Notes from the Cusp of Forever

"It is paradoxical, yet true, to say, that the more we know, the more ignorant we become in the absolute sense, for it is only through enlightenment that we become conscious of our limitations."

-- Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), physicist, engineer, inventor

The "Dark Ages" notwithstanding, we've been in a constant series of "ages of enlightenment" since, at least, 1000 BC with the prophet Zoroaster. But, even during the 400 years span of the Dark Ages (500-900 AD) mankind was experiencing, and through experience one cannot help but be enlightened, even in failure.

We're in an age of enlightenment, and we have a choice as a society which path to take.

-- Rhys Ifans, actor, musician

Buddhism and Hinduism define "enlightenment" as "a final blessed state marked by the absence of desire or suffering... the awakening to ultimate truth by which man is freed from the endless cycle of personal reincarnations to which all men are otherwise subject... a state of transcendent divine experience represented by Vishnu: regarded as a goal of all religion."  Actually, because of my views on religion, I would change that last to "a goal of all spirituality."

"It takes a little time to create a gap between the witness and the mind. Once the gap is there, you are in for a great surprise, that you are not the mind, that you are the witness, a watcher. And this process of watching is the very alchemy of real religion. Because as you become more and more deeply rooted in witnessing, thoughts start disappearing. You are, but the mind is utterly empty. That’s the moment of enlightenment."

-- Guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (1931-1990)

Scholars know much, yet they keep trying to define enlightenment as knowledge of the "exterior" world, the world around us.  They refer to it as "Enlightenment thought" and find their answers in rationalism, empiricism, skepticism, subjectivism, and the sciences.  They look to political and ethical theory, to religion and aesthetics.  Their scholarly efforts would seem to center around enlightenment theory.  Yet, with all their knowledge and enlightenment, the "interior" world, the personal spirituality which is the human mind, seems to be the purview of spiritual beings, prophets, monks, and philosophers.

There comes a time in one's research, the "Aha!" moment, when one grasps the threads of truth.  There is a distinct difference between knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment.  It's like slamming into a glass wall where you can see the other side but just can't touch it, and there is this Thule fog which moves around much of what can be seen, so you might see a tree but you don't know what kind or a pond and not know how deep.  It is like standing at the cusp of forever and not being able to take the next step because the path has ended at the abyss where forever taunts the mind like the last piece of candy in a bottomless jar.

If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.

-- Buddha

The glass is but the manifestation of a cluttered mind.  No matter how enlightened one thinks they are, if they cannot control the mind they cannot move forward, and if they can control the mind... they would find any further movement as unnecessary; they simply become.

Enlightenment is ego's ultimate disappointment.”

-- Chögyam Trungpa (1939-1987), Buddhist master, supreme abbot, teacher

I have peculiar dreams when I sleep.  I have stopped dreaming of past lives in favor of speeding along on skates without the skates, as if levitating, and the mind controls the speed and direction.  I dream of an ability to jump to great heights as if weightless, and so much more.  I dream of a world which exists in my mind, and I awake with the tastes, smells, and adrenalin, still with me as I try to catch my breath or stop laughing, and I want to go back.  As I get older the dreams seem more frequent, or maybe I'm just remembering them.  

I used to dream fuzzy dreams, and then I found monthly contact lenses which allowed me to leave them on while I sleep - and to dream in clarity.  Yeah, sounded like bullshit to me as well.  So did seeing the x-rays when my teeth were being photographed by the dentist.  I asked if the particles excited the optic nerve, and he thought I was pulling his leg.  Silly me, I thought everyone experienced this.

"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before."

-- Edgar Allan Poe

Everyone worries about death.  I think if I were to not wake up one morning, everyone should realize I have not died... as they define it.  I have simply discovered how to take my consciousness and permanently depart my earthly shell, soul to follow.  It will be that moment when I step back from the glass barrier and empty my mind.  I will slip through the glass wall, without knowing, into that other dimension.  I will look back to see a face print on the glass as the barrier begins dissipating along with the Thule fog as everything becomes clear.  I think I'll probably want to laugh and shed a tear, but I probably won't care anymore.  I'd like to think I'd assume the finest Superman poses, sans cape, just prior to launching myself into the universe of total awareness.  

The speed of light doesn't really exist, time is simply a human construct, and gravity can be manipulated.  Everything exists at the same instant, in the same place.  Everything just is, and how simple is that?  

As the Creator intended, there are no barriers in forever.

To know yourself as the Being underneath the thinker, the stillness underneath the mental noise, the love and joy underneath the pain, is freedom, salvation, enlightenment.

-- Eckhart Tolle, spiritual author

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.

My Sunday Thought for 030418: The Gay Religious

"LGBT Catholics’ image of God changes as they struggle to reconcile their religious and sexual identities and as they go through a process of “conversion” from deviants and sinners to loved children of God. One study participant compares his faith in God to peeling an onion: “With every layer one peels off, one destroys false images of God.” Most study participants have moved away from the image of God as a bearded old man and father of creation and moved more toward a conception of God as love once identity conflicts are resolved."

