Questioning Help, Humor, Change, Faith, and Morality

 

“You should calculate things by the relationship they have with your interest.”

-- Donatien Alphonse François

If you can help someone and you don't have to, and you didn't, does that make your action of not doing it unethical?

Other than making you a cruel selfish bastard, "morally unethical" would probably cover it.

Should one consider everything he/she is told whether in a regular discussion or an argument?

Or, you can discount everything. On the other hand, you can accept everything told to you. Personally, I’d rather consider everything in a discussion or argument. It keeps people on their toes.

Does tolerance work both ways?

It’s supposed to, but the League of the Perpetually Offended makes this difficult.

Why the heck do people ask the dumbest question on this site (e.g., what do I do with my 500 children)?

Some of us aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed. I can make an assumption that “learning” might be a reason they are here. It takes all of us to make a world, so it behooves us to help each other along.

How do I shift to my desired reality as soon as possible?

Your reality is what it is, so it should be easier knowing that all you have to do is make the decision to shift your desire.

“Reality shifts occur when we are in a dreamy state of energized awareness in which we are clear about what we prefer”

-- Cynthia Sue Larson

What help do you want to receive to ensure that you make the best decision with the best consequences?

A good personal code of moral ethics. The “best” decision isn’t always the right decision, but the “right” decision has the benefit of being right. Maybe having a “conscience” helps ensure the best consequences. If I can live with my decisions, my happiness is still intact.

What achievement is worth 1,000 likes?

The attainment of true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. The “1000 likes” becomes inconsequential to the achievement attained. 

Does self-love mean you should always put yourself first?

You should always try to put yourself first. If you don’t take care of yourself how do you expect to be able to sustain taking care of others? If you’re the only one taking care of the sick, and you become sick, who will take care of you and the sick? Airline safety briefings say it best: Put your oxygen mask on first before assisting the passenger next to you.

Why is everything funny?

Never take life too seriously.

Has anybody accused you of being mean, arrogant, ignorant, or stupid for your own dislikes/disagreements?

Absolutely! The League of the Perpetually Offended accuse me of this all the time, then they turn off “comments” so I can’t defend myself. Though, I find it humorous that, during their, very often, vulgar tirades, they never accuse me of being a coward.  I find, when answering questions, turning off the "comments" feature is counterproductive.  But, then, I'm not perpetually offended.

“Don't waste your time trying to provide people with proof of deceit, in order to keep their love, win their love or salvage their respect for you. The truth is this: If they care they will go out of their way to learn the truth. If they don't then they really don't value you as a human being. The moment you have to sell people on who you are is the moment you let yourself believe that every good thing you have ever done or accomplished was invisible to the world. And, it is not!”

-- Shannon L. Alder

Why do people suddenly change their outlook on things? What driving force changes their different perspective?

Facts, truth, the threat of bodily harm, or a sizable bribe. If you have a good personal moral code of ethics, however, facts and the truth will win the day… unless you’re a dull tool.

How do you deal with not knowing everything and others knowing things better than you?

I try to learn. This is all anybody can do. If you don’t try to learn, what is the point of life?

How did you find any meaning in your life?

Contemplating suicide when you’ve lost everything, including your children, to someone who never loved you, is a real mind-opener. You find meaning or you die. No grey area here. 

How do wise people make decisions?

Wisely.

If our perception is flawed, does that mean "reality" is too?

No. Reality is fine. It’s your perception of reality that’s flawed. If your perception is flawed, reality can seem to be a fantasy to you, while everyone else still perceives reality. It is a terrible thing to lose one’s mind... unless the woman you think you're with has great legs. 

“There are no wrong people—only the wrong expression and the wrong perception.”

-- Debasish Mridha

Do you think people of other faiths are more or less spiritual than you? Why?

Different, not necessarily less. Faith is simply a belief in something for which there is little or no proof.

What is something you believed about success that turned out to be false?

I thought success was attaining a goal. Attaining a goal was simply completing a task I set for myself. Real “success” in life is making the conscious choice to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. This is sustainable happiness and true “success” in life. How can you be truly happy when you attain your goal if you aren’t truly happy while working toward it? How can you be truly happy later if you don’t recognize true happiness now? Better to choose to be truly happy before you choose anything else.

What is something you can never seem to finish in YOUR life?

A relationship.

Do you think that meaning in life comes from what we do, or from something else?

What we do brings us meaning. What others do can also bring us meaning. This is life, and life constantly brings us meaning.

Is there always more than one perspective to see things?

Absolutely. What we see is “reality,” but how we perceive reality, what we see, hear, or feel, depends on our personal experience. Everyone can experience the same reality but perceive it differently due to that very same experience, or lack of it. 

“It is not a person or situation that affects your life; it is the meaning you give to that person or situation, which influences your emotions and actions. Your choice is to change the meaning you gave it or to change your response, in order to create the outcome you want.”

-- Shannon L. Alder

How do I stay motivated when things get tough?

Perseverance in the face of adversity. I learned the true meaning of “perseverance” when I joined the military.

What's common among successful people?

Hah! I got this one! Success! Right? 

Do happiness and contentment mean the same thing to everyone?

No. It would serve everyone well to look up the definitions, but, even then, the “meaning” they glean from it would still depend on their personal experience.

How do I die with dignity?

Don’t whine about it.

"How" do you think about complicated moral issues?

Morality deals with ethics, and ethics is about doing the right thing. It is never complicated when choosing right over wrong. Having said this, Donatien Alphonse François offers us food for thought:

“I was created by Nature with the keenest appetites and the strongest of passions and was put on this earth with the sole purpose of placating both by surrendering to them. They are components of my created self and are no more than mechanical parts necessary to the functioning of Nature’s basic purposes. Or if you prefer, they are incidental effects essential to her designs for me and conform entirely to her laws.”

-- Donatien Alphonse François

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. 

I fervently 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