Questioning Intellectuals, Dishonesty, Fear, Doubts, and Belief

 

“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”

-- Isaac Asimov

When does being intellectual become too much?

When it crosses the line between your job and civil conversation. “Smart” people can handle this. “Intellectuals” need to keep their eyes on the prize they’re being paid to create. 

Is $428K a good salary?

For most people, yes.

Which ones are the most interesting intellectual challenges to face, and why?

Getting the mass media to actually tell the truth. Most of the media outlets bend the truth to the point of lying. It isn’t so much an “intellectual challenge” as it is an ethical challenge. Reporters simply don’t give a shit about the crap they report. They do it to forward a false narrative that they’ll get paid for.

"Once an enemy, always an enemy." To what extent is this true?

An enemy will always be an enemy if you don’t help them to see the light of truth. 

In a world increasingly divided by ideology and identity, are we fostering meaningful conversations that bridge the gaps, or are we inadvertently perpetuating the echo chambers of our own beliefs?

We aren’t bridging anything, and the beliefs being spewed are the talking points of the idiots they listen to. Given the truth, they would spew meaningful conversations that might bridge gaps.

How do you evaluate maturity?

Try this:

“When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.”

-- 1 Corinthians 13:11

Do dishonest and dumb people make it far in life? Should they?

No, and no. Sooner or later the truth will rat them out.

Why do I suddenly become quiet when I’m upset or angry?

Good sense. Never get involved in anything while you are upset or angry. Take a moment to decompress, gather your cogent thoughts, then calmly let people know what you think. Anger accomplishes nothing but alienation.

Which skill is the best, and why?

Good, clear, cogent, and concise communication. People will have no doubt about how you feel, and it will, hopefully, make the most sense.

Do people who end up with low IQs usually turn out to be very bitter and selfish later in life, or is that rare?

It’s a mixed bag.

How do you save money for your boyfriend's trip to another country?

That would seem to be the purview of your boyfriend. As a man, I would never take advantage of my “girlfriend” this way. My trip, my life, my money. If she isn’t going with me…party time! And, I want it to be all on my dime, not hers. Have some pride for goodness sake.

Can a man's mind change about loving someone after they leave him?

It does happen. Take it from an idiot.

“When the sun has set, no candle can replace it.”

-- George R.R. Martin

What gives a person a reason to avoid asking questions out of fear?

They don’t want to hear what they know is the truth.

Why are there no prophets in the world today?

There are, but most are affiliated with religion and faux religion. Silly me, it would seem most past prophets were affiliated with religion and faux religion, as well. Most of them were charlatans. A few of them were amazing. Most “prophets” today are heading cults. Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard come to mind.

What are the benefits of watching porn videos?

Really?

Why is life so hard? It hurts so much to deal with this.

Life is as hard as we make it. It is your life, and you choose to deal with what you are comfortable with. If you have chosen harder things, those choices were yours. Take a moment and prioritize. Take the harder ones first, and work through them one at a time. It will hurt less, especially when you come to realize the issue is you, not the problems. Take a breath.

What are some red flags that indicate someone may be pretending to be an expert in their field?

The constant flow of bullshit from the “expert in their field.”

What is the best way to handle a troll when they ask if something is true, and it’s not?

Be honest, You know they’re a troll, so be honest. They have a game that you are already aware of, so be the “troll” to the troll. When you’re done playing with them, simply walk away. But, not before you let them know that you know. Many of the “trolls” are members of the League of the Perpetually Offended, so be ready for a tongue-lashing of epic proportions, full of colorful language. They absolutely hate to be put on the spot.

“Trolling does not say anything about the person you are trolling, but it is saying a lot on what kind of a person are you. It exposes you, your personality, and your life. How you are raised, what are your values, thoughts, beliefs and where are you in life?”

-- De philosopher DJ Kyos

What advice would you give to someone who’s having doubts?

“And, how long is this doubt going to take, before you get off your ass?”

What does it mean when a person says they are "uncomfortable" or "feeling awkward" in front of another person? Is it rude?

It means what they say. It’s called honesty. It’s up to the other person to be rude or to be understanding.

What is more important: difficulties or challenges?

Difficulties are challenges. The more difficult, the greater the challenge. 

What are all the advantages of pretending not to understand things and pretending to be an idiot?

The advantages are for all the people who will take advantage of you. The fact that you’ll be pretending while they do it, might make you a submissive.

How come whenever I start speaking in a group or one-on-one, my feet start to go haywire?

Nervous twitch. Pay attention to your feet when you talk, and work on making your feet behave.

What would you do if your boyfriend had trust issues, saw an old message, and spit in your face?

Did you slap him? Nobody spits in your face unless you're submissive. Spitting is a bit juvenile. He isn’t your boyfriend, because boyfriends don’t do that kind of thing, without fear of retaliation. If he has trust issues, he had better get over them or he’s going to be alone in his life.

"Spitting on someone ( unless it is part of someone's fetish ) is just a huge big red flag. I have to be honest. It is time to leave."

-- Tim Ryan

How can you say something is true or false if it's just a belief or fact?

A belief can be either. A fact, on the other hand, must be true… until it isn’t, and then it is true again.

Is repetition the father of learning? Why or why not?

Repetition is the way to learn difficult things. Failure is the father of learning because if you own the failure and repeat the task until you attain the goal, it is the best way you can learn. It does little good to repeat things that you don’t fail to do right. 

Do adults believe in conspiracy theories?

Some do.

Do some people remind you of who you really are?

Yes, quite a few, and I respect all of them. Sometimes, I used to forget who I really was. It cost me a marriage. I learned to listen to those around me and, more importantly, I learned to listen to myself.

Do people's dreams ever come true? If so, how do they know?

Because it’s their dream, and it came true. If they don’t know, they’re not paying attention. 

How can you distinguish between religious beliefs that are based on faith and those that are actually true?

Understanding “faith” is one way. Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Atheists and theists both have “faith” that they are right, but neither of them has any proof for their beliefs. The “proof” will come at the time of their death. If there is nothing, no one will care. If there is life everlasting, the theists will be tickled. The atheists won’t know. They’ll be dead.

“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”

-- J.R.R. Tolkien

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