-- Angele Deguara, Sociologist/Anthropologist

There is bad in everything, especially when that's all we go looking for or all we wish to see.  The accusers of this perceived bad usually have little righteousness to brag about themselves.  I believe  their "vanity" is akin to being prideful, and pride is a cardinal sin, isn't it?  Well, it is certainly contrary to humility, a trait which most religions see as beneficial to one's self view. 

Christian's are historically "guilty" of, what have come to be called, crimes against humanity, such as the multiple Crusades for wealth and glory in the name of Almighty God, or using God as their excuse for multiple Inquisitions, as well as the Salem witch trials.  Then there is the Vatican's ill-advised signing of the "Reichskonkordat," a negotiated treaty between their Holy See and the German Reich which was viewed by several Allies as tantamount to collaboration with Nazis.  And, so, the Holy See adds yet another stain the Vatican will have to, eventually, answer for.  I suppose this explains one aspect of Christian guilt, but how much guilt is too much for God to ignore?  And, now, Christians continue to stand in judgment of the LGBT community.  It makes one wonder which of them is more righteous, as they both search for closer relationships with Jesus and God.

Islam has issues with righteousness as well, with some Islamic sects condoning the murder of innocence, even among their own people, as long as it furthers the spread of Islam.  There have also been incidents of Islam tossing Muslim members of the LGBT community off of rooftops.  Which is the greater sin, murder, misplaced vengeance, or homosexuality?  And then, of all people to disregard tolerance, there is Judaism who, like some Christians, seem to be tolerant, they also seem to stand in judgment of the LGBT community.

Vain are the beliefs and teachings that make man miserable, and false is the goodness that leads him into sorrow and despair, for it is man's purpose to be happy on this earth and lead the way to felicity and preach its gospel wherever he goes.

-- Kahlil Gibran

Religions would excuse their actions as following scripture, which is the "go to" easy out for not doing the right thing.  They would argue that the only real harm done is by the homosexual to their own soul.  They will argue this as conflicted children commit suicide as society turns their collective back on the innocent.  One saving grace is that we are learning more, becoming more understanding, and acceptance is getting better.  It's not perfect, but what is?  Changing long held prejudices takes time, and it takes more time when other victims of prejudice and bigotry side with the current abusers. 

We have all heard the reasoning religions give for many of their questionable actions, and many of us have our own opinions as to the validity and morality of their reasoning, so I will not belabor the pros and cons, of which many of us are aware.  However, since the LGBT community is looking for acceptance, and not tolerance, what I will do is give my reason for choosing non-judgmental acceptance of the LGBT community at large.

“Who am I to judge a gay person of goodwill who seeks the Lord?”

-- Pope Francis

It should be foremost in any minister's mind to not lose the faithful, and that should include any faithful or potential faithful.  Why would you presume to judge someone and risk losing another lamb of Christ from the Christian fold?  Your view of them is insignificant to the loss for God of another child's salvation.  My personal view is to leave judgment in the hands of God, and to minister to those in need, to those who have ears to hear; your hands will certainly not be idle.

All people need to have faith in something.  We can only hope what they choose to have faith in will lead them down a moral and righteously humble path.   If they choose not to have faith in religion, then perhaps a more personal faith is a better path for them, and this might be the path which is actually set forth in Christian scripture: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:5-6)  It makes one wonder why we build multi-million dollar cathedrals, when we already have so many rooms for privacy.

But, religions seem to be afraid of losing the faithful, and they should be.  If you don't practice what you preach, where does that leave you in the minds of intelligent people?  Religion peoples the churches, synagogues, and mosques, with mindless followers who will strap explosives to their chest and murder innocence because their clergy requires it.  They will dutifully line up with their children at the punch bowl to partake in cyanide laced refreshment because their clergy requires it.  Let's be gentlemen, now; women and children first!  More often than not, mass media keeps us informed of how religion seems to be more about mind control than loving God.  Is it any wonder Lenny Bruce said, “Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God.” 

“Neither Peter in his work to include Gentiles in the church nor the abolitionists in their campaign against slavery argued that their experience should take precedence over Scripture. But they both made the case that their experience should cause Christians to reconsider long-held interpretations of Scripture. Today, we are still responsible for testing our beliefs in light of their outcomes—a duty in line with Jesus's teaching about trees and their fruit.”

-- Matthew Vines, "God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships"

Basically, my reason for working with the LGBT community, instead of against them, has to do with a finding stated by Angele Deguara in the opening quote to this post, above.  I also "have moved away from the image of God as a bearded old man and father of creation and moved more toward a conception of God as love" after I resolved my own issues and identity conflicts.  After I let go of the need for "organized religion" my personal views on faith became much clearer, and stronger.  While organized religion might welcome the LGBT community into their flock so they could pray for them to heal, I approached the community with new scientific evidence which states they may not be broken.  How can one determine guilt if there is a shred of doubt?  More importantly, and from a Christian viewpoint, "Who are you to judge a Servant who is not yours? For if he stands, he stands to his Master, and if he falls, he falls to his Master, for it is appointed to his Master to be able to establish him." (Romans 14:4)

In our zeal for righteousness we force people away from religion who have a serious desire, a need, to find God.  Who are we to deny them the love of God which they seek and, many times prove, they so richly deserve?  Call me a coward, but I prefer not to piss off the Almighty due to, yet another, scriptural misinterpretation by man.  What ministers need to do is look at a much broader picture, as many of these gay couples are raising heterosexual children who clergy might also be slighting by not giving them a shot at a religious or spiritual opportunity while they are young.  So, it might seem clergy are still okay with destroying innocence?  You be the judge, or they will, and I will continue to accept what I can get to help these children, and their loving parents, along an accepting spiritual path.

