Questioning Race, Knowledge, Atheism, Secrets, and Learning

“A lifetime of eating at the foot of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil had produced a vision of saints and sinners. My heart ached to embark on a journey of liberation and taste of the Tree of Life where saint and sinner are one in love. Every saint has a story, and all sinners have glorious pages yet to be written.”

-- R.J. Blizzard

What's worse: thinking a different race of people is inferior to your own but treating them well, or thinking a different race is equal but treating them badly?

Both are equally bad for obviously different reasons. I wouldn’t give you a pass for either of these.

How do you get someone to believe your point of view on an issue or topic?

You don’t. Whether they believe you or not is totally up to them. However, you can present your irrefutable evidence, and the facts, and if they aren’t swayed, a man with early onset Alzheimer's becomes the leader of the free world while the Speaker of the House tries her hand at operating a sockpuppet. This was evidence that, if you repeat bullshit long enough and loud enough, even freethinking people will believe it. We are that stupid.

How do you show respect to someone who is superior to you?

Salute. Hey! I’m pretty good at this!

How did humans figure out what to eat?

I’ll give it a shot in the dark, here. If it didn’t taste like animal feces, it probably had a chance. I say this knowing that some food really skirts the definition. If the contents of your stomach stayed where it was supposed to, you probably ate whatever it was again. I’m almost certain the nose came into play, somewhere along the line, as a “pre-taste” before it hit the second judge, the tongue. Personally, I'm really surprised we’ve gotten this far.

Why is it hard to be truthful?

If you’re always lying, it can be a tough fix. You become what you do.

“If knowing answers to life's questions is absolutely necessary to you, then forget the journey. You will never make it. For this is a journey of unknowables -- of unanswered questions, enigmas, incomprehensibles, and most of all, things unfair.”

-- Jeanne Guyon

What is it called when one person dominates a meeting?

Owner’s privilege.

How will religion destroy itself?

The perpetually offended will feed on themselves until the last person, because of some offense. This person will commit suicide because they are so offended that they were offended enough to kill everyone else. God will have to try again.

What exactly is knowledge?

Information.

Is it bad to be mean if it's for my own good?

It is in your best interest not to be mean. Sooner or later you’ll meet the person who will prove this to you. Thinking it is for your “own good” is simply making an excuse to be mean.

How and why do religions threaten people so often?

Organized religion is all about control, to some extent.

“If Jesus came back and saw what was being done in his name, he'd never stop throwing up.”

-- Woody Allen

What will humans look like in 1,000 years?

Have you seen the “greys” on UFOs? Probably us, in 1000 years.

Why does education encourage atheism? Is it a coincidence or freedom? Is education the source of freedom from superstition and lies?

The purpose of education is to teach, not to indoctrinate. Indoctrination is the purview of the socialist state, not a free-thinking society. Parents are currently revolting against socialist indoctrination in the United States school system where Critical Race Theory (racism) is being forced on their children. We have allowed socialism to infect our country, and it will be a long fight. Be careful what you vote for, as atheism isn't a stretch.

Is it normal for a psychologist to get mad at you?

No, and this would be a counterproductive therapy method, in my view.

Can atheists tolerate others believing in a god or gods as long as it causes no harm to others? Or do atheists think like evangelicals to persuade others to believe in no god/gods?

It is not my place to be offended by them. I expect the same in return. I expect it, but I don’t usually get it. The lack of mutual respect really doesn’t bother me, since this is what I’ve grown to expect.

I can wait.

Who said “Judy Judy Judy” in a movie?

Cary Grant.  Don't ask me what movie, though.  I'd have to look it up.

"Cary Grant was wonderful to work with on stage. He would move downstage, so that as he looked at me the audience had to look at me, too. He knew a lot about the theater and how to move around. He was very secure."

-- Fay Wray

Is keeping a secret a very good aspect of a human?

Yes, especially if keeping secrets is your profession.

Do atheists have a common misconception that all theists want to persuade them to believe in a god or gods?

I’m a theist and I really don’t give a rat’s ass what they believe. I simply wish they would return the favor. One group of us is going to be right, in the end, and will laugh, or not.

I'm not sure who I am. Once I decide who I am, I change. I used to be so loud and social, but now I'm the opposite. Is anyone else like this? Do you have a theory about why you change? I'm trying to figure out why my personality and identity keep changing so much.

We learn and we grow; we change. Nothing to worry about. Approaching 70 years of age, I still find myself changing, albeit not so much as I get older. I like the young ladies, now I like the old ladies. I still shoot a glance at the young ones, though.

I was loud and social, always trying to fit in. Then, I discovered myself and found a nitch. I fit in, so I changed and don’t try anymore. It is what it is until it isn’t, and then it is what it is again. You were you until you found you, now you are you again. Rejoice!

What are The least Important Things In Life?

Those things over which we have no control.

Does the pursuit of justice never have an end, a vicious cycle that perpetuates itself?

There will be no need for the pursuit of justice if there is no crime in society. Unfortunately, man is a greedy animal, and many have no self-control over their desire for more of anything. There will always be greed, there will always be emotion, and there will always be those who take it to the criminal level. It does perpetuate itself.

“In its pursuit of justice for a segment of society, in disregard of the consequences for society as a whole, what is called “social justice” might more accurately be called anti-social justice, since what consistently gets ignored or dismissed are precisely the costs to society.”

-- Thomas Sowell

Why is it so often presumed that criticism towards someone is based on jealousy (of wealth or power, etc.), rather than recognizing sometimes criticism is based on legitimate reasoning?

People follow the path of least resistance. Much easier to find fault than to reason through to the idea of a “legitimate” critique. Personally, I don’t give a shit what people presume, as they’re usually jealous.

Is it wrong to choose to be kind to who I want?

You should really be kind to everyone, but, who you choose to be kind to, is always your choice.

Are people the result of what we learn?

Yes, and we are always learning. Sometimes we learn that we are on the wrong path, so we change what we learn. But, the moment our brain sparks to life, we begin to learn our needs. When we are born, our senses kick in and the learning starts in earnest. We begin to desire and learn how to get what we want, not just what we need.

In order to finish something that was left incomplete, I am lacking the excitement to resolve it. What can I do?

Put it on a shelf, in plain sight, and walk away from it. The guilt I feel for not finishing it usually overcomes my lack of excitement and I force myself to resolve the situation.

Which psychological approach do you think is the best?

Gestalt psychology. I even appreciate the work in Gestalt “Therapy” by Fritz and Laura Perls.

“Man transcends himself only via his true nature, not through ambition and artificial goals.”

-- Frederick Salomon Perls

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, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western 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 the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony:  tolerantpastor@gmail.com