Questioning Lies, Energy, Fantasy, Words, and Respect

 

“I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me.”

-- S.E. Hinton

Why do people say you can't lie to yourself?

Because, beneath the surface, you know the truth. The only way you can lie to yourself is if you have Alzheimer's, or a very short memory.

How is it that people who are dull, as opposed to appearing dull, are almost always aligned with evil when acting for others?

Is there some study, bearing this out, that you’d like to reference?

Author's comment:  When acting for others you need empathy or love or sense which requires the ability to help another, which needs creativity.

My reply:  I take it, there is no study. Ah!  So, "dull" people, by in large, can’t act selflessly.

Author's reply:  So you can't use your choice. 

My reply:  You always have a choice, but you've grouped “dull” people into an “evil” slot. Being dull does not make you, necessarily, evil.  Boring, maybe, but not, necessarily, evil.

Author's reply: Read the question to start with before commenting, please.

My reply: The question is the issue. You put the group of “dull” people in an “evil” box.

Note to my readers:  Unless this gets more intelligent, I'm done. 

What are some of the weaknesses in decision-making?

The lack of factual information or knowledge in the hands of someone capable of utilizing it. There is nothing worse than bad information in the hands of a manager. The other side of the coin is having factual information or knowledge in the hands of an idiot without a clue.

How much do you worry about what others think on a daily basis?

Not much. I worry enough about what I think than what other idiots think. 

Is it common for people to regularly shoplift small things? Act like they “didn’t see” something under their purse in their cart, not scan something right in self-checkout, and put cheaper prices stickers on things…is this kind of theft common?

Stealing is stealing. Is it common? Only for thieves. I get to the car with an onion I forgot to pay for, so I go back in and pay for it. The checker looks at me like I’m a nut. No, just honest. If everyone steals, the price of goods in the market goes up.  I can't afford thieves.  More people need to understand this.

“The thief, as will become apparent, was a special type of thief. This thief was an artist of theft. Other thieves merely stole everything that was not nailed down, but this thief stole the nails as well.”

-- Terry Pratchett

Why does everyone seem to want to get away from me these days?

I’d look at two obvious possibilities: How have you changed, and/or how have others changed.

What do you think about having an obligation of cutting back on your pollution even though in the grand scheme of things your actions as a single individual won't make any difference?

If we cut back on our pollution, we put it on the backs of countries like China and India, who don’t really care. So, our pollution moves to the other side of the world and still happens. What have we accomplished? Nothing. We get rid of fossil fuels and coal reigns supreme as the electric companies gobble coal up to burn for more electricity. Electric cars? What do we do with the very expensive batteries that we can’t recycle? Going “green” is a great idea. We should probably think it through before we kill the planet, and ourselves, with our “good” intentions.

What is someone called who thinks that you don't have a mind of your own, or thinks that your way of thinking or judgments are influenced by others, rather than knowing that you have the capability to make your own judgments and think for yourself?

Ignorant. 

Can someone be jealous of your success without intending to harm you?

Certainly. They can ask me to mentor them on how to be successful. Why would they seek to harm me when success is a simple choice they have to make for their life? 

Why do some people find certain types of humor offensive?

Ask the League of the Perpetually Offended. All humor isn’t for everybody, it is an art, and, as such, it is in the “ear” of the beholder. Instead of being offended, if you don’t find their humor funny, simply choose not to listen to the comedian. Personally, for fear of losing humor, along with other freedoms, to the League, I’d try to develop a deep and more diverse sense of humor.  

"The line between humor and bad taste is your audience, in which some people will find everything offensive, and some people will find nothing offensive, but the truth is that most humor originates in what would be called bad taste."

-- Robert Mankoff

Imagine for once that you are jealous of someone. What will you likely do?

Ask them how they attained what I’m jealous of them for.

Why do many people believe in the existence of impossible things?

Do you mean, like, the paranormal? Cryptics, UAPs, ghosts, and the like? The “impossible” is usually found to be possible. Kind of like flight, telecommunications, computers, truth, political ethics, and other such that people said were impossible. Someone thought they were real and proved themselves right. Okay, we’re still working on political ethics.

Is it okay to get that weird feeling of being "high" or overwhelmed for no good reason? Why is it so difficult to get rid of negative symptoms?

You need to learn to embrace the fact that there is “no good reason” for the weird feeling. 

How do cowards in a group become so dangerous?

If the group has to divide their attention in order to coddle the cowards, they might something else at risk, like lives.

How do you prevent your mind from being misinformed?

Don’t believe one source. Gather all opinions and seek the truth.

“The point of modern propaganda isn't only to misinform or push an agenda. It is to exhaust your critical thinking, to annihilate truth.”

-- Garry Kasparov

I believe in the power of words. Have you ever said something negative about yourself and it came to affect you later in a negative way?

Yes, and, luckily, I connected the dots, recognized the impact of what I said, and remedied my issue. My mouth always gets me into trouble. As a good friend of mine always accuses me, I have no filter.

Could you follow the Fast Facts profile on [this site]?

I have enough trouble side-stepping the perpetually offended on [this site].

How do you feel when people say "you're so lucky, you have no work today"? Do you agree with them? Why or why not?

When I was working it had little to do with luck. I worked hard to attain employment and stay employed. Sustainable employment has little to do with luck as much as it has to do with one’s perseverance toward a goal.

 When in your life were you in awe of someone’s strength?

“Special Olympics - Weight Lifting” competition. Their strength left me in awe about as much as their heart-felt propensity to support their opponents.

How are problems known, understood, and solved by asking questions?

For one thing, without questions, we would never know, understand, or solve the problem. We have to ask questions to see if there is a problem. We have to ask questions in order to understand what the problem is. Then, we have to ask questions to arrive at a solution to the problem. Without asking questions we’re more like a pig looking at a wristwatch - no clue.

“Once you learn to question, you will start to learn.”

-- Abhijit Naskar

From your point of view, what is the real definition of success?

To be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances.

What are some tips for describing yourself on your resume without coming across as arrogant or bragging?

Bullet points. Arrogance and bragging are all about how you approach yourself. What they want to know, tell them, and bullet points are the least emotional and egotistical way.

What's the best thing you've done for yourself?

After two solid careers, and a 25-year failed marriage? Retired. Early!

Does doing degenerating activities (e.g. junk food, playing video games) ruin a person’s ability to enjoy finer things in life?

Only if you let it. Balance in life can save you from mediocrity. There must be balance.

What are some things you can do to become an important and respected person in society?

Accomplish something society needs badly, and be always humble through the process and beyond.

“God, help me to tell the truth to the strong and to avoid telling lies to get the weak's applause. If you give me success, do not take away my humility. If you give me humility, do not take away my dignity. God, help me to see the other side of the medal. Don't let me blame others of treason just because they don't think they like me. 

God, teach me to love people as I love myself and to judge me as I judge others. Please, don't let me be proud if I succeed, or fall in despair if I fall. Remind me that failure is the experience that precedes triumph. Teach me that forgiving is the most important in the strong and that revenge is the most primitive sign in the weak. If you take away my success, let me keep my strength to succeed from failure. If I fail people, give me courage to apologize and if people fail me, give me courage to forgive them. 

God, if I forget you, please do not forget me.”

-- Mahatma Gandhi

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