophets and the name of Jesus is often referenced in Quran.   Islam also insists that no prophet should be treated as superior or inferior. In the eyes of God all humanity is created equal.

Dude:   Can a good Muslim be a good American?   Geographically - no... Because his allegiance is to Mecca, to which he turns in prayer five times a day

Mike Ghouse: Mecca is the focal point to build uniformity and harmony. A system was created so all worshippers can face in one direction instead of multiple directions. There is no other value than that; it is a sanctuary where people walk in putting aside their conflicts, malice, ill-will and evilness.   It is as simple as 500 people sitting in a church facing the pulpit instead of each one facing in different direction. There is no allegiance to Mecca

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Socially - no... Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to make friends with Christians or Jews.

Mike Ghouse: That is sheer non-sense, a Muslim is called upon to be an Amin – that is someone who tells nothing but the truth, who is just, who is fair, who is kind and who is trustworthy.  You’ll always find people in all faiths who keep it to themselves, and some who are friendly with their neighbors, this has nothing to do with religion, it about individuals.

 

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Politically - no.... Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great Satan.

Mike Ghouse:  The statement is as truthful as saying Christians follow their pastors, if their pastors tell them to vote Republicans, they will vote Republican en masse, if they say no Christian should vote Democratic, they will not vote that way.  If you believe this is true, then I agree with your statement.

Muslims do not submit to any Mullah, they submit to God alone. I am really laughing at this.  For a majority of Muslims there is no Mullah, there is no central authority in Islam for the Muslims.  Mullah’s don’t govern and their variety is in every group, Pastor Hagee spews out hate, Obama’s pastor did… Mullah Pat Robertson is hateful, but does he represent the views of all Christians? Muslim clergy are no exception; there are a few bad ones.

However about 15% of Muslim who follow Shia, have some central authority, but they are divided as well and their allegiance to their leaders is for civic leadership.

Islam has nothing to do with destruction of Israel, the Hamas charter calls for it, it was written in 1988, where as the Israeli leaders have said the opposite since 1948 – to treat Palestinians as roaches and push them in to the desert holes. Islam does not even approve killing another human, unless it is in self defense.  Neither the Israelis nor the Palestinians mean it, they want peace.

Let’s assume, Russians arm the native Americans and create a land for them in Texas, and if they become militant and as powerful as Israel and go on evicting people from their homes, and take over their lands …because it was their land before… what do you do, just lay down? While they pillage, bomb and steal your land?  That is what the Palestinians are doing, fighting for their rights.  

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Domestically - no... Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him. (Quran 4:34)

Mike Ghouse: Read 4:32- 4:37 yourselves. An American Christian woman told me in the Quran conference.  She would rather be a Muslim woman who gets hit with a feather like stick upon infidelity, than an American Christian man who will violently kill her if he finds her sleeping with another man, or a Hindu man who would douse her in Kerosene and burn her alive. The instruction was not to kill but beat her with a feather like stick as a discipline… the new and correct understanding is “if you find your woman sleeping with another man, go for separation. 

The wrong interpretation has been in circulation that goes against the very grain of Prophet’s teaching – fair and equitable and to treat your spouse with utmost dignity. Check this out. http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2009/05/wife-beating-quraan-434.html

Polygamy has been around; while go through a legal process many a Men abuse women regardless of their religion. Muslims are no exception.  The instruction was limit to 4 for social justice purpose and not for lust.  It was not an ordinance, but exception in cases where the woman needed protection … for example after WWII and Vietnam war thousands of women were put on the street… men abused them and took advantage of them, spreading STD’s.. and other stuff… instead of treating a woman as a whore and dehumanize her, marry her and give her the dignity of life she deserves...  it was to be approved by his first wife to ensure it was justice and not lust. Abuses happen every where… look in our own backyard… Look at Wiener, Clinton, Newt Gingrich… and some of your friends.

I stand opposed to polygamy, but I have no problem if men marry more than one woman in Iraq, where Bush bombing has put over 250,000 women on street; what do you do with them? Men take advantage of women, whether they are American, Chinese, Mexican or Arabian they want to sleep with them.  Other than husbands, brothers, fathers and sons, most men when they support a woman, they are constantly battling the idea of sleeping with her, or keeping her for their sexual pleasures.

