Questioning Bad, Poor, Beliefs, Worth, and Smarts

 

"Man may have discovered fire, but women discovered how to play with it."

-- Unknown

 

Is it bad to empathize with bad people or outsiders?

As a pastor, I empathize with bad people all the time. I understand why they think “bad” is a solution. I also advise them that being bad is not the “long-term” solution to their issues.

Having served 22 years in the military, I felt like an outsider many times, so I also empathize with these folks. But, it is incumbent upon the outsider to meet new people and weave themselves into the fabric of their new environment. It is also a great gesture for everyone to welcome them, as we were all outsiders at one point.

What could make people accept something that was once widely frowned upon?

Money. Lots and lots, and lots, of money. I have faith in the human condition, that we’re nothing if we aren’t mercenary. Almost everyone has a price, and how sad is that?

What is the difference between being smart and being a quick thinker?

A “quick thinker” is not, necessarily a “smart” thinker. Being smart would mean taking some time to weigh all the variables in order to make the best “sound” judgment or choice based on knowledge or experience. A “quick thinker” is someone who “thinks on their feet,” they think on the move in order to make a quick judgment in short order. It may be “quick” but it is not necessarily “sound,” as they haven’t taken the time to do any due diligence concerning their decision or choice.

One thing I always wondered is why some people get passive-aggressive when you ask a question in a normal, respectful way. Do people get angry because they think the said question is stupid, or do they hate ignorance? Or is it something else?

Members of the League of the Perpetually Offended.

What can I say or do I say anything?

Concerning what? Some context would be a welcomed addition to the question. But, taken as it is, if you don’t know what to say, don’t do anything. Better to just leave it alone until you can make an educated decision as to what you should say.

“Always ask yourself: "What will happen if I say nothing?”

-- Kamand Kojouri

How does tourism affect poor people?

If they’re smart, they’ll find a way to make some money and climb out of poverty.

How can I stop remembering someone who's passed away?

How important you were to people in life is judged by the number of people who have fond memories of you and have them often. To dwell on their passing is not healthy, but to remember them is a blessing, not a curse.

How can I pick your brain without it being rude or forward?

Take your hand off my zipper.

What is the problem with asking for things?

They are soon seen as “needy” by others. Do they give things to others who ask for them, or are they selfish, as well as needy?

What does the quote “If silence were a river, your tongue would be the boat.” from “Without Merit” by Colleen Hoover mean? I randomly found this quote on the internet.

A boat never stops moving, so I’d assume they are a chatterbox and, probably, with no filter.

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with shades of deeper meaning.”

-- Maya Angelou

What does it mean when someone says “we have an understanding”?

“One of us doesn’t really like it, but we understand this is better than the alternative.”

Why are some Christians more into blasphemy and more of an atheist than the Muslims?

It is the belief of “peaceful” Islam, that it is not the responsibility of the people to deal with blasphemers. This is between the blasphemer and Allah.

Christians are born pure, become lost, and are handed a poor map in the guise of scripture. I never saw one, but in the Muslim world, rumor has it that all maps were oriented, not north, but toward Mecca. One would assume this was done so no one would get lost on their path.

What are the benefits of comparing yourself to others?

Boosting your ego is my guess. 

Which aspect of the U.S. is the worst?

Occasionally, we vote into office a President who absolutely sucks. This would be on the voter or the validity of the voting process. Which aspect would be the worst? Either the voters suck or the process is compromised. To my way of thinking, and God knows I’m usually in left field, if the voters didn’t suck so badly, we’d know if the process was compromised. There would be no way for someone to hide the obvious. 

How did people get their wisdom before books were invented?

The same way they get it now, by living life.

“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”

-- Albert Einstein

What would you do to protect your family?

I’ve bought mass weaponry and trained them how to utilize it.

How do you gain self-worth when you have little to none?

Easily. You have “little to none” so there is plenty of room to gain a butt-load of self-worth. You don’t have to gain it and misplace it among all the other crap. You can start by being valuable to yourself. Without you, there would be, well, no you. Do you have friends? More value. A job? More value. Family? A load of value. It would be an eye-opener for those people who commit suicide to see the number of people the act affects. Maybe they’d make a less selfish choice.

What are some ways students show they are unhappy?

Recent history shows that weapons and schools are involved. Not a good mix.

What does it mean when a person looks down and away from you?

They are either intimidated by you or guilty of something concerning you. It means you need to confront them and find out which it is. The first is pretty easy, while the other is full of “Uh…” and silence, neither of which is an answer.

What are great examples of big talk?

Watch any lead-up to a heavyweight title fight. Historically, Ali was the king of “talking smack” before a fight.

“It sounded to him like the noise of too many mouths that talk and too few minds that think.”

-- Lisa Unger

Who were the smartest people in the world in 300 B.C.?

Probably still the Greeks. The Moors were up and coming, but not until 700ish.

Is it appropriate for a boss to ask what you are wearing?

The appropriate answer is, no. However, as a man, if my boss was a woman, she can ask me anything that suits her fancy and I will tell her whatever she want to hear Yes, I am that cheap and easy. I have broad shoulders, I’ll own it.

How smart was Aristotle for his time period?

Smart enough to be remembered 1700 years later for his contribution to philosophy.

Is it wise to fake it until you make it?

No, it’s much wiser to let everyone know you are learning as much as you can so you’ll be ready and knowledgeable for when you make it.

What do you do if you think you are under surveillance?

This is why they make “bug out” bags. It gives me about three days' worth of essentials to help me get lost off the grid.

“The problem with the so-called bloody surveillance state is that it's hard work trying to track someone’s movements using CCTV – especially if they’re on foot. Part of the problem is that the cameras all belong to different people for different reasons. Westminster Council has a network for traffic violations, the Oxford Street Trading Association has a huge network aimed at shop-lifters and pickpockets, individual shops have their own systems, as do pubs, clubs, and buses. When you walk around London it is important to remember that Big Brother may be watching you, or he could be having a piss, or reading the paper or helping redirect traffic around a car accident or maybe he’s just forgotten to turn the bloody thing on.”

-- Ben Aaronovitch

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