The Ethereal Goddess

Time is an ethereal and sometimes cruel goddess. In her relentless passing, she steals away our youth and vitality, often in ways that seem insignificant until we finally realize how much she has taken. Still, she is also a generous deity, who offers to replace what she has seized with a deeper wisdom and a clearer vision of life's enigmas. In this sense, time can be our most powerful ally-if we are patient enough.

-- Michael Kelleher 

I have said it over and over: Time does not exist.  It is a human invention that gives an organized structure to this plane of existence.  It has been a yoke around the neck of humanity for eons.  Reality is infinite; therefore, time must also be defined as infinite, except that there is never enough of it.  People say they have all the time in the world, yet nothing is certain in this life except death and taxes.  For all time gives us, time does little except foment stress.  In reality, time gives us nothing we don't already have, the now, and it replaces nothing we haven't earned for ourselves simply by opening our minds.

Author Dan Brown wrote, "Faith is a continuum, and we each fall on that line where we may. By attempting to rigidly classify ethereal concepts like faith, we end up debating semantics to the point where we entirely miss the obvious - that is, that we are all trying to decipher life's big mysteries, and we're each following our own paths of enlightenment."  He should have started this statement with "existence" and not "faith."  Our existence is a continuum, and we are, indeed, following our own paths of enlightenment.  We may find enlightenment in this life or in the next, or the next, for as many lives as we need to understand.  This search we are on is not intended to be a great struggle.  It simply is what it is until it isn't, and then it is what it is, again.  We need to stop trying so hard to discover the obvious.  We need to stop trying to see the forest and start enjoying the trees right in front of us.

"To achieve your ethereal state, you have to expand your thoughtless awareness."

-- Nirmala Srivastava

I looked up the definition for "ethereal" and found I can use it to define time:  Time is "an ethereal world created through the poetic imagination."  I spend hours meditating at the "Cusp of Infinity" when, in reality, only minutes have passed.  Because time is just a concept it is fluid.  Time can be whatever our minds determine.  Time is how we define it from one moment to the next. It is a tool that lets us determine the distance between the tick-tock of a clock; this space in the "now" for us to make full use of.

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.

Raise Kids to Be Successful, or Kind?

"The level of our success is limited only by our imagination and no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted."

-- Aesop

I guess an "OpEd" came out, over the past couple of days, saying that parents should be mentoring their children to be kind more than successful.  What this editor missed is that being constantly kind is, in itself, success.  But, I don't think the OpEd was that philosophically deep.  No, basically, we are continuing to put forth the idea that parents are too inept to multitask where children are concerned.  Parents can't mentor even two qualities equally.  No surprise here.  Parents, for the most part, haven't been parenting children for years, yet we expect them to mentor kindness over success?  Well, teaching kindness is easier so I suppose this probably makes sense where young parents are concerned.  They won't have to waste their own valuable time doting over their children's needs.  Besides, real success is overrated and has been replaced by "participation" awards.  Why strive for first place, after all, when all you have to do is show up?  Yes, this just has to make a parent proud, right?

The welfare rolls are littered with people who are kind and lack the tools to be successful.  For obvious reasons, the government seems to be fine with this.  How about the government limit the duration of welfare, and then teach these folks the basics of success, and then assist them in procuring a job. 

I could write a lengthy post on this, but simply the idea put forth by this OpEd was so basically idiotic I see no reason to belabor the issue any longer than necessary.  It strikes me that this editor must have graduated from one of our country's liberal institutions of "acceptable" education.  "Higher" education, after all, would require a sense of success and these institutions can't even wrap their curriculum around "kindness" without hiding in a "safe place" on campus, so I'd assume any true concept of success would totally escape them, as well.

As a parent, if you can't teach both concepts equally, how kind are you actually being toward your children?  How prepared for the world are you mentoring them to be?  How smart does this make you look?  Suffice to say, it is possible to be both kind and successful, and it is also possible to teach both equally.  

Our kindness is our success in the realization that it is incumbent upon each of us to mentor others in our successes so they might also succeed and, thereby, enjoy the fruits of their own labors.

"Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness."

-- George Sand

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. 

Merry Christmas!

