Questioning God, Past, Trust, Bible, and Soda(?)

 

“For God to prove himself on demand, physically, would be a grave disappointment, and the strongest Christians should be considerably grateful that he chooses not to do so. The skeptic endlessly demands proof, yet God refuses to insult the true intelligence of man, the '6th sense', the chief quality, the acumen which distinguishes man from the rest of creation, faith.”

-- Criss Jami

How do I get over God not being real? Is fate real?

Whether you believe in an omnipotent power in the universe is totally up to you, as is your fate. Your fate is what you make it. Something happens in your life because of a choice or decision you make. If you get hit by a car, you should have left the house earlier, or later, to miss the accident. This is your fate. It doesn’t mean the driver's choice wouldn’t cause him to still hit someone else. He’s an idiot, and this is his fate.

What's your opinion about the quote "Done is better than perfect"?

In the military “done” can get someone killed. Paying attention to detail can save the day.

How do you tell someone they need to appreciate their relationships more?

“You need to appreciate your relationships more.” Can’t get much easier.

How can you keep your personality in check?

I have no filter. I speak my mind, so if people don’t like honesty, they shouldn’t be around me. Other than that, I keep my personality in check.

What causes people to make the same mistakes again and again in life/relationships/careers etc.?

A learning disability.

Does appreciating humble beginnings increase a person's chances of becoming successful in life?

Success in life is nothing more than making a simple choice to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. If you can do this, you are successful in life, regardless of anything else. Humble beginnings would tend to keep you humble as you attain the goals you set for yourself.

“The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher.”

-- Thomas Henry Huxley

What does it mean to have a past that cannot be changed?

You can't change what happened unless you can travel into the past. None of us can change our past. However, that does not prohibit you from working on the outcome in the present. 

Has religion ruined sex for you?

Be fruitful and multiply. Practice makes perfect. Not sure how it can be ruined by two great rules.

What should I do when she accepts me to be her boyfriend?

Take her hand, look into her eyes, smile, and thank her for making you happy. Don’t forget to buy her flowers.

Do you believe that work isn't working? Why or why not?

Work is a job. If you feel your job is tough, the work you do is tough. It could be embarrassing, challenging, boring, or fun. Work is what you feel it is. I was blessed to have challenging jobs throughout my life. Going to “work” to do my job, was a pleasure I looked forward to.

Who was the first Pope, and how many have there been?

Peter was considered the first pope. There have been more than 260 popes.

Can religion be more than a coping mechanism for fear and anxiety?

Religion is what religious leaders expect you to believe it is. They would expect you to believe it is more. Religion is for those who need guidance or can’t take the time to be responsible for their own soul. Your own spirituality, on the other hand, is what really matters. Religion is about controlling your soul, to "save" it. Spirituality is about setting your soul free. I’m a Christian, due to my early indoctrination. But, I am spiritual in that I have risen above the need for religion. I have developed a “personal” relationship with my God.

“Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.”

-- Garrison Keillor

How can trust enable negotiations in a complex business deal?

If you don’t have mutual trust, it really doesn’t matter how complex the business deal is, Someone is going to get screwed.

What qualities and skills are necessary for effective leadership within a corporate setting?

Management, supervision, communication, team building, scheduling, and quality control. 

What is wisdom? Can wisdom be derived from science alone?

Wisdom is the knowledge we glean from life to help us make good choices and decisions. We can learn from science, business, love, life, success, failures, and mistakes. Wisdom is the knowledge we have to do the right things and to know the wrong things.

Is it possible for an adult to learn like a baby again?

Learning is learning, whether you’re a baby or an adult. The difference is in the complexity of what we choose to learn. 

What are some things that people used to know how to do but don't anymore?

The “slide rule” is one that I use to know how to use, but I have long forgotten with the onset of electronic calculators. My son found an old slide rule in a box of my Dad’s old things. He acted like he had never seen one before and asked if he could have it. It was a math whiz and I think he taught himself to use it.

How do I forget a lying boyfriend?

You don’t. Memory is there to help us. In this case, it helps us to not make the same mistake twice.

“I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.”

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

Are there any contradictions in the Bible that prove it to be human writing and not divinely inspired?

There are plenty of contradictions, but that isn’t the point. The entire book is inspired by man’s thoughts of God. And, since God is divine, therefore, it is “divinely” inspired.

Is it possible to live a selfless life with no regrets while still fulfilling all material needs in life (living comfortably)?

Yes! I am my own proof.

What made you realize the situation will never change?

Situations always change, even if the change is that you choose not to be involved. Life, the situation, is what you make of it. You make choices and decisions that create your ultimate fate. If you don’t like your situation, you have the freedom to change it. Change is the only true constant in the universe. 

Does God simply want me to be me?

Yes, but be the selflessly and morally best you that you can be. 

Do you think there are other universes out there where the kind animals/beings/organisms thrive the most, instead of ours, where it's the most ruthless?

No. Survival of the fittest will always be rule one. Having said this, the “fittest” are doomed if they don’t utilize the talents of the “little guys” to help keep them on top. There must always be balance in the universe.

Are we all humans by nature?

We are all humans by the label. We were labeled because our minds and physiology set us apart as a specie:

“A human being, a person; a member of the species Homo sapiens or other (extinct) species of the genus Homo.”

-- Oxford English Dictionary

What are some of the weirdest things that people have done with soda?

I heard they popped the top, put the bottleneck where the “sun don’t shine,” and shook the bottle. Hey, if you can put 40-watt lightbulbs, dildoes, and plastic army men up there, why not soda? Some people are definitely weird.

Can someone who has no money, influence, or power still be an inspiration to others?

Jesus Christ.

What's the most hurtful revenge you know of?

Revenge. Karma will always come after the vengeful when it’s done with the other idiot, so any thought of revenge should be tempered. 

Why is the one who speaks the truth hated the most?

The truth can be what many people deny and are afraid to admit. The truth, although it can set you free, it can also create turmoil and drama which many people already have enough of.

What are the disadvantages of having wisdom?

You know. Sometimes “knowing” is not a good thing. 

What makes you think wisdom comes from experience?

Wisdom is knowing the truth. You can glean wisdom from books, but until you validate the truth of it in real life, through experience, you are only believing what someone wrote. Living the truth gives you context and validation you can use as an explanation of the “wisdom” you hold dear.

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

-- Socrates

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 twenty-three years of military intelligence, I have come to believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a 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