Questioning Love, Bullies, Trust, Magic, and Sex

 

“I'm selfish, impatient, and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best.”

-- Marilyn Monroe

How can I be the most loved by everyone I meet?

Good luck… Even Jesus failed at this. He was crucified.

How do you prioritize self-care in your role as a mentor?

Priority “One.” Put your oxygen mask on first, before you assist the passenger next to you. If you’re dead, of what use are you to help other people? Take care of yourself so you are better able to mentor others.

Why do ghosts only attack weak people?

The operative word here is “weak” people. 

What are the pros and cons of atheism and belief? Which side has stronger points and which side relies on emotion more often?

First of all, it’s atheism and theism. Neither side has any "strong" points. Strong points would have to rely on proof, and neither side has any proof. Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Both sides have faith that they are right, but neither side can provide any proof. In my dealings with atheists, they seem to take the shortcut to cussing me out. I suppose this would make them rely on emotion more than theists. Why theists care what atheists believe is of no consequence. If theists are right, there is an afterlife with plenty of room, because atheists won’t be there taking up precious space. If theists are wrong… no harm, no foul.

Is there an absolute truth?

Yes.

How common is it for an atheist to convert another person to atheism?

There are plenty of people out there questioning the existence of God. There are also a lot of people who don’t want to work at belief. It is much easier to deny than to believe. So, if they want the easy way to oblivion, they simply have to deny Him. It takes no work on their part. Easy peasy. It is probably very common, considering the modern work ethic.

“Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality. When we recognize our place in an immensity of light‐years and in the passage of ages, when we grasp the intricacy, beauty, and subtlety of life, then that soaring feeling, that sense of elation and humility combined, is surely spiritual. So are our emotions in the presence of great art or music or literature, or acts of exemplary selfless courage such as those of Mohandas Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr. The notion that science and spirituality are somehow mutually exclusive does a disservice to both.”

-- Carl Sagan

Why do bullies fight with their victims in front of other people?

Because they haven’t had the crap kicked out of them in front of other people by someone smaller than they are. If you kick them hard in the nads they’ll drop to their knees and vomit until they pass out. Do this several times in front of people and they’ll learn that bullying is embarrassing. I was a small guy, and it worked for me, especially in front of their girlfriends. Maybe it had to do with them kissing a vomit mouth.

What are some ways a man can make his girlfriend respect him more?

He can start respecting his girlfriend.

What are some ways to make a bully feel bad for picking on people?

Violence only respects violence. If you want to get their attention, beat the crap out of them. Do this every time they bully someone. The message has a lot of bone to eat through, but it will sink in, eventually.

What are the reasons for the total stupidity of liberals, with the exception of those at the top of the pyramid?

Why make the exception?

How many atheists are open about their beliefs?

By my count… a butt load. I just wish they would clean up their language. I’m all about letting people believe what they want to believe, but why atheists seem to take offense at alternate philosophies by stooping to gutter language confounds me.

Why won’t [this site] allow you to defend yourself if someone is being a jerk to you?

Two wrongs don’t make it right.

"Many of us will be obsessed with one or another kind of secret or revelation, be it gossip about friends or ourselves, a fantasy about spies, or a worry about the most personal information now stored in data banks. But few of us think about secrets in general, or about the moral rights and wrongs of hiding or exposing them."

-- Ian Hacking

What are your thoughts on somebody who has the ability to lie, but chooses not to? Can you trust them? Why or why not?

Everyone has the ability to lie. Many choose not to. Why? Because lying is wrong. The fact that they can and choose not to should garner trust in them. Why would you not trust someone who chooses not to lie? Why would you trust someone who chooses to lie? And, if you do, what does that say about the quality of your own character? 

Do Hindus in the United States think highly of Hinduism?

Uh… they are Hindus, right?

Why are most atheists only atheists against Christianity and not against other religions?

Christians are the only suckers that will be offended by the perpetual offense atheists feel toward them. They need to pack up and go to Iran and spew their vitriol toward Allah. I’d like to see them try to leave the country, not in an urn. 

What are the five sins that an atheist cannot commit?

“Sin” has a religious connotation, and, as such, I don’t think there is a “sin” that an atheist would give credence to. Laws, on the other hand, they might be careful not to break.

Can someone be truly free from sin without religion?

Sin is the purview of religion, therefore, no. Breaking societal laws, on the other hand, might get them in trouble.

Why do I think that Americans are arrogant? Am I the only person thinking about that? Just a reminder. This is not a generalization. I know many Americans who are very humble.

So, why are you generalizing and saying that you’re not? You know many of us who aren’t arrogant, yet you think that Americans are arrogant. Maybe, you shouldn’t be so quick to judge, at least until you think about what you're saying.

“Declare your jihad on thirteen enemies you cannot see -egoism, arrogance, conceit, selfishness, greed, lust, intolerance, anger, lying, cheating, gossiping, and slandering. If you can master and destroy them, then you will be ready to fight the enemy you can see.”

-- Al-Ghazzali

If magic exists, why do people still get sick?

Unbelievers.

Is it fair to expect one's spouse to always put them before anything else?

Are there children? Having asked this, the spouse must pay attention to the “self” before anything else. If the spouse is incapable of taking care of their partner, what good are they? They must be healthy so they can offer quality care to others. The airline safety briefing makes much sense: “Put your oxygen mask first before you help the passenger next to you.”

Two dead passengers will help make for bad press.

What do I do if my boyfriend always says I’m tough and don’t respect him? There is no understanding in my relationship.

Sex really isn’t everything. Maybe it’s time for you to move on.

Why would someone stay in an unhappy relationship? Can this behavior be called loneliness?

That’s what I called it, for about 22 years of a 25-year marriage. I also called it stupidity. I wasted a third of my life with a woman who didn’t love me.

Is it possible for someone to be destined to be alone and never have anyone love them?

It beats wasting 25 years of your life with someone who never loved you.

What are some ways that someone who doesn't like children can become a parent?

If you don’t like children, don’t become a parent. You do a disservice to the children and yourself. A bad parent can be defined as a parent who shouldn’t be one. There are laws that can be used against you. Something to think about.

“Being a bad parent is a sign of not having learned from experience.”

-- Mokokoma Mokhonoana

What are all the sex