At the Cusp of Forever: The Beginning of the End

Now, this is not the end.  

It is not even the beginning of the end.  

But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

-- Winston Churchill

Was this the beginning of another moment at the abyss, or was it simply the continuation of another part of my mind's journey in the now? Time is a human construct, as I've said many times.  There was no beginning and there will be no end.  Our reality is an infinite loop.  Our déjà vu is our remembrance of what we have, indeed, experienced; a past which is still our present, and will be our future in a just moment.  Each moment marks the continuation of our infinity.  We are never at the end of something any more than we are at the beginning of something else.  We are, it is, and nothing is easier to comprehend in the "now" than this.

We cannot die as our essence is part of the greater universe.  "Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we, therefore, commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change the body of our low estate that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself."  Some would say these words, from the Book of Common Prayer, are naught but a reminder of our mortality and they would be right, for in this existence we are, in fact, mortal beings at the mercy of our biological environmental suits which allow us to move around this physical plane.  When our suits wear out, however, we return into our original form with more intelligence and experience than when we arrived.  We were created out of the particulate matter of the universe and it is there to which we will return, "dust to dust."

“Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,' is like saying, 'I don't want to.”

― Lao Tzu (???-533 BC), philosopher

With this truth in mind, when someone asks if I'm finished, I can honestly reply that I am never finished, for when one door closes another opens and when one path ends another begins.  Sometimes we find the next door or path are those of our own creation, but they exist, none the less, because nature truly abhors a vacuum even though the unproven concept of a total vacuum, or nothing, only exists in our minds, and our thoughts give existence to that for which there is no proof.  If we choose to do nothing, this is a choice we make to occupy our now.  However, choosing to do nothing, for the sake of nothing, does nothing to enhance our experience in the "now" other than to rest our physical form and allow it to recharge.  "Now" is ever in the moment.  What dreams may come to entertain our restive moments until the next?

We have always been, are now, and forever shall be. We are a part of the universe which existed even before it didn't and will be a part of it when it morphs into something else. God's fear, as stated in Genesis, was that we had become knowledgeable of good and evil. More than this, however, is that we would discover the secret to the immortality for our physical shell and be able to live forever on this plane of existence, which was not the intent of our creator.

“Time is an illusion.”

-- Albert Einstein (1879-1955), theoretical physicist

To everything, there is an end, a new beginning.  One door closes and another opens.  We cannot move forward if we stagnate in one place, sailing around in circles, for an eternity.  If we were to discover immortality for our physical shell, it would only last until we evolved enough to understand the folly of it, at which point we would give it up to continue our journey forward.  We must live in the now because time really has no meaning.  The instant we think of the future we have already arrived at a new "now."  Our concept of a "possible" future may not match the reality of the immediate future which constantly happens between the ticks of our clock, whether we want it to or not.

Is this the beginning of the end, or the end of our beginning? Does an end even exist for us, or is it just a concept to give us some fanciful destination to hope for until we evolve beyond the need for hope and understand our existence was, is, and forever shall be? I don't know, and I don't think anyone truly does. Heaven might simply be a way station along our journey; a moment to understand our practice of morality was right, that our choices garnered the right circumstances. Heaven might be where we are graded on what we have learned and, with this new knowledge, we are drawn inexorably to our next great adventure where we will continue to enjoy everything our God has to offer. There is no "end of the line." For many of us, this journey is winding down and the next journey is ready to begin.
 
All aboard!

“Time is the longest distance between two places.”

-- Tennessee Williams (1911-1983), "The Glass Menagerie"

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 an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those 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 22 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 the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved 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, and wages 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 lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.

The Precipice

"You say we're on the brink of destruction and you're right. But it's only on the brink that people find the will to change. Only at the precipice do we evolve."

-- Professor Barnhardt, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (2008)

No matter how evolved humankind becomes, we will always find ourselves at odds with those who would visit evil upon us. There will always be evil in the world. Evil is necessary in order for there to be balance in the universe. In both versions of the movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still, the "advanced" aliens admit to this ongoing struggle by creating robotic police to enforce peace among their own member civilizations throughout the universe. The moral of the story is that you shouldn't destroy good to eliminate evil, right to eliminate wrong, or you risk becoming the very thing you seek to destroy.  But, it also speaks to not forgetting from whence you came.  Everyone deserves the chance to evolve.  If change is the only constant in the universe, then change must be allowed to happen.

The self-proclaimed righteous must separate the wheat from the chaff.  If this cannot be accomplished then the destructive civilization must be contained, for the protection of the whole, until they can they find their own way to evolve into more than they are and, thus, become part of the greater whole.  If evil is destroying innocence, it is incumbent upon the innocent to rise up against it and for the strong to offer assistance, but the meek must fight their own battles against an evil which seeks to subjugate.  Anything not earned is never lasting; soon or later it is taken for granted.  Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, but teach a man to fish...

