Questioning Society, Truth, Learning, Humility, and Gifts

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

-- Desmond Tutu

Who are the most original and positive people who have the most impact in the world by being positive and helping people like Mr. Beast or it can even be offline?

Desmond Tutu and Mahatma Gandhi. Try, hard, to expand your universe through reading.

Do we all have the same society or different ones?

For me, differing constitutions, laws, freedoms, election rules, beliefs, etc., make different societies. Does North Korea have the same society as South Korea? If they did, why are there a North and South as separate countries?

Who first said or wrote the saying “misery loves company“?

The demon Mephastophilis in the play “The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus” by Christopher Marlow.

Why does life become critical for a good human?

It is more critical for a bad human, only they move onto a different path than the good. There is an old adage that states, “Only the good die young.” Perhaps the “good” have been chosen for a “higher calling” as their destiny. Perhaps they have been waiting for their number to be called in the universal lottery.

How important is it to let go of people you know for positive and life-changing goals? Have you had to do this?

People do not anchor me down. If I’m moving forward, they can come with me or stay, their choice. I don’t let go of them, they let go of me.

“Once you embrace your value, talents, and strengths, it neutralizes when others think less of you.”

-- Rob Liano

What makes a person a winner or a loser in life?

Attitude and choices. If you choose to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances, you are a winner and very successful in life. Being a winner has little to do with attaining goals or wealth. If you aren’t truly happy, of what use is anything else?

What is the ideal identity you can create yourself into?

Me… and I’m already there.

Is it true that the actual purpose of telling lies is manifold, which is why it's practically impossible to ascertain the ulterior motive of your opponent?

The “ulterior motive” is to make you believe something that isn’t true. It really doesn’t matter why they do it, they are trying to pull the wool over your eyes so you can’t see the truth for whatever reason. They are lying, and that truth is something you can sink your teeth into.

Would you agree that there are good and bad things to learn from both good, and bad people?

Indeed. 

How do I deal with being stupid? I’ve had many many people tell me that I’m stupid.

Other than judgmental people telling you that you’re stupid, is there any evidence to back it up, or are these people just trying to shift their own shortcomings onto you? It sounds to me like you put too much credence in the judgmental bullshit of people who should be looking in the mirror if they want to find stupidity.

“Perhaps, if you weren't so busy regarding my shortcomings, you'd find that I do possess redeeming qualities, discreet as they may be. I notice when the sky is blue. I smile down at children. I laugh at any innocent attempt at humor. I quietly carry the burdens of others as though they were my own. And I say 'I'm sorry' when you don't. I am not without fault, but I am not without goodness either.”

-- Richelle E. Goodrich

What does it mean when someone says "I'm out of here"?

They are leaving. Hey, this is easy.

What is the concept of learning? How does learning lead to behavior modification?

See if I can make this simple.

The concept is to learn what you don’t know. My son, when very young, was going to touch a hot oven I was using to bake pies. I told him twice not to do it, and why. He reached out and touched it. Of course, it burned him, and he gained knowledge through this valuable lesson. My wife lost her little mind, but my son no longer touched hot ovens. "Behavior modification" attained.  

My wife and I are no longer married. My son loves to cook.

What benefits does a person enjoy from being an owner of big sizes of land?

Huge taxes and few neighbors.

Is confronting a bully a very effective solution to solving the problem of bullying?

I almost beat my bully to death with a tree limb. He never talked to me again. After that incident, I confronted all of my bullies. I got my ass beaten many times in school, standing up for other small kids being bullied. I’m almost 70 years of age, now, and I have never let an incident go by where I didn’t stand up for someone who was being bullied or treated poorly. And, yes, I still get my ass beat. But, the military taught me to how to use my hands and feet and other “tree limbs” for protection. 

Can success make a person more selfish and arrogant?

It can, but it doesn't have to. It depends on how humble they are in their attainment of the goal.

“The worst part of success is trying to find someone who is happy for you.”

-- Bette Midler

Humbleness is better than arrogance. Why do most people still choose arrogance?

Humility is always better than arrogance. Hell, anything is better, but people choose to be an asshole as a shield against people seeing who they really are.

What would you do if someone you were dating told you they were pregnant with another person's child but wanted to stay with you for support?

“Goodbye!”

What does it mean when someone says you are valid?

It means I don’t care. Someone feels they are all that and they have the right to judge me. They would be better served looking in the mirror and asking why they feel they have the right to judge anyone, especially since most of us really don’t care what their judgmental ass thinks.

Is it wrong to want to be someone else?

Yes. You are you, so being someone else would be stealing. You can admire their attributes and be like them, but you can’t be them.

What would be some signs that a child has not made any mistakes?

They haven't been learning. We can assume the child is old enough to choose because, before that point, they have no reference to good and bad. Considering no child with a working mind is perfect, this is hard to answer. If a parent says their child has made no mistakes, they’re living in a fantasy world, unless the child is a baby, and, even then, they are learning.

“There are no perfect parents, and there are no perfect children, but there are plenty of perfect moments along the way.”

-- Dave Willis

What is the definition of "smart" in politics?

 Intelligence. No one is “smart” in politics. If they were smart, the country would be on top. Our schools are lagging, energy independence is lagging, the border is non-existent, the FBI is corrupt, and lies are pervasive in the media and embraced by politics. Smart? No. People see through “smart.” Intelligence, on the other hand, most people used to have no concept of it. Political figures keep hiding behind intelligence, but people are getting wise to them. People are getting smarter.

Is Jesus holier than god?

Not a chance.

What are the most common flaws and mistakes that people do and regret?

Unrequited love. They get married to people that they think actually love them, and then they find out otherwise and get taken to the cleaners by the person they loved more than anything. The regret can be so strong they swear off marriage permanently. 

Should children be obliged to "give something back to their parents"?

Yeah. About 18 years, give or take. I’m giving my aging mother 18 years of my life, as a caregiver, because she gave me 18 of hers, as mine.

Do parents see children as responsibilities or gifts from God?

If they see them as responsibilities, they really don’t need any more responsibilities, especially children who need parents. What the couple needs is to use birth control. Children are a gift, and that you had better want. Is there responsibility? Hell, yes! But, it is a responsibility you asked for and you had better relish… or don’t have children. You aren’t mature enough to handle it.

“Your children are the greatest gift God will give to you, and their souls the heaviest responsibility He will place in your hands. Take time with them, and teach them to have faith in God. Be a person in whom they can have faith. When you are old, nothing else you've done will have mattered as much.”

-- Lisa Wingate

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