Author name: mikeghouse

Interfaith Marriages – A Reality Many Parents Struggle With Interfaith marriages are becoming increasingly common, yet many families find them difficult to accept. Some parents outrightly reject their child’s decision to marry outside their faith, while others—both Muslim and Hindu—use emotional blackmail, saying, “If you marry that person, it will be over my dead body.” […]

Walking into a Room of Strangers: A Universal Experience Walking into a street or a room full of strangers can make you feel apprehensive and tense. It’s an uncomfortable situation that many of us have experienced at some point. The uncertainty of unfamiliar faces can bring unease, making us hesitant to engage. However, God wants

A Landmark Occasion This wedding holds special significance for me, marking the 500th wedding I have officiated. Each ceremony is unique, but reaching this milestone has given me a moment to reflect on the incredible diversity and love I have witnessed over the years. A Beautiful Cross-Cultural Union The bride, a Sudanese American, and the

Embracing Festivals as an Interfaith Couple Festivals provide a beautiful opportunity to celebrate culture, faith, and togetherness. Whether you identify as an Atheist, Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Native American, Pagan, Shinto, Sikh, Wiccan, Zoroastrian, or any other tradition, you can find joy in the spirit of each festival. As an interfaith couple,

Introduction: Are You Poisoning Your Child’s Mind? Do you have the right to corrupt your child’s innocence with your own biases, fears, and prejudices? Every parent influences their child’s worldview, but are you shaping them to be open-minded, compassionate individuals—or burdening them with unnecessary hatred? Parents often unknowingly poison their children by instilling fears and

Introduction Islam and Judaism, two of the world’s major monotheistic religions, share profound similarities in beliefs, traditions, and ethical values. The historical, theological, and cultural ties between these two Abrahamic faiths have been extensively documented. As Rabbi Allen S. Maller eloquently explains, the parallels between Islam and Judaism are undeniable. This article explores how these

Introduction: Dharma—A Lifelong Exploration As a child, during summer vacations in Kerala, my aunt would narrate stories from the Puranas, ancient Indian mythologies rich with moral and philosophical wisdom. These tales featured heroes of Dharma—figures who, despite trials and temptations, remained steadfast in truth, sacrifice, love, and devotion. They mirrored the categorical imperative of Kant,

From 2009 to 2015, I wrote approximately 250 articles for the Dallas Morning News under the Texas Faith column. This initiative brought together representatives from various faiths to respond to contemporary issues in just 250 words. I represented the Foundation for Pluralism, which has been the Center for Pluralism since 2011. At the core of

In today’s diverse world, multi-faith weddings are becoming increasingly common, bringing together families from different religious and cultural backgrounds. Dr. Mike Mohamed Ghouse, a renowned officiant and interfaith marriage expert, has dedicated his career to crafting inclusive wedding ceremonies that honor multiple faiths while ensuring a meaningful and joyous experience for couples and their families.

Understanding Parental Concerns in Interfaith Marriages Every wedding is unique, customized to reflect the couple’s cultural and religious values. As a wedding officiant, I cherish the couples I unite in marriage. They communicate, respect one another, and act as equals. My role is to ensure that the ceremony is meaningful, memorable, and inclusive, even when