Questions of God, Faith, and Weakness

“The argument against faith is all based upon the rigorous analysis of the scriptures, and not upon the objective observation of the actual individual sensation of faith. Historical experiences of the Kingdom of God gave rise to all the scriptures in the world, but the scriptures themselves don’t account for the actual globally prevalent psychological element of faith or divinity in the human mind. Faith is a natural evolutionary trait of the human mind, selected by Mother Nature as an internal coping-mechanism.”

-- Abhijit Naskar

Would a guy approach a woman who is attractive even if he is with his friends and having a meal? And he stopped eating a meal to staring and smiling at her. If she smiled back, would he approach her?

Yes and, probably, yes. Live life and seize the day. The worst that can happen is she ignores you and your friends get a chuckle. But, then, they didn’t have the wherewithal to do it, did they?

What qualifies as information?

Anything that you sense. Even the unmeaningful is still information, even if it is useless.

I was never attracted to my ex. Is that bad?

Yes. Why were you with him then? Using him? And if you never told him this while you were together, well, shame on you. My ex used me for 20 years because I was too much in love with her to realize it until she went out of her way to destroy my life and take everything that was dear to me. She didn’t tell me until our marriage was on the verge of going to court that she used me as an escape from her family. Luck me. Yes, it’s bad.

“The opposite of love is not hate; it is use. "Use" is the abuse of love; in fact, it betrays love. When we use another person, we place their needs below our own, but worse yet, we place their value and dignity below ours.”

-- Leah Darrow

By what standard are you judging God? (If you are)

Judge God? And, yet, we’re taught not to judge, not even the least of us. The League of the Perpetually Offended constantly tests me, though. My belief in a supreme power, however, is based on my faith in the existence of something greater than myself. Call it God, or Allah, or universal energy, I have faith that it exists and that what we do has an effect on all of us. The “ripples in the pond” analogy. Faith is simply a belief in something for which there is little or no proof, and my faith is unwavering.

Comment:  You’re taking the “judge not” sermon out of context. Atheists often do that because they just don’t know or don’t want to. And there are a lot of arguments for God’s existence and the reliability of the New Testament. And I can easily debunk Islam.

My response:  Actually, I wasn’t even thinking of the sermon. This is simply the way I was raised, though current politcs makes this increasingly difficult.  Sermon or not, I would strive to do what is right. But, thank you for your comment.

How do you use the word bewildered in a sentence?

I’m bewildered that you should ask this of me.

Author's reply:  I am bewildered that you accused ME of that!

(I "upvoted" her reply.) 

What is the fastest you wiped that smirk off your manager's face?

When the V.P. threw me under the bus in front of the CEO for something he told me to do. He thought it was humorous. When we got back to his office I had a serious chew on his ass and he never did it again. He took me out for martinis later, though.

“Smile wide to receive many smiles in return. But if you want a good laugh, smirk like a wicked, little imp, and watch the range of expressions you're flashed.”

-- Richelle E. Goodrich

Why do people keep confusing my strengths with weaknesses?

You might be confused about the definitions. Strengths to you, may not be strengths to them. Usually, in business, it's about what others can use that you do well. If you do a lot well but it doesn’t benefit the business, that's a weakness to them and, therefore, for you.

What’s something that you do on a daily basis that you don’t think any other person does?

Each morning, I knock wood to make certain I’m awake, and then I thank God for another glorious day in paradise and another chance to excel in life.

 What makes a man become distant between his significant other and 3 small babies within a very short time frame?

Infidelity?

“Cheating and lying aren't struggles, they're reasons to break up.”

-- Patti Callahan Henry

Why is America so ignorant to the principles that gave it freedom?

Cancel culture. No one teaches real history or civics anymore. If they teach them at all, it is a dicey version. We are spoonfed propaganda and expected to swallow it and say thank you. Welcome to the United Socialist States of America!

Where do I go to be spiritually free when everyone and everything I know is against me?

If you can’t be “spiritually free” in your mind, how do you think changing locations going to help? If you are truly spiritual, you are free wherever you are. Strive to be happy always!

How can I picnic by myself without feeling weird?

Yes! Nothing weird about it. Be sure to have a bottle of Merlot and a couple of glasses (just in case), and if you take a nap after the fried chicken feast you’ll have to bring a nice blanket to put down.

“I simply cannot see why one would wish to picnic in the nude. There would be ants in dreadful places.”

-- Cassandra Clare

What is a time you had to adjust to a new situation?

From 1972 to 1994. Every two or three years you would change bases in the military and have to move and probably change your duties, supervisors, and managers.

How do you feel right now? Really. No need to cover it up.

Happier than a pig in pooh. Everyone should strive to be happy always! 

Life is short. How would you waste it?

Why would you want to? This life is short. Make the most of it.

“The saddest thing is a person wasting their life, while the most amazing thing is a person on their way to greatness.”

-- Ari Gunzburg

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.