Questioning Masturbation... Twice (We might as well.)

 

"My parents spanked me as a child.  As a result, I now suffer from a psychological condition known as 'Respect for Others' syndrome."

-- Unknown

 

What is the most convincing way to tell someone that you have put up with more than enough and you are finished having them as a part of your life?

The only way to convince these folks is to hold to what you tell them. You’re done with them, you don’t wish them to be a part of your life. You don’t want them to contact you. You don’t want them around you. Now, it is up to you to erase them from your life. Do not acknowledge them in any way. They do not exist in your life. Convincing? The message will resonate with all around you, including the target.

How was the food cooked during the time of Jesus?

Over a fire, in an oven, in pots, with vegetables, meat, and seasoning. Pretty much the way we cook now, only not.

How can a person control himself or herself from being not happy?

Get rid of everything in your life that brings you misery. Debt, drama, bad relationships, bad jobs, and the like. Then, make the conscious choice to be happy always and in all things. Do not let drama and misery back into your life. You live in a paradise of your own making. Each morning, thank God for the gift of another day in paradise and another chance for you to excel in your life, then go out and make it so.

Why is America the only major country in the world that does not recognize natural immunity?

It’s a political thing.

What is your definition of success? Is it financial gain, or is it non-materialistic?

Everybody seems to think success is attaining some goal that will make them financially comfortable. That is simply attaining a comfort level. Success is when you are truly happy with your life. Rich or poor, working hard or not, to be able to strive to be happy always and in everything you do, this is true happiness.

What you do with your life is up to you. Your choices and decisions are the foundation of your destiny. Wake up every morning and thank God for the gift of another day in paradise and another chance to excel in this life. When you can do this, you are on your way to being happy always. It is your life, nobody else’s, so live your life to the fullest and let no one hold you back, disregard your happiness or visit unwanted drama upon your life.

“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;

Who has enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;

Who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

Who has never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it;

Who has left the world better than he found it,

Whether an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;

Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;

Whose life was an inspiration;

Whose memory a benediction.”

-- Bessie Anderson Stanley

How can I be a good impression on my local rescue squad?

Stop calling them?

Does anybody disregarding your own choices, opinions, and/or beliefs bother you?

They’re my choices, opinions, and beliefs. I could care less if anybody disregards them, they’re mine. The League of the Perpetually Offended (LPO) disregards me all the time. They seem to think I care, but I really don’t. Atheists, charter members of the LPO, try to disregard me, yet they feel the need to cuss me out and ridicule me. I’m not certain that is really disregarding me. They make themselves look small in the process, but, again, I don’t care how small they wish to look as long as they end up sounding like they support my views. I ignore them as much as possible.

Is Trump now the world's most validated loser? Even his own partisan recounts proved he was a loser. Has anyone before him been validated a loser this much?

Our country is now the most validated loser. Something for us to be so proud of.

Should we dump office tasks that nobody wants to do on the admin staff?

Let's go with that and see who still has a job, or, better yet, has someone else’s job. As a supervisor and manager, I look for this shit to help office efficiency. What you want to do is immaterial, what you are assigned to do is very material.

Which ones do you think are the best traits to have in a personality, and why?

Tolerant, understanding, responsible, good communicator, good listener, hard worker, even-handed, and kind.

“Everyone has a sense of humor. If you don't laugh at jokes, you probably laugh at opinions.”

-- Criss Jami

Who is the most meritorious hero in supporting your success?

My commanders, managers, supervisors, and trainers in the military were, to a person, the most supportive to me in achieving my goals.

Why do we follow traditions even when we don't know the reason behind them?

If I’m following a tradition but don’t know it’s a tradition, my ignorance is justified. If I find out I’m doing something that is a tradition, I ask what the tradition is. Shaking hands and the military salute are greeting traditions many don’t know the reason behind.

What is something people might often do out of respect for others although you personally feel it’s useless?

I can’t think of a thing. If I do it “often” it can’t be all that useless. And, if I’m doing it out of respect, the use is in the showing of respect. Again, not useless.

What are your opinions about bullies?

