Questioning Courage, Quotes, Caring, Parenting, and God

“We respect new friends more than the ones we know because we have yet to learn their flaws.”

-- RJ Intindola

How common is it, for someone to get overexcited when they make a new friend?

It depends on how drop-dead gorgeous she is.

Who agrees when people say negative things about you you deserve it because once again it takes respect to get respect and not only that but if you're failing at life you deserve to be treated poorly?

You never deserve to be treated poorly unless you treat others poorly. You get what you give. I’ve never had negative things said about me unless it was from a woman’s husband. Then, I probably deserved it.

What light gives you the courage to combat darkness?

Faith. Darkness has no hold over me.

What constitutes a wrong decision?

When the decision you make doesn’t work out. It may be an ethical decision, but it can also be wrong. This is the time when standing by your personal ethics defines you to others. “It was a stupid move, but he stands by his ethics. Admirable.”

How can I leave to be a respectful person in life?

You don’t have to leave, just be respectful. You get back what you give.

“How would your life be different if… You stopped making negative judgmental assumptions about people you encounter? Let today be the day… You look for the good in everyone you meet and respect their journey.”

-- Steve Maraboli

Are some people vile and vindictive just because they are clever?

If they are, they need to take a deep look inside. Being vile and vindictive is evil, and not suitable for the soul. Better to be clever and not be evil while doing it. It evidences a good character and a good person.

How do you typically make new friends? Do you prefer to meet people through shared activities or social events?

I make friends all the time. It has to do with my humble and magnetic personality.

What is the meaning of the quote "A polite devil is more agreeable than a rude saint"? Does that mean we should be polite devils, in order to look good in the outer world?

A “saint” isn’t going to tell you what you want to hear, so they might seem rude. Someone that tells you what you want to hear, albeit wrong and detrimental, is not looking after your best interests. Take the rude saint, and count your blessings.

When should a child stop blaming his/her parent(s)? Why?

When they realize the parents are right, and when they realize they look like a dumbass for blaming the parents for their own shortcomings.

What's the meaning of, "your pride is the reason why you're broke"?

If your pride makes you feel the work is beneath you, but it is the only work available, not taking it will be the reason you are broke. Better to swallow your pride and take the work that’s available, so the family can eat. It is not only ethical, but people will respect your decision.

“A facility for quotation covers the absence of original thought.”

-- Dorothy Sayers

What happens in society daily?

Murder, assault, gang violence, theft, and District Attorneys proving they are liberal lackeys.

Why does anybody have any right to find life uninteresting or unrewarding who sees within the sphere of his own activity a wrong he can hope to remedy, or within himself an evil he can hope to overcome?

They have every right, to blame themselves. They made the choices and decisions that steers their life. If they find fault in their life, they should remedy the issue. It is their life, after all. Only they can live their life, repair it, or damn it, with any sustainability.

How can I tell if my daughter is a lesbian?

In this day and age? Ask her. 

Is it normal to dislike most people and not want to socialize after a lifetime of being a "bullied social outcast"?

PTSD sets in. I doubt one would dislike people if they were generous and caring, but PTSD can be insidious. Some of us don’t even know we have it until a therapist mentions it.

Does caring too much make you weak?

Caring too much is how the weak among us find the courage to perform heroic feats.

“Highly sensitive people are too often perceived as weaklings or damaged goods. To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate. It is not the empath who is broken, it is society that has become dysfunctional and emotionally disabled. There is no shame in expressing your authentic feelings. Those who are at times described as being a 'hot mess' or having 'too many issues' are the very fabric of what keeps the dream alive for a more caring, humane world. Never be ashamed to let your tears shine a light in this world.”

-- Anthon St. Maarten

What is the most fearful place?

A vacuum.

Why are most kids nowadays rude, and who caused this?

Parenting. Unless you’re ahead of the curve, parents have the responsibility to turn children into respectable members of society. Some parents also tend to forget this, or simply don't want to accept it. They just push the “responsibility” for their child onto society, which is not accepting their responsibility for creating life. If parents don’t create an atmosphere of understanding, respect, and love, someone else will.

Has voting actually ever achieved anything great?

Freedom and democracy.

Why do people treat "find the right person/people" as completely worthless advice, because there's no such thing as the right person or people?

Because they take it too literally. Find the most capable person you can, and hope they will also be right for the position assigned. People see this as looking for “perfection” when perfection doesn’t exist. The most they can hope for is excellence.

How do your values affect your clothing choices?

There are exceptions to all rules, but, if you value “attaining goals” you better dress like you value it, so people pay attention.

“If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies... It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it.”

-- Albert Einstein

Can you be intelligent without being gentle?

Yes. Donatien Alphonse François was a very intelligent man, and, yet, gentle was not in his nature, nor in his writing.

Why does money help you with nothing?

Money can help you with everything but true happiness.

How can you bring out the potential in someone?

Give them a few minutes head start, then let the viscious dogs loose. Survival brings out potential in most people who value life. 

What is the meaning of "no God, no religion"?

Ignorance. God is a matter of faith, not religion. I have my own interpretation of “God” as the omnipotent power, energy, in the universe. It isn’t a religion. I have no followers, nor do I want any. Faith, organized into a “religion,” has not served the idea of “God” very well. Better to have your own faith than to have no faith. 

Why would you want to prove someone wrong?

So “wrong” doesn’t become the new standard. Just because nobody has an argument against it, doesn’t make it right. Right is right, everything else is not.

"Just as much as you need the people who love you, you need the people who doubt you - to prove them wrong."

-- Dawn Richard

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