Questioning Practices, Death, Bribery, Partners, and Stupider

“I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It's just that the translations have gone wrong.”

-- John Lennon

Can spiritual practices help individuals develop a more positive attitude toward their health and overcome negative thought patterns?

If you can’t do it on your own, it can help. Meditation is one way you can try. 

Why can people call me names?

Because you allow it. Tell them it is immature and improper, and you would appreciate it if they would act appropriately. I can only deal with that for so long. If it is in the workplace, I’d tell the supervisor that I’m going to bust a nose if something isn’t done to stop inappropriate comments.

Can we start?

Oops… I started without you. My bad.

How can you tell if your boss is a true or effective leader?

The boss brings the workers together. The boss communicates a plan of action. We discuss it and make changes as necessary. The boss assigns supervisors and we implement the plan. The boss manages the plan, listens to suggestions, making changes as needed. The plan succeeds ahead of schedule and under budget. We party. The boss is a true and effective leader.

How do people with a fixed mindset deal with criticism and failure?

If their mindset is “fixed” then criticism and failure are just issues to learn from before you press on down the road.

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

-- Thomas A. Edison

How do I deal with happy customers?

The opposite of the way you deal with sad customers. If they are happy, smile and be happy with them. Thank them for doing business with you. Count your blessings… that they aren’t upset.

How can I die? I don't want support, just ideas.

You need support. Giving you ideas is just fueling the fire. 

Is anger ever good for us, or is it always bad to feel and show anger?

Anger raises blood pressure. Before you get angry, take a deep breath and ask yourself what anger is going to solve that discussion will not. A heart attack will solve very little, except take you out of the game of life.

Can you give some examples of honesty and openness?

“I’m going to throw this out in the open. I screwed your best friend, and she enjoyed it.” 

Why do women treat each other badly?

Jealousy is insidious. And, they don’t need a reason. And, damn her, if she’s the prettiest in the room. And, God forbid a husband or boyfriend talks to her, and they are hers. Men know better than to flaunt what they have. Women, I don’t think they concern themselves with knowing better. The fight is in the room, and the men are going for a drink.

“How we treat people is always our choice, and if we choose not to be respectful, it can come back to bite us.”

-- Alison Levine

At high school, how do you create rivals and enemies all the while remaining righteous? This means that they are the ones who attack first.

If you are righteous, this means rivals are not needed and enemies create themselves. There should not be this level of drama in high school. You are there to learn, not to fight. I feel sorry for those who feel the need to attack someone for pleasure. How sad for them.

What happens if I try to give money to the police and I tell the police “I’ll give you money right now if you let me go, nobody will know.” while being arrested? Could I get in trouble?

Trying to bribe a cop. I would think so. If the cop is smart he’ll take the money and arrest you anyway. Your word against his, and do you really want to admit to bribing a cop?

Why do some people fall through the cracks in society and others manage to acquire and maintain a standard of life?

Different levels of effort. It is a choice. 

Is getting rich fast stupid or great?

It is what it is. If you get rich fast, you better be smart enough to stay the course. If you show that you are, you might just be great. 

What do you do when you say that you will fail in school?

"I should study harder." Or, now you can go looking for a job in the labor sector. There are those who will work to attain a goal and those who will have to settle for manual labor. Both are needed in society. Everyone gets paid per the effort they put forth to attain a higher goal. This is capitalism.  It is also survival of the fittest.

“Pessimism becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy; it reproduces itself by crippling our willingness to act.”

-- Howard Zinn

What happens when you stop looking for a partner?

You have resigned yourself to being single, at least until the partner finds you.

How can I find a woman who will be there for me when I have nothing and also build my life with me?

That is called a wife, and you will be there for her when she has nothing, and you will also build a life with her. This is called “marriage” in most of the world, and it take a commitment of love.

Why are people racist? I mean how stupid is that?

You’ve answered your question.

What is the role of intuition in decision-making?

This, because of that. Things happen for reason. Intuition tells us, from past experience, this will happen because of that. We base our decision-making on intuition. “John will pick us up at the airport.” But, John is an irresponsible idiot. The chance that John will be there, based on past experience (intuition), means you should plan on a rental car. 

Can cult-like behavior be caused by religious beliefs? If so, why and how?

Truth be known, all religions are cults.

Cult: “A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object. A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister. A misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing.”

-- Oxford Languages

Are you really stupid or much stupider than that?

Having no context as to what “that” is, I can’t honestly answer this.

Do people who are happy with what they have, tend to be better off than those who want more stuff?

People who are happy with what they have usually have made the conscious choice to strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of their circumstances. They are “better off” psychologically if not, also, better off financially.

What is something people need to survive, but can do without?

If they need it to survive, then they can’t do without it or they’ll die.

What is the reflection of "A world where fish are no longer forced to climb trees"?

From each according to ability; To each according to need. Fish have neither the ability nor the need to climb trees, so why force them?

Can a teenager be more mature than an adult in some ways, but not others? If so, how can this happen?

The adult is immature, probably from bad, or no, parenting.

“Young age can be experienced just once, but immaturity never leaves even we grow up?”

-- bheng927

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