How about we educate ourselves and stop listening to the "righteous" ravings of others?  Where are our unerring balance, intuition, and sweet reasonableness of Christ which the poet, Matthew Arnold, said is missing in the Christian church? If your minister isn't ministering to everyone, you might want to ask yourself who God is testing, the minister, or you?  Until all the evidence is in, how about we stop judging?  Better yet, as we keep finding in the political arena, how about we stop looking for evidence of sin in some misguided hope that people are found wanting?  When all the evidence is in, those people found wanting may, very well, turn out to be you. 

“But as I became more aware of same-sex relationships, I couldn’t understand why they were supposed to be sinful, or why the Bible apparently condemned them. With most sins, it wasn’t hard to pinpoint the damage they cause. Adultery violates a commitment to your spouse. Lust objectifies others. Gossip degrades people. But committed same-sex relationships didn’t fit this pattern. Not only were they not harmful to anyone, they were characterized by positive motives and traits instead, like faithfulness, commitment, mutual love, and self-sacrifice.”

-- Matthew Vines, "God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships"

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.

My Sunday Thought for 022518: Judge Not!

Jeanne d'Arc

 François Chifflart (1825–1901)

"You say that you are my judge. Take thoughts over what you are doing. For, truly, I am sent from God, and you are putting yourself in great danger"

-- Jeanne d'Arc (1412-1431) , during the trial (1431)

In Christian scripture, Matthew 7:1-2, we are advised, "You shall not judge, lest you be judged. For with the judgment that you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure that you measure, it will be measured to you..." Yet, throughout Christian history this is exactly what we fall prey to, the judgment of others. Today, I find it most prevalent when it comes to the LGBT (et al) community, minorities, Islam, and the poor or homeless. It encroaches upon my own sphere of influence with ministers who shun gays searching for Christ. They live in sin, so what right do they have to seek God's grace? Well, isn't this the entire point of seeking God? And who are the clergy to dare speak this hypocrisy on God's behalf? Is it because we think we find it in our interpretation of "Holy Scripture" which is simply the inspired "Word of God" as written by man?

“Criticism of others is thus an oblique form of self-commendation. We think we make the picture hang straight on our wall by telling our neighbors that all his pictures are crooked.”

-- Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979), Catholic Archbishop

I don't remember in which of the Ten Commandments, the only "written in stone" laws from God, it is written to judge others. I do remember the two most important commandments, which are really both paraphrased from the first and greatest of the commandments. Jesus states, according to scripture, that the second is like the first.  The three Abrahamic religions feel that if one can follow this one commandment, the rest of them will be upheld and there will be no need of any other law.

 So, again from Matthew, 22:36-40, I quote the "Golden Rule" as accepted by Judaism, Islam, and Christianity, in their own scriptural forms: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"  Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." 

What all people of faith need to ask is which part of this needs further interpretation?  Where in scripture does it say that man can reinterpret for God?  "Well, what God really meant to say was..."  If we buy into this "reinterpretation" by man, then we must also buy into God making mistakes.  But then, who are we to judge?

“People that have trust issues only need to look in the mirror. There they will meet the one person that will betray them the most.”

-- Shannon L. Alder, author, blogger

But we do, judge, and often.  We especially seem to judge those who are being challenged, as though we are immune to the same challenges and judgement.  We judge those being challenged at finding employment, saving money for their future, and finding their own path, Jesus, or God.  We even judge those who have found faith, by the actions of heretics in their own ranks.

All criminals who have paid their debt and done their time must still face the court of "public opinion" when they try to rebuild their lives.  We judge the unemployed and homeless as slackers, priests are child molesters, homosexuals are perverts, and all those confused or lost as sinners or they would, somehow, clearly see the "righteous" path.  We dare to judge, yet we constantly and conveniently forget, "As it is written:  There is no righteous, not even one."   Perhaps we hesitate to look in the mirror, for fear of the monster we all know, in our hearts, will be staring back.

Who among us knows what the next iteration of Christ will look like?  Who knows what guise the next test God sends to us will take?  Who is so vain as to state, to their own peril, they are able to outthink the ultimate power in the universe?  Is it, perhaps, the atheist?  Given the truth, I think not; faithful or godless, not one of us would stand.  All of us judge our friends, family, and fellow beings, as though we have anything to offer more laudable than they... and we don't. 

“Can you look without the voice in your head commenting, drawing conclusions, comparing, or trying to figure something out?”