Those who claim a higher state of evolution and, therefore, the right to judge and then destroy are simply evidence of their own inability to evolve past the very violence they claim to despise.  The violent must be left to their own devices, albeit mentored and contained, so they can earn their evolution into something better.  We tend to assign little to no value in something we have not earned.  If you cannot put "evolution" into the context of being earned how do you expect to retain the value of it?  Besides, if you destroy an entire civilization because segments exhibit elements of evil, how does this make you any better than the evil you seek to destroy?  William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne (1779-1848), is quoted as saying, "The possession of great power necessarily implies great responsibility."  How very true this is, and more so for those who claim a righteous mantle, such as the military, politicians, doctors, lawyers, clergy, law enforcement, educators, and such.

It is unfortunate that we are a species seemingly driven by ego and greed; we need, we want, and we assign ourselves the right to take.  We excuse the destruction of our environment in the name of survival and progress, as we slowly kill ourselves and damn our immortal souls.  We create beautiful music which we corrupt with bass so loud it can't be enjoyed and wonder why our hearing fails with age.  We create beautiful paintings and then elevate our artistic tastes to crap which looks as though a blind monkey might do better.  We say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, yet evidence would indicate we're all blind.  

The bight among us excel to university only to be indoctrinated into a political philosophy when we're supposed to go there to learn how to learn, how to be critical, and how to think for ourselves, and yet we tend to graduate class after class of mindless robots who toe a party line which reeks of Orwell's 1984, the very social structure we fear.

As we approach the precipice we seem hell-bent on becoming our worst nightmares despite our fears of doing just that.  It is only as we approach old age that we look back with a realization that we have become the evil we have fought to stave off.  We have become "all-powerful Time which destroys all things."  Instead of evolving passed time to a realization that the concept of time is, in fact, just a concept, we embrace the debilitating limitations inherent in the concept:  We never have enough of it, we always waste it, we can't save it, we can't stop it, and we are doomed because of it.  We grab for all the gusto which life presents.  We follow the advice of Admiral Farragut to Capt Drayton during the Battle of Mobile Bay, "Damn the torpedoes! Four bells. Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!"

We approach the precipice at full speed, seemingly without care.  And yet, one can't help but wonder if, deep in our subconscious, we are aware of the need to evolve before we self-destruct.  Perhaps it takes this imminent destruction, this cold slap in the face, to wake us up to the undeniable necessity of evolution.  

As I contemplate the coming day on the Cusp of Forever, I think about the rerun I watched the other night of a movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still.   Yes, it was just a movie, but art all too often imitates life.  Perhaps the good Professor Barnhardt was correct when he stated to the alien, "You say we're on the brink of destruction and you're right. But it's only on the brink that people find the will to change. Only at the precipice do we evolve."

"Do not judge, or you will be judged.  For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.…"

-- Matthew 7:1-2

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 an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those 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 22 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 the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved 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, and wages 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 lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.

Nobody to Lean On

"The saddest thing is, when you are feeling down, you look around and realize that there is no shoulder for you to lean on."

-- Anonymous

A friend of mine, on the monastery website, is going through a rough patch on his path and posted the following anonymous quote:  "The saddest thing is, when you are feeling down, you look around and realize that there is no shoulder for you to lean on."  The comments which followed were all supportive, though mine was more of a reminder that, for people of faith, there is always a shoulder to lean on in times of need.

Me:  There is always, at least, one. Sometimes we forget.

Friend:  Not always true Tony. Each situation is different.

Me:  The spiritual side of me disagrees with you, my friend, but it is a matter of faith as much as it a matter of choice.

Each situation may be different, but this is not what the quote focuses on.  This is about having a shoulder to lean on during those differing situations, and a shoulder you can lean on will rarely pick and choose the situation they'll be available for.

For a person of religious or spiritual faith, in my case a Christian, there is always the guardian angel on my shoulder or God at my side.  This faith we have, in things beyond belief, allows many of us to talk things through with a friend, father, and mentor, who is always with us.  Crazy?  Absolutely!  We tend to lean on a shoulder for which there is no proof of existence; basically, we have faith in an invisible friend.  So, what's the difference between this deity we lean on and a six-foot pink bunny with big floppy ears?  Well, if the pink bunny happens to be the supreme omnipotent power in the universe, not too much.

Even for those who have no faith in God or, at the very least, believe in a spiritual world of an afterlife, there are always those who went before, spirits of our ancestors, friends, and mentors, whom we might call on for assistance.  For people who believe in absolutely nothing but what is before their eyes, my friend would be correct in that you may find yourself with no shoulder to lean on.  But, even in a case like this, true faith in yourself allows you to pick yourself up, support yourself, and give yourself the strength to move forward on your path.  You are still able to draw upon the sage advice imparted to you by others who have moved on.  I suppose this is what separates people of true faith from those without and, yet, also makes us similar - we never want for a shoulder to lean on or sage advice to draw from.  For people of faith, we always have our God, our savior, our guardian angel, or the spirits of those who went before, to guide us in times of need.  But, most of all, we have an undying faith in ourselves to overcome adversity or to, at the very least, find happiness in our circumstance.

