Standing up for others

It is inspiring to see those who stand up for others.

Standing up for others is the right thing to do, every human goes through a period of invincibility to vulnerability, if we don't stand up for those who are vulnerable, then who will stand up for us when we are vulnerable?

Father Moon emphasizes the idea, "Living for the sake of others" indeed there is a lot of wisdom in it as Martin Niemoller also reflects it in his eternal poem, "first they came for the Jews, I wasn't a Jew, so I did not say a thing, then they came for Communists, I didn't care, I wasn't a communist, then he concludes, then they came for me and it shattered me to know that there was no one left to speak up for me."

The idea of alms, charity, taking care of the elderly, weak, sick and the children is a common theme in every religious tradition. It is indeed an insurance for every one's well being. I cannot be at peace when others around me aren't, and hence it behooves me to take care of the ones who need assistance.

I have stood up for Jews, Catholics, Ahmadiyyas, Immigrants, Hindus, Falun Dafa, Zoroastrians, Muslims, Native Americans, Christians, Baha'i, Wicca, Sikh and other identities of humanity. It is the right thing to do.
Please note that I am no more of a volunteer than you are, if I have not spoken out against one of your dear causes, it is simply because not being aware and having only 24 hours in a day. If you would like to share it with me, please do so in the comments section.

Standing up for Jews, Gays, Catholics
http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2010/07/standing-up-for-jews-gays-and-mexicans.html

Standing up for Mexicans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrjU0KULv-Y

Standing up for Ahmadiyyas
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/09/appeal-to-indonesia-about-ahmadi.html

Standing up for the Unificationists
http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/03/freedom-of-religion-in-japan.html

Standing up with the Native Americans
http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2010/02/petition-for-native-american-heritage.html

Standing up for the Falun Dafa
http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2006/3/19/70952.html

Standing up for Christians In Indonesia, India and Pakistan
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/31/letters-an-appeal-indonesian-muslims.html

Standing up for Hindus
List to be added: Moscow, Trinidad, California, Lisbon, Bangladesh, Pakistan,
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2009/08/festivities-soured-by-race.html

Standing up against Apostasy
1) Malaysia, 2) Afghanistan
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/05/malaysian-apostasy-case.html

Standing up for Burmese Buddhists
http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2007/10/stand-with-burmese-people.html

On Saturday, September 4, 2010 in Houston at the interfaith symposium at the Ahmadiyya Mosque, I quoted Father Moon's drive, "Living for the sake of others" and expanded on it. We don't have to do it for God, or even claim it to be the noble" thing to do. We have to do it, because it is the right thing to do. That is also the wisdom from Bhagvad Gita. Keep doing the work and let the creator decide which way it goes, but don't look for the fruit, your job is to just do it.

Twice in my life I have seen Mahatma Gandhi in my dream, the first time was when I was in College around 1971, when Mahatma Gandhi, the vice-chancellor of Bangalore University Sri V. Narsimaiah and I were having a dinner together and Mahatma puts his hands on my shoulders and says, "tujhe bahut kaam karna hai beta", you have a lot of work to do son, and again around 2003, he appears in my dreams and with the same affectionate hand (as my Dad's), he pats on my back, "you have to do it"... the only thing I consistently get from this message was the work of Pluralism, help me God, I am committed to do.

Today, I received a note from John Halsey, Dallas ACLC (American Clergy leadership conference) how we would not let go of a Minister's negative remarks towards Muslims. Then the thought of putting together some the of work I have done came to my mind, and here it is, by the next week, I will have most of the work listed. Thank you John.

I am pleased to be a part of Dallas Peace Center and it feels like home to me, every one around is about justice and peace and that is such a hope giving environment to witness.

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To be updated, God has blessed me to be a part of many a societies and I am thankful for the same. I urge you to knock off one hour's TV or gossip and spend that time standing up for others, the least you can do is to let them know that you are with them and that they are not alone.

Standing up for Sikhs
1) France 2) Afghanistan -

Standing up for Muslim Women's rights
1) Burqa 2) Adultery

Standing up for Zoroastrians
Farohar Symbol

Standing up for Buddhists
Destruction of Biman Statues

Standing up for Muslims
Destruction of Babri Mosque

Standing up for Atheists
through my comments and articles

Standing up against Holocaust denial
Letters to Dallas Morning News to initiating and establishing "Reflections on Holocaust and Genocides" event in 2007.

Standing up for Wicca
Rights to bury in Arlington Cemetery

Standing up for Palestinians
Gaza Rally, prayers for peace, reflections on violations

Standing for Baha'i

Standing up for African Americans

Standing up for Dalit's in India
Thanks to my Father and Mother for breaking away from the traditional practices of apartheid, growing up as kids, we did something that was un-heard of, the Dalits and us would eat off our plates, and drink tea off our glasses, they would come in to our home... and many had called my Dad for stopping it. I shall write that some time.

Standing up for Bosnians
I vividly recall the callous attitude of a Russian Journalist and Phil Donahue late night - women were raped and children were shot in head...and they said something like "oh they are Muslims"... I had a auto fax from my Mac at that time, and I sent several faxes to them, the next nigh, they did not show that inhuman attitude. That was the last time I watched Phil Donahue, the man I had respected, but lost respect for him.

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