Besides the blessings of a funding source, isn’t it great to see the messages these plates provide on our Arizona streets and highways? Please help us by sending a message to your legislator that would put a more reasonable solution in the works instead.

Resources
House Bill 2313 Summary
Read the Bill
Read THE AZ REPUBLIC News Story
AZ Legislative website

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!

This new 7-minute video profiles the ground-breaking Golden Rule ministry of the Scarboro Missions Interfaith Department in Canada. The Scarboro Missions Golden Rule poster has achieved international renown as an educational and interfaith resource.

Scarboro has developed Golden Rule curriculum for both adult and youth audiences. Each week at Scarboro Missions, high school students participate in interfaith workshops. Here they have the opportunity to embody Golden Rule values by way of drama, music, dance and other creative efforts.

Below please find the link to the Golden video. Feel free to forward this link through your communities and networks for use in newsletters, bulletin boards, websites, mailing lists, list-serves, blogs, Facebook pages, twitter, etc.   Check it out - CLICK HERE.

Dear Friends,

Greetings of peace, light and blessing from Ethiopia.

President Obama highlighted the Golden Rule in his Speech at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast held on Feb 2, 2012 in Washington, DC.

Here is the full text of his speech for your information:

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Please, please, everybody have a seat. Well, good morning, everybody. It is good to be with so many friends united in prayer. And I begin by giving all praise and honor to God for bringing us together here today.

I want to thank our co-chairs Mark and Jeff; to my dear friend, the guy who always has my back, Vice President Biden. (Applause.) All the members of Congress –- Joe deserves a hand –- all the members of Congress and my Cabinet who are here today; all the distinguished guests who’ve traveled a long way to be part of this. I’m not going to be as funny as Eric — (laughter) — but I’m grateful that he shared his message with us. Michelle and I feel truly blessed to be here.

This is my third year coming to this prayer breakfast as President. As Jeff mentioned, before that, I came as senator. I have to say, it’s easier coming as President. (Laughter.) I don’t have to get here quite as early. But it’s always been an opportunity that I’ve cherished. And it’s a chance to step back for a moment, for us to come together as brothers and sisters and seek God’s face together. At a time when it’s easy to lose ourselves in the rush and clamor of our own lives, or get caught up in the noise and rancor that too often passes as politics today, these moments of prayer slow us down. They humble us. They remind us that no matter how much responsibility we have, how fancy our titles, how much power we think we hold, we are imperfect vessels. We can all benefit from turning to our Creator, listening to Him. Avoiding phony religiosity, listening to Him.

This is especially important right now, when we’re facing some big challenges as a nation. Our economy is making progress as we recover from the worst crisis in three generations, but far too many families are still struggling to find work or make the mortgage, pay for college, or, in some cases, even buy food. Our men and women in uniform have made us safer and more secure, and we were eternally grateful to them, but war and suffering and hardship still remain in too many corners of the globe. And a lot of those men and women who we celebrate on Veterans Day and Memorial Day come back and find that, when it comes to finding a job or getting the kind of care that they need, we’re not always there the way we need to be.

It’s absolutely true that meeting these challenges requires sound decision-making, requires smart policies. We know that part of living in a pluralistic society means that our personal religious beliefs alone can’t dictate our response to every challenge we face.

But in my moments of prayer, I’m reminded that faith and values play an enormous role in motivating us to solve some of our most urgent problems, in keeping us going when we suffer setbacks, and opening our minds and our hearts to the needs of others.

We can’t leave our values at the door. If we leave our values at the door, we abandon much of the moral glue that has held our nation together for centuries, and allowed us to become somewhat more perfect a union. Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Jane Addams, Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day, Abraham Heschel — the majority of great reformers in American history did their work not just because it was sound policy, or they had done good analysis, or understood how to exercise good politics, but because their faith and their values dictated it, and called for bold action — sometimes in the face of indifference, sometimes in the face of resistance.

This is no different today for millions of Americans, and it’s certainly not for me.

I wake up each morning and I say a brief prayer, and I spend a little time in scripture and devotion. And from time to time, friends of mine, some of who are here today, friends like Joel Hunter or T.D. Jakes, will come by the Oval Office or they’ll call on the phone or they’ll send me a email, and we’ll pray together, and they’ll pray for me and my family, and for our country.

But I don’t stop there. I’d be remiss if I stopped there; if my values were limited to personal moments of prayer or private conversations with pastors or friends. So instead, I must try — imperfectly, but I must try — to make sure those values motivate me as one leader of this great nation.