I had to smile when I read this quote my friend posted, and then read the comments left by his friends.  If there are people willing to take time out to leave a comment for someone who feels they have no shoulder to lean on, does this not say something to them of the shoulders they don't recognize as being around all the time?  It makes me wonder if those who left the comments recognize how important they are to those who feel they have no one, no shoulder.  And, if they themselves have no one, perhaps they need to recognize the kind shoulder they can find in each other.  If social media has done nothing else, it has given many people access to a community of "support" which they may not have had, or recognized, before it existed.  

Having faith in God, ourselves, or others, is a choice, and all we have to do is take the first step on this path.  In my friend's case, it would seem, all he had to do was log in.  His friends were there waiting.  The next step in my view, for all of us, is to recognize what is right before our eyes... and reach out, not only for a shoulder to lean on but to also be that shoulder.

"Keep your head up.  God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers."

-- Anonymous

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 an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those 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 22 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 the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved 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, and wages 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 lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.

Moral Compass

"There's a morality... I think there's a moral compass... whether that comes from religion or just from being a good person... I'm a good person, I hope. But I'm never as good as I want to be, never as nice as I want to be, never as generous as I want to be."

-- David Tennant, actor

My moral compass is broken.  Has been for a long time.  My life is guided by dead reckoning, by understanding where I've been, calculating the variations caused by the surrounding environment, and having some idea of where I wish to end up.  There was a time when my moral compass was a bright, shiny thing whose needle unfailingly pointed in the appropriate direction, and yet I found myself increasingly off course in unfamiliar territory.  I was naive to those environmental variations which had a minute effect on my supposed heading.

"It is as inhuman to be totally good as it is to be totally evil. The important thing is the moral choice. Evil has to exist along with good in order that moral choice may operate. Life is sustained by the grinding opposition of moral entities."

-- Anthony Burgess (1917-1993), writer, composer

After a while, the unfamiliar territories in which I found myself became an all too familiar territory of the unknown and I became more and more comfortable with navigating these waters.  My hand steadied from the early fears and I learned the tiller needed to be moved opposite of my desires in order to attain them.  I came to a realization that you can't truly know God until you've danced with the devil.  When dancing with the devil one must remember to lead.  I arrived at balance in my life by keeping my friend close, and my enemy closer.  Does this make me righteous?  Not on a bet, but it does allow me to recognize righteous when I see it.  It is easy to recognize evil but, then, I rarely see innocence anywhere save the eyes of a child.

"It was a pity that there was no radar to guide one across the trackless seas of life. Every man had to find his own way, steered by some secret compass of the soul. And sometimes, late or early, the compass lost its power and spun aimlessly on its bearings."

-- Arthur C. Clarke (1917-2008), author, inventor

Lenny Bruce once said, "Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God."  My dead reckoning has steered me well away from the corrupt influence of "organized religion" and onto the path of unerring faith. Now, one might define "unerring" as an egotistical assumption on my part that my life is righteous. Oh, hell no. My life is anything but righteous. What unerring faith means is that I have an unwavering belief in a God for which there is little proof for existence. My life errs constantly, but not my faith in the ultimate creative power in the universe.

My faith does not limit itself to a box defined by religious "precepts and ideas." My faith is defined by the only constant in the universe - change. As I grow and learn, I redefine the borders of my faith. At times I even question my faith as a way of learning more about it and strengthening my resolve in this life. We must always question that which we don't understand and not allow others to define our life and beliefs. What we believe is personal and peculiar to each of us. One person's faith should not be another's any more than one person's path can be walked by another; similar, yes, but not exactly the same. A person's beliefs or faith, especially spiritual faith, cannot be dictated by a church or other governing body. What, who, and why we are is dictated by the choices we make, and those choices are driven by our individual faith in something greater than ourselves. We can choose to set off toward an unknown horizon or we can sail in circles for eternity. The choice is always ours.  This circus and this monkey are ours to embrace. 

"The downside, of course, is that over time religions become encrusted with precepts and ideas that are the antithesis of soul, as each faith tries to protect its doctrines and institution instead of nurturing the evolution of consciousness. If one is not careful to distinguish the genuine insights of a religion from its irrelevant accretions, one can go through life following an inappropriate moral compass."

-- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, psychologist, author

If I can freely honestly admit that my moral compass is broken, what does this say about organized religion when they find themselves constantly mired down in public controversy?  I don't fondle young children and I don't ask parishioners to purchase me a fifth jet.  Why in God's good name does anyone need five jets, and why are parishioners that gullible to keep buying them?  Talk about your broken compass.  If your compass needle is pointing "north" toward the rising sun, you have an issue if you don't see something is obviously wrong.  Just saying.

