A Question of Righteousness?

 

Is self-reliance all you’ve ever known? How might this get in the way of asking for help when you need it?

I was taught “self-reliance” by people who knew the value of asking for help… when needed. As a manager in the military, I constantly came across those who had always depended on what they defined as “self-reliance” to get through life. Almost all of them would tell you their definition was a crap-shoot, a gamble. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, we try not to gamble in the military and, if we do, we try to mitigate the gamble with the best information we can get.

Self-reliance comes from self-confidence, and self-confidence comes from learning lessons, how not to fail. and if you do fail, how to critique your failure so it becomes a future success.

I was taught to ask for help when I needed it and it was available. I passed this lesson on to all those I have had the immense pleasure to train. If help wasn’t available, you do the best you can with the training and information at hand. You hope for the best outcome, but you always plan for the worst.

Why do you agree or disagree with the famous Sun Tzu saying of “Keeping your friends close and your enemies even closer’’?

You always want to keep your enemies closer. Your friends won’t hurt you, not on purpose, but it’s always smart to keep a close eye on what your enemies are up to. They, by definition, never have your best interests in mind. It goes back to the Trojan War, “Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes,” translated, “I fear the Danaans [Greeks], even those bearing gifts," or, more commonly stated, "Beware Greeks bearing gifts."  Let's face it, if the Trojans had kept the Greeks close, they might have known they were capable of building a giant horse… and been ready for the “gift.”

In Abrahamic faiths, what makes them right, and what makes others wrong?

Faith of the believers. But, even this isn’t the right answer. What makes them right to civilization, in general, is how they conduct themselves. Are they peaceful, tolerant, and understanding of the other philosophies, or do they condemn anyone who disagrees with their belief?

I have real issues with the radical, heretical, terrorist factions of organized religions, most recently of Islam. Islam is an Abrahamic religion, and there are still peaceful followers, yet this is not the “peaceful” Islam I remember growing up with. Christianity and Judaism have their own faults, as well. So, even the other Abrahamic religions also have their issues with peaceful “righteousness,” and this is the reason I have issues with organized religion.

Organized religions include more than the three Abrahamic, and all organized “religions” have leaders, and the faithful tend to blindly follow them, mostly ignorant of whatever hidden agenda the religion chases or how heretical the leaders are. We donate much of our wealth to them and, still, the poor are poor, the hungry are hungry, and the naked go unclothed. What happened to all of the money to raise these poor out of their circumstances?

None of these "religions" is more right than any of the others. To quote the Christian Holy Scripture:

“As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 

-- Romans 3:10–18

All over the world, is it a good thing or bad thing that philosophy is not taught in our schools?

Like most knowledge, philosophy is only as good and the instructor teaching it and the conversation and/or debate that follows. Philosophy, for the little bad floating around, generally makes the world work. Philosophy is what we base our laws and government on. It had driven science, medicine, economics, faith, peace, love, and I hesitate to include… war.

Perhaps, the entire reason our world is going to hell in a handbasket is that we don’t teach philosophy, especially the philosophies of peace, happiness, and love, as much as we should.

What do you call a person who doesn't believe in the good in others but believes many to be selfish?

Judgmentally negative or Negatively judgmental, or just an ass.

What does it mean when someone says “if you want to be with me”?

Stand by for the list of changes you’ll have to make. The bigger question for you is, are they really worth all the trouble? Basically, the way you are isn’t good enough for them. Better to go find someone who likes you the way you are than to change for a relationship that already has issues.

“This is the internal tragedy of love. If love is successful, if our love is returned and develops into a relationship, the person we are with must turn out to be other than we imagined them to be. Love craves closeness, and closeness always brings us face to face with something other than we expected.”

-- John Armstrong

Why do people hate famous people who only became famous because of their parents?

Hey, you use what you have and they have famous parents. Whether they remain famous or are more than a flash in the pan, is now dependent on their own talent. Others might get your foot in the door, then you have to carry your own weight.

Am I cunning if I can get away with saying anything with no real consequences?

Yes, as long as you’re okay knowing that you’re a lying ass with no moral ethics. The consequences are with you knowing what you are.

Someone said I have a small heart, what does this mean? I don’t feel like I do but maybe they are right.

Do you care selflessly for other people, and not just those around you? Do you treat other people as you’d want to be treated? Or, do you tend to turn your back, walk away, or ask what’s in it for you? Something to think about.

"You can't be a Gig person with a Small heart"

-- T.D. Jakes

Is it sometimes good to confuse them in order to convince them, and in what circumstances?

No, it’s so much better to convince them. In this way your argument is solid and you don’t have to worry about one of them getting a clue down the road and confronting you about tricking them.

Do you care about the poor?

As long as the poor care about themselves. I don’t like people who suck from the public teat because they can, and then have mass children and make them believe it’s the right thing to do, as well. It’s basically legalized stealing from those who can’t stop you. I’m sure it makes one proud, in some twisted way. The truly poor, however? Yes, I do care about them.

Is there any difference between superiority complex and arrogance?

Not as far as I’m concerned. Both need to be taken down a peg or two. I abhor violence but, a good punch in the nose, or a pant down spanking, comes to mind.

“Simply minding one's own business is more offensive than being intrusive. Without ever saying a word one can make a person feel less-than.”

-- Criss Jami

Why is it so difficult for me to be selfless and how can I improve? I always find a way to blame others, and although I believe I'm right, I know that it is hurting the people around me and I want to stop.

Then, do yourself a favor and earn some respect at the same time. Tell the people around you what you’ve just admitted to us. Tell them you want to stop, and ask them to help you. Tell them you’re being honest with them because you want them to be honest with you, when they think you’re doing it. You need to put yourself out there if you really want to change.  If you really care about them, let's see how much they care about you.

What should I say to my sister who is always selfless and generous?

Thank you. 

What are the importance of professionalism and ethical conduct?

If you want to keep a job, it’s very important. Ethical conduct defines the kind of person you are, as does professionalism. Professionalism goes beyond doing your job to the best of your ability. It also requires you to dress and act professionally for those around you. You can be like everyone else, because that is the norm that is expected, or you can stand out and raise the bar a tad, and you can do it without being kissass because it’s simply the professional thing to do. Raise the bar and dare those around you to rise up and come with.

“A person’s moral decision of what is right and wrong is not the sheer application of a mathematical principle. Many variables come into play when examining how to conduct a person’s life. A person experiences reality inside their head and we premise our personal version of reality upon the accumulation of knowledge. Decision-making entails the identification and application of personal knowledge in a just and virtuous manner. The only measure of personal integrity is whether a person derives their own judgment in a rational manner and then determinedly implements the moral judgment regardless of the possibility of encountering the derision and scorn of other people.”

-- Kilroy J. Oldster

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