And so when I talk about our financial institutions playing by the same rules as folks on Main Street, when I talk about making sure insurance companies aren’t discriminating against those who are already sick, or making sure that unscrupulous lenders aren’t taking advantage of the most vulnerable among us, I do so because I genuinely believe it will make the economy stronger for everybody. But I also do it because I know that far too many neighbors in our country have been hurt and treated unfairly over the last few years, and I believe in God’s command to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” I know the version of that Golden Rule is found in every major religion and every set of beliefs -– from Hinduism to Islam to Judaism to the writings of Plato.

And when I talk about shared responsibility, it’s because I genuinely believe that in a time when many folks are struggling, at a time when we have enormous deficits, it’s hard for me to ask seniors on a fixed income, or young people with student loans, or middle-class families who can barely pay the bills to shoulder the burden alone. And I think to myself, if I’m willing to give something up as somebody who’s been extraordinarily blessed, and give up some of the tax breaks that I enjoy, I actually think that’s going to make economic sense.

But for me as a Christian, it also coincides with Jesus’s teaching that “for unto whom much is given, much shall be required.” It mirrors the Islamic belief that those who’ve been blessed have an obligation to use those blessings to help others, or the Jewish doctrine of moderation and consideration for others.

When I talk about giving every American a fair shot at opportunity, it’s because I believe that when a young person can afford a college education, or someone who’s been unemployed suddenly has a chance to retrain for a job and regain that sense of dignity and pride, and contributing to the community as well as supporting their families — that helps us all prosper.

It means maybe that research lab on the cusp of a lifesaving discovery, or the company looking for skilled workers is going to do a little bit better, and we’ll all do better as a consequence. It makes economic sense. But part of that belief comes from my faith in the idea that I am my brother’s keeper and I am my sister’s keeper; that as a country, we rise and fall together. I’m not an island. I’m not alone in my success. I succeed because others succeed with me.

And when I decide to stand up for foreign aid, or prevent atrocities in places like Uganda, or take on issues like human trafficking, it’s not just about strengthening alliances, or promoting democratic values, or projecting American leadership around the world, although it does all those things and it will make us safer and more secure. It’s also about the biblical call to care for the least of these –- for the poor; for those at the margins of our society.

To answer the responsibility we’re given in Proverbs to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” And for others, it may reflect the Jewish belief that the highest form of charity is to do our part to help others stand on their own.

Treating others as you want to be treated. Requiring much from those who have been given so much. Living by the principle that we are our brother’s keeper. Caring for the poor and those in need. These values are old. They can be found in many denominations and many faiths, among many believers and among many non-believers. And they are values that have always made this country great — when we live up to them; when we don’t just give lip service to them; when we don’t just talk about them one day a year. And they’re the ones that have defined my own faith journey.

And today, with as many challenges as we face, these are the values I believe we’re going to have to return to in the hopes that God will buttress our efforts.

Now, we can earnestly seek to see these values lived out in our politics and our policies, and we can earnestly disagree on the best way to achieve these values. In the words of C.S. Lewis, “Christianity has not, and does not profess to have a detailed political program. It is meant for all men at all times, and the particular program which suited one place or time would not suit another.”

Our goal should not be to declare our policies as biblical. It is God who is infallible, not us. Michelle reminds me of this often. (Laughter.) So instead, it is our hope that people of goodwill can pursue their values and common ground and the common good as best they know how, with respect for each other. And I have to say that sometimes we talk about respect, but we don’t act with respect towards each other during the course of these debates.

But each and every day, for many in this room, the biblical injunctions are not just words, they are also deeds. Every single day, in different ways, so many of you are living out your faith in service to others.

Just last month, it was inspiring to see thousands of young Christians filling the Georgia Dome at the Passion Conference, to worship the God who sets the captives free and work to end modern slavery. Since we’ve expanded and strengthened the White House faith-based initiative, we’ve partnered with Catholic Charities to help Americans who are struggling with poverty; worked with organizations like World Vision and American Jewish World Service and Islamic Relief to bring hope to those suffering around the world.

Colleges across the country have answered our Interfaith Campus Challenge, and students are joined together across religious lines in service to others. From promoting responsible fatherhood to strengthening adoption, from helping people find jobs to serving our veterans, we’re linking arms with faith-based groups all across the country.

I think we all understand that these values cannot truly find voice in our politics and our policies unless they find a place in our hearts. The Bible teaches us to “be doers of the word and not merely hearers.” We’re required to have a living, breathing, active faith in our own lives. And each of us is called on to give something of ourselves for the betterment of others — and to live the truth of our faith not just with words, but with deeds.

So even as we join the great debates of our age — how we best put people back to work, how we ensure opportunity for every child, the role of government in protecting this extraordinary planet that God has made for us, how we lessen the occasions of war — even as we debate these great issues, we must be reminded of the difference that we can make each day in our small interactions, in our personal lives.

