Questioning Debates, Religion, Relations, Lies, Fear, Mobs, and Love

 

"The biggest challenge is to stay focused. It's to have the discipline when there are so many competing things."

-- Alexa Hirschfeld

What is the best way to keep your opponent on topic when debating?

That is not your job. Your job is to win the debate. If they fly off topic… you win. Ta-da! 

How do you tell a person he is stupid if he cannot comprehend the concept of having traits?

If you deign to judge them, who is really stupid? Judging others says more about you than it says about them.

I am 20 years old, and I have talent. My imagination is very, very wide. I can imagine interesting and wondrous scenarios. Can I invest in this talent in America?

Write. There is no better investment than writing, so be good at it.

Is it true that if a girl says “I love you” first, she loves the guy more than he loves her?

Not if she loves a shy person. He may be in love and doesn’t know how to tell her. I have experienced this firsthand. 

What could stop you?

Death.  Even this is in question.

“I am not stopping till my enemies become my friends.”

-- Amit Kalantri

What is the morality of imposing a religion?

Imposing anything is an immoral act if all parties don't freely agree to the imposition.  Laws, for example, are imposed on people by the government. You have the right to not abide by them. You have the freedom to leave the country and live somewhere else. Imposing laws is understood by society as a way of creating safety and structure. We don’t view them as immoral. If we did, we would have the freedom to change the law.

What is the best sentence you should repeat to yourself when you want to reach out to someone highly toxic to you?

“Don’t beat them to death.” 

How is Matthew 6:22-23 used in the context of thoughts affecting our actions?

Keep your eyes pure. One shouldn’t be looking at darkness. Don’t look at what is wrong to see or covet what belongs to someone else. 

If a person unfailingly respects others and often is not shown respect in return. What are some actions they can take?

I respect others until they don’t deserve the respect. You get what you give, or stop giving it.

Why are we obeying and respecting our elders?

No one says you have to. You can ignore sage advice and shoot from the hip. It doesn’t always turn out okay. Accepting sage advice from our elders is accepting the respect they show toward us. Or, you could just be a shit and ignore them. Good luck with that.

“Without knowing it, the adults in our lives practiced a most productive kind of behavior modification. After our chores and household duties were done we were given "permission" to read. In other words, our elders positioned reading as a privilege - a much sought-after prize, granted only to those good hard workers who earned it. How clever of them.”

-- Mildred Armstrong Kalish

Why can’t I talk to my stepdad? I’ve been living with him for years and have known him for years, but I just can’t talk to him. I never have been able to. He hasn’t done anything bad, to make me not want to. If I’m forced to talk to him, I freak out.

You never gave him a chance to be friends with you. Maybe he doesn’t want to replace your dad. He might not know how to befriend you. Be the bigger person and break the ice.

What can we learn from marriages that last?

The value of friendship and communication when it comes to love.

What is an example of never appearing too perfect in the context of being suspicious of those who seem unambitious?

For one thing, you can never “appear” perfect since there is no such thing. You might be able to appear excellent, but you are never perfect. And, what is “too perfect”? Perfect is perfect. If it was possible to be perfect, you couldn’t be too perfect. Too perfect would still be perfect, and anything less than that would be excellent.

What is it called when a person wants to have a dominant position in your life?

Mistress, or Master. Whichever floats your boat. 

How do you stay disciplined in a bored mood?

Meditation. Boredom is the enemy of awareness. Awareness is a discipline in the military. I would focus on anything but being bored. Meditation was one way to focus your attention. Awareness becomes like going to sleep with one eye open.

“A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.”

-- Dalai Lama XIV

Is it possible for someone who constantly makes fun of you to change their behavior towards you?

Yes, it’s called growing up.

What is the reason people say not to look back when it comes to relationships?

Fear or cowardice? You have to look back to understand what not to do the next time. These are lessons learned for those who want to learn. Some are afraid to revisit bad times.

I've done nothing wrong. Why does she think I'm lying?

Maybe she’s the one doing wrong.

What is the difference between a white lie and a lie told to avoid getting in trouble?

None. A lie is a lie. Maybe one should think about what they’re doing before getting into trouble. Telling the truth is good ethical behavior.  It will define you to those you associate with. The problem with lying is that you can never be trusted to tell the truth again.

What are ways to get over loving someone when it's not mutual?

Admit to yourself it isn’t mutual, then get over it. It’s a waste of time better spent finding true love with someone who cares.

“Let no one who loves be called altogether unhappy. Even love unreturned has its rainbow.”

-- J.M. Barrie

What is the question of education?

If students are being educated, why aren’t they learning? There are no stupid kids, only incompetent teacher unions.

What is a message to someone who doesn't care?

No message. A waste of time to come up with a message they don’t care to hear.

What is your fear of telling someone you love them, even if they say it first? Do you believe them when they say it to you?

I have no fear. Honesty has always been my “go-to” in life. I have no filter. I assume they are telling the truth when they say it until they are shown to be lying.

What is the best way to tell someone they need help when they may not realize it themselves?

“I think you need some help. But I’m willing to let you prove me wrong.”

Why do people put so much faith in God? Is he not even real? What's the point?

Prove your belief. Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Atheists and theists have faith in their beliefs. Yet, neither side has proof to offer.

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”

-- Soren Kierkegaard

How can you prevent mob mentality?

My first blush for this was a couple of 50 Cal chain-fed weapons mounted on Police Hummers posted at both ends of the mob. Tell the mob to disperse and fire the first volley over their heads. They’re a mob, so there isn’t much mentality taking place. A large caliber weapon might make them focus.

Can self-belief and positive thinking be the secret ingredients that turn dreams into reality?

They can. But I’d add some hard work into the mix.

Why are some people hurt/harmed by your words/actions unless your actions have a real and substantive impact?

One shouldn’t speak unless the words coming out of your pie hole, or your actions, will have a positive and substantive impact.

How true do you find the statement, "People will treat you the same way they think of you?"

Sometimes the way we think of people is little more than a judgment, and judging people is not right. We still do it all the time. The reason "judging" is not right is we are poor judges. Our judgment says more about us than who we dare to judge.

I think I'm not intelligent anymore. How do I regain my intelligence? 

Do you put more effort into being "smart" than into being intelligent?

“The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart. And being thoughtful and being generous. Everything else is crap. I promise you. It’s just crap that people try to sell to you to make you feel like less. So don’t buy it. Be smart. Be thoughtful and be generous”

-- Ashton Kutcher

I cannot approach and confess my love to her, fearing what people will think. How can I get out of this conditioning?

Are you confessing to other people or just to her? Loving her is paramount. Screw other people and what they think. Are you living your life for them or you?

Why does [this site] have such stupid management?

I have been asking this question for years.

What happens if I give the covert narcissist narcissistic injury by making fun of him (he made of me first) and then if I go no contact during silent treatment?

Better if you disavow knowledge of them. You should stop hanging around them. Why put yourself out there for their enjoyment? If enough people ostracize them, maybe they’ll get the message.

Why does it feel good to bully and dominate others?

Because it helps you to deny your own inadequacies.

What is the greatest difficulty that can be done in us when we are down?

Finding the ability to keep getting back up. It isn’t how many times you’re knocked down, it’s your perseverance to “keep on keeping on” that matters.

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”

-- Randy Pausch

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. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions 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 offered. After over twenty years of military intelligence, I believe that 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 United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

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 a weapon for his war on intolerance... he chose the pen. He 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 personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center. 

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com