Thursday, April 23, 2009

05-03-09 - You are different, so what?

April 20, 2009
The Healing Project
You are different, so what?

Sunday, May 3, 8:00 PM
Meyerson Symphony Orchestra

SUNDAY, MAY 3 AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 PRESENTED BY THE TURTLE CREEK CHORALE FEATURING MEMBERS OF THE DALLAS WIND SYMPHONY

Participation by Jews, Gays, African Americans and Muslims.
http://www.turtlecreek.org/index.php?/tcc/newspost/the_healing_project/
ORDER TICKETS

SUNDAY, MAY 3 AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
PRESENTED BY THE TURTLE CREEK CHORALE
FEATURING MEMBERS OF THE DALLAS WIND SYMPHONY

On Sunday, May 3 and Wednesday, May 6 at 8:00 PM at the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Turtle Creek Chorale will present THE HEALING PROJECT; a musical exploration of personal and communal courage during challenging times. Using poetry drawn from personal accounts and powerful, evocative music, we aim to promote awareness of the many similarities among various distinct communities, thus bringing them closer to healing as one greater community.

We, who would heal the world, must first-ourselves be healed,
yielding to a greater love, the human heart reveals. . .
calling to our better angels
to restore our dignity!

The words above come from Our Better Angels, a new work composed specifically for THE HEALING PROJECT by Jewish composer, Andrea Clearfield with text by Reverend Robert Espindola of the Community Church of Christ.

Dr. Jonathan Palant, Turtle Creek Chorale Artistic Director, says, “This concert explores the parallels between various minority communities using both personal accounts and symbolic music. Are the equal rights desired by one community any different than those desired by another? Are both deserving of the same equal rights? These simple questions are the premise of this concert.”

Joining the Turtle Creek Chorale on stage to offer personal accounts of courage and growth are: City of Dallas Councilmember, Hon. Pauline Medrano; Holocaust survivor, Marion Avery; Mike Ghouse, President of the World Muslim Congress; Mrs. Reem Alghonimi, a Muslim Leader; Bud Knight and Chet Flake, two gay men celebrating 44 years as a couple; and Cedric Neal, an African American member of the Dallas Theater Center’s Resident Actor Company.

Our Better Angels, a musical work composed by Dr. Andrea Clearfield with texts by Rev. Robert Espindola, will receive its world premiere at these concerts. This 35-minute work, commissioned by the Turtle Creek Chorale specifically for this concert series, is scored for men’s chorus, brass ensemble, percussion, harp and organ. Members of the Dallas Wind Symphony will accompany the Turtle Creek Chorale in these performances.

Dr. Andrea Clearfield is a prolific composer. Recent commissions include works for the Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestra 2001, Network for New Music, the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia and the Handel Society of Dartmouth College. Her choral cantata, Dream Variations, was recently premiered at Disney Hall with the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

Reverend Robert Espindola has been a professional librettist for eleven years. A professional educator and ordained minister, he graduated with honors from Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa. A teacher for twenty-two years, in 1992 Espindola was honored as one of California’s “Distinguished Educators.” A strong advocate for teenagers living with HIV/AIDS, Espindola was keynotes speaker at two national AIDS conferences, and in 1993, served as delegate at the International Conference on AIDS in Yokohama, Japan.

Tickets for THE HEALING PROJECT ($20-65) are available online at www.turtlecreek.org or by calling (877) SING-TCC.

About the Turtle Creek Chorale:

The Turtle Creek Chorale is an all-male chorus in Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1980, the Chorale has over 200 members who volunteer more than 100,000 hours annually among rehearsals and service projects for those in the community. The Turtle Creek Chorale has released 37 compact discs and was the subject of an award-winning documentary in 2005 titled, The Power of Harmony.

To arrange interviews with the composer, librettist or conductor, please contact Robert Cole at (214) 526-3214 Ext. 102 or by email at rcole@turtlecreek.org.

05-07-09 : National Prayer Breakfast

National Day of Prayer Breakfast

Speaker will be:
Philip L. Ostergard, author of :
"The Inspired Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln"
7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
May 7, 2009 in
The Tower Club, 1601 Elm Street, Suite 4800, downtown Dallas.
Free Parking in the Thanksgiving Tower Garage included in your ticket.


For reservations, please call
214-969-1977. Sponsor tables are available. Tickets are $40, or Seniors and Students for $25.
Please call 214-969-1977 for Reservations and Table Sponsorship.
Click here for more info.