"A sense of shame is not a bad moral compass."

-- Gen. Colin Powell, USMC (Ret.), American statesman

So, how do I know my moral compass is broken?  Well, I suppose most standards set forth by women would define me as a bit of a pig.  Oh, I control it to a fault but, in my mind, even I have to consider the fact that I still rate a bit of pig status.  I know it.  I embrace it, and I try not to express it visually.  I occasionally fail at not vocalizing it, but the "oink" is still rolling around in the sty, nonetheless.  

Control of your compass, broken or not, is paramount.  It takes one to know one, but you don't have to let everyone in on the secret.  What fun is that?  Regardless of someone's shortcomings, when you let them know you know their mind, it can be unsettling to them and may open the door to ministering at some level.  Even if you don't identify with a particular issue, the ability to read them, catch the "tell" so to speak, can be invaluable to opening a door they're begging for someone to open, and even for some who'd rather leave that door shut.

"When we keep something, we hold it close to our hearts and allow it to progressively become our object of focus. The action of keeping becomes personal and intimate, not regulated by an outside authority. Whatever we keep becomes an object we love and cherish, and it becomes a center point from which the rest of our lives flow--like a compass."

-- Benjamin L. Corey, missiologist, author

I mentioned toward the beginning of this post about dancing with the devil and keeping your enemies closer than your friends.  A broken compass is the playground of evil and, as we all should know, evil can only enter where it is invited.  This is the prime reason we need to recognize our weaknesses, embrace them, and control them.  A broken compass is still a compass and, if you understand it, it is still a useful tool.  Take the compass needle pointing to the rising sun; obviously pointing toward the east.  Knowing this, one can adjust to the left and feel fairly confident they are heading north, as long as the universe hasn't farted and the needle keeps point to a rising sun. In this way, even the broken compass becomes a tool for good, even if just to assist in your "dead reckoning."

“Why is it that we don’t worry about a compass until we’re lost in a wilderness of our own making?”

-- Craig D. Lounsbrough, author, counselor, minister

Think about it.  If a compass is always righteous, you risk becoming complacent.  If you know your compass is, at times, faulty, you develop your other senses to compensate - and then you bear left.  God issues you one compass for your journey, at birth.  You are also given a path, your path, which you must find on your own, using your compass.  So, you either learn to use your moral compass, broken or not, or learn to fix it, or satisfy yourself with being lost all the time.  You can't give gifts back once you've broken them, especially not to God, unless offending God is on your to-do list.  Again, just saying. 

You may find yourself welcoming God each morning and acknowledging to the Almighty your awareness of enemies at your gate; you want them there, close, so you know where they are.  It is when you don't see them that you need be concerned; when the drums stop beating is when you need to reach for sword and armor.  In this way, good is always mindful of evil in its midst, even if one's compass is a bit off the mark.

“If I end up at the edge of this cliff one more time than the number of times I’ve walked away from it, I need to burn my map, trade in my compass and ask God for a new set.”

-- Craig D. Lounsbrough, author, counselor, minister

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 an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those 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 22 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 the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved 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, and wages 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 lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.

Children or Animals?

Then the little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them; and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

-- Matthew 19:13-14

"At-risk" populations are those who cannot fend for themselves or protect themselves. They are the lesser of society in danger of being abused; the elderly, the sick or dying, prisoners, children, and animals are on this list. Children and animals probably top this list simply because they are totally at the mercy of others when it comes to their safety, health, and welfare. So, ask yourself this question:  a child and an animal are both dying and only a donation of money from you can possibly save one of them, which one do you save? You can't simply put this off on someone else, you have to make the decision and live with it. You have to look into the eyes of the sick and dying and condemn them with your own words. Which one do you turn your back on? Which one do you choose to let die?

I have real moral issues which tear at my heart.  I love animals.  I also love children.  I hate to see animals abused and I think the abuser deserves a healthy dose of their own medicine.  I also hate to see children dying from a malady for which there is no cure, and I also hate to think of a parent who cannot possibly save their child from death.  If we're looking for real bi-partisan leadership in Congress, how about we throw some money at animal abuse and strengthen the penalties against the moronic idiots who think they have the right to abuse when they shouldn't even be allowed to have an animal.  Then, Congress can fully fund children's hospitals and pay for the "at risk" future of mankind.  If the country fully funds them then we all have accepted our responsibility to eradicate the issues through our freedom to vote.  Yeah, well, don't hold your breath.  Unfortunately, the responsibility for helping animals and children will remain, to some great extent, the purview of us, the morally upright common folk, who actually give a damn.

So, the question remains, which one do you want to let die?

“When people say that animal rescuers are crazy, what they really mean is that animal rescuers share a number of fundamental beliefs that makes them easy to marginalize. Among those is the belief that Rene Descartes was a jackass.”