-- Eckhart Tolle, spiritual author

Christ will reappear on some street corner one day, long hair down his shoulders, glowing with the radiance of God.  He will reach out his hand, palm up, in an invitation to join him which we will misunderstand as asking for spare change.  We will snort our derision and judge him as just another of the many shiftless panhandlers too damned lazy to get a real job, and tell him where he can go screw himself as we rapidly exit stage left with our hand firmly attached to our hard earned cash.  Even those few, who might reach in their pockets, will do so through judging what they mistakenly perceive as a person in need of something.

“Are you proud of yourself tonight that you have insulted a total stranger whose circumstances you know nothing about?”

-- Harper Lee (1926-2016), "To Kill a Mockingbird"

But, if we give those alms in help to our fellow being, isn't this a good thing? Perhaps, if you can do what few of us are capable of; keeping a leash on our howling judgment of negative conclusions and holding them at bay. It is a good thing if we help for all of the right reasons, and it is even better if we open our mouths and ask about a person's circumstance before we go off on our own hunt for jaded "truths" concerning others.

"How easy it is to judge rightly after one sees what evil comes from judging wrongly."

-- Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865), novelist, biographer, writer

But, if we give those alms to help to our fellow being, isn't this a good thing? Perhaps, if you can do what few of us are capable of; keeping a leash on our howling judgment of negative conclusions and holding them at bay. It is a good thing if we help for all of the right reasons, and it is even better if we open our mouths and ask about a person's circumstance before we go off on our own hunt for jaded "truths" to create a false judgement about what we think we know... and don't.

We judge because of experience.  Our experiences guide us to what we hope will be a safe conclusion.  What we here from others also tends to drive what we do, as though listening to other lost people will take us to a better destination.  If we have been burned we tend to shy away from fire, and if we have enjoyed ice cream we tend to experiment with all the flavors.  We think it is easier to judge others correctly if we have judged them poorly in the past, when it is really much easier to just not judge them at all.

“Be silent and safe — silence never betrays you; 

Be true to your word and your work and your friend;

Put least trust in him who is foremost to praise you,

Nor judge of a road till it draw to the end.”

-- John Boyle O'Reilly (1844-1890), poet, journalist, author activist

The majority of us think we are no better than our fellows and walk passed them without notice.  We like to think we are above this or that, above pettiness.  We excel at making resolutions knowing full well our resolve is anything but laudable.  For the most part, we excel at being legends in our own mind.  We pray that we can look in the mirror at the end of the day and know that we have done right by our fellow humans.  We look in the mirror as the judge of the only person we have any right to sit in judgement of - ourselves.

Our knee-jerk reaction is to judge others as we see them, as our experience expects them to be, instead of researching the circumstances and forming valid conclusions based on their reality and their needs.  We see and we judge.

“The suicide passes a judgment. Society does not care to examine the judgment, but in defense of itself as is, condemns the suicide.”

-- Robert E. Neale, author

Who among us can truly judge?  We would hope to have judges who aren't biased, yet we find, even in our judicial system, political and personal bias colors our decision making process.  Instead of doing what's right for the majority, we screw the majority in favor of what's right for us.  

What ever happened to doing good simply for the sake of doing good?  If we insist on making a resolution, how about something less selfish that losing weight; how about throwing off the yoke of judgement?  Make a resolution, for just one day, to not judge anything.  Now, see how long it takes you to forget and for your resolve to crumble under the weight of who you are.

My first bet is, you already know.  My second bet?  You won't even try.  It is, after all, who we are, and that is the sad reality of being human.

Or, is it?

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.

My Sunday Thought for 021818: Religion (pars quinque) - The "Interfaith" Question

“Any person who, with all the sincerity of heart, is in search for God, on land or in the sea, is worthy of respect.”

― Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi, spiritual leader, author

In the course of ministering, my philosophy has developed from one of "religious" tolerance to one of "spiritual" tolerance. Those who read my blog understand my lack of acceptance toward "organized" religion. It made perfect sense, to me, to re-incorporate into our seemingly misguided idea of religion, any religion, this core philosophy of faith. We have so screwed up this idea of religion, it is simply prudent to return to the root impetus for the very existence of these organizations - faith.

In the 19th century, Matthew Arnold grasped this truth with regard to Christianity, but I think an important aspect of his thought holds true when discussing any religious faith:

“Protestantism has the method of Jesus with His secret too much left out of mind; Catholicism has His secret with His method too much left out of mind; neither has His unerring balance, His intuition, His sweet reasonableness. But both have hold of a great truth, and get from it a great power.”

-- Matthew Arnold, poet and critic (1822-1888)

When it comes to faith, any faith, we seem to forget the core prophetic philosophies, the teachings, the "secrets" if you will.  We miss the teacher's method, unerring balance, intuition, and their sweet reasonableness.  We try to get from them a great truth while the "religions," which curry our favor like we're marks at the world's largest three-card Monte game, evidence the great power they derive from it by how adept they are at working us over to fill the coffers.  The problem is, both parties miss the point, as usual.  The "great truth" we are supposed to understand is the "great power" which we are all supposed to discover. This "great power" belongs to each and every one of us, not some organization with agendas which oft time run contrary to the very philosophies they espouse and/or reinterpret after the demise of the original prophet/teacher/philosopher.

