That's all Folks!

“A story has no beginning or end: arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead.”

-- Graham Greene (1904-1991), novelist, "The End of the Affair"

The eminent English novelist, Graham Green, once wrote, “A story has no beginning or end: arbitrarily one chooses that moment of experience from which to look back or from which to look ahead.” Our own story did not begin with a "Big Bang" but certainly was an effect of some cosmic cause brought on by something else. As with God, there is no beginning and no end, there is only now.  And, as of now, I have decided that's all, folks.

I have been fighting Facebook Messenger for months now, and they have worn me down.  I simply cannot send my posts to almost 300 folks without Facebook locking up my account for 24 hours with every 20 or so messages I send which include a link.  If I try sending a group message, it looks as if I'll violate everyone's privacy, and almost none of you know each other that well.  Now, it also looks as if the monastery minister's site has been hacked and is also not safe for me to access per my security provider.  Well, I only need to be slapped twice before I begin to enjoy it and things get weird and exotic, so I have decided to curtail dissemination of my blog posts indefinitely.

I will continue to write and post on the Congregation blog, The Path, and on my Facebook pages, Congregation for Religious Tolerance and Tony Villari, both of which will link back to the blog and the post in its entirety.  Many of you have already opted to follow the Congregation blog and will, hopefully, be getting each post as they are published.  I invite all of you to follow, and like, the other two sites, as well.  

You may feel free to share anything I write.  You may even feel free to plagiarize if you absolutely can't rise above it.  I suppose I'd rather have the information shared at any cost than to hide it behind "legalities" of who originated the useful stuff.  I have never taken donations, and I volunteer my time to speak to folks who would listen.  People seem to think what I have to say is important, even if it simply gets them thinking about possibilities, and even if they think I'm wrong.  Always feel free to share.

I will continue to write.  I will also continue to answer all email and comments sent to me.  A problem shared is a problem halved.  I have great faith in those who write to me, even if they question the faith they have in themselves.  It is there, it simply waits for you to open your eyes.  My email address is tolerantpastor@gmail.com, and comments can always be left on any of the links.

829 people have read the post Friends Along Our Path since I wrote it in October of 2015.  Of the 42,000 pageviews of my 751 posts, this is the most viewed and my personal all-time favorite, as well.  The black and white photo I used spoke volumes to me, and I use the final two paragraphs of that post as the final two here, as well.  It speaks of friendships and, in particular, my friendships which I have made around the world since starting this blog in 2013.

I will go out this Sunday and make a conscious effort to meet someone new. With any luck, they might shake up my inner poetic self, but the real gift will be the memory of meeting them and so many others along my journey.

The challenge for each of us is to make the time. It takes such little effort to try it. Make the effort, for yourself, this Sunday. As a matter of fact, try making the effort daily to make a new acquaintance. Whether they become a friend or not, your life will be all the richer for having known them and, for having made the effort, theirs may be richer as well.

I pray for God's blessings to be upon each and every one of you.

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.