Questioning Taboos, Prayer, Risk, Beliefs, and Novels

 

"He understood very little about this strange situation, and to act in a situation one does not understand is to invite the most terrible consequences."

-- Stephen King

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Note to my readers:  Recently, I was verbally assauted with a page of insults, which I didn't bother to read, by yet another member of the League of the Perpetually Offended, for an answer I was asked to give.  It tickles me thinking I am the bane of their existence, the focus of their anxiety.  Some people truly need to get a life instead of wasting time writing a page of bullshit that their target won't even bother to read.  

To date, my answers have been viewed by 1,551,628 people on the site, and I can count on one hand the number of people who live thier life to give me shit.  But these individuals are short lived, as I pay them no mind. They quickly lose interest unless you nibble at their poorly concieved bait.

I recommend they actually answer some of the questions with cogent and helpful answers, instead of simply badmouthing those who do.  I know, it takes a disciplined mind to come up with answers that might actually help.  Being a self-admitted hypocrite, I fall prey to being a smart ass most of the time, but at least I'm trying to help.     

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Why is it taboo to love yourself? Is it me or is it everyone else who has problems?

The “taboo” might mean “satisfying” oneself with one’s sock puppet. I never gave much thought to the “taboos” in life. As long as it didn’t hurt anyone.  If it felt good, you should do it, maybe. I could be wrong. But, then… I could be right.  What do I know?

What will happen to people who don't believe in Judgment Day?

Oops!

How does being president change a person?

Well, we currently see that a President can reverse himself on a lifetime of whatever he said. So, it would seem “hypocrisy” is the impetus for change.

What do you think is the worst type of pride?

For better or worse, pride is what it is. Better to be humble in all things.

How can someone who doesn't believe in sin be saved?

I think what you’re asking is if people who don’t acknowledge sin as evil can be saved. No. The first step to salvation is admission to the wrong, the evil, that has been done, and then to be forgiven for it if you are truly contrite.

"Unbelief is criminal because it is a moral act, an act of the whole nature. Belief or unbelief is a test of a man's whole spiritual condition because it is the whole being, affections, will, conscience, as well as the understanding, which are concerned in it."

-- Alexander MacLaren

In what ways can we make the world more predictable?

Oh, and wouldn’t that be boring?

Why do religious people pray more often than atheists?

Well, atheists are going to pray to who? The entire point of being an atheist is not believing in a deity. That isn’t to say they don’t wish a heck of a lot. But, like theists, bringing the wish to fruition is totally in their hands. The theist is simply after moral support as they work toward it.

What makes you quickly contradict someone?

When they are factually and incontrovertibly wrong.

Can a person be contradictory and still be honest?

Yes, but it really helps if they’re not. People simply like to know where they’re coming from. It is hard to gauge honesty if you’re being contradictory.

How can we increase our understanding and decrease our ignorance?

Learn.

“Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.”

-- Plato

When an atheist claims there isn’t enough evidence for me to believe in God, is that a subjective claim they are making, or is it absolute truth?

Is there enough “evidence” for them to believe there is no God? Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Neither side has any proof, much less absolute truth. Therefore, atheists and theists both have faith that they are right. The difference is that atheists demand proof of God, whereas theists could really care less what atheists want. The entire point of theists' “belief” is rooted in their faith, not in proof that neither side can produce. Whether atheists believe in God, or not, matters very little to theists. There is no proof, either way.

What motivates people to take action and risk their safety for something they believe in?

Courage.

Why is it wrong to "do your own research"?

It is? News to me. As you’ve evidenced, it is never wrong to ask, “Why?” And, it is incumbent on us to do our own research to ensure some ass isn’t leading us by the nose to what they want us to believe instead of what is factual.

Is social obligation the same thing as morality?

It depends on society. Rome’s society fell due to its lack of “obligatory” morality.

What thoughts or beliefs contribute to your anxiety?

Any of the writings of Donatien Alphonse François. A man before his time. He has the ability to make people nervous, restless, or tense with a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom. Heat rate increases and breathing becomes rapid. You can sweat, tremble, feel weak, and have trouble concentrating or thinking about anything but what he writes. He can make you have trouble sleeping and experience an urge to avoid anything that might trigger further anxiety. Or, you can just enjoy the moment, which is probably best.

“After all, what is happiness? Love, they tell me. But love doesn't bring and never has brought happiness. On the contrary, it's a constant state of anxiety, a battlefield; it's sleepless nights, asking ourselves all the time if we're doing the right thing. Real love is composed of ecstasy and agony.”

-- Paulo Coelho

How do we deal with bad people who always give us bad advice?

Stop listening to them.

Should the government enforce religious beliefs?

Only if we’re willing to give up all of our freedoms. Government control will take that enforcement and extend it to other beliefs, and into education. Pretty soon our school children will be undergoing indoctrination from socialist teacher’s unions and learning nothing of substance. Oh, I’m sorry, this is already happening. My bad.

Is there value in striving for perfection if we will never achieve it?

Of course. The value is in achieving excellence.

Why do you have low standards and find plain people attractive?

No, I like to think I have high standards and find plain people attractive. Beauty, more times than not, is in the eye of the beholder. I like to swim in the deep end of the pool, so I find more beauty than what the exterior of a person presents. Those that traverse the shallows have the lower standards, in my view.

Is it possible to be ignorant without realizing it?

That would be the entire point of ignorance, wouldn’t it?

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

-- Martin Luther King Jr.

Can holding on to certain beliefs be harmful?

Absolutely! Adolf Hitler, for example. He held onto beliefs and massacred millions of innocent people. Being the consummate coward, he committed suicide in lieu of being tried for war crimes.

What separates good novels from bad ones?

Good writing skills.

How can one think and behave like a wealthy person?

It is easy to act shallow and thoughtless, acting like you’re all that, but where do you get the money to throw around?

What is the aim of philosophy?

Wisdom, and the ability to wax.

Will the military always be political?

Try this: 

“And can history produce an instance of a rebellion so honourably conducted? I say nothing of it’s motives. They were founded in ignorance, not wickedness. God forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion. The people can not be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. We have had 13 states independant 11 years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country before ever existed a century and half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.”

-- Thomas Jefferson

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