I love it when I constantly come across intelligentsia, historic or current, whom I can quote to help validate a point:

“The fact that religions, which usually have at their core a promotion of tolerance and peace, have been exploited to carry out violence, clearly indicates that individuals and groups have not discovered the true "peace message" that is inherent in almost every religion.”

-- David R. Smock, anthropologist, theologian, author

Well, it seems as though my philosophies mirror those of greater thinkers.  People often tell me that I put into words what they think.  I advise them to start putting their own thoughts into words.

After discussing faith with an old biker recently, he asked where I minister, where my church is located, so he might attend.  I explain, each time I'm asked, that the conversation we just had is the message I freely give, and the location we were having the conversation is as close to a church as they'll find me, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."  I have also been asked, usually online, if folks can send offerings or donations.  They could, but to what end?  I have no staff to pay, no building to maintain, and no salary I require.  Most of all, I don't want to have to explain the income to the IRS since I would not list a tax deductible non-profit.

But, we all have dreams.

I have dreamt of creating an "Interfaith Sanctuary" at some point, and doing it with my own meager funds so as to not fall prey to the IRS or accusations from my favorite hate group, the LPO (League of the Perpetually Offended).  Once opened I would humbly take non-monetary donations of time, guest speakers, reference books, statuary and art, flowers, and other gifts to further the entire point of the sanctuary as a meditation center for learning, quiet contemplation and creative interfaith discussion.  Monetary donations would be accepted for the "free" coffee, tea, bottled water and cookies, however.  It is my hope that this "self-sufficiency" would set the Sanctuary apart from what I have come to see as the misguided idea of Church.  But, then, that's just me.      

"To enable religions to be instruments for peace we need to enable, first, religious communities to progress from religion to spirituality."

-- Swami Agnivesh, statesman, activist, religious scholar

The dream, I believe, has merit.  It is one thing for "think tanks" to bring scholars, politicians, theologians, and the like, together for discussion.  I think it is quite another to be able to bring a cross section of the common man together for the same purpose.  I have been blessed to have discussions with such people, searching in their own way, or having given up their search for lack of any indication of enlightenment.  I am always humbled when these folks state that they have found something in what we discuss, and yet I remain troubled by the thought of so many feeling lost for no reason other than they are looking, or have been directed to look, in the wrong direction and perhaps for the wrong reason, and therefore not seeing that which is clearly in front of them.

I look around at churches in my own area, along the Gulf Coast, and I see outside walls that should have been pressure washed several years before, rusting bolts staining white paint, gutters in need of cleaning, weeds in flower beds dying from lack of care, and such.  All this makes me wonder where the volunteerism of the parishioner has gone wrong, or if this is Matthew's example of hypocrites worshipping at the synagogue?

For those people searching for answers in their ministry it might come down to "interfaith" or "inter-religion." I think we need to take one step further than a "non-denominational" congregation and start considering the "no" denominational congregation.  People will continue to fall away from the church as they search for faith and their path back to God.  Some fall away from disillusionment, and risk losing what is left of their faith altogether.  Maybe ministers need to be less concerned with church and more concerned with being safety nets to catch these folks lest they lose their real faith and simply give up.  Ministers need to stop preaching and start being shepherds; stop talking and start communicating; stop worrying about the financial bottom line of their church, get a job, and start leading by example.  If you want to preach religion, then teach.  But, if you want to minister spirituality, get out among the lost and step to it.  Just saying.

Our existence is not, and never has been, about what our God, religion, or faith, can do for us.  It has always been about what we can bring to the table for our fellow man and, especially, the lesser among us.  To begin this enlightenment we must first understand that what we believe is not nearly as important as why we believe.  Once you can wrap your mind around the why of your personal faith, you will understand what you need to do with that personal faith, and your faith must be personal.  Your faith is your path and should not be something spoon fed to you by clergy who thinks of their faith as the path for all.  Your personal faith has little to do with a religion unless you define it so, and thus it matters little if you are religious, spiritual, agnostic, or atheist for that matter.

Even the atheist has faith as a belief in some peaceful, moral, high ground required by the laws of civilized society.  Of course they say they have this morality of their own accord and without the help of any belief in God, but how did they come by this hereditary programming of morality, this knowledge of right from wrong?  Our DNA carries this information.  The DNA of every living thing transmits the information required for that living thing to be.  What developed it and programmed it, and why? 

"In this past century, a global interfaith movement has been growing, helping to raise consciousness about the need for tolerance and understanding between different cultures and religions. This movement has helped highlight the common goals that most religions share, such as the Golden Rule, which is at the heart of nearly all religious traditions. At the same time, many throughout the world are discovering that 'spirituality' -- a deep connection to a greater purpose for humanity -- is an important driving force in their lives, even if they aren't religious."

-- Robert Alan Silverstein, filmmaker, author, philanthropist

Of all the world religions, perhaps Buddhism has best grasped the concept of enlightenment.  There is the notion that Jesus spent the missing years in a Tibetan monastery where he surpassed the masters and is remembered by them as Saint Issa.  This might explain his "miracles" and his ability to endure the terrible pain inflicted upon him during the Passion.  One might conclude the masters opened his mind to what would become his destiny by opening his mind to the universe, to ultimate power which is God.  Of course, of all this there is little proof.  We have to take it on faith.

