Questions of Guilt, Lies, Time Travel, and Sin

 

“Time is an illusion.”

-- Albert Einstein

Is there anything you would feel guilty about but not shameful or shameful but not guilty?

I would feel guilty about having an affair, but I don’t think I’d be ashamed of it.

Does the fulfillment of expectations make you happy?

Yes, but, then, I have made the choice to be truly happy always and in all things, so this "fulfillment" is just another day in paradise and is based on another chance to excel in life.

What is a politician’s greatest weakness?

Greed.

What started the affair that ended your marriage?

I’d have to ask her, but that’s not going to happen. She admitted, right before the divorce, that she never loved me through our 25-year journey through hell, and that she was just using me to escape her family and get half of my retirement. I thought loving her for all that time would bring her around. Yes, I was an idiot.

Does Adidas have a mascot?

I’m not sure how you would create a mascot that is uncomfortable and falls apart.

“I get naming your sports team gators, but ducks? Ducks are toothless, and they fight like pillows—all feathers and no punch - so what’s the point of them as your mascot, trying to make your opponent go to sleep on you?”

-- Jarod Kintz

You somehow time travel 400 years into the past. What's the first thing you do?

I’d crap my pants. Personal hygiene is not so much back then, women don’t shave their legs, birth control is called abstinence, and, I only have to worry about any of this if I show up in what they would call “civilization” back then. If not, I'm really screwed. This is such a bad idea.

What's something you personally experience that people don't understand?

The paranormal. I’m like a magnet for it.

Why are we more likely to accept lies if we think they might be true one day?

Never happens. I never accept lies based on future expectations. I accept lies for the lies they are. Even if they do come true in the future, they were still lies when they were originally floated. The liar doesn’t get a pass for floating the original lie.

This brings up the subject of faith.  Is a person's faith based on believing in a lie?  Well, faith is defined as "a belief in something for which there is little or no proof." If there is little or no proof that it is a truth or a lie, then it is incumbent upon you, especially when it comes to the possibility of everlasting life, to make a decision to have faith that it is true or not.

What do you need to start a religion?

A good premise people can philosophically buy into and rivet their attention for the long term.

If you meet your 18-year-old self and you’re only allowed to talk for 2 minutes, what do you say?

"Find Joy and ask her to marry you, you won’t regret it. Don’t ever drink “light” beer. Put all your money in Microsoft, Apple, Intel, and Bitcoin. And, stay in the military for 30 years, again, you won’t regret it."

"The bottom line is that time travel is allowed by the laws of physics."

-- Brian Greene

Does enjoying solitude too much create a greater risk of becoming a hermit?

I would think so. Especially if people aren’t your thing, to begin with. I enjoy my “me” time quite a lot, but not to the exclusion of everyone else. I also enjoy my social time. Having said all this, if I was the last person on earth, I’d have no problem going about my life.

Does God like it when you show some backbone and tell him to screw off?

No, but it does make more room at the inn.

Do you honestly believe in the original concept of marriage to one person for life, or do you have a new perspective on intimately personal relationships in general?

One person for life isn’t the original concept, it came much later. But, to your question, yes, I believe in the concept of one person for life. I missed it, this time. I hope to have better luck in the next life.

How do I tell my parents that I love a girl? I am 17 and a lesbian.

I wouldn’t worry about telling them you love a girl. Once you get through the “lesbian” issue, loving girls will become obvious.

How can one work humbly with God?

Being a humble person, myself, I think the only way you can work with God is with all humility.

“As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.”

-- C.S. Lewis

Is it wrong to say "I love you" during sex?

Not if you’re honest about it, but, then, it wouldn’t be called having sex. It would be called lovemaking. I hate having sex for the sake of sex. I would rather have feelings for the person I’m with, even if we aren’t a couple.

What should the world be eradicated of?

The League of the Perpetually Offended. Okay, I’m just being selfish.

Is it normal not to trust anyone in life?

It is what it is until it isn’t. Don’t trust anyone until you find out if you can trust them.

John: “You don’t trust me?”

Betty: “I don’t know you well enough to trust you.” 

What are the risk factors for cheating?

Sexually transmitted diseases, getting shot, getting the crap beat out of you, having your significant other go “Lorena Bobbit” on you, and, the ever-popular, pregnancy all come to mind.

Is it a sin for a man to disrespect and ignore women?

I consider it bad form to disrespect anyone who is respectful. As far as ignoring women, only if they are chewing me out for some trivial issue, otherwise I pay any woman due attention. As far as sin goes, I would consider disrespect without cause as walking a fine line. Everyone deserves respect until they don’t.

"Disrespectful guys are the worst. Even when you're not talking about a specific person, still learn how to treat a lady right."

-- Unknown

What should be the qualifications of an effective president of the country?

Competency, and the ability to not be seen as a doddering old fool by the rest of the world.

What are the key signs a girl actually wants you and not just flirting with you?

Grabbing your package and stating that she wants you, comes to mind. Run it up the flagpole and see who salutes. I like women that don’t beat around the bush. Tell me what you want and let's get to it.

I'm talking to someone and she seems really into me, but I'm not fully convinced that I like her. What do I do?

Keep talking until you figure it out.

Why did immigration increase in the late 1800s?

The Irish potato famine from 1845 to 1852, and then, from 1880 to 1924, 4 million Italians fled poverty and came looking for a new life.

Who is a failed person?

The one who quits trying. We tend to fail ourselves and, then, blame others for our misery.

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”

-- Robert F. Kennedy

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