Questioning God, Ranking, Words, Tears, and Problems

 

“God is here, right now, at our side. We can see him in this mist, in the ground we're walking on, even in my shoes. His angels keep watch while we sleep and help us in our work. In order to find God, you have only to look around.”

-- Paulo Coelho

 

Do people who say they have met with God, or seen him, actually have?

Nope. They wouldn’t have a clue. If you truly want to meet God, look around you and contemplate. If you truly want to experience the magnificence of God, look into the night sky and contemplate infinity. Look into the eyes of a child and contemplate innocence. Or, look into the eyes of an old person and contemplate life. If you truly want to meet God, there is more than enough to contemplate.

What social changes do you want to observe in your community?

We need a Waffle House. I consider that a “social change” in my community.

Is not saying something you should say the same as lying?

If you omit telling the truth, then you are lying by omission - by not telling the truth. If you know you should say something, that needs to be said, then you shouldn’t go along with those who are leading with less than factual information. If you do, you are as guilty as those who are lying.

How do you recognize stupid people?

You simply make the assumption that they are, until you talk to them. Unfortunately, in today’s society, this is a good assumption. It doesn’t make them bad, just stupid.

When a lady is using an object to satisfy herself, what is that habit called?

Masturbation.

Do people run out of "luck"? At 16, I seemed to be at ease with everything I do or say about school, hobbies, people, etc. Now, I have to work 7x harder in order to get the same results. Can I fix this somehow?

Welcome to adulthood. It will get easier. There is no “luck” involved in life. Your life is dependent on the choices and decisions you make. If you think you have bad luck, you have made bad choices or decisions. You can’t go around blaming life for your ills. People will see right through the bullshit.

"Luck is an accident that happens to the competent."

-- Albert M. Greenfield

Rank all 41 questions I asked (this one is not included). What are the rankings from most stupid to least stupid?

Well, stupid or not, at least we know you are totally out of your mind.

Do you have enemies in your life? Do you feel insecure? What can you do?

No. My “enemies” know I will disown them. This is a stigma they’d rather not have hanging around their neck.  

Are users of [this site] intellectually insecure? Honestly, so many people like to say that water is wet, with an Einstein face.

I’ll be political and say it’s probably half and half.

I have been asked more than once about things I did, but I am absolutely certain that I did not do them. On the other hand, it is certain that I did those things, but how is this possible?

You might be losing your mind. If it is certain that you did them, who says? If you are absolutely certain you didn’t do them, are there witnesses? Both can’t be right, in reality, so only one is possible. Proof is the deciding factor, here.

How are words understood?

I use a dictionary and a thesaurus.

Why do so many people with autism believe they are critical thinkers when most are far from objective? Is it because they conflate having special interests and knowledge with it?

Are they "far from objective" or is this your judgment? They have different ways of learning and paying attention. By this definition, they could be “critical thinkers” because they can hold facts in their minds that we might not pay attention to. Their minds work differently than ours. 

“Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.”

-- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

What is the difference between a good person's good words and those same words spoken by a bad person?

The “bad person” probably doesn’t believe what they’re saying any more than the people listening to them.

Do you make the most of your sense of intuition?

Yes.

How do I network in a university to find like-minded people?

Most universities are full of like-minded people. It isn’t too hard to find people that stand out from the liberal indoctrination. They’re usually shunned.

Is creative nonsense better than factual boredom?

That would depend on whether you’re after nonsense or facts.

What do you think is the significance of having self-leadership?

If you can’t paint, you can’t teach painting. If you can’t lead yourself, you certainly can’t lead other people. The “significance” is in why you want to do it.

How can you show your initiative?

Start doing. You can talk till the cows come home, or you can do it. Doing shows initiative.

“If you try anything, if you try to lose weight, or to improve yourself, or to love, or to make the world a better place, you have already achieved something wonderful, before you even begin. Forget failure. If things don't work out the way you want, hold your head up high and be proud. And try again. And again. And again!”

-- Sarah Dessen

Do tears always indicate emotional pain or loss?

No, sometimes they indicate extreme happiness and joy.

What is the difference between making decisions based on facts and making decisions based on gut feeling or emotion?

Making decisions based on facts will probably turn out well. Making decisions based on gut feelings or emotions probably won’t. The only time one should use gut feelings or emotions to make a decision is when they are knowledgeable of the facts. If you don’t know the facts when disarming a bomb, making a decision to cut the red or green wire is not as intelligent as running. Just saying.

What are some ways to develop intuition for self-defense?

If someone tries to punch me, my intuition is to defend myself.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of relying on your intuition or rational thinking when making a big decision in life?

The big advantage is that everything will turn out well. The big disadvantage is that everything will turn to shit. In life, if you pay attention, you’ll find it is much better to rely on facts when you choose to use intuition or rational thinking.

Is it weird to have a tongue fetish?

Not if she’s pretty.

Will we stop looking like humans if we keep evolving?

You will still be human, but you won’t look the same. You will evolve to take advantage of changes in your environment, but you will still be a human being. Unless some “brainiac” deems it necessary to rename us, that is.

"Where we are going as a species is a big question. Human evolution certainly hasn't stopped. Every time individuals produce a new zygote, there's a reshuffling and recombination of genes. And we don't know where all of that is going to take us."

-- Donald Johanson 

Why do my problems have to hit deep for someone, for me to feel that my problems are valid?

Life is all about making the right choices and decisions. Only you can decide if your problems are valid. Some problems are insignificant, some are very significant, but all of them are problems you need to work through, and all of them, therefore, are valid.

What does it mean to be trapped in the market?

You stayed too long in the restroom.

Why did evolution stop evolving our brains?

When we stopped using them. Our brains will evolve as soon as we make use of all of it. Until then, the majority will still be dragging their knuckles.

How many ways are there to start and end a sentence?

Only one. You start and you end.

Do you ever get sick of hindsight?

Nope. “Hindsight” is simply another way of looking at failure and mistakes. Failures and mistakes are the best ways we can learn. It isn’t that you fail or make a mistake, it is what you do with the failure or mistake that makes a difference in life.

Did God make us with the ability to love him?

The ability, yes. But we have the freedom to choose. In this way, we were also made to “separate the wheat from the chaff.”

“This time of contrast shall separate the wheat from the chaff. The wise will strive to manifest a brave new world, while the foolish and unkind will suffer for their lack of common sense. And when the storm finally subsides, many will wake up on the wrong side of history.”

-- Anthon St. Maarten

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 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 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