I have studied Buddhism, Mahayana, Zen, and Taoism.  I thin ministers of faith would do themselves and their flock a service by immersing their own faith in Taoist philosophy.  Of everything I have encountered in my own search for answers, Taoist philosophy has served me well in my own search for "God."

In the sixth century BCE, Chinese sage Laozi wrote down the fundamental text for Taoism, the earliest writings of which date two hundred years earlier.  Chapter one of his Tao Te Ching (The Book of the Way and of Virtue) states, "The Tao that can be spoken of is not the real Tao.  The name that can be named is not the true name."  Theologian and Chinese religious scholar, Martin Palmer, says this:  "Tao is often called 'The Way' in translation...  For Taoists, the Tao is the eternal ultimate, beyond even Unity and Oneness... As such, it is also beyond language... Thus we should turn from these attempts to express the inexpressible, to its more visible aspects, the Unity and interrelatedness of all life and the Way by which Tao moves and creates the material and spiritual worlds."

When one considers the explanation of the Tao one finds similarity to our own views of God.  As much as religion tries to explain God, they fail.  When we try to name God, we have arguments about the "true" name since, oh my goodness, heaven forbid we try to see God and Allah as one and the same, even though both religions have their roots in Abraham.  Human stupidity travels, more times than not, beyond the pale.  But, God simply is, and for most of us this simple truth simply isn't enough.  So, we continually try to "express the inexpressible" when we should be paying more attention to pointing out the "more visible aspects, the Unity and interrelatedness of all life and the Way by which Tao (insert God) moves and creates the material and spiritual worlds."  My recommendation is for everyone to read about the Tao, many good references are available online, and then consider the teachings of Christ.  Saint Issa?  I wonder...

Open your minds, open your hearts, open your mouths and let us begin to tolerate, understand, and accept that we are all different... and the same.

"We who have been born Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Muslim, or any other faith can be very comfortable in each others temples, mosques, and churches, praying or meditating together to create a spiritual mass of consciousness which can overcome our greed, hatred, and illusions."

-- Dr. Ari Ariyaratne, scholar, awarded "Gandhi International Peace Prize"

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.

Controlling Inappropriate Conduct?

"Our thinking and our behaviour are always in anticipation of a response. It is therefore fear-based."

-- Deepak Chopra, author. alt. medicine advocate

I refuse to be afraid of women; therefore, in anticipation of a "negative" response I offer the following:

1. I will not notice you.
2. I will not notice your gender.
3. I will not appreciate your expensive wardrobe.
4. I will not be baited by your inappropriate skirt or cleavage.
5. I will not compliment you.
6. I will not approach you.
7. I will not initiate small talk.
8. I will not offer to buy you a drink.
9. I will not ask you for a date.
10. I will not give you a rose.
11. I will not hold open a door for you.
12. I will not offer you my umbrella.
13. I will not stop to assist you in the snow.
14. Yadda
15. Yadda
16. Yadda
17. Oh, and no, I will not tell if you look fat in those pants.  

Why? Well, the legal ramifications of even thinking of getting to know you, simply makes it not worth the effort. If you'd like to get to know me, on the other hand, feel free to foist inappropriate conduct upon me, for a change. I absolutely guarantee you I will appreciate the compliment and have no qualms in telling you no, if I find your advances unwanted, as my upbringing prohibits me from slapping you even if you grab my parts. Unless you're a psycho stalker, you probably won't have to worry about any rebuke, however, because, well... I'm a man, and men are generally tightly wound springs of sexual energy just waiting for someone to pull the trigger.  We live for this, though some of us have a hard time with control.

That human behavior is more influenced by things outside of us than inside. The 'situation' is the external environment. The inner environment is the genes, moral history, religious training.

-- Philip Zimbardo, psychologist, professor emeritus

I promise to handle your conduct immediately because I will not let you intimidate me simply because you wear leather skits and four inch, spike heeled, knee-high boots.  Nor does your riding crop instill fear in me.  I will not bring up your off-color conduct years later as a way of destroying you and your career, or as a way of making a buck and getting my fifteen minutes of fame.  By this time the memories will be legendary stories, blown out of all proportion.  This role reversal of women approaching men will, obviously, be a bit easier for men to deal with.  But, I have a question.  Is this truly where society is heading?

Okay, so the outfit does intimidate me, a bit, as does the riding crop,  but as for the rest of it, is this pretty much the way of things to come?  Is a woman out for a good time going to have to wear a badge stating she is prepared for all comers, so approach at your own peril?  Or, perhaps women not approachable could wear a particular color, as a notice of "not interested," so they won't have concerns about being bothered by interested suiters?  Personally, I think it's just a lot easier, and less expensive, for men to ignore all women and wait for them to make the first move but, then, patience is a virtue most men are still working on.  Carpe diem!  I've never been good at waiting.

"Because of the diverse conditions of humans, it happens that some acts are virtuous to some people, as appropriate and suitable to them, while the same acts are immoral for others, as inappropriate to them."

-- Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274),  Catholic theologian, philosopher

Men, as most women are aware, are not fast learners when it comes to relationships.  We grunt, scratch ourselves, pick at nits, fart, burp, kill things bigger than we are, and howl at the moon.  It's what we do.  We assume that the most a woman would hope for is that we take the occasional bath and brush our teeth.  Too little?  Well, damn!  What do you want from us?  And, this would be the question.

Is it respect?  Fine.  After you ask the man for a date, explain your ground rules, because what is good for one woman might not be good for the next.  One woman's "peck on the cheek" might be another woman's "you stepped too damned far over the line."  How hard is it for a man to just show a woman some respect?  I don't know.  How perpetually offended are you?

The mind cannot support moral chaos for long. Men are under as strong a compulsion to invent an ethical setting for their behavior as spiders are to weave themselves webs.

-- John Dos Passos (1896-1970), novelist

So, men, make this easy on you.  If you insist on playing in this litigious sandbox, the "he said, she said" of inappropriate behavior, respect the two golden rules of survival:  Ask before you touch, and no means NO.  How a woman dresses is not an indicator of her moral fortitude.  Look, don't stare.  Smile, don't stalk.  Ask her to dance, be a gentleman, thank her afterwards, and if she's interested let her take it from there.  Plying her with alcohol is basically drugging her, so don't; better if neither of you is tanked so, and here's a thought, you can actually enjoy each other's company.  Oh, and your hotel room?  It is not an extension of the nightclub so don't invite her there unless she asks, and remember that eyes don't talk - so no will always mean NO!  There is an obvious line one crosses into assault; learn what it is and give it a wide berth.

If you have trouble controlling your conduct toward women, some of them have no problem teaching you how.  I was always used the memory of Lorena Bobbitt who, in 1993, after years of domestic abuse, and that evening's rape, cut off her husbands "wee-willy" with a kitchen knife while he slept, drove from the house and chucked it into a field.  Ouch!  Yes, the authorities found it and were able to reattach it but, really, the story still makes the strongest man among us sit up and cringe.

When all is said and done, women will have learn what their own behavior says about them, and men will have to learn that women are no longer going to throw away their moral compass for a role in a movie.  The casting couch is no indicator of acting talent, unless they're acting like they enjoy it, but either way it speaks volumes of both parties when they participate.

Everyone needs to learn mutual respect.  We need to learn the appropriate way to treat each other with dignity, and we all need to learn how to deserve it.  The first thing we can do is learn to have some respect for ourselves.  Dress, act, and talk with, at least, a modicum of dignity.  If you don't respect yourself, how can anyone else respect you?

“We live in a society where mutual respect and appreciation should be considered one of the pillars of modern life.” 

-- Auliq Ice, author

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.

Compass Points

“No matter how much light I carry within me, there will always be times of feeling lost, being confused, seeking direction. It is the way of the human heart.

-- Sister Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.

I met with a new chaplain the other day.  We talked for a bit and he said he was looking to me for direction.  I just smiled, "I think your compass, Father, is much better than mine."  When the topic of one's "direction" comes up, I am always reminded of a man, an older Army vet, during one of my meetings, who asked for a few minutes of my time afterwards.  He sat across from me at the table when everyone else had left Sunday group, fingers laced on top of his bible.  "I'm looking to you for direction, Pastor." 

I took my index finger, reached across the table, and touched the man just above the bridge of his nose.  "Use your compass," was my response.  "I don't know 'where' you are, so how can I show you the way?"  He smiled, confused by my answer, and replied, "I think my compass needs calibration."  At this I laughed and he proceeded to discover why he was, which had great bearing on where he was.  Often, when we feel lost, where we are is usually based on our denial of why we are.  Where he was turned out to be what he already knew - he was sitting across from me, and rediscovering his path.

Even a blind squirrel will eventually find a nut, but sometimes it could use some help feeling it's way.  Even if we're blind, the one thing we can all be certain of is where we are.  In this way we can never say that we are lost.  We might be confused, turned around or just unable to see, but we are never lost to ourselves, only to others who don't know where we are.  Where we are is never truly the question, it is more important that we know why we are.  You will always be certain you are here.  Why you are here will usually define where here is and, with that, where we need to go.

“I got lost, but look what I found."

-- Irving Berlin (1888-1989), composer, songwriter

There was an older gentleman who kept getting into trouble with the law, going to jail, or prison, praying to God for help, getting out of jail, getting a good job, getting into trouble, going to jail, praying to God for help, yadda, yadda, yadda.  He said that, while he was in prison, he carried his bible constantly and assumed this was why other inmates left him alone.  

As an older man, he was six foot and a bunch, all of 250 plus pounds and, though soft spoken and showing vulnerability, still looked capable of taking care of himself.  Yeah, the bible might have contributed, a bit, to the other inmates leaving him be.  He struck me as not a bad person, just a person making bad decisions.  As I sat there smiling through his long tale of repetitive woe, he kept a good grip on his bible and finally asked why God doesn't help him and why I kept smiling.

