Questioning What We Think

 

"When Jane Goodall first witnessed Gombe chimpanzee David Greybeard fishing for termites by manipulating blades of grass in 1960, the line between humans and other animals suddenly became blurry. Tool use was no longer uniquely human, leading Dr. Louis Leakey, Jane’s mentor, to famously say, “Now we must redefine tool, redefine man, or accept chimpanzees as human.”

We know that chimpanzees are our closest cousins in the animal kingdom, sharing 98.6% of our DNA. Chimpanzees are also known to exhibit remarkably human-like behaviors, such as grieving over the loss of a loved one, generating strategies to thrive in social groups, and even learning sign language."

-- RENUKA SURUJNARAIN

Note to my readers:  When we question what we think, we also question why we think.  Dolphins, elephants, chimpanzees, and other animals have evidenced a realization of self.  These animals communicate with each other and can learn to communicate with humans.  Elephants will stop at a place where one of their herd died years before, circle around, and have a moment of silence.  Remembrance of the dead? Realization of life, death, and even God?  "I think, therefore, I am," and once you have a realization of self, how far of a leap is it to a realization of an afterlife, or of God?  Just a thought.

"Only when one attains the pure vision and knowledge of the Self, can one see God..."

-- Ambalal Patel

Is it true that thinking too much can be bad for my income and well-being?

It depends on what you’re thinking about.

Have you ever spoken on what you think you or someone else deserves or doesn't deserve? What made you qualified to enter such judgments on yourself or others?

I am eminently qualified to pass such judgment on myself. I don’t accept credit for what I don’t do, and I work for what I’ve always received. The only people I have said deserve something are those I know for a fact have worked hard to get it. Each of us should ask what we think we deserve, and then back up our answer with facts of why we think we deserve it. Have we worked hard for it, or do we think we should just deserve it for doing nothing?

What does it mean to be generous?

To give of one’s self, selflessly.

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

-- John Bunyan

Can I do it? Please just answer.

You can do just about anything you put your mind to. 

Why aren't there many people over 80 who are over 2 meters tall?

There aren’t many people under 80 that are two meters, or 6.5 feet tall.

What is your opinion in the statement, "For every action, there is always a corresponding effect"?

I like how it’s stated in Newton’s “Third Law” better: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."

“A man is worked upon by what he works on. He may carve out his circumstances, but his circumstances will carve him out as well.”

-- Frederick Douglass

Why does your God hate the following proverb: 'Genius Minds think & decide best together'?

First of all, I don’t really know what “my" God hates, I haven’t talked to him about that. Second, I think a “genius mind” would be better served working with someone who is smart and able to think “out of the box,” when making any decision.

Why would a guy stare at you while you are not watching and you see him staring in a reflection?

He’s gay and likes older men? My jeans are way too tight? My fly is down, he doesn’t know how to tell me, or he finds it humorous. Is he smiling?

If being good is doing the right thing and nobody is looking and being bad is doing the bad thing when nobody is looking then the answer is to never be seen in general, we do not exist in any other instance?

You exist to uphold a personal moral set of ethical values that should prohibit you from ever doing anything bad whether people are looking or not. Just because people might be looking, or not, is not an excuse to do bad things or not. What you do defines who you are. Strive to be good always!

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full."

-- Matthew 6:5

How much truth do you need to obtain wisdom?

If your wisdom is built on false information, then your wisdom will also be faulty. Truth should be the foundation for everything.

What does self-discovery mean to you?

Every morning when I get up, I go into the bathroom and stan in front of the mirror. I raise one arm. My eyebrow arches. I raise the other arm, and my eyes go wide open as I exclaim, "That's me!" Bourbon will have this effect on a person. Every morning is another chance to discover yourself.

Reader comment:  Surely you are jesting. But it gave me spontaneous chuckle>

My reply:  Do you drink bourbon? Yes, jesting, but anytime I can make someone smile I have fulfilled another moment of happiness. At 67, if I discover anymore about my "self" I’d be surprised.

Can you please cite the situation that proves the relevance and worth of this quote, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love"?

Saint Teresa of Calcutta. If you want a situation with relevance, look at her entire life in Calcutta.  I mean, she isn't a saint for no reason.

Note to my readers:  People are generally lazy, and this question is evidence of it.  Fact:  They are able to type.  Fact:  They know the quote in question.  Fact:  They have the internet to look this up.  Fact:  I knew who said it because I read it.  Fact:  I do read.  Fact:  I will not do all the research for lazy people.  Fact:  More people need to learn how to read.  Fact:  Yes, I'm being an ass, but... really?  Just saying.

“To challenge myself to great things is to patiently and persistently expend myself in enduring all of the little things that make up every great thing.”

-- Craig D. Lounsbrough

I've had it, I hate my life and everything about it. I don't wanna be here anymore. If you've seen my previous questions and answers, you'll know why, instantly. How can I just die and be done without people caring?

People tend to give as much as they get. What they get from you is that you don’t care, so why should they? They will probably care when you’re gone, and not because you took the easy way out instead of working through it. They will probably care because you’ll have to come back here and repeat the lessons you’ve been presented in this life that you did not finish. This will cycle will continue until realization takes hold, your “Aha!” moment, and you begin to learn thse lessons. They will care that you have to go through this.

I don’t need to know what your issues are, they are your issues. They aren’t new. Others have had to deal with them in the past or are dealing with them now. Whether you know it or not, how these issues are handled is as important to you as the issues themselves.

Know that you are important to the whole - everyone is. Know that ending this life will not end the drama. I’m reminded of a cartoon where a cat is on the 14th-floor ledge of a building, contemplating suicide. A dog is in the next window, watching, smiling, and says to the cat, “I don’t think you’ve really thought this through.” The point being, the cat has to jump 8 more times, as cats have 9 lives. Do you really want to keep ending up on that ledge?  

Better you should work through these issues, learn the lessons, and try to get rid of the hate. Hate will eat you alive and accomplishes nothing else. Life is all about making the right choices, and the first right choice you must make for yourself is to be happy always. Every morning when you wake up is another gift. Make use of it to work through life, to excel in being who you truly want to be. You were put here for a purpose, so go find what the purpose is and walk that path as if you own it, which you do, it is your path. Whether anyone else cares, it is more important that you do. What other people care about is of little consequence for you. Care about yourself and, remember, strive to be happy always.

What is the psychological explanation for misrepresented common understanding?

A “hidden agenda.” Politicians suffer from this malady constantly. Misrepresenting a “common understanding” harms not only their constituents but the citizens as a whole. Of course, this is of little concern to those with hidden agendas. It has more to do with greed. 

When does the phrase “my home is your home” become regrettable?

When you find out the person is a pig and takes advantage of your good-natured selflessness.

“I do not have respect for you who takes advantage of the soul that is kind and giving, for it is you who takes such liberties that becomes the ultimate fool.”

-- C.C. Franklin

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.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com