Questioning Acceptance, Wisdom, Faith, and Hate

 

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

-- Socrates

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A note to my readers: This is the answer that, once again, just keeps on giving. I'm continuing to update the statistics for those who'd like to follow with me and we'll see where it levels off. 

The following was touted by the site I answer questions on as being "featured" in over 10,000 individual reader digests. The answer was posted on March 30, 2022, and, to date, has been viewed by over 223,400 people and upvoted 3,252 times, and counting. I assume because it was "featured" this is a big deal, whatever "featured" means. I will contine to share it for those who haven't read it:

Did you ever get a request for a favor from a neighbor who never showed any respect or interest in you or your family? What did you do? 

The guy next door. He asked if he could cut down a rotting tree the raccoons use. Wanted to bill me $2000 for a $500 job. I told him not to touch it. He cut it down anyway, when I wasn’t around, then billed me $2000. My legal team, lawyers from Louisiana and Mississippi, both advised me to tell him to go f*** himself. You have to love Southern lawyers. I cleaned the language up and sent him a form letter concerning trespass, ignorance, and the fact that he wouldn’t be getting any money out of me. (Last lines have been updated) We don't talk, not because I'm not willing, but because he seems to think he's all that. He flies a Marine Corps flag. So far, I'm not impressed.

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Is faith like a wish? What is an example?

No, “hope” is like a wish. Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof.

Did you laugh when George Floyd died?

No. Any death is tragic, but many deserve it for being stupid. Floyd was there for a cause, but he became the victim of a police officer not following procedures. The officer had a cruiser right there that he could have put him in, and his wrists were cuffed behind him. Why wasn’t Floyd put in the cruiser? I usually see where police get a raw deal, but even I had problems with this, as most people did. Did we have to burn down neighborhoods to push the point? No. We all agreed the cop was wrong.

Why do you think it is important to study the human movement?

We need to understand where we’ve been, or history, so we mitigate making the same mistakes again. Changing history, to meet some demented political agenda, is simply foolish and counterproductive for the future of humanity.

What is something you don't want to be known for?

Anything unethical. Immoral, not so much.

Why does no one accept me for who I am?

Why do you find this important? You are who you are. Whether people accept you or not is their problem, not yours. You are not here to be who other people want you to be as long as you are acting in a good, moral, and ethical fashion. This is what any proper society expects of you, and society is the only rule book you need to follow since you’ve chosen to live among us. Be the best of yourself. If you find something that you can use to polish your personality, that is totally up to you, not them.

“To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow - this is a human offering that can border on miraculous.”

-- Elizabeth Gilbert

What is God's real purpose?

If I knew that, I’d have talked to God. It certainly isn’t wrapped up in the trappings of human interpretation.

How exactly do certain experiences make us wiser?

You can learn from all experiences, even if you have the experience multiple times. Wisdom comes from learning from our failures, mistakes, and successes. It comes from trial and error. Wisdom, to the point of your question, comes from our experience and the experience of others.

What makes somebody better?

Their choice to be so.

Do you know someone that has had a bad experience using online sites? If yes, what do you think is the reason that had lead them toward that situation? What would be your advice to them to prevent such an experience?

I love this question and thank you for it. I have had such experiences, but I expected them. Any time you speak your mind you open yourself up to critique. I am all for that as long as the people critiquing me have had the courage to speak their own minds on the public forum. They usually have not. Gee, it makes one wonder why? Maybe opening themselves up to critique is not something they’re comfortable with.

I usually catch these experiences from the League of the Perpetually Offended, who offer nothing more than a lack of cogent commentary and cursing when they get called down, which happens sooner than not.

My advice to prevent such experiences is to stay off of site where you have to comment, or grow a steel set of balls and learn to ignore the rabble. They simply don’t want to have meaningful conversations. 

My boyfriend of 4 years said I’m not enough reason for him to move back even though he promised to before. Should I end it or wait for him?

