Questioning Evidence as Proof

 

“The religious man will constantly look for the proof of Heaven and Hell; while the atheist man will constantly look to disprove Heaven and Hell. And they go on like that, locked-head in battle, both battling for beliefs that really cannot be proven. Neither the existence nor the non-existence of Heaven and Hell can be proven. And soon they will all be dead. And nobody will know where they go to, except they themselves who die. And so the battle continues, as it always has. And why should I join either side? If there is a God Almighty, I should imagine Him not needing human beings made out of carbon to believe in Him. What use to God would our species be? If He loves us, then He will love us because He chooses to love us. Never because He needs us to believe in Him. It wouldn't make any difference whatsoever, to an Almighty God, if carbon species breathing oxygen believed in Him or not. If He wanted to love the species then He just would. Regardless of their own persuasions. And if there is not an Almighty God, then it would not matter if I joined such a battle, either. Either way, why would I join such a cursed downward spiral? The truth that we do know for sure, is that it is our responsibility and it is in our best interest, to live our lives in such a way that creates Heaven on Earth and puts Hell on Earth far away.”

-- C. JoyBell C.

Why won't people give up trying to ruin someone else’s life?

It is their goal. The more important question is why? What did the other person do that was so beyond the pale that working toward ruing their life is an appropriate penalty and worth the effort and the negative karma it will garner? This becomes a “no-win” scenario and revenge usually gets the lion’s portion of the negative karma.

Do you prefer fast or slow sex?

Slow, but building to a crescendo of epic proportions over the course of a few hours.

My five-year-old son told me he wants to wear just socks and underwear around the house but is shy as he is the only boy in the house and I have three daughters (5 and two teens). What should I do?

Explain to him that he can choose to do this when he can afford his own place. Until then, he has to respect the young lady's delicate sensibilities.

This is my life, so why can't I do euthanasia if I want to?

Guns, razor blades, and pills, oh my! It’s hard to believe, with the current administration, but you actually do live in a country with laws. There are states that allow “physician-assisted” euthanasia, for good cause. If you have a good cause, check them out. If not, well, suicide is rarely painless or lacking in stress. If your life really sucks, why would you want to kill yourself and be anchored here as a spirit for eternity? Better you should work through your issues.

Is it better to correct mistakes in life rather than learn from them & move forward?

If you can, then, absolutely. Never move on and leave your mistakes unattended. You learn from them by seeing why you went wrong and correcting the issues, if possible, before moving forward and screwing up, yet again.

“Analyze and correct your past mistakes before they paralyze your future! An undiscovered error will always crave for repetition.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬”

-- Israelmore Ayivor

When's a time you were unintentionally a hero?

Unfortunately, it’s probably still classified.

How did spending time with successful people change your mindset?

I worked for a woman with two medical degrees, and one in chemistry. She couldn’t read a blueprint, so the covered “walk-around” on her new building in western Washington, where it rains most of the year, barely kept you dry and certainly wasn’t in any way a walk-around. I became her “go-to” for reading plans and blueprints. It was confirmation to me that intelligence is no substitute for street smarts. I’ve known doctors who were constantly in credit trouble because they couldn’t balance a checkbook. We all deserve respect. Those that can, do. Those that can’t, teach. And, to each according to their ability.

How do you say sorry less often?

Stop creating reasons that cause you to apologize. Make better choices and decisions.

Am I a better person today than I was yesterday?

I don’t know. Are you? 

What proof do we have of Jesus?

Just stories, scripture, anecdotal evidence. Now, ask what proof do we have that he never existed? Because all we have are stories, scripture, anecdotal evidence. In the absence of evidence, there is always blind faith.  Faith, after all, is the belief in something for which there is little or no proof.

You don’t have to believe the stories or excuse the lack of evidence. All of this is as obvious as the message behind the curtain hiding 2000 years of hidden agendas, control, and criminal enterprise.

Pay attention to the spirit of the message. The distortion you hear are the naysayers trying to sway your faith, faith in a belief for which there is no solid proof.  And, there are the “carpetbaggers” trying to make an easy buck off of the faithful. Clergy who feel one private jet isn't enough, while the hungry are still hungry.  But, the message, real or not, is a good basis for living life. If you can separate the hidden agendas from the truth, the message has much good in it.