I try not to think about them. Ignore them and they’ll lose interest? They won’t. If they don’t lose interest get a few “dweeb” friends and beat the crap out of them when they accost someone. That’ll put them on notice that their behavior is inappropriate. Bullies don’t like to be bullied by their victims, it’s embarrassing. Two wrongs don’t make a right, but standing up for yourself isn’t wrong. I was bullied until I took a stand. It works. It’s physically painful, but it works… and makes them look like morons to everyone else.

Why do people make far too many promises that they have no interest in keeping?

They enjoy being known for not keeping promises. It also makes their word not worth anything. If they give you their word, give it back, it’s worthless.

“Words can be twisted into any shape. Promises can be made to lull the heart and seduce the soul. In the final analysis, words mean nothing. They are labels we give things in an effort to wrap our puny little brains around their underlying natures when ninety-nine percent of the time the totality of the reality is an entirely different beast. The wisest man is the silent one. Examine his actions. Judge him by them.”

-- Karen Marie Moning

Why am I able to feel love and compassion for a total stranger than a person whom I had known for quite some time?

Expectations. You probably expect the person you’ve known for some time to get over themselves, stop whining, and get back with the program. You don’t know strangers well enough to have the same expectations.

My rent has doubled. Where can I go?

Mississippi.

Which sport best serves as a microcosm for everyday life?

Football. You work with a team. You have a plan and a goal. You work hard. You get knocked down and get back up. You are supervised and managed. Your health is monitored. You get breaks. Plans change, but the goal stays the same. If you attain enough goals, you win. You rest up for the next day when you do it all over again. Down the road, you can either retire or try for management.

Why should you retire in Turkey?

Chicken shish, lahmacun, silivri yogurt, chai, and food, food, and more food. When I was stationed there in the late 1970s, the people in Adana loved Americans and I made many friends there.

What do I do if the manager called me stupid? In my late 30s, a Ph.D., but still so hurtful.

Tell the HR department. Tell him that stooping to name-calling is seriously immature and out of character for a professional manager. Grab him by the throat or, if you’re a woman, grab him by his package, put him up against a wall, and explain, in no uncertain terms, what will happen if he ever calls you “stupid” again. He’s an immature moron flexing his position of authority, and not very well. I’d kick him in the balls, hard enough that he loses lunch, but, then, I’m retired military. I don’t put up with idiots, anymore. 

“What was this power, this insidious threat, this invisible gun to her head that controlled her life . . . this terror of being called names? 

She had stayed a virgin so she wouldn't be called a tramp or a slut; had married so she wouldn't be called an old maid; faked orgasms so she wouldn't be called frigid; had children so she wouldn't be called barren; had not been a feminist because she didn't want to be called queer and a man hater; never nagged or raised her voice so she wouldn't be called a bitch . . . 

She had done all that and yet, still, this stranger had dragged her into the gutter with the names that men call women when they are angry.”

-- Fannie Flagg

I am 58 years old. Is there an age to stop masturbating?

Stop spanking the monkey? Oh, please, God! No!  The horror of it all.  Seriously, though, I understand there's an expiration date on it. Go past the date and it falls off.  Did I really use "seriously" to describe my answer?

I walked in on my son (15) masturbating, now he’s embarrassed to talk to me. What should I do?

Instead of "nipping it in the bud," you might explain the reality of it. He should feel like he can talk to you about anything. And, remind  him that doors have locks.  Humor helps.

I am not happy and satisfied with my married life because my husband is unable to satisfy my sexual needs. What should I do now?

What happened to the vows? The love and the partnership? Did you base your marriage on just sexual satisfaction? Not very smart. Have you discussed this with him? Asked him his thoughts? Probably a good idea before you pass around an STD you don’t know you picked up. Better to end the “marriage” now, before it gets worse. 

Why does my man sometimes look around during sex?

Force of habit. He’s making sure the husband isn’t coming in the door. Think about it.

Are we condemned to be moral?

I'm a pastor, and I fall off the moral bandwagon constantly, so, no.

“The books that the world calls immoral are books that show the world its own shame.”

-- Oscar Wilde

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