If you’re not enough reason, then leave his disrespectful ass and go find someone more respectful that has the ability to comprehend you as enough reason.

“I’m not like others. I don’t drop hints. I need you, I tell you. I don’t play games. I’m done with you and you’ll know in so many words. I express how I feel. I let you know what I want. Don’t assume. I over emote but not underplay. I’m too much at times but never ‘not enough’.”

-- Nitya Prakash

What is something that you’ve always asked yourself but never got an answer to?

Why? “Because” just doesn’t do it for me.

How do you react to people who preach about holiness and righteousness but refuse to do them?

Hypocrisy at its finest, but they do know from whence they speak. If you want to know about divorce, talk to a divorcee. If you want to know about prison, talk to an inmate. I am a self-proclaimed hypocrite. Do as I say, not as I do. Approaching 70 years of age, I’ve been there and done all that. I may do it again, and again, but this will not save my immortal soul. I always say, there is a special place in hell for people like me, but I keep on trying to be good and righteous. I’m the first to admit, that it is hard work.

What is something that you wished you did as a child, and now are too scared/shy/embarrassed to do?

Run bare-assed naked around the neighborhood.

What emotions does your faith give you, and why?

Hope. Faith gives birth to hope. Faith is the belief in something, in hope, for which there is little or no proof. I have hope in mankind, that we will rise above our pettiness, the desire for invading our neighbors, and for war. I have hope for our future, for our Constitution, our way of government, and our way of life. I have hope for constant love, and for sustainable and true happiness for all who desire it. I have undying faith in hope.

I got a bit of a scolding last night and ended up crying whilst apologizing, but my mother doesn't believe that I am sorry and/or care. I'm not sure how to explain to her that I really do apologize?

Try sitting down with her this morning and explaining your heartfelt apology, again. It helps when the drama has abated.

“Apologizing does not always mean you're wrong and the other person is right. It just means you value your relationship more than your ego.”

-- Mark Matthews

Is it a learned behavior to believe in a religion, or is it human instinct?

Learned behavior. Being spiritual, however, might be an instinct shared by higher life forms.

How do I imagine I love her, or do I lust for her?

If you truly feel love for her, lust will be the last thing on your mind. I didn’t say it wouldn’t be there, though.

My boss fired me because he said I’m too creative, but I am a creative professional and a designer. What should I do?

If it’s “at-will” employment, not much. I’d go find another job where you’re appreciated for your talent. Become the “mistake” your boss made, and be sure he is aware you attained a goal. An ex-boss brooding is priceless.

What’s your “I’m getting sick of this shit” moment?

The moment I came to the realization that, in order to find any happiness in life, I had to get a divorce from the creature I married.

When is there no respect in a marriage?

When the marriage is in trouble.

"Every good relationship, especially marriage, is based on respect. if it's not based on respect, nothing that appears to be good will last very long."

-- Amy Grant

Has someone's advice changed the way you view life?

Yes! Leo Buscaglia. His films, books, and speaking engagements changed the way I viewed emotions, friendship, life, and love. 

Is it bad that I’m a lesbian with a girlfriend and I'm also in love with a boy?

Nothing bad about enjoying the best of both worlds, I suppose. The bad would be if you enjoy them at the same time without their mutual knowledge.

Are we just hardwired to hate each other?

If this were true, we’d all hate each other. But, we don’t.

How do I enjoy life if my only hobby is hurting other people?

So, your real hobby is enjoying the constant flow of bad karma from hurting other people, or your only hobby is, unfortunately, hurting other people? Either way, not a goal I would be proud of. As far as “enjoying” life, well, good luck with that. The bad karma will ensure you feel like you enjoy it, but you really won’t be, as evidenced by your question. Personally, if I were you, I change hobbies. Try selflessly helping people. Now, there’s a hobby you can sink your teeth into and work at.

Which is more valuable, truth or happiness?

Truth. It would be hard to be happy if you’re always trying to remember your lies.

"Happiness is spiritual, born of truth and love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it."

-- Mary Baker Eddy

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