That is a shameless men trait no matter where that man is from. I rather see dignity given to a woman than make her dependent and use her as a sex object.  

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Intellectually - no... Because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he believes the Bible to be corrupt.

Mike Ghouse:  American constitution and Islam have a lot in common- Justice, Equality, dignity and respect for all. Don’t give me that it is not the case, indeed it is, we (Americans) did not treat women and African men equally until 50 years ago because we misread our own constitution.

You should also know that Averroes (Muslim) influenced the two other wise men Aquinas and Maimonides, who are influential in our constitution drafting. Indeed, the US Supreme court has the frieze that shows Quran. 

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Philosophically - no... Because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and Islam cannot co-exist. Every Muslim government is either dictatorial or autocratic. 

Mike Ghouse:  " ... Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error ..." [2:256] this is Islam's unambiguous affirmation of freedom of faith, which also applies to changing of faith. The Qur'an illuminates before the humanity the two highways [90:10], one of which leads to salvation. Islam is an invitation to the highway toward salvation, but it is based on FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

5:8 (Asad) O YOU who have attained to faith! Be ever steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let hatred of any-one [19] lead you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: this is closest to being God-conscious. And remain conscious of God: verily, God is aware of all that you do.

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Spiritually - no... Because when we declare 'one nation under God,' The Christian's God is loving and kind, while Allah is NEVER referred to as Heavenly father, nor is he ever called love in the Quran's 99 excellent names. 

Mike Ghouse:  It’s a pledge every Muslim takes. One nation under God indivisible … looks like this dude who wrote is divisive.

 [4:59] O you who believe, you shall obey GOD, and you shall obey the messenger, and those in charge among you. If you dispute in any matter, you shall refer it to GOD and the messenger, if you do believe in GOD and the Last Day. This is better for you, and provides you with the best solution.

Dude:  Can a good Muslim be a good American?  Therefore, after much study and deliberation... Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. - - - They obviously cannot be both 'good' Muslims and 'good' Americans.  Call it what you wish it's still the truth... You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.

Quran 49:6 “O YOU who have attained to faith! If any iniquitous person comes to you with a [slanderous] tale, use your discernment, lest you hurt people unwittingly and afterwards be filled with remorse for what you have done.”

 “i.e., verify the truth before giving credence to any such report or rumor. The tale-bearer is characterized as "iniquitous" because the very act of spreading unsubstantiated rumors affecting the reputation of other persons constitutes a spiritual offence.”

President Reagan had echoed the same sentiments with the phrase, Trust, but verify and Bhagvad Gita guides, finding the truth is one’s own responsibility. 

"O you who believe, you shall be equitable, and observe GOD, when you serve as witnesses. Do not be provoked by your conflicts with some people into committing injustice. You shall be equitable, for it is more righteous. You shall observe GOD. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do" (Quran 5:8)

Mike Ghouse:  I hope you can see the BS this guy has given and I pray that you circulate this to the same sources you got this from. And I ask you to check it out:

An item about Quran Mistranslations:

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/columnists/steve-blow/20100919-In-defense-of-Islam-pursuing-9397.ece 

To check Quran Translations go to: http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch/    

Check this site www.Quraantoday.com and www.QuraanConference.com  

By the way, there were similar articles by many:

All these men and women are about making money, frightening the crap out of you and ask for money, every time.

Geert Wilders – check out his questions and my response:http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/muslim-response-to-wilders.html

Nonie Derwish - http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/2009/08/nonie-darwish-hate-monger.html

MA Khan, a Muslim turned Christian http://www.islam-watch.org/MA_Khan/Does-Quran-Incite-Violence-Debate-Mike-Ghouse-MA-Khan-1.htm

Robert Spencer

http://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=26113

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, Interfaith Wedding officiant, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism,  human rights,  India,  Israel-Palestine,  motivation, and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. All  his writings are at: www.TheGhousediary.com