“THE INSPIRED WISDOM OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN”

THANKS-GIVING SQUARE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST
Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. at the Tower Club in Thanksgiving Tower
1601 Elm St. Ste. 4800 Dallas, TX 75201 (214) 220-0403

Come join in the celebration the 200th anniversary year of President Lincoln’s birth with leaders of the business, civic, cultural, educational and faith communities from throughout the Metroplex and members he Interfaith Council of Thanks-Giving Square.

Our speaker will be Philip L. Ostergard, author of “The Inspired Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln”. From him we will learn how prayer played a central role in President Lincoln’s decision making during the heart-wrenching days of a civil war compounded by personal grief. Ostergard will show how Lincoln was transformed from a man with many doubts into a great leader who led this nation through its darkest times to renewed hope and reinstated the Thanksgiving tradition after a lapse of 45 years.

The Co-Chairs for the gourmet, faith sensitive breakfast are the Rev. Doug Skinner (Senior Minister of Northway Christian Church) and Rosemarie Stromberg (Vice-Chair of the Interfaith Council). As of today, sponsors include: Ebby Halliday Acers, the Baha’i Community of Dallas, the Episcopal Hospital Chaplaincy Diocese of Dallas, Church Women United, Highland Park United Methodist, the Islamic Association of North Texas, Levenson & Brinker PR, Peter Stewart, Temple Emanu-El.

Tables are still available. The Thanks-Giving Foundation is a 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and your donations are tax deductible to the maximum extent under the law.


Underwriter Table: $5000 Donor Seat: $250 Senior/Student Seat: $25 (teachers attending with their students may use the student rate)
Sponsor Table: $2500 VIP Seat: $100
Patron Table: $1000 Individual $40

Parking is included in the cost of the event. Entrance to the underground parking garage is located on the right on Elm St. indicated by the star on the map.

Gratefully,
Arlette Banegas
Administrative Assistant,
Thanks-Giving Square
1627 Pacific Ave.
Dallas, TX 75201

P.O. Box 131770
Dallas, TX 75313
214-969-1977
Fax 214-754 0152
tgs@thanksgiving.org

More information: http://www.thanksgiving.org/events.html

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Muslim Response to Lies about Qur'aan

Muslim response to Dutch Legislator's lies about Qur'aan.

The link following this note is a Muslim response to Geert Wilders’ documentary called "Fitna", presenting Islam as a danger to his society. The article in the link is authored by Mike Ghouse* and Imam Zia Shaikh, Imam and an Islamic Scholar of the largest Mosque in Texas.

Mr. Wilders, a Dutch parliamentarian is in Washington DC to dupe a few of our Congressman and Senators. I hope they will have their staff members verify the statements he has quoted in the documentary (the link is in the link) and then check it in the Qur'aan and tell the man to come up with truth and not dupe the Americans any more.

Evil persists, because we the good people do not stop the hate mongering and some of us even fund such documentaries. I have seen a series of such documentaries this year where Islam is deliberately misrepresented with the sole purpose of frightening their insecure and cashing it. It is all about money, they are fooling you and several of us.

There was the “obsession” documentary fraught with misquotes and lies, some 2 million copies were shipped to frighten the Americans to vote the other way prior to November 4th elections. A few more documentaries were shown loaded with blatant lies, one of them was downright stupid but to the producer it had its effect, drill fear and gain favors, in that documentary, the propped up Non-Muslim French Expert on Islam was saying the dumbest things I have ever heard. I challenged the producer to pick up the phone and call any Muslim any where in the world to find it if Muslims don’t believe in the coming of Messiah.

We have a choice to know the truth, and I urge those who truly want peace and co-existence to set up a panel of conservatives, liberals and a whole bunch of moderates to review and answer the audience. Private showings to exclusive groups has an intent of evilness, if it is the truth, let it be in the open, let it be subject to questions and another point of view.

Ultimately it is not the Imam, Rabbi, Pastor, Pundit, Politician, Savior, Policy maker or the Clergy who is responsible for our pain, anguish, pangs of conscience, our actions and our bad intent; it is us who have to deal with it in our lonely moments. Men of God do not sell hate, they are about inclusion and love. We need to have true freedom to find the truth on our own.

Should we fund fear mongering or peace making? The choice is ours. I hope to wake you up and have you fund those who are working on mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill.

Mr. Wilders has read my piece linked below and is un-willing to retract the false statements he has made; he quoted them as if they are in Qur'aan, and they are not. His intent is not education but chaos. Wikipedia has made similar mistakes and even the prestigious University of Southern California's website has a quote ascribed to Qur'aan, even with a verse number to give the idea that it is legitimate, but that verse is not in Qur'aan either. Of course, only 1/10th of 1% of the extremists blindly believes in such statements without verifying.