-- Steven Kotler, author, journalist

I found this quote, above, from journalist Steven Kotler.  I don't want to critique Kotler on a quote of his which may be taken out of context; I don't know his mindset.  But, I'd just like to comment on what he seems to see as a fundamental belief of animal rescuers, "that René Descartes was a jackass."  My first blush was to think, it isn't that all animal rescuers are crazy, I applaud their efforts however ignorant of Descartes philosophy they might be.  For those who don't know, René Descartes quipped the saying, "cogito ergo sum" or, "I think, therefore I am."  I suppose my disagreement with Kotler is our new realization that many animals actually think, problem solve, and use tools.  Many animals are demonstrating this sense of self, and we have no indication of how many, or how far down the food chain this sense actually extends.  The moral issue arises from the argument that along with this sense of self might also follow the real possibility of a sense of God.  No, I'm not sure Descartes, though he might not have realized it at the time, hasn't hit the nail on the head.

Having said this, I think we give ourselves way too much credit to think that animals are the only "at-risk" population in society.  In the larger picture, when humans finally shuffle off this planet the animals will go back to doing what they did before we arrived.  It would be interesting to know if they will need pedicures, cancer treatments, special diets, and teeth cleaning after we leave.  Humans create their own issues and we feel free to visit these same issues on others, as well.

“Humanity's true moral test, its fundamental test…consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals.”

-- Milan Kundera, novelist

Scripture tells us that children are a gift of God and grandchildren are the crown of old men, and yet, children are certainly another group at the mercy of our society.  We leave segments of children uneducated, unfed, without healthcare, and at the mercy of abortion clinics and broken, dysfunctional, families.  We also seem to rely on children's hospital charities to make up for our lack of responsibility for assisting those children dying from various maladies, and cancers in particular.  These hospitals rely on the charity of a society's concerned citizenship for their continued operation.  

This reliance on the concerned few is no surprise in a society which seems to hold a child's life in such little regard and views animal cruelty as a "slap on the hand" offense.  And, yet, we have other segments of our society who give much in donations to help sick children and alleviate cruelty to animals.  Our society, today, seems intent on redistributing the hard-earned wealth of others to those of little need who haven't earned it.  How about we redistribute this wealth as charitable contributions so each truly "at-risk" group receives contributions according to their deserved needs?  We might actually end cruelty, cancer, and other maladies in time to save precious lives.

“Just as it is impossible to explain childbirth to a woman who has never given birth, it is impossible to explain child loss to a person who has never lost a child.”

-- Lynda Cheldelin Fell , author, empowerment coach

My own family seems to find the situation for animals more important than that of children.  They love their animals like family and have lost many a cat and dog.  Perhaps their skewed priority lies in the fact that they have never lost a child, and neither have I.  I have, however, witnessed the plight of children in hospital who are fighting for their lives.  I have heard the emotional stories of these young warriors whose only thought is with the happiness of their fellow patients and not with the limited time they have left to enjoy life.  Perhaps this is because fighting for life is, for many of them, all they have ever known.

And, yet, the treatment of animals occupies the forefront of our thoughts?  How sad for us.

"Their laughter will make your heart melt, their strength will make a grown person cry. If you ever see a child fight cancer, it will change your life forever."

-- Anonymous

Many will probably argue there is no right or wrong in this discussion.  I would argue, as I always have, for the life of a child.  If we have no concern for our future, why do we deserve one?  Perhaps the answer would be more palatable if we were to prioritize donations to both worthy causes.  If you want to help end cruelty, give to both.  

Author and attorney Marie Sarantakis said, “If you don't like pictures of animal cruelty being posted on social media, you need to help stop the cruelty, not the pictures. You should be bothered that its happening, not that you saw it.”  While you're concerning yourself with these pictures, try to remember that late-term abortions still plague us and fetal tissue of aborted babies is being sold for top dollar; living children are fighting for their very survival in children's hospitals across our great nation.  Next time a child smiles at you with that innocent face, try not to conveniently forget your lack of caring, or concern, as you smile back, or turn away with repressed guilt as you selfishly pray for your own long and healthy life.  Don't forget to pet your dog.

As a person of faith, I would hate to be judged for helping an abused dog and letting a child die on my watch.  The fact that others are trying to handle the issue concerning children does not relieve the rest of us from our moral responsibility in this fight.  The immorality of senseless abortions, abortions performed for no real cause, needs to be addressed.  The immorality of government standing by while children die on their watch also needs to be addressed.  If you feel torn as to where your priority should be, this is a good thing, you should be torn.  "At-risk" populations are important issues for any society.  How we handle these populations speaks volumes about who we are and where we are going as a civilization. 

Just saying.

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 an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those 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 22 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 the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved 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, and wages 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 lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.

Conspire to Greatness

A conspiracy theory is an explanation of an event or situation that invokes an unwarranted conspiracy, generally one involving an illegal or harmful act carried out by government or other powerful actors.  Conspiracy theories often produce hypotheses that contradict the prevailing understanding of history or simple facts.  The term is often a derogatory one.