Once a year we Christians are asked to remember the birth of the savior of souls of mankind.  We pay homage for the one who will sacrifice His own life for our everlasting salvation.  Once a year.  How sad is that?  Once a year most Christians celebrate the birth of Christ by going into debt purchasing expensive material things and forgetting the free spiritual peace which is ours for the asking.  What does Christmas mean to you?  Does your mind immediately go to gift buying, or do you think of Him?  I'll tell you where my mind travels first, and then you can think about it... if you wish.

"Spirit," said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before, "tell me if Tiny Tim will live."

"I see a vacant seat," replied the Ghost, "in the poor chimney corner, and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die."

"No, no," said Scrooge. "Oh no, kind Spirit! say he will be spared."

"If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none other of my race," returned the Ghost, "will find him here. What then? If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."

Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit, and was overcome with penitence and grief.

"Man," said the Ghost, "if man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered What the surplus is, and Where it is. Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? It may be, that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man's child. Oh God! to hear the Insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust."

-- Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol"

I pay little attention, during the year, to the needs of those who struggle.  I suppose my fault is in being too concerned with whether they truly struggle, or if they are content to let others struggle for them while they simply sit back and suck sustenance from the public teat which these others pay such high taxes to provide.  I tend to concern myself, instead, with those children in need.  The children of those who struggle for something better will learn a hard lesson about the value of that struggle.  The children of those parents content to live out their lives sucking from the public teat will be in real danger of following their parents down this same path of self-worthlessness unless they either discover a higher path for themselves or are mentored toward a better path.  The children are who I care about, and the same novel by Dickens was my impetus:

"They are Man’s," said the Spirit, looking down upon them. "And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it!" 

"Have they no refuge or resource?" cried Scrooge.

"Are there no prisons?" said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. "Are there no workhouses?"

I beware "Ignorance" more than I do "Want."  Ignorance is a government that forces the poor into a welfare state which demands nothing from them in return for what is given.  Ignorance is expecting those who get something for nothing will ever give back, especially when the "something" they receive for free is neverending.

I hear stories about parents who have their small children assisting them in stealing from supermarkets.  This is not parenting.  A thirteen-year-old boy was arrested for killing a female college student this week, and people will probably bemoan black-on-white violence, but I don't think race matters.  This is about parenting, being a healthy role model and teaching good values, Christian values, or Buddhist, or Islamic values.  Even moral atheist values are better than having no good moral compass at all in your life.

So... Merry Christmas!  Happy Hanuka!  Seasons greetings!  Whatever your spiritual tilt, have the best time you can this season and throughout the year.  Be tolerant of others and let them practice their peaceful spiritual beliefs in the same manner you wish to practice yours.  We are supposed to feel the "spirit of the season" which is a spirit we should exercise 24/7/365, but most of us don't.  I don't often get material presents for family or friends except for the occasional gift card.  I donate in their name, during the holiday season, to assist feeding the poor in my small town.  I don't care who they are or what they believe, as long as they believe it peacefully and leave others alone. 

So, in all humility, I offer an idea to those of us who slack off where our fellow man is concerned.  With the New Year right around the corner, most of us will give as little consideration to New Year resolutions as we do the poor, so how about making the poor, those who struggle for a better circumstance, your New Year's resolution.  In particular, those poor children who need to see the best in those adults around them.  Don't let our inept government keep throwing money at the problem instead of trying to solve it.  The solution is about creativity, not money.  The solution is about having an achievable goal, not just kicking the can down the road for the next generation to deal with.  It's about everyone putting boot to ass, including the government.  

Yes, this means you need to get off your lazy ass and do a bit of research.  Get over it.  There are already programs out there focussing on the health and welfare of "at-risk" children.  Some ensure children get at least one healthy meal during the day, even on weekends.  There are "closets" that accept donations of dress clothes for those looking toward job interviews.  There are also programs teaching young folks how to dress, act, talk, and fill out job applications and resumes.  Make a resolution you can actually keep this year and in the years to come.  Make a resolution to get involved with those who really need you - our children.  And, make a resolution to hold Christmas in your heart... all year long.

Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.

He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!

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 Many Lives of a Cat

Think you have nine lives, do you? I saved you once...

don't make me save you again.

-- Erin Hunter, children's author(s), "Warrior Cats"

I have been around cats all my life. I've probably been around them in all my other lives, as well.  I believe in rebirth, reincarnation, multiple lives.  I believe in the multiple realms of existence and the lessons we must learn in each so we may move forward to the final realm, the non-physical immaterial world of mind only.  Some say there are 31 planes of existence, some say 10 or 7, but if the number really matters, how far must you have progressed?  Perhaps a cat is endowed with nine lives for a reason beyond our understanding, which is why humans call it a myth, an old wives tale.  These "nine lives" of a cat might just be the initial lesson of immortality; a taste of what will ultimately be achieved at the final plane, the final realm.