Full article at: http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/03/wilders-fitna-and-muslims_30.html

Mike Ghouse is a Dallas based writer, blogger, speaker and a thinker. A frequent guest on talk radio and local television networks offering pluralistic perspectives on issues of the day. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net

.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Saudi Arabia - A change is in the making

Saudi Arabia; a change is in the making

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was perhaps the first head of a government, who was secure enough to initiate the Madinah pact, one of the first Pluralist documents in the history of mankind that respected and accepted God's intentional diversity to remain intact.I sincerely hope, that the Saudi King will pave the way to make the land of the prophet to once again become a beacon of pluralism, that Islam was and I pray that God help the King achieve it. Amen.

Continued: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/WorldMuslimCongress/Articles/Saudi-Arabia-change-is-in-the-making.asp

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer on Pluralism, interfaith, peace, Islam and India. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television networks discussing these and the civic issues. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net. Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at GhouseMike@gmail.com

Does Qur'aan incite Violence - II

Does Qur'aan incite Violence -II

Qur’aan does not incite violence; those who are violence prone believe that it is, as their mind set is based on fear and violence. It is the propaganda of Neocons; those who are insecure about their extremist values, worry about similar people in other groups. Neocons are extremist literalists like the Muslims, Christians, Jews and Hindus. They are all mirror images of each other.

Religion, yes, and every religion allays fears of the unknown, mitigates the apprehensions, gives hopes and brings a balance to an individual and what surrounds him; people and the environment.

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer on Pluralism, interfaith, terrorism, peace, Islam, Multiculturism and India. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television networks discussing these and the civic issues. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net. Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com

Continued: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/Does-Qur'aan-incite-Violence-II.asp

Is Qur'aan perfect?

Is Qur'aan Perfect?

It is the true and final word of God for the Muslims who believe in it, it is not for the Christians, Hindus, Jews or others who are not familiar with it. However, if one sincerely understands the Qur'aan, he or she will find the essence of Justice, fairness; truth and peace resonate in Qur'aan as they may find it in their own scriptures.

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer on Pluralism, interfaith, terrorism, peace, Islam, Multiculturism and India. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television networks discussing these and the civic issues. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net. Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com

Continued: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/WorldMuslimCongress/Articles/Is-Quraan-Perfect.asp

Monday, February 9, 2009

Evolutionary Creation - 2009 Evolution Week

Evolutionary Creation - 2009 Evolution Week

Several Abrahimic Religious leaders 'assume' that evolution is in conflict with creationism. It frightens them about the unknown; which is human. They have an unquestionable need to believe that what they know is the final word of God; a different point of view is anathema to them. The non-Abrahimic faith followers need not gloat; a new idea is usually an abomination to someone or the other including some of them. Whether you are a believer in a God, or several or no God, you would still find a new idea bring insecurity, like some one has pulled the rug from under you and you are out of your comfort zone.

Continued: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/Evolutionary-Creation.asp

Friday, January 23, 2009

Holocaust and Genocides event - Sunday in Dallas

II ANNUAL REFLECTIONS ON HOLOCAUST & GENOCIDES

Our Mission is to create awareness of the inhumanity in all of us, and discover and create solutions for peaceful co-existence. We need to remind ourselves frequently to do our share to make the world a better place to live, vow to say “never again” to human atrocities, and at this annual occasion dare to practice the power of forgiveness.

II ANNUAL REFLECTIONS ON HOLOCAUST & GENOCIDES
Day: Sunday, January 25, 2009
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Place: UNITY CHURCH OF DALLAS, 6525 Forest Lane • Dallas, TX 75230
Contact: Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916
email: MikeGhouse@aol.com
Website: www.HolocaustandGenocides.org

RSVP: ConfirmAttendance@Gmail.com

Dallas Morning News:
http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/reflections-on-holocaust-and-g.html

Details - Press release:
http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/Holocaust-and-Genocides-Press-Release-011709.asp


Mike Ghouse,
Event Chair (214) 325-1916
www.FoundationforPluralism.com
www.WorldMuslimCongress.com

Sunday, January 18, 2009

PR- II Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides

II Annual Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides
Sunday, January 25, 2009 5:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance
211 N. Record St. Suite 100,
Dallas, TX 75202-3361
Website: www.HolocaustandGenocides.org

Admission is free - Your are invitedLimited Seating -
Please RSVP to: ConfirmAttendance@gmail.com

You may become a part of the history as this event is a stepping stone towards Peace in the Middle east. Continued: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/Holocaust-and-Genocides-Press-Release-011709.asp