According to the political scientist Michael Barkun, conspiracy theories rely on the view that the universe is governed by design, and embody three principles: nothing happens by accident, nothing is as it seems, and everything is connected.  Another common feature is that conspiracy theories evolve to incorporate whatever evidence exists against them, so that they become, as Barkun writes, a closed system that is unfalsifiable, and therefore "a matter of faith rather than proof".  Skeptics are among their outspoken critics.

-- Wikipedia, "Conspiracy theory"

For all of you who might think "unfalsifiable" isn't a word, it basically means something is untestable.  God, for instance, is untestable, though my faith tells me I wouldn't want to.   Conspiracy is all around us.  It is, for most attempts and purposes, an attempt to control.  Such control can be in the realm of information, actions, finances, or beliefs. Conspiracies can be good or bad, but if they're good why would one have to conspire?  Well, what if one felt they had to conspire with others to overthrow some evil being perpetrated upon their fellow beings by a more powerful controlling body, like a government, school, or religion?  Wouldn't this be viewed as conspiring to do something great?

I don't consider myself a critical thinker, I just have faith.  I have faith in the theory that nothing is as it seems, especially when people are involved, and especially when it concerns their money and/or control.  I also have faith in the inability of humankind to simply do the right thing.  Our actions always seem to be driven by ego, greed, and control, but rarely by pure altruism.  Think of someone you know who gives thousands of dollars to charity and doesn't claim the donations on their taxes.  People volunteer to assist others because, deep down, they feel they also might need help at some future time.  The "faithful" help others with the expectation of a reward in heaven, an expectation of salvation.  As a person of faith, I have to ask if this is really so wrong?  

If any civilization is to survive, it is the morality of altruism that men have to reject.

-- Ayn Rand (1905-1982), novelist, philosopher

Rarely is anything given without some expectation of return.  It seems to be a sad and inescapable reality of human nature.  But, is it really that sad?   Well, if you give a man a fish, why should the man learn to fish? If we simply dole out charity without any expectation to better the situation of those in need, so they are able to do for themselves and be productive members of society, aren't they doomed to wander on the path of perpetual charity? To do any less than expect the best from everyone, especially from those in need, would be stripping them of any chance at self-respect.

Someone correctly stated, in my humble opinion, "When we learn to think about others first we bring peace, hope, and love to the world. And that can only happen when we learn to put our egos away and connect correctly with each other. This is also known as 'mutual responsibility.'" This idea of "mutual responsibility," to me, is a great way to aspire to greatness. It mitigates the destructive socialist philosophy of redistributing wealth to those who bring nothing to the table when they are certainly capable of doing so. Perpetual welfare should be for the physically and mentally disabled who have no other recourse than to be wards of the system.

Socialism states that you owe me something simply because I exist. Capitalism, by contrast, results in a sort of reality-forced altruism: I may not want to help you, I may dislike you, but if I don't give you a product or service you want, I will starve. Voluntary exchange is more moral than forced redistribution.

-- Ben Shapiro, writer, lawyer, political commentator 

Socialism only works until other people's money runs out. There is certainly something inherently wrong with an expectation of charity which is used as an excuse for some to selfishly do nothing to contribute to the betterment of humanity; pretty soon no one will be doing anything. The idea of mutual responsibility rejects, to some extent, any false "morality of altruism." Mutual responsibility allows one to be altruistic, but the responsibility lies with those receiving the altruism to give back in kind, to pay it forward, and this cannot be done if there is no desire on their part to do so. Therefore it would seem incumbent upon each of us to be mutually responsible for each other by teaching each other to fish and not abusing the charity of strangers.

We must ask ourselves what conspiracy we help to perpetuate on our fellows.  Do we conspire to keep them down, or do we conspire to greatness?  Perhaps we would all be better served to consider the harm our sense of charitable morality does when there is no expectation of those in need to better their lot when they receive it.  How does this, in any way, help them to aspire to be more than what they are?  If we are only holding them back by our actions, can't this be construed as abusing them?  And, by extension, if we're abusing our fellow man through our lack of expectation, are we not also complicit in the downfall of our civilization?

“Every game is winnable if you change your mind about what the prize should be and your perspective about the players at the table.”

-- Shannon L. Alder, author

The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness."  This idea is true for both sides of the discussion.  Every man, rich and poor, must decide whether they will be creatively altruistic or selfish.  In mutual responsibility, there is little room for selfishness.  One can only take so much before there is nothing left to give, and if everyone is riding in the wagon, then who is pulling it?  Yet, we mustn't be simply altruistic, we must be creatively so.  Look beyond the altruism to what it provides in the long-term; how beneficial it is to the individual and society as a whole.

Helping each other is a moral prerogative which each of us should hold dear and temper with ensuring that it truly helps and is not a Band-Aid for something destructive to the individual and society.  None of us is perfect, but in our zeal to do something we feel is right, it might be prudent to ensure we get the most bang for our buck or we might find ourselves pouring our charity into a bottomless bit of selfish need created by those who feel they owe nothing for their gift of life.

