Questions of Selflessness, Ethics, and Influence

Does life have to have meaning to be lived?

You can live without meaning, but wouldn’t that be your meaning? The lack of meaning? You can live close up in your home, vegetating, but to what end? It really isn’t “living,” per see. Life without meaning is a choice, but life without meaning really isn’t living.

How important is ethics in our everyday life?

I consider it very important, but there are those who think ethics are bendable for a cause. Ethics are bendable, and this bending of personal ethics defines who these people are in society. I prefer to be defined by my ethics and not by how far I’m willing to bend them for society or personal gain. Some might judge me as closed-minded, because of this, but this is good evidence that they really don’t know me.

Why is being under 20 years old so bad?

Other than having issues in school, I thought being under 20 was pretty cool. But, it had plenty of competition when I joined the military. Life, then, became outstanding!

“Anybody can look at a pretty girl and see a pretty girl. An artist can look at a pretty girl and see the old woman she will become. A better artist can look at an old woman and see the pretty girl that she used to be. But a great artist-a master-and that is what Auguste Rodin was-can look at an old woman, protray her exactly as she is...and force the viewer to see the pretty girl she used to be...and more than that, he can make anyone with the sensitivity of an armadillo, or even you, see that this lovely young girl is still alive, not old and ugly at all, but simply prisoned inside her ruined body. He can make you feel the quiet, endless tragedy that there was never a girl born who ever grew older than eighteen in her heart...no matter what the merciless hours have done to her. Look at her, Ben. Growing old doesn't matter to you and me; we were never meant to be admired-but it does to them.”

-- Robert Heinlein

What book, song lyrics, poem, author, poet, philosopher, movie, teacher, parent, or other influence on you has made a profound impact in your life?

Leo Buscaglia. Look him up online and you’ll find numerous clips from his presentations about life.

Who you look to will determine how far you go in life. How true is this statement?

You can “go far in life” in many ways. Monetarily, or not, who you look to as a mentor will help to determine who you become as a person. I have come very far in life, and have looked to many others for wisdom. What I have learned from others has determined the way I think and seek. It has determined my unwavering spiritual faith and selflessness.

What can you say about this quote, "The less you open your heart to others, the more your heart suffers"?

You can’t truly love until you truly love. Love isn’t about expecting recompense for what you give, but about your selflessness in the process of giving, giving because it’s the right thing to do.

If you “open your heart to others” without the expectation of meaningless sex, you do so because love and caring for others demands it. But, more importantly, if you live your life always searching for love and happiness, you’ve missed the point that love and happiness are a choice, not something you can purchase or find. You have to make the conscious choice to stop being miserable and start living what you think you have to find, or you will die never being truly happy or loving.

“It is impossible to escape the impression that people commonly use false standards of measurement — that they seek power, success and wealth for themselves and admire them in others, and that they underestimate what is of true value in life.”

-- Sigmund Freud

Why do I see the world in a more altruistic way and don’t hold definitions like “kindness is weak”?

Because you are better than most? You sound like you are a selfless and caring person. “Why” you do what you do is so much less important than the fact you do it. Don’t be concerned with definitions or the League of the Perpetually Offended, just continue to do what you do. Do good, always. Be selfless, always. If someone thinks you’re weak for what you do, simply smile and thank them for their ignorant opinion of you, or tell them to go screw themselves. I’ve found both to be satisfying.

Have you ever thought, what's in it for me?

Whenever danger is involved. I’d really like to know what kind of “cookie” I’m risking my wellbeing for. More times than not, I ask this question of myself, just to make sure I’m okay with my choices.

Which individual is the most unique?

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. Nuff said.

“If you celebrate your differentness, the world will, too. It believes exactly what you tell it—through the words you use to describe yourself, the actions you take to care for yourself, and the choices you make to express yourself. Tell the world you are a one-of-a-kind creation who came here to experience wonder and spread joy. Expect to be accommodated.”

-- Victoria Moran

Is fame a common good?

No, and many have said that “fame” isn’t all as good as they thought it would be. Fame, like money, can’t necessarily equate to truly long-lasting happiness. I think those people who have fame thrust upon them have an easier time dealing with it. Because they didn’t expect the fame it is probably easier for them to let it go and return to being the person they were.  

What has been your day and perspective in life?

Strive to be happy always, because the alternative simply sucks.

Do some people have to accept that they will never become well-adjusted people? Or is becoming well adjusted open to everyone?

Whose definition of "well-adjusted" are we working with? I am so not “well adjusted” to many people. I balk at being indoctrinated by “education” centers. I go there to be educated, not to be told how well-adjusted, to their idea of the norm, I am. I question everything, even that which society would say doesn’t need to be questioned. I even question God, and my faith is stronger for it.

If you feel you “will never become a well-adjusted person” then, to my way of thinking, you are on the right track. All you are required to do in life is question everything and hold to a personal set of morally ethical values. What is left is someone else’s opinion of who you are or what you should do, all that is in your purview, not theirs.

“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”

-- J. Krishnamurti

What life questions would you have someone in their late 20s consider?

Should you go into personal or monetary debt and belong to someone or some company? Do you really know what love is, before you tell somebody you “love” them? Have you discovered how to be really happy always?

What service did your supermarket have for free that you did not realize until someone else told you about it?

COVID inoculations in the pharmacy.

What captivates your life? How can it be a solution to your country’s problem?

Patriotic selflessness. Stop the selfish partisan actions to try and take over the country and destroy our Constitution, our sovereign borders, our energy independence, our economy, and our children’s education.

“Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.”

-- Theodore Roosevelt

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