Questioning Trolls, Life, Respect, Tricks, and Validity

 

"Faith is, by definition, a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Atheists and theists believe in two contrary outcomes. Neither of them has the proof to back up their claim, yet they go at each other as if they do. The outcome will make itself clear at the end. One will be right and the other will be wrong. I choose to pad my bet."

-- F.A. Villari

Why are humans eligible for punishment if they don't believe in Allah when all they do is what they have learned/got from the environment/genes (including their behavior, personality, decision-making, and knowledge)?

What we do here in life is, if nothing else, punishable by our own honesty when we cross over. We have no choice but to be totally honest with ourselves. Things you may have forgotten will rise up from that forgotten file in the dungeon of your mind.

However you want to define the omnipotent power in the universe, it is really all the same. Allah, God, the Great Spirit, etc., are all names for the same power. That power gave us everything we need to exist and learn on every plane of existence, and when we pass over, between lives, we also have to come face-to-face with everything we did wrong. It is a part of the learning process, and we have no choice, at that time, to ignore it and to own it.

Atheists and theists will find their truth when the final bell tolls. They will have no choice but to accept the truth, either way. Is “God” as defined by organized religion? Some would hope so. For myself, I see God as the omnipotent power in the universe. The energy that created everything, and holds everything together. A “being” to be worshipped? Maybe not, but certainly a power to be thankful for the life, the order, the chaos, the yin, and the yang, and so much more, that it gave to everything.

I am not a troll, I am an imaginary being, who is a comedian and entertainer, do you understand?

You have issues. Welcome to humanity.

Why do we call ourselves names? How does this behavior affect our self-image and how we look at others?

“HEY, YOU!” We all turn around to look and see if we know the person yelling. If we recognize them, they might be yelling at us, but we really don’t know unless they call us by a name we recognize or they look directly at us. 

A name is just a name unless you are named for a specific reason, then it carries more significance. I was named Frank Anthony, after a relative I never met.  I’ve never gone by Frank, and they shortened Anthony to Tony for whatever reason. Personally, I see “Frank” as something one eats at a ballpark, so I was happy they chose to call me Tony.

But, I also fall victim to “HEY, YOU!” and turn to see if someone is calling me. I am, after all, very popular, albeit deaf. You would think more people would know my name. Just saying.

I find it interesting that so many people turn when someone yells, "HEY, ASSHOLE!"

Author's comment:  I mean degrading names, such as “I'm such an idiot!” Or, “Wow, I'm a dork!”

My reply:  Ah! Context. I knew I was missing something you forgot. 

Is meeting expectation a need?

If your need is to keep your job, like your employer expects, yes. 

How can you win by being evil?

You will win at the cost of your eternal soul. Being evil is only a benefit until karma comes to collect your soul. Hell on earth is when you find yourself right back in this life because you didn't learn the lesson life set before you. Better you win by being good so you can move on.

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.”

-- Mahatma Gandhi

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Note to my readers:  I reposted the following question so you can read the author's comment. 

What did you lose when you were wrongly accused of something that you never did?

My 25 years of marriage. Word to the wise: One needs to be wary of the person who pitches the loudest fit.

Author's comment: He professes he has changed but it still feels like “lifeless intimacy". That's ALL you will get is “lifeless intimacy.” Love a rock instead. You'll get more out of it. At least you know what you'll be getting out of the rock, hardness, or you can go the other way and continue to try endless conversations that will go nowhere.  You will be hurting and will hurt more, be frustrated with no resolution in sight. Another night lost to the cold disregard. What do I get every evening on the porch and in the bedroom… talk talk talk talk talk. It could be about yarn and knitting? 

Where's the intimacy? It left out the window with the deception in his life somewhere right back where we were. That's how I see life with the narcissist you'll never get anywhere never grow you will do a 360 and end up right in the spot where you began with the same problems, and frustration. They will find another way to deceive you so they can, and will, give their love to somebody else again. Run! 

