Speakers on Pluralism & Interfaith

What Qualifies one to speak on Interfaith and Pluralism*

Interfaith is about relationship between faiths, where as
Pluralism is about co-existence be it theists, atheists, governance or politics.

We have carefully selected the speakers, and I believe, none of them have bias or prejudice towards people of other faiths, race, ethniciy or any other uniqueness.

http://dallasinterfaithcenter.blogspot.com/2008/07/speakers-on-pluralism-interfaith.html

We are developing a list of speakers who believe “My faith is dear to me, as other's faith is dear to them." and, "I believe in my faith, it works for me and I give the same value to others who believe in their faith without taking away any divinity in them."

To be religious is to be spiritual and to be in tune with the creation, where one feels a sense of oneness with the universe, everything belongs to one and one belongs to all. A true state of liberation and the state of conflictlessness prevails in one's heart and mind. Each one of us can aspire for that ideal and achieve a relative sense of oneness with our own failings and flaws with relative humility.

Spirituality and Arrogance are inversely proportional to each other, ideally, they are mutually exclusive elements. A true religious person appreciates the religiosity and divinity of the other as he or she accords oneself with no arrogance.

We have to build bridges, mitigate conflicts and work for a world of co-existence. Honoring other traditions does not diminish divinity of one's own faith. To be religious is to see the creator in all and be peace makers and justice workers.

These speakers will will have a respectful disposition towards fellow beings regardless of other's theistic, atheistic, agnostic, poly or monotheistic traditions. They will promote appreciation of diversity as a divine design. The cause of all life has origins in the same source, it is the same creator and sustainer. Rabbi Gordis says it well " We have to honor the otherness of other without missionizing thoughts" a certain source of irreligiousness.

Each one of the speaker believes in his or her faith but does not allow the arrogance to creep in to claim that his/her's is the only way and others are inferior. Please share the names of the persons who share these ideals, but are not perfect. No one is.

If we can learn to accept and respect every which way one worships the divine, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge; co-existence in harmony with life and matter.

National interfaith Speakers will be listed at http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/ and the Dallas/ Fort Worth Metroplex Speakers are listed at: http://www.dallasinterfaithcenter.com/

Here is the list of speakers:
Please note that if the speakers are biased towards others, we will not list their names.

Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916
email: Mike@FoundationforPluralism.com
Topics: Pluralism, Terrorism, Essence of Religions, Interfaith, Multi-culturism &\; Islam Profile: http://www.mikeghouse.net/ProfileMikeGhouse.asp
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Dr. Harbans Lal,
817-446-8757, Mob. 817-846-8630
email: japji08@yahoo.com
Topics: Interfaith and Sikh Tradition

Rev. Marylou Bishop-GhystPhone: 214-324-1125
e-mail: unityland@aol.com
Topics: Christianity's path, religious prejudice

Rev. Petra Weldes
email: therock@csldallas.org
Profile: Scroll down please

PROFILES OF SPEAKERS
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Marylou Ghyst

Topics:
1) Christianity's Three Paths
2) Mysticism and Recognizing Guidance
3) Jesus' Concept of God and of Heaven on Earth
4) The Keys to Jesus' Healing Power; Self-Healing
5) Adam & Eve (the second creation story -- not literal -- but deeply spiritual).
6) 15 Areas of Prejudice in this country

Profile: Marylou is a native of Denver, Colorado. At age 4, she became aware of her mission in life -- to be a doctor. Ten years later at 14, although under age, she persuaded Mercy Hospital to hire her as a nurse's aide. At 16, she graduated from a vocational nursing school. About the same time, she observed a TV minister who was "doctoring" to the emotional needs of people. Instantly she recognized that was the kind of doctor she wanted to be. She left nursing behind, and worked for attorneys for the next 20 years which she describes as one of her most profound learning experiences. She then studied art for 5 years, learning to paint in water color and oil. At this time, in mid-life, she received her "calling." Most Christian ministers are aware of the exact moment when God calls them to ministry, and she said "yes" to the call.

She graduated from Unity School of Christianity in Missouri as a Licensed Teacher, and was ordained a minister at Unity Temple in New Orleans. She co-founded Unity Church in Garland, now Unity Church of Sachse, from which she retired in 2006. She's now committed to interfaith. and is in the process of writing her fifth book, The Teachings of Jesus in Plain English. She is married and has no children.