I apologized for smiling, but I just couldn't help it, as he was constantly answering his own question while he told the story.  I explained that each time he was incarcerated God helped him to endure until his release, at which point God helped him get a good job, at which point he continued throwing these gifts he had asked for back in God's face.  He sat there and stared at me as his eyes welled up with tears.  This big man put his arms in the air, cried, and began praying for forgiveness.  We just calibrated his compass, but he had to tell me where he was.  But, ask yourself, if he could tell me where he was, why couldn't he find his own way? 

"Ye can not see the wood for trees."

-- John Heywood (1497-1580), playwright, poet, musician

There is a difference between where we've been, where we are, and where we are going.  Where you've been can help explain why you are where you are, but there are time when where you want to go requires a landmark, something to guide you on your path.  God kept giving him landmarks and he simply didn't see them.  No one can save you but yourself.  Others can point out the landmarks you're missing, but you have to be willing to see them.  It truly is about not seeing the forest for all the trees blocking it.

“What preys on my mind is simply this one question: what am I good for, could I not be of service or use in some way?”

-- Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), artist

Turkish playwright and novelist, Mehmet Murat İldan, is quoted as saying,  "We are doomed to live the feeling of being lost because temporal beings are doomed to feel this way; this is something that transitory bodies cannot avoid!"  Insofar as we speak of the common human condition, I would say he is right.  Most of us cannot rise above the weaknesses which we fall prey to, fear being the worst.  I think most of us fear not being in control, being lost.  We are, as he states, temporal beings at the mercy of time and our corporeal selves.  For most of us it would seem we are here but to live and die, and always too soon.

On the other side of the argument, French Renaissance philosopher Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) stated, "The soul which has no fixed purpose in life is lost; to be everywhere, is to be nowhere."  Mehmet would have us be everywhere, not tied down as "temporal beings," whereas de Montaigne would have us fulfill what I said might be, for many, all we can hope for, to live and die.

"Getting lost is part of getting there."

-- Marty Rubin, author

Those who follow my writing know that I will fall in line behind Mehmet's idea but, again, to a point.  I think we allow ourselves to be doomed because we have lost the understanding of what he continues to say, "...this is something that transitory bodies cannot avoid!"  Read it again.  Did you catch it?  He is addressing our "transitory bodies," not our minds, our souls.  What he seems to be hinting at is we are only temporal beings while we are in these "transitory bodies."  This I fully agree with, and this is where our compass requires calibration.

When you learn to read navigational charts, you find there are several different ways to read it; one might get you lost.  If you are directly south of your destination on a chart, you might assume you can use a compass to get there by just going by the north arrow.  But if you were able to put that compass on a life-size globe, you'd find it is off a bit.  The earth's magnetic field will mess with you.  In navigation you not only have to allow for winds, and those pesky lines of magnetic variation, or isogonic lines, the value of which must be added or subtracted from you true heading.  This will then give you the magnetic heading which will bring you right to where you want to be, providing you're traveling by foot.  Vehicles have their own errors of deviation to be accounted for.   What does this have to do with our personal, mental compass?

We were given a genetic compass by the grace of creation, some would say by the grace of God.  Everything we need to survive was written across our hearts and minds.  So, it's written into our genetic code?  Well... yes and no.  God gave us the "moral compass," but remember all those pesky errors of deviation, variation, and windage?  Remember when you were told that God does not make mistakes?  Remember Genesis 3:22-24?

And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

-- Genesis 3:22-24

I think the information God downloaded onto our hearts and minds was a mod, a modification to our program. We were originally programmed to dutifully head north, so to speak, but we were susceptible to deviation, variation, and windage; we had become like the gods, knowledgeable of good and evil. Simply removing us from Eden would not prevent us from eventually discovering, eating from, the Tree of Life and living forever. So, the "modification" was downloaded and we were told to obey our programming, which kind of worked except for those pesky ghosts in the machine which just kept cropping up.

"The thing to do, once you know you are lost, is to find a good, safe place to build a little fire, build it, fire three shots, light a cigarette, and sit down and wait."

-- Louise Dickinson Rich (1903-1991), author

We don't know everything which we have forgotten, that which has been erased, lost to us, to our conscious minds.  Our minds are a confusion of realities, the smoke and mirrors of a modification intended to try and hold us at bay from becoming all that we can be.  We have memories, genetic memories, which haunt us, pulling at us like the deviation, variation, and windage of abilities just beyond our understanding, just out of reach.  They manifest in our imaginative writings of science fiction which soon become science fact.  Piece by piece the puzzle which is us becomes whole again. Our genetic compass becomes calibrated - again!  

"It is an ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way."

-- Dr. Rollo May (1909-1994), psychologist

We are slowly becoming aware that we are lost.  We need to slow down, find a safe place to meditate, meditate, ignore the two times you think you failed and concentrate on number three, pour a crystal "double old fashion" of bourbon and light a cigar if you have one, then sit back down until you're ready to be all you can be.  Our past is where we're from; our present is where we are; our future is why we're here.  

Did God make a mistake, or lay down a challenge?  You can sit on your ass and be a victim of the modification, or you can view the modification as the challenge it is.  Overcome, improvise, and seize the day!  Do you wanna live forever?  Well, do ya?  

Then you'd better start calibrating your compass.

He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast.

-- Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with an Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, to wage his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as Chaplain Program Liaison, at a regional medical center.