I'm in a constant state of disarray, never knowing which version of my husband is going to walk in the door at the end of the day. I never feel safe simply being me. One of the reasons why I am so confused, right now, is that I thought I had married the perfect man. He was everything I’d ever wanted in a man and, in the beginning, he presented himself as my biggest fan and supporter. He was charming, loving, passionate, and attentive to my every need, both emotional and physical. Until he wasn’t.

A side of him popped up every so often that threw me off balance, he started to cheat, he was so protective of his phone.  Yesterday I got in contact with a hacker here who helped cloned his phone and gave me access to his text messages and social media without touching his phone, I wanted to be sure if my suspicion was right or wrong.  I still can't believe what I saw today.  He's cheating with several women. I've made up my mind not to be with him anymore because this is the height of it all, I'm sure so many women are in a similar situation and you deserve to know if you're being cheated on.

My reply: I ended my marriage about 20 years ago. You sound like the female version of me. Glad you’re ending it before you waste the bulk of your life like I did.

What is the funny part of our life?

If you look at life the right way, all of it is humorous, because most of it that we think isn’t humorous is usually our own fault. I have found that laughing at my own stupidity, my mistakes, and failures, allows me to critique why I went wrong, correct it if possible, and move on down the road ready if the issue comes up again. It keeps me busy... and laughing. 

Are there any factors that cause someone to become out of touch with the world, its expectations, and its lifestyles?

A psychotic break.

Why do I, irrationally, agree with everything others say, even if I disagree with them? I feel like my mind is forcing me to agree with others. If I have a fact, I'm more likely to, automatically, disbelieve it, because someone just said otherwise.

Oh, you are so easy. Is being this “easy” okay with you? If not, then stop being so damned easy! The Jews walked into the “showers” at Aushwitz like lambs to the slaughter, even when they knew they were going to their death. Don’t be “easy” for anybody to convince. Question everything!  And, if you feel you are right, fight back.

I can't make decisions and people's words affect my decisions. What should I do?

I just answered a question very similar to this one. I think the answer still fits:

“Oh, you are so easy. Is being this “easy” okay with you? If not, then stop being so damned easy! The Jews walked into the “showers” at Aushwitz like lambs to the slaughter, even when they knew they were going to their death. Don’t be “easy” for anybody to convince. Question everything! And, if you feel you are right, fight back.”

“The psychological fact of suggestion is that if statements are made again and again in a confident manner, without argument or proof, then their hearers will tend to believe them quite independently of their soundness and of the presence or absence of evidence for their truth.”

-- Robert H. Thouless

What type of thinking is needed to analyze other people and how to be open and access others, of course when they want to?

Analyzing people is tantamount to judging them. I endeavored to stop analyzing when I retired from the intelligence field. The only way I found to try and explore someone is to put yourself in their shoes. You can make suppositions of what a rebel commander might do, but if you put yourself in their shoes, with their concerns, and their desire to win, the possibility of being right about them magnifies exponentially. Getting to know people is the best way to analyze them.

Being “open” is a choice you must make to let people see the real you and be accessible. If you’re accessible. other people might open themselves up and be accessible, as well.

Trying to stop analyzing, after 23 years, is a constant struggle. “Opening up” so people can see the "real" you is just as difficult for those in a field where you can’t discuss anything of substance except your belly lint.

Why can't parents respect us like we are supposed to respect them?

They get what they give, as do you. Better you should have this discussion with them, and let them know your concerns. 

What is a good way to become incredibly funny?

It is difficult to really become an artist. It is a natural gift if you can become a fantastic artist. If you have the “gift” you need to develop a fantastic “interactive” sense of humor. I think most comedians become funny because they are naturally funny, to begin with. They simply bring their humor to the forefront. If people think you already have a great sense of humor, you might be a natural. Robin Williams was incredibly funny.

How do I learn from the people I admire?

Watch what they do. Listen to what they say. Read what they write. Do all of this with a critical mind. We learn by using our senses to great effect.