As a loving husband, or a supportive parent, or a good neighbor, or a helpful colleague — in each of these roles, we help bring His kingdom to Earth. And as important as government policy may be in shaping our world, we are reminded that it’s the cumulative acts of kindness and courage and charity and love, it’s the respect we show each other and the generosity that we share with each other that in our everyday lives will somehow sustain us during these challenging times. John tells us that, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

Mark read a letter from Billy Graham, and it took me back to one of the great honors of my life, which was visiting Reverend Graham at his mountaintop retreat in North Carolina, when I was on vacation with my family at a hotel not far away.

And I can still remember winding up the path up a mountain to his home. Ninety-one years old at the time, facing various health challenges, he welcomed me as he would welcome a family member or a close friend. This man who had prayed great prayers that inspired a nation, this man who seemed larger than life, greeted me and was as kind and as gentle as could be.

And we had a wonderful conversation. Before I left, Reverend Graham started praying for me, as he had prayed for so many Presidents before me. And when he finished praying, I felt the urge to pray for him. I didn’t really know what to say. What do you pray for when it comes to the man who has prayed for so many? But like that verse in Romans, the Holy Spirit interceded when I didn’t know quite what to say.

And so I prayed — briefly, but I prayed from the heart. I don’t have the intellectual capacity or the lung capacity of some of my great preacher friends here that have prayed for a long time. (Laughter.) But I prayed. And we ended with an embrace and a warm goodbye.

And I thought about that moment all the way down the mountain, and I’ve thought about it in the many days since. Because I thought about my own spiritual journey –- growing up in a household that wasn’t particularly religious; going through my own period of doubt and confusion; finding Christ when I wasn’t even looking for him so many years ago; possessing so many shortcomings that have been overcome by the simple grace of God. And the fact that I would ever be on top of a mountain, saying a prayer for Billy Graham –- a man whose faith had changed the world and that had sustained him through triumphs and tragedies, and movements and milestones –- that simple fact humbled me to my core.

I have fallen on my knees with great regularity since that moment — asking God for guidance not just in my personal life and my Christian walk, but in the life of this nation and in the values that hold us together and keep us strong. I know that He will guide us. He always has, and He always will. And I pray his richest blessings on each of you in the days ahead

Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Events are being held in over 30 countries on 6 continents at places as varied as places of worship, schools, community centers, hospitals, stadiums, the United Nations, House of Lords, various Parliaments and so many more.

People of all faiths are taking the initiative and are hosting an amazing number of creative and inspiring events.  Read all about it HERE!!

May the each and every one around the globe see more HARMONY and be more harmonious!

“…it is my privilege to draw your attention to the resolution that the Assembly adopted in 2010 reaffirming that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace and proclaiming the first week of February every year as the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs.  This week was first observed in February, 2011.

In our conflict-ridden world, I believe it is important to recognize the historical good done by people of all faiths in many of the areas of the work of the United Nations as well as the current successful partnerships in various parts of the world between UN Agencies and religious groups particularly in meeting the humanitarian needs of disaster-stricken people.  Such partnerships are indicators of the common ground that exists among religious organizations, and all of us who strive for peace and human development.  This common ground will form the basis for the special observance of the World Interfaith Harmony Week being planning in my office in cooperation with civil society on 7 February in 2012 in the UN General Assembly Hall.

…It is this spirit of mutual respect that will afford us a firm building block in the establishment of a global culture of peace, a climate of hope and healing to address the challenges that confront our world today.”

– Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly.

May all Arizonans join this noble quest, thereby strengthening our Arizona building block of peace, hope and healing.

We invite you to send responses and comments to us on this topic.

We just learned of a new blog that dialogued beautifully on this topic and would like to share this link from ‘FAITH ON THE FRONT LINE: Producing Stories for a Digital World’ with you (1/12/12):  CLICK HERE.

The following was added to our site December 14, 2011:

Responses from our AIFM Board Members and Friends…

From AIFM Executive Director, Dr. Paul Eppinger:

A bold new TV reality show, All-American Muslim is a marvelous show that follows the daily lives of five Muslim families in Dearborn, MI, which is one of the most established and largest concentration of Muslims in America.  One of the key sponsors of the show was Lowe’s Home Improvement.  But recently, the conservative Florida Family Association organized an email campaign aimed at Lowe’s to urge it to drop its support of the show.  They said the show is “propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda’s clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values.”  Unfortunately, Lowe’s succumbed to the pressure.  Though they have since apologized, this is another example of anti-Muslim rhetoric and attitudes.

In our tiny globalized world where instant communication and rapid travel have formed us, not just into a global village, but rather a global family, we must learn how to understand and care for one another.  Religious bigotry has had its day and it cannot be allowed to teach tatred and animosity against any group.  The ARIZONA INTERFAITH MOVEMENT was established and is seeking to counter all religious ignorance and misunderstanding.  Our trhree supportive principles are understanding, respect, and support.  Whever a Synagogude has swastikas painted on its doors, when a Mosque is defaced, when a Church is burned, when the Hari Krishna Temple has graffiti spray painted all over its walls, the ARIZONA INTERFAITH MOVEMENT is there to give compassion and support.