Whether you are a deist or not, the message is worth the read.  But, regardless, always try to do selfless good in the world around you. Listen to all messages of peace, love, and hope, and hold them close to your heart. Do not judge those peaceful folks who believe differently than you, even if they can't help but judge you.  Two wrongs don't make a right, so, be tolerant of others.

"Historical reconstruction is never absolutely certain, and in the case of Jesus, it is sometimes highly uncertain. Despite this, we have a good idea of the main lines of his ministry and his message. We know who he was, what he did, what he taught, and why he died. ..... the dominant view [among scholars] today seems to be that we can know pretty well what Jesus was out to accomplish, that we can know a lot about what he said, and that those two things make sense within the world of first-century Judaism."

-- E.P. Sanders, Oxford & Duke Universities

Why is it more satisfying and fun driving your own car than you bought instead of a gifted one or someone else's? Why is smoking someone else's cigarettes more satisfying than smoking your own? What's the name of this psychological phenomenon?

Pride in ownership, for the car. Cheap-ass selfish use of someone else, for the smokes. No idea what it’s called.

Why do little girls want to become hookers?

Have you seen the outfits? I’m almost a 70-year-old man and I want to become one. Oh-my-goodness! Yep, there it is. Now you’ve got this image of a 70-year-old man in a hot hooker outfit seared into your brain. Good luck not seeing that for a while. 

You know the saying “trust your gut” but has your gut ever been wrong in life decisions?

All the time. Better you should run choices and decisions through the brain once or twice, just to make sure the gut isn’t just upset. 

Should I listen to my gut feelings?

If you’re not gonna blow chunks, I’d recommend using your brain. The results tend to be better, especially since the brain handles the “gut feelings” you have, as well. 

How does a man know that no one knows something for certain?

“I am wiser than this man, for neither of us appears to know anything great and good; but he fancies he knows something, although he knows nothing; whereas I, as I do not know anything, so I do not fancy I do. In this trifling particular, then, I appear to be wiser than he, because I do not fancy I know what I do not know.”

-- Socrates

Socrates simplified his thought:

“The only thing I know is that I know nothing, and I am not quite sure that I know that.”

-- Socrates

Why does my girlfriend respond 14 hours later saying she was just sleeping, and how can I catch her cheating?

The fact that you ask this question makes me think your relationship sucks. I’d find someone you trust, so you can stop looking for trouble.

What types of happiness does money not buy? Which types of happiness does money buy?

True happiness cannot be bought. True happiness is a choice you make for your life, and you always strive for it. Transient happiness you can purchase, and it lasts as long as you are interested, and then it goes. It has little to do with the truly sustained happiness of life. Happiness for a moment doesn't have to be bought, but it is still not sustainable.  To make the choice to be happy always and in all things, is to stirve for true happiness.

What are some events that are a when and not an if?

It is what it is until it isn’t, applies here. Everything is a when, until it becomes an if. “When we get our meal…” but, the kitchen is on fire, so, “If we get our meal…” is now in play.

How do you stop getting really obsessed with the people you hate?

Stop hating people. Hate is counterproductive to happiness. If you stop hating you’ll probably stop becoming obsessed. Tada!

I looked at some immoral content I found after going searching for it, and now I really regret it. I feel like a monster. Is there any redeeming myself?

Be careful what you search for, you might find it. You made a mistake. You recognize you made the mistake. You feel bad about the mistake. This would be guilt. Learn from the mistake, and move on down the road. You are redeemed the minute you regretted doing it. 

"What is moral is what you feel good after, and what is immoral is what you feel bad after."

-- Ernest Hemingway 

Would you have sex in public?

What kind of money are we talking?

I really dislike a friend who is becoming overly concerned about me. What can I do?

Thank them for their concern and ask them to back the hell off. If they ask why… tell them.

What is the most important thing in a love relationship?

Not forgetting to be friends, first and foremost.

What do you do for fun, and are you into anything sexual?

Art, woodwork, writing, and of course.

Do we all repent for being alive?

Only if you’ve sinned. Okay, yes.

“There is none righteous, not even one.”

-- Romans 3:10

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