I can't ever remember purchasing a cat, or a dog for that matter.  We rescued a few from the animal shelter, especially the dogs, but cats are primarily volunteers.  Dogs are cats that haven't attained the realm of "cat," as yet.  Cats show up when you least expect them, or when you are most in need of them.  They don't ask, they just appear as if to say, "Well, here I am.  When do we eat?"  We are not here to teach them much, primarily because they exist to teach us volumes.  Whatever they "learn" from us, they do so for their own entertainment, to boost our fragile ego or, perhaps, to make us shut up about whatever it is we want them to "learn" from us.  Cats exist to eat, sleep, and play.  That's it.  Playing, well, it's usually when they get into trouble.  It comes with the territory.

“A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays and for the last three he stays."

-- William Shakespeare

Cats, almost always, seem to land on their feet.  It's probably genetic.  Someone, probably a scientist, named this ability the "righting reflex" and it stuck.  This reflex presents itself about six weeks after birth.  The height of the fall seems to present more questions.  One cat fell 32 stories and was released from care 48 hours later.  doesn't seem to be an issue.  It seems that once they reach their max velocity of 60mph they relax and their body acts much like that of the flying squirrel.  Read more about this here:  Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?

Really?  32 stories?  That's about 275-foot freefall onto concrete.  We'd be scraping the bloody sludge left by a human off the sidewalk with a snow shovel but, then, we're a much heavier sack of water than a cat and have no righting reflex, not that it would help.  I wonder at what altitude the cat starts screaming as it realizes it hasn't hit that ground yet?  And, which falls faster, the cat or the contents of its bowels?  Look out below!

My favorite cartoon is of a cat standing against the wall on the 32nd-story ledge of a highrise building, and contemplating suicide while a dog is leaning on its paw in the windowsill just next to it, smiling, and telling the cat, "I don't think you've really thought this through."  The point being, the cat will have to jump eight more times.  I think suicide is pointless if you're going to end up right back at the same lesson you were supposed to be learning in the first place.

"I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through."

-- Jules Verne

The "nine lives" myth is found in many cultures dating back to early Egypt.  Some say cats actually have six or seven lives, and even twelve, but many cultures think cats defy death.  And, maybe they do.  To understand this, however, we first must wrap our minds around the fact that what we call death is simply the shedding of this mortal shell we inhabit in order to survive this reality until we move on to the next.  We never really die, we just wear out the vehicle we're riding in.  So it is with cats.

In my life, I have survived mishaps which should have ended my existence here.  Most notably, a motorcycle accident where I was thrown over the hood of the car that hit me after the car came to a complete stop.  That one kind of defied the laws of physics.  Another was rolling a wagon that sealed all the escape routes except the back hatch which I was thrown through before it sealed, as well.  The highway patrol officer said it was the only time he could ever say that not wearing a seat belt was what saved my life.

These are just two of several instances in my own life, and we all can probably think of times we were beyond lucky.  I figure I've burned through four lives so far, maybe five, and if we nine is the magic number then, at sixty-six years of age, I should be fine.  If the number of lives is six, I'd better watch my own back.  My point is that, probably, as it is with us so it is with cats.

"One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives."

-- Mark Twain

I think we're allowed to survive these "tests" in order to teach us, providing we are openminded enough to see it, that life will continue and death in this existence is simply another step along our path to something greater.

Meanwhile, a bit of advice.  You might find out that the best time to sneak up on a cat is when they're watching a train go by.  They can't hear you from all the noise, and the vibration will mask anything they might have felt.  While you might find scaring the crap out of them quite the hoot, remember that you have to sleep... sometimes, and revenge is a dish best served cold.

"Revenge is a dish best served... at every meal"

-- Grumpy Cat

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.

What You're Made Of

"Ugly giant bags of mostly water."  This is how humans are described, according to the crystalline life form in the 18th episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation."  And, when you get right down to basics, it is really what we're mostly made of.  Mostly.  Recently I had the unfortunate opportunity to pick up my dad's ashes from the mortuary after his cremation.  The bag weighed in at around 5 or 6 pounds.  No pun intended, but it speaks "volumes" about our bodily water content.  Whether we're ugly or not, however, is still in the eyes of the beholder.

