Questioning You, Liars, Opinions, Behavior, and Stupidity

 

"Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless."

--Jamie Paolinetti

Who are you as a person?

As opposed to being a god? I’m about as honest and ethical as you can get. I have a personal code of moral ethics that I strive to stand by. I also strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is what it is until it isn’t, and then it is what it is again. I believe change is the only true constant in the universe, and I am constantly changing for the better. I think Donatien Alphonse François is the most interesting character, although I have great respect for Mahatma Gandhi and Saint Teresa of Calcutta.

Is rudeness defined by whether someone's feelings were hurt?

No. Feelings, be damned. Rudeness is defined as someone being rude. It isn’t rocket science, it is in-your-face rudeness. Southerners understand this.

How would your life change if your intellect was limitless?

I would go on a two-year scheme to make as much money as possible to fund several charities and a meditation center with gardens and ponds. “Limitless” is on par with God, which I am not, and this thought will need to be tempered. An ego “run amok” does nobody any good. Do what I can, with what I have, and move to the next project. My life won’t change unless someone finds out about me. No one will.

People say I don’t know right from wrong, but I do. This upsets me. What should I do?

Ask the people what they’ve seen or heard that leads them to believe this.

What is the psychological difference between people who ask a lot of "why" questions and people who ask a lot of "how" questions?

People who ask “why” will, sooner or later, get around to asking “how.” The people who ask “how” will, sooner or later, get around to asking “why.” The only difference is who asks the questions.

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

How do you deal with someone who lacks common sense or eknowledgement?

It seems “common” sense isn’t that common. I have no idea what “eknowledgement” is.

Is it fair to call somebody a liar if they have changed their mind because they have discovered some fundamental facts about themselves which are critically important?

No. It isn’t fair to call someone a liar who has changed their mind due to acknowledging fundamental facts they have discovered about themselves. If anything, they should be applauded for their honest appraisal of the new information and their admission that they were wrong. This kind of honesty is hard to find these days.

Is it possible that everything we’ve been told is a lie?

Are you a liberal?

Why do people bring up "grammar" to validate their argument if they’re losing?

Because they are losing. They are grasping at straws, everybody knows it because they’ve fallen back on grammar, of all things. Unless the argument is about grammar, this is pretty stupid. The only way to validate an argument is with facts, not bullshit.

Why can’t I follow my principles?

If your principles are good, you would seem to have no moral focus.

“Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour ... If at my convenience I might break them, what would be their worth?”

-- Charlotte Brontë

What brings out the beast in people?

Unforgiving, exotic, sex would be my best guess.  Is this "beast," or "best"?  My answer stands, either way.

Are there consequences to being opinionated?

Oh, hell yeah. For every opinion, there is a counter opinion, or three. And, then, there is always the League of the Perpetually Offended who just love to pounce on opinions they don’t approve of, and they don’t approve of much. Personally, I have no filter, so I run my opinion up the flagpole and really don’t care what others think. It is my opinion, not theirs.

So I get 6 to 8 views on medium and rarely people reads, but why people are keep following me if they don't read?

I'm confused. Maybe they’re waiting for you to write more interesting content.

If you could level up any characteristic of yourself (e.g. honesty, intelligence, charisma, etc.) but had to decrease another aspect of yourself by the same amount, which aspect would you increase, and which would you decrease?

I’d like to boost my sex appeal. I’ll happily give up my lack of patience since it really pays me no benefit. Just once, I’d like to walk into a room and have all conversations stop due to my sex appeal, and not because my “fly” is open.

Why do so many fail?

Because failure is the best way we learn. It isn’t that you fail, it’s what you do with the failure that is important.

“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

-- Winston S. Churchill

What are some reasons you prefer introverts over extroverts and what are other reasons you prefer extroverts over introverts?

When you get down to the nitty-gritty, introverts, and extroverts, both have issues. People with issues can be manipulated. Introverts are a little easier, and extroverts take a bit more time. I prefer a person that can strike a good balance between the two. When they get a suggestion, their eyebrow raises. This tells me they’re thinking the suggestion through. Never a bad thing.

Why do some people lack the ability to reflect on their behavior?

Most don’t lack the ability, they simply don’t give a shit.

What are the most essential fallacies you should know to prevent you to be a gullible person? Please give some understandable examples and explain them properly to help others with this.

There is no such thing as a “free lunch.” Someone has to pay for it, and it is usually you. They get your time, money, expertise, and gullibility.

A “great deal” is not only for a day. The deal will come up again, or the manager can extend the deal so you can think it through. You don’t have to live a life of “knee-jerk” reactions.

Debt is a way you can afford to purchase. True, if you pay off the debt at the end of the month. If you carry a balance and make minimum payments, you choose to be someone's indentured servant for the rest of your life. Credit companies love these people. Slavery never ended, the “master” just found a way to make everyone a slave. It isn’t about what you have in your wallet, as much as it is about who you let in your wallet. 

Do some people remain uninformed by choice?

Stupidity is always a choice. It isn’t constructive, but it is a choice. Take “voting” as an example.

Why do some people think they’re entitled to get more than what most people get? Why even have rules if there are people who feel like they can break them with no consequence?

They think they’re smarter than most people. They probably are. The squeaking wheel gets the grease. If you’re looking at a great deal, ask if they can sweeten the deal. Ask for more. They might say no, but, you’ll never know until you ask. Most people don’t understand that they are entitled to ask.

“You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.”

-- Abraham Lincoln

Why do some people have an "it's not my problem" attitude while other people have a "how can I help you" attitude?

It is a way to help us separate the “selfish” from the “selfless” people, the “can do” from the “probably can not” people, in life.

How can I be okay with being stupid?

Just don’t give a shit. Being stupid takes so much less talent than actually rising above it. Rising above it takes a bit of effort. Truly stupid people aren’t even aware that they’re stupid. They tend to blame their life on someone else when, in reality, their life is all about the choices and decisions they make. It is their life, after all, not someone else’s.

What do you think about perseverance in practice, cleanliness, and asking the right questions?

Perseverance, especially in the face of overwhelming odds, is never a bad thing. It proves character.

 Does the saying, "trust no one," have merit?

If you trust anyone but yourself, you have opened yourself up to possible disappointment. Trusting yourself is problematic enough, but, at least, you have the choice to let yourself down.

Why do people say that "Life doesn't suck, bad choices do"?

Because life is all about our choices and decisions. If life sucks, learn to make better choices and decisions.

“You are not the victim of the world, but rather the master of your own destiny. It is your choices and decisions that determine your destiny.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

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 view 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