Would it be fair to say that no matter what someone tries to do, if they live long enough they'll always be seen as a villain in someone else’s eyes?

Only if the person judging the “saint” is covering up for their own inadequacies. No one is perfect. Not even Jesus was perfect 24/7/365. But, there are those who make the least infraction, the least “molehill,” into a mountain of negativity. Again, usually to make themselves look so much better than they really are.

“Heroic ambition seemed to have been the cause of much of the world's pain then - quite like it is now. No villain ever saw himself a villain: he only saw himself a hero; and this goes just as no hero ever saw himself a hero: he simply did what he had to do. No true hero initially sets out with intentions of being deemed a hero.”

-- Criss Jami

Can questions truly be trick questions if we all have the ability to craft an intelligent answer?

They‘re still trick questions, you’ve just thought beyond the “trick” of it. Trick questions are there for the express purpose of seeing if you not only “have the ability to craft an intelligent answer,” but also come up with the correct answer. Just a note: If you come up with an “intelligent” answer that is wrong, you’re still wrong, so how intelligent was the answer? 

There is a person who says he doesn't swing in a fight. Does that mean he's weak?

It might mean they’re a pacifist that, if they wanted to, could snap your neck. A twig, falling from a great height, can do measurable damage if it hits properly.

Did you become a successful person by doing something you didn’t want to do? How did you motivate yourself to do it every time?

I became a successful person by doing something I didn’t know was good for me. I made the conscious choice to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. I motivate myself to do it always because, as with life, the alternative simply sucks. 

What can you do if you live with a relative who is always in competition and no matter what you do, they want to be on top even if they do sneaky stuff aiming towards you?

Don’t “compete” against them. Live your life, be as good as you can, and ignore them.

If you're heavily respected (famous) in a field, can you talk to anyone you'd like?

Only if they want to talk to me. If I wrongly think they will, simply because I’m famous, they should refuse the meeting until I came to them, hat in hand, asking for an appointment. Ego is a horrible thing that makes one think they’re all that they really aren’t. Humility is much more productive for interpersonal communication.

“So you want to be famous? You want to inspire large groups of people? You want to be recognized and appreciated by thousands or even millions? Stop trying to do it by speaking to the masses. Do it by speaking to individuals. If what you have is truly amazing and unique and worth sharing, individuals will share it. It is always about the individual, no matter how big you get. Remember that.”

-- Dan Pearce

How do I remove stupidity?

Unfortunately, the government is a necessary evil that people vote into power. Which “stupidity” do you wish to focus on?

How can I prove to my family that I can do anything that is impossible, like success in something that counts as impossible?

Success is simply choosing to be truly happy in life always and in all things. What you seek to do is attain a goal that people think is impossible. Just a thought to chew on: Being truly happy in life always and in all things is, pretty much seen as impossible for most people. Almost no one is truly happy always, even if they try.

What do people mean when they say "you are valid"?

They are judging you, and since you probably didn’t ask them to, you have the right to ignore the comment or inform them that their own validity is in serious question.

My mom and stepdad always say that people nowadays and “My Generation” are too soft and that it’s okay to hit or punch me. Why do they say this? Why do they think it’s okay to do this to me?

They want you to learn the lesson they are teaching. Personally, I would probably learn faster than you and hit and punch them back while advising them to stop before you totally lose control and can’t hold back. The downside of this is getting the crap kicked out of you by your mom and her new significant other who probably has no reason to hold back.

There’s an old adage: “Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight.” It really doesn’t mean using a knife or a gun, but it does mean being prepared to escalate the encounter if need be. But, so much more important than violence on top of violence, is being prepared to talk to them about what they’re doing, that it’s wrong, tantamount to child abuse, and that they can stop because you understand about not being soft, and really don’t want someone to get hurt if they continue down this road.

What is your best quote on seeking respect and admiration?

“Make improvements, not excuses. Seek respect, not attention.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

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