We need to look beyond our own interests when we give.  We need to see past the interests of those in need, as well. We need to consider how what we do will best benefit our society, and inspire those in need to rise above their situation.  The human condition does not respond positively when we think the long-term fix is to keep throwing money at a problem, it is feeding an addiction rather than curing it.

"Good character consists of recognizing the selfishness that inheres in each of us and trying to balance it against the altruism to which we should all aspire. It is a difficult balance to strike, but no definition of goodness can be complete without it."

-- Alan Dershowitz, lawyer, academic, civil libertarian

Conspiracy is all around us. Many of us are in denial and others are content to selfishly feed the selfish societal addictions which will, as history shows, result in the collapse of good social order and, ultimately, civilization itself.  We need to recognize our complicity in any conspiracy which prevents our brothers and sisters from becoming more than they are.  Welfare should be a short-term fix while working out the more beneficial long-term goal of helping those in need become constructive members of the society in which they may not, yet, see themselves as a vital part.

I have a theory.  Instead of conspiring to control, how about we conspire to be great?  How about we stop the infighting and backbiting and simply conspire to get along with each other?  We can try leaving our egotistical, selfish, greedy, controlling bullshit at the door and try helping each other, and then paying that help forward.  Nothing is as it seems, but this theory is testable, and if I'm right no one will care because we'll all be so much better off when we're not constantly berating each other or trying to rip each other's throat out.  

But, then, it's just a theory.

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 an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those 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 22 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 the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved 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, and wages 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 lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.

At the Cusp of Forever: The Alpha/Omega Conspiracy

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and into the ages of ages. 

Amen.

-- Gloria Patri, Classic Christian Doxology

The night before officiating a wedding up in Hattiesburg, I once again found myself contemplating, on the edge of the abyss, at the Cusp of Forever.  My impetus for my contemplation was the "Alpha/Omega" stole I'd ordered from the monastery and just received.  It is white with gold trim and tassels, and the Greek "Alpha" and "Omega" symbols, also in gold, one on each end.  The stole arrived too late to adjust some design issues so it would not be used in this ceremony, but these Greek symbols would be the focus of my thoughts that evening, as I stood on the edge.

It would seem Christianity would like to own the concept of time and, if it existed, that would still not be fine.  We pay way too much attention to "religion" and not enough attention to our faith.  We say Christianity is one of the three Abrahamic religions, along with Islam and Judaism.  I'm sorry, did Abraham declare these "religions" to be his?  And why are they so hard when God specifically handed down ten very simple commandments for us to follow?  Novelist, poet, and philosopher, C.S. Lewis (1998-1963) once wrote, "If Christianity were something we were making up, of course, we would make it easier. But it is not. We cannot compete in simplicity with people who are inventing religions. How could we? We are dealing with fact. Of course, anyone can be simple if he doesn't have any facts to bother about."  Yet, it would seem this is exactly what Christians did, they competed with everyone else to invent a religion when all God asked for was our love and faith.  So, why didn't they follow God's instructions and keep it simple, stupid?

“Time is an illusion.”

-- Albert Einstein (1879-1955). theoretical physicist

"As it was in the beginning, and now, and always, and into the ages," so says classic Christian doxology.  More telling of a conspiracy to keep the faithful on their toes is this modern Anglican "authorized" version: "Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."  Is there such a thing as a world without end?  Well, all things come to an end, even our world lives on borrowed time as our sun burns through its limited fuel supply.  But, how do we really feel about this idea of was, is now and forever shall be?  In my weekly meeting at the medical center, I always address this idea of Trinity and, by extension, our definition of God.

Christianity touts God as consisting of a Holy Trinity (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).  There are also three distinct parts, a trinity, to the structure of an atom (electrons, protons, and neutrons).  God was, is now, and forever shall be, but can't we say as much for the humble atom, as well?  We can split the atom, modify it, but does it ever truly cease to exist or does it simply become a different atom?  If we, eventually, break the atom down into the minute "quark" will we find this quark also consists of three distinct parts?  Again, if we do, eventually, discover this, will we continue to ask ourselves if even those parts are simply combinations of three others, and so on?  Was there ever only one part and, if so, who created it if God has a theoretical "trinity" of parts to equal the whole?

“I am Alap and I am Tau, The First and The Last, The Origin and The Fulfillment.”

-- Revelation 22:13, Aramaic Bible in Plain English

Was there ever a beginning?  Will there be an end?  Or, is time, as I believe, an infinite loop instead of a linear concept which leads many to believe time, as we define it, is simply a human construct and has no real bearing on the universe other than to give life another system of measurement?  The idea of linear time was probably an innocent construct to accomplish an end, a way to measure our life, without really giving much thought to whether it was really linear or if it, in fact, would come full circle... given enough time.  Any given moment is, in theory, both the beginning and the end.  The conspiracy may have arisen after the concept of time as a method for the government to control the lives of the population, and for organized religion to either govern or control the actions of government.  If true, it bodes another question:  Who, then, conspires to control the conspirators?