Psychologically, it can be said that our circumstances define who we are.  I suppose that depends on how weak of mind you are.  I prefer to think that we're better than that, or should discover the truth of this as we mature.  Knowing we're better than our circumstances is a life lesson we should be taught by our parents, our teachers, our mentors, and for some of us, our military trainers, supervisors, and commanders.

We are defined by how we handle our circumstances, especially the bad ones.  This is what shows those around us what we are made of.  Do we cut and run, lie down and give up, or do we choose to bravely meet the enemy head-on?  And how we handle our "good" circumstances can define us, as well.  If life is perfect and we go around bragging, our nose in the air with a haughty attitude, this also defines us, to others, as "better than thou."  Your better circumstances are evidence, whether by luck or design, that you were able to succeed where many others failed.

But rather than lauding your success over others, perhaps mentoring those less fortunate so they also have an opportunity to better themselves might be a better tact and will define you to others and, more importantly, to yourself, in a much better light.

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.

And, if you look closely...

"On the left side of the painting, God is depicted from behind, extending his arm towards a bush, alluding to the plant world. On the right side, another image of God points towards the Sun with his right hand and toward the faint Moon with his left. His face expresses the force needed for the creation of the abode of living beings."

-- Wikipedia, The Creation of the Sun, Moon, and Vegetation

I'm not sure what was going through Michelangelo's mind as he painted the frescoes depicting God on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.  If he wanted to make a statement, I'm not sure that depicting God baring naked ass for all to see, was appropriate for the day.  I suppose it is interesting, for some, to note the great artist seems to have considered God as having no need for sustenance, for food.  If God had to eat wouldn't there be a sphincter adorning our Lord's derriere?  

Then again, perhaps Michelangelo correctly assumed such detail would be lost to those looking up from so far below the ceiling.  Really?  He didn't seem to think God's bare ass would be missed, but no one would notice the lack of a sphincter?  That was the first thing I focussed on.  God has no sphincter.

Perhaps the Christian Church of the day considered it in poor taste to show such detail?  Showing God's bare ass was okay, though?  Hmmm... and yet, it seems, no such concern for propriety seems to have prevented such small detail as little cherub "winkies" making it onto the ceiling, as did Adam's own little embarrassment.  I mean, really?  If Adam was created in God's image, does God also have a small "winkie" or was Michelangelo simply painting from the reality he saw in hand daily?  Oh, and the bottoms of God's feet seem to be browner than the rest of him.  Dirty?  God's feet get dirty?  Did the artist forget to stock enough pink paint?  And, why is God depicted as an old white guy?  Why is he old?  Does God age?  Will God really die someday?  From old age?  Such questions occupy the minds of almost no one, except those who look closer and, of course, the perpetually offended atheists.  I look closer because I have a different view of God.  Atheists are just offended, perpetually.

We forget that God describes Himself simply as "I Am" and nothing else.  We know that man was created in God's own image, or do we?  Was man created in the image God had in his mind, His physical image, His composition of energy or DNA, or something else entirely?  We don't know.  To describe God is not to describe the true God and, yet, we try to describe God constantly.

Perhaps we put too much stock in what we think we know about God and Satan, about creation and death.  People tend not to look close enough at what they see, nor be critical enough about what they hear.  Was scripture written for the understanding of the uneducated people of the day, or for those better-educated people of the future?  And, if you think about it, why is salvation so hard achieve if God handed down such clear commandments?  There are only ten of them to consider; it's not like it's rocket science.  It's not like the commandments require a lot of explanation.  Do or do not.  Pretty simple to understand, even for the modern human.  Yet, we insist on making it so much more difficult than it has to be.  Why?  And this question of "why" is the question that should occupy our thoughts before all others.  "Why" will show us the way to the what, when, and how of things.

But, is the question really important?  If you look closely, "why" will tell us much, but "why" simply is, and it will be until it isn't and, yet it always is.  History bears out that "all roads lead to Rome" unless you force a detour.  Why?  Any evil begets more evil as any good begets more good.  Any free-thought begets more free-thought and any socialism begets more socialism.  Yet, we've seen that too much of something can force a detour if it isn't tempered by good sense and moderation beforehand.

But, you have to look closely.

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.