Questioning Perfection, Blame, Morals, Credit, and Altruism

“Are you Muslim? I do not care! Are you Christian I do not care! Are you a Buddhist or a Jew? I don't care! Are you a good person, what I want to hear, what I want to see in you, that's what I'm looking for in you!”

-- Mehmet Murat ildan

What are some ways to encourage people to do good deeds?

Throw them a bone. The "good" get positive reinforcement, and the "bad" get negative reinforcement. Good “dogs” find encouragement. Bad “dogs” are spanked. However, beware of those "dogs" who enjoy being spanked.

How can you show how philosophical your thinking is?

“Why?”

Is there anything more perfect than human beings?

Just about anything. But, understand that nothing is “perfect.” It can be “excellent” but not perfect. I am hesitant to call mankind “excellent” when we indoctrinate children, rewrite history, not teach basic subjects, and we celebrate open borders, homelessness, criminal activity, and drug smuggling. How is this excellent, much less perfect? People are thick as bricks as evidenced by their voting record.

What is the most effective method to find out if I am a great human being?

Research “morally ethical behavior“ and see how you measure up. The “measure” of a great human being is a reflection of their behavior.

How can we utilize your free time?

How can you rewrite a question to ask something so different? To the point: “How can a person utilize their free time?” Your question about my free time is simply silly since you have no control over it. Leave the original questions as they are asked, and stop being stupid.

“I Gained My Wisdom, Answering Stupid Questions.”

-- P.S. Jagadeesh Kumar

Is everyone world-class at something?

No. Someone else is striving to be better if they aren’t already. The minute you think you’re the best, someone else is also vying for the accolade. 

How do I overcome excessive laziness?

Get up. 

Is it ever okay to blame someone else for your own problems?

They are your problems caused by the choices or decisions you made, consciously or not. So, why would it be okay to shift blame, for what you ultimately caused, by action or inaction, onto someone else?

What is the best open-ended question ever?

“Why?” Although, the question you asked is pretty damned good.

Do you think that morality is subjective without God?

Without God, society would still have to rule “right or wrong” for morality to exist. Objectivity is not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts, whereas subjectivity is. With or without God, in order to have a society that moves forward, our sense of morality would have to be objective. It would, like now, require a council to rule on what is right and wrong for society when the individual is incapable.  They would have to rule on what has and has not worked in the past.  They would have to rely on facts as they are understood, not their personal opinions.  According to atheists, this is a no-brainer, and as a theist, I would have to agree.

"Nothing can be more real, or concern us more, than our own sentiments of pleasure and uneasiness; and if these be favourable to virtue, and unfavourable to vice, no more can be requisite to the regulation of our conduct and behavior."

-- David Hume

Can you provide a definition for "morally wrong"? Why is cheating considered to be immoral? Can you provide some examples of things that are considered to be moral vs. things that are considered to be immoral?

In a civilized society, “morally wrong” is doing that which is bad or wrong. “Morally right” is doing that which is good or right. I could provide examples, but the explanation simply saves time. “Cheating” is self-defining as wrong, just as morally “wrong” is self-defining as wrong. This isn’t rocket science.

Stealing, cheating, lying, murder, rape, etc., are all wrong, whereas the opposite of this bad activity is all right.

Is it possible to be a moral relativist and still have strong morals?

I think this would depend on if you’re a strong moral relativist, as opposed to a weak one, relatively speaking.

Is it better to have a good or bad destiny?

That would depend on if you have learned to make good choices and decisions for your life. Otherwise, your “destiny” will reflect the crap of your questionable choices and decisions. What we make of our life is totally dependent on what we do, our choices, and our decisions for our life.

Isn’t it correct that now humans are intelligent that they will always evolve into something more?

Their “intelligence” evolved, so it stands to reason evolution will take them forward into something more. For one to assume less would seem to evidence retarded evolution.

Why should I believe advice from people that never been in the same situation as me? Why are they talking like the world rotated based on their thought?

Did you ask for advice from those that have been in similar situations? Probably not, so I wouldn’t put much credence in what they have to say. Maybe asking for advice from those that have been down the same road, might be more prudent.   If you did this, then they are just flapping their lips.

“Never miss a good chance to shut up.”

-- Will Rogers

Are people who help others always acting purely out of altruism?

Not always. Some are looking down the road when they might need something. Altruism is selfless, and selfless means you expect nothing for doing the right thing.

Does the intent of an action always matter morally, or are there some exceptions?

The intent of action should be morally justifiable, or it is seen as immoral in the intent. Even a morally justifiable action can go south and become immoral in the outcome. We worried about this in the intelligence field all the time. We always try to mitigate any fallout that might be construed as immoral, like the death of innocents. We don’t always succeed. Thus, PTSD.

Is cheating ever morally justifiable?

No. Even two wrongs are frowned upon by thinking they make it right.

Why am I so unlucky with people? I have never had anyone love me genuinely, parents, friends, siblings, and even intimate relationships. I'm 31.

So, you’re lousy at picking friends and even worse at picking “intimacy” for yourself? I have friends who love me “genuinely,” and, even though I can’t fathom parents not genuinely loving a child, I can’t help but think they must feel something. You are 31. Just about the time I had my second child by a woman who admitted she never loved me. We finally divorced after 25 years of hell.

The bright side, for me, was all the people who came out of the woodwork to declare their confusion that we lasted that long. I worked with 300 women, so dating was not an issue, and all of them thought she was wrong.

My point, if there is one, is that my second life started around about 47. Sounds old, but I have lived another life for the last 22 years. A truly happy life. You have to make a choice. You have to choose to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Don’t expect anything from people, they are the first to disappoint you. Expect more from yourself. Live life and have fun. Be happy always and let your happiness be infectious. Love will find you, like a fly to poop. Bad analogy. If it doesn’t find you right away, have “intimate” relations and screw your brains out. At least you’ll be living life. 

Should I accuse a boyfriend of rape if he breaks up with me?

Here’s a good rule of thumb: Did he rape you? If he did, why are you still with him? If he didn’t, the defense attorneys will rake you over the lying coals. We call this “karma.”

"Congratulations, yet again, on making unfounded accusations based solely on your own insecurities."

-- Unknown

Is taking credit after doing a favor good or bad?

If one is looking for “credit” for a favor they did, it wasn’t a selfless favor. It was selfish from the get-go. Do good for the sake of good. You will be happier for the effort.

What is it that I need to manifest in my life right now?

That would totally depend on what you “need” in your life. Only you can answer that. There are plenty of things I’d like to have, but nothing I can think of that I really need. I am truly happy as I approach 70 years of life. I’m not sure many people my age can say that. If I were to give you some advice, I’d advise you to choose to strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances, or what you “think” you need. Just be truly happy!

What do you think causes people to worry?

Bad choices and decisions, on their part or on the part of other people.

How should society accommodate different views on morality?

As long as the rule of law is not broken, “live and let live” is always a good philosophy. Otherwise, you are pushing your personal values on others. Never a good thing to do. 

How do non-religious people view prayer?

Spiritually.

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”

-- Soren Kierkegaard

 

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