Questioning Decisions, Love, Rape, Anger, and Moral Ethics

 

“The problem, simply put, is that we cannot choose everything simultaneously. So we live in danger of becoming paralyzed by indecision, terrified that every choice might be the wrong choice.”

-- Elizabeth Gilbert

What process do you use for making tough decisions?

If I have no reference, having had to make a similar decision before, I critique the choices, the cost, the time criteria, and possible outcomes. If my final decision goes south, it wouldn’t be from me not trying to make the best of a tough choice.

What is the difference between ethics and moral rules?

Not a bit, if your ethics are based on good moral standards. If your ethics are less than good, there will be plenty of differences.

Does revenge come from a sadistic place? Is it ever sadistic?

It comes from a vengeful place. It tends to make the perpetrator as bad as the person who wronged them. If they enjoy taking revenge and, perhaps, go beyond an eye for an eye, it can certainly become sadistic.

If you're torn between 2 choices: doing the right things for the wrong reasons and doing the wrong things for the right reasons, which would you pick?

Doing the right things for the wrong reasons. The is no right reason for doing something wrong. Karma will back me on this.  

What are the differences between peace and boredom?

I always enjoyed the jobs I’ve had. Enjoying them made me feel at peace, but I certainly wasn’t bored. Boring, to me, would be a job with nothing to challenge me. If I’m challenged, I’m happy and at peace. Strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances, and you will be at peace.

“Sometimes in life, we mistakenly perceive our peace as boredom.”

-- Angel Moreira

Is it possible to teach with an M.A.?

I think you’ll need a teaching certificate.

Is it disrespectful to call a woman "woman" instead of her name?

Yes.

What type of person will you never date again?

A woman, like my ex-wife.

What should I do if my mom has expressed disdain/disapproval about me moving out with my son?

Whose life are you living, hers or yours?

Are peace of mind and happiness in one’s life interrelated or can you have peace of mind even if you are unhappy?

I equate it to happiness. If I’m not at peace, I’m not really happy. My mind is troubled.

“Nothing can disturb your peace of mind unless you allow it to.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

How do I stop loving him? He is married. I see him every day.

He’s MARRIED. If he ain’t leaving her, you’re wasting valuable time on unrequited love.

What are some unconventional or unexpected habits or practices of highly successful people?

They stay abreast of new developments in their area of expertise, they network with other highly successful people, and they track the up-and-coming rising stars. If you snooze you lose, and they are very aware of this.

What is a mother's intuition?

The child had better watch their back. Whatever they’re thinking of doing, Mom already knows.

What are the benefits of debating someone about their faith?

Those without faith might learn something. The faithful have already been down this road. If they’re smart they won’t debate the perpetually offended. It benefits their faith not at all, and the perpetually offended will not be swayed in any case. Faith is simply a belief in something for which there is little on no proof. Atheists and theists find themselves sharing a leaking boat. There is no proof, for either side, that the boat won’t sink. But, what good is faith in a belief you have no hope in?

I only have extrinsic motivation. Is this bad?

Well, the possibility of you doing a selfless act is out the window.

“Cars are empowered by either petrol or diesel or gas. That is their fuel. I don't care whether you want to pour pepper soup or orange juice into that car... It can't work! You can't live without intrinsic and extrinsic motivations and move forward”

-- Israelmore Ayivor

What does it mean if someone asks to marry you immediately?

Run. Nothing good can come from this.

Why are children happier than adults? What can we learn from children?

What we can learn from them is untouchable. Even they don’t know how to stay young. Old enough for work, sex, debts, marriage, sex, and the world goes to hell in a handbasket. Did I mention sex?

Do you agree with Andrew Tate that women who are raped must bear some responsibility?

They bear responsibility for the bad choices and decisions that brought the rape down on them. The rapist bears responsibility for the rape they perpetrated on a woman who made bad choices and decisions. No one deserves to be raped just because they made a mistake. No still means no, in a multitude of languages.

Does being naked help you accept your body?

It may not help you to accept your body. It depends on who is with you.

Is God depressed that he is an atheist?

You suppose that the ultimate power in the universe doesn’t believe in the ultimate power in the universe. One hell of a supposition coming from someone with no proof.

“Obviously, if theism is a belief in a God and atheism is a lack of a belief in a God, no third position or middle ground is possible. A person can either believe or not believe in a God. Therefore, our previous definition of atheism has made an impossibility out of the common usage of agnosticism to mean 'neither affirming nor denying a belief in God.' Actually, this is no great loss, because the dictionary definition of agnostic is still again different from Huxley’s definition. The literal meaning of agnostic is one who holds that some aspect of reality is unknowable. Therefore, an agnostic is not simply someone who suspends judgment on an issue, but rather one who suspends judgment because he feels that the subject is unknowable and therefore no judgment can be made. It is possible, therefore, for someone not to believe in a God (as Huxley did not) and yet still suspend judgment (ie, be an agnostic) about whether it is possible to obtain knowledge of a God. Such a person would be an atheistic agnostic. It is also possible to believe in the existence of a force behind the universe but to hold (as did Herbert Spencer) that any knowledge of that force was unobtainable. Such a person would be a theistic agnostic.”

-- Gordon Stein

Is it okay to release anger against someone you have a grudge against?

No. Holding a grudge is damaging to the soul. You should sit them down, like an adult, and talk to them about what bothers you. They might just grow from the experience.

Why are you dumd?

Well, at least I know how to spell “dumb.”

My sibling is always trying to run me over because they are under the impression I can’t fight because of my soft nature. How should I get my respect?

You could try kicking him in the balls fairly hard. While he’s throwing up you can educate him on giving respect to get respect. You can, then, inform him that if he’d like to keep his balls, he’ll leave you alone. Feel free to spread the word about kicking him in the balls, though. 

Do people respect you well or not so well?

You get what you give, and I get the respect I deserve.

Is it considered unforgiveness if you don’t want to go around people who talk behind your back?

I could care less, except they damage themselves by not being upfront with their comments. Cowards talk behind your back because they don’t dare talk in front of you. I forgive them, as I assume God would. it is a minor transgression into sin.

“Unforgiveness is a poison that shrivels the heart. It means a person cannot truly live in the present as they're always thinking about the past.”

-- Carolyn Miller

How do I ask my girlfriend to peg me?

As a submissive, you should tell her what you desire. Buy the "peg" so she understands.

What is one thing you would do differently in life if you could?

When I was younger I was quick to anger. I would be more tolerant. I learned this later, after my divorce. When your love is unrequited, anger does little to solve the issues.

My voice becomes a high pitch when talking to other people but that’s not my full voice. How do I not be afraid of using my full voice?

I taught public speaking as part of my intelligence career. I would take new recruits to an auditorium and have them read to me as I sat in the back. If you don’t use your diaphragm the sound will not reach the back, and if it does it will be a squeak. In this way, you can actually train yourself to use your “full voice” and project out to the back of the room.

At what age should people start leading a productive and meaningful life if they have wasted their entire youth?

Immediately. Why waste more life?

What guides your ethics and morals if you aren't religious?

Good ethics and morals are well known, so you don’t have to be religious to exercise what religion laid the groundwork for. Look up ethics and morals online and you will find many references to ponder.

“The knowledge of Good and Evil, no matter how systematically or thoroughly consumed, will by no means make us gods. Rather, modern ethics, modern psychotherapy, and modern political ideologies all tend to produce not superhumans but pitiable slaves to the rationalizations generated by our distorted human desires. In order to gain control over the world, we have been too willing to renounce essential aspects of our own freedom.”

-- Timothy G. Patitsas

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