Questioning Right and Wrong

“Right is right even if no one is doing it; 

wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.”

-- Saint Augustine

 

Note to my readers:  6,294 people have viewed my answers in the past week.  I must be doing something right because only one of them copped an attitude with me over my answer to the question he asked me to answer.  It was okay, though, he proved to my other readers he was ignorant of history and incapable of forming a cogent arguement, so I didn't figure a response to his attitude was warranted, bless his little heart.

If I were to consider the possibility I might be wrong, where would I start?

Start with the hypothesis that you are wrong. Now, honestly present facts that prove this hypothesis. Compare that proof to the proof you think you have that you are right. Being a critical thinker, which hypothesis makes more sense, that you are wrong or that you are right?

Unless you have all the facts, you can never be 100% sure that you are right. You can only be as certain as the facts at hand. If someone presents a different set of facts, it is now incumbent upon you to check out these new “facts” before opening your pie hole and taking the risk of being proved wrong.

What are some worthwhile sacrifices you made?

I gave my ex-wife everything in the divorce, including custody of the kids, to prevent it from being any messier than she had already tried to make it. I just didn’t see the point of putting my kids through that grief. As it turned out, it was the best thing for me to do.

Why can't some people move on when they know they aren't wanted or loved back?

Disbelief, followed by denial. Certainly, I’m wanted? Certainly, I’m loved? I had a problem believing, after two kids and 20 years of marriage, that my wife wanted to leave me. Granted she had made my life 20 years of tedious hell, but, true to denial, I was willing to live with that, and all of my frustration and anger. She, however, was never willing to try, and I was too much in denial to see that.

It took about five years after the divorce for me to forgive her, forgive myself, and accept the apology she was never going to give me for helping to waste 20 years of my life. Hate will eat you up. Striving to be happy is so much more productive. It is what it is, and nothing is wasted. I will take what I’ve learned into my next life to make that one better.

“It happens to everyone as they grow up. You find out who you are and what you want, and then you realize that people you've known forever don't see things the way you do. So you keep the wonderful memories, but find yourself moving on.”

-- Nicholas Sparks

How many times do you say "I don't know" every day?

I don’t know.

A man I’m seeing hasn’t reached out to me in 10 days after having an awesome time in Vegas. He has now reached out. How long should I wait to answer him? I don’t think I should be so eager?

It sounds like your idea of a relationship differs from his. Reaching out to him is probably not the question you should be asking.

So, I sit next to my crush in math and he always makes an effort to talk to me. But I always ignore him, like not speak to him at all. So, now he doesn't speak to me as much. But I wish I had spoken to him because now I feel bad. What should I do?

The answer is so much shorter than the question.  Try being honest about your feelings and apologizing to him. The next step is his.

“The only person that deserves a special place in your life is someone that never made you feel like you were an option in theirs.”

-- Shannon L. Alder

Why do Americans like shooting each other so much?

Not all Americans like it, just the criminal element, and mostly among themselves. If they escalate the killing, the problem will take care of itself.

Reader comment:  This answer would be a bad look even if it didn’t immediately follow a bunch of innocent people being murdered in a grocery store.

My reply:  Yes, by a criminal.

(Note:  I wish people would actually read my answer.)

What are the best things to unlearn in life?

Hatred immediately comes to mind, but anything immoral or unethical would be best unlearned. Getting shed of this kind of drama will help people strive to be happy always.

Why is it hard to get out of each other's way?

Rudeness and, perhaps, a false feeling of entitlement. Although, why you would feel entitled to be in someone’s way would be just rude, so let’s just say being rude is the answer.

"If there is no way, create one."

-- Unknown

Do you think that it is important to live in truth?

It keeps the drama of lying out of your life, so… yes. People have a problem juggling the lies, and the truth usually wins out. Better to just live in truth and strive to be happy always. Less drama this way.

What do you call a group of irrelevant, immoral, and disrespectful people who fixate on bothering and controlling adults who don’t associate with them nor care about them at all, and are obsessed with controlling and talking about them?

My answer is completely political, so I will keep it close to the vest and give the League of the Perpetually Offended a break, for once. I’m just too damned tired to listen to their mindless drivel.

Could we decide when to die in the future?

After watching what my dad went through, I certainly hope so. He was a prisoner in his mind and body. The mind wouldn’t let him communicate and his body wouldn’t let him enjoy life. I knew he wouldn’t want to live and, thankfully, he let go. I think he understood.

“Dogs do not have many advantages over people, but one of them is extremely important: euthanasia is not forbidden by law in their case; animals have the right to a merciful death.”

-- Milan Kundera

I lied to my parents about my grades and they grounded me for 3 months. I've been grounded for about a month and it ends on June 4th. Was this reasonable on my parent's part?

As a grandparent, yes, it was. You need to at least learn that the only one you hurt here is you. Failure is the best way we learn, but if you don’t learn from the failure what’s the point? Parents want what best for their children and sometimes they can get frustrated, especially when the child lies or cheats. You lied to them and you cheated yourself. Honesty is much better, and asking for their help might be looked upon as growing up.

How can you bring a dying frog back to life?

If it’s not a poison frog, give it mouth to mouth and have a friend film it for Youtube?

What do you say when asked what you are up to?

About 5′ 9″ but, at 67 years of age, I think I’m shrinking.

"Good morning, Lord! What are you up to today? Can I be part of it? Thank you. Amen."

-- Norman Grubb

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 the 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 volunteered as a chaplain at the regional medical center.