Religious bigotry and hatred, either locally or nationally from mega corporations cannot be allowed to belch out animosity and lies.  This is America.  We are “one nation under God,” whichever way a person or group chooses to worship and serve God.

###

From Anne Taylor, Christian Science Board Member / AIFM Business Mgr.:

I’m glad for Lowe’s apology about this – it is never good to generalize and assume that all people of a particular faith are alike (i.e. terrorists, extremists).  I am a devoted Christian, but when I listen to my Muslim friends share insights about Islam, I feel a kinship with then in viewing a LOVING God who cares for all His children. Arizona Interfaith Movement has helpful educational programs to help clear up these kinds of misconceptions so they don’t turn into something like what just happened with Lowe’s. There are Muslims trying hard to speak up for what is genuinely true about their faith – I hope they will be heard.

###

From Azra Hussain, President and Co-Founder, Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA)

Recently, Lowe’s, the home improvement store, faced opposition from a well-organized campaign put together by special interest groups and buckled under pressure to pull its advertising and sponsorship of a television program on a TLC show, “All American Muslim”. In response to this move, several organizations and communities have publicly condemned the campaign and the actions of Lowe’s, an American business.
Among these are State Sen. Ted Lieu (D-California) who according to an LA Times article “wrote a letter Saturday to Lowe’s Chief Executive Officer Robert A. Niblock in which he called the decision to pull advertising from the show ‘bigoted, shameful, and un-American’ and ‘profoundly ignorant.’ He demanded that the company rescind its action and apologize or face boycotts and legislative action.”

If you feel that the campaign against mainstream inclusion for Muslims in America forged by these special interest groups is an egregious affront to American ideals and values, I encourage you to join with me and consider the following:
1. Learn more about this issue and the general issue of Islamophobia. See: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/allamericanmuslim/
2. Sign this petition: http://signon.org/sign/defend-our-american-values (if the petition gets 10,000 signatures, Moveon.org will adopt it and push it out to millions of others)
3. Share this note with others in your organization, congregation, or community.
4. Consider addressing this issue in your congregational service or newsletter.
We cannot remain silent in the face the on-going demonization and marginalization of an entire community.

Thank you for all that you do to promote, understanding, respect and peaceful coexistence.

Sincerely,

Azra Hussain, President and Co-Founder
Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA)

###

Another perspective from Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, American Islam for Democracy (AIFD) President

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCWfo-6wno0&list=UUo38RfzUWX1HI0tkVTna5cg&index=1&feature=plcp

We’d like to personally invite you to attend our 7th Annual GOLDEN RULE AWARDS BANQUET on March 29, 2012, sponsored by the Arizona Interfaith Movement.  We will honor a number of outstanding people / organizations who we believe are living out the Golden Rule.

International Golden Rule Day is April 5, 2012 – we will celebrate it with all our might, starting on March 29th.  Please join us!!

At this year’s exciting event, we will be presenting awards and honoring the following:

David and Joan Lincoln — Darl Andersen Award

Warren Brown — Youth Award
Bishop Minerva Carcaño — Religious Award
David Engelman — Business Award
Mussie Hailu — International Award
Dr. Patricia Nez Henderson — Health Award
St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic — Community Service

For awards criteria, Honoree pictures, event details and tickets for this inspiring, Community-building event that is guaranteed to warm your heart, please CLICK HERE.

Please share this information with your family and friends and plan to join us.  You’ll be glad you did — it has been reported that even the parking garage is a kind, thoughtful place after the Golden Rule Banquet.

Hope to see you there!

Your friends at Arizona Interfaith Movement

Dr. Paul Eppinger, Executive Director

First event coming is the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Living the Dream Awards Breakfast.  Here are the details:

(See flyer CLICK)
Friday, January 13, 2012
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel
340 North Third Street
Phoenix, Arizona
7:00 am
(Doors open at 6:30 am)

Tickets are $65. per person, a table of 10 is $650.
Reservations Required - arizonacat13@azoic.org

Also in Mesa, AZ on Friday, January 13, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
“Candlelight Ceremony”,
Featuring Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr. Pastor,
First Institutional Baptist Church
Mesa Community College, Navajo Room
and
Saturday, January 14, 2012, 6:00 p.m. Reception / 7:00 p.m. Dinner
Featuring Kim Covington, Week-end Evening Anchor, Channel 12 News
FLYER CLICK
Mesa Community College Navajo Room

The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast
Friday, February 24, 2012
Save the date, details coming