Well, if the very nature of a conspiracy, the definition, is to plan in secret, to do something unlawful or harmful, then it would stand to reason that conspirators are, themselves, usually evil.  But, what if they are conspiring to do acts of goodness?  You can, obviously, conspire to do either, I would think, but if it is truly good, why would they have the need for conspiracy?  Wouldn't they want people to see the ultimate good in it and jump on board the wagon?  Of course, they would, unless it is to be a surprise.  Governments and religions try to tout their actions as being in the best interest of people, even if the people don't yet understand why. Hmmm... Sounds like the surprise here is a conspiracy to control thought under the guise of doing good.  But, as always, I digress.

“They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.”

-- Andy Warhol (1928-1987), visual artist

The beginning, the middle, and the end, necessary concepts with which to understand the greater concept of time?  Some philosophies suggest that we ignore what was, not worry about what will be, and pay close attention to what is.  Yet, whatever shall be must be a consequence of the choices we make now from lessons we learned before.  So, it would seem we could conclude that the past and future are, in fact, one with now and it, therefore, should follow that they have been one in the past and will, again, be one in the future.

Did anyone conspire to create time?  Did anyone conspire to control it, or to use it as a tool to control others?  If time doesn't exist and is simply a human construct, can anyone really control it?  You can't control what doesn't exist, you can only control the concept of it, this concept which mankind puts so much stock in.  Is there a "conspiracy" between the learned and the powerful to control a concept of something which does not exist, for which there is no proof other than the stated concept?  Do they seek to control our faith in a theory by creating a foundation based on nothing but the faith of ignorance?

“Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,' is like saying, 'I don't want to.”

-- Lao Tzu (???-533B.C.), philosopher

Let's agree that time was, in fact, constructed to give structure to our existence.  We now strive to know how much of it we have left and, even though we find it is never enough, we are constantly trying to save it.  We try to cram as much life into what we time we think we have left, even though we have no real understanding of the reality that time does not exist.

But, if there was no beginning and there is no end, what are we left with?  No matter how we look at it, what "is" seems to be most important, philosophically, to "why" we are.  The angel in Revelation proclaims to be "the first and the last, the origin and the fulfillment," whereas God, if we buy into scripture, simply states, "I am."  And, what more is there to say?  God, the creating force in the universe, is the beginning and the end, and everything in-between.  God is everything, always and forever, world without end, and yet, even God is more concerned that we all understand "I am" as opposed to "I was" or "I will be."  For God, "I am" is all we need to concern ourselves with; it is all we need to know.

“I think this is irresponsible preaching and very dangerous, and especially when it is slanted toward children, I think it's totally irresponsible, because I see nothing biblical that points up to our being in the last days, and I just think it's an outrageous thing to do, and a lot of people are making a living—they've been making a living for 2,000 years—preaching that we're in the last days.”

-- Charles M. Schulz (1922-2000), cartoonist, "Peanuts"

"The sky is falling!  The sky is falling!" and yet, we are still here.  But, the world will end, 5-billion years from now, along with our sun and, probably, the other planets in our system.  We will leave this earth as the sun expands and we will move outward to Mars and the moons of Jupiter, staving off our ultimate loss of habitable real estate for as long as it takes us to move enough of our genetic material to another solar system.  We will repeat this exercise of seeding just as our ancestors did, so very long ago, when they lost their system to a similar fate.  The infinite ribbon of our existence will repeat, as it always does, and we will live on through our infinite lives until our souls learn that which is necessary.  The energy which is us will exist forever in one form or another and, thus, so will we.

We get caught up in what others tell us about the rapture.  We pay little attention to why a loving father who leave any of his children behind to suffer at the hands of another.  It seems to me that much of what I have been taught about God is an insidious plan by the "Great Deceiver" to make me fear my Father, my God, and lose sight of all that is important to my progress.  Will God take some and leave others behind?  Very probably, if they haven't as yet, learned all they need to.  But if we have faith that there is always hope, through God, then why isn't there always hope for the lost?  Did God make these mistakes?  Didn't the creator consider these imperfect creations?  Isn't He omnipotent and perfect?  He is for me.

When we discuss the end of the world, let's not get it confused with the end of us.  We are spiritual beings, beings of energy, which inhabit these mortal shells as "environment suits" in order to exist on this plane.  When our suits wear out we will either get another or move on to greener pastures and all new adventures, but we will continue, one way or another.

“In 5-billion years the Sun will expand & engulf our orbit as the charred ember that was once Earth vaporizes. Have a nice day.”

-- Neil Degrasse Tyson, astrophysicist

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 an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those 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 22 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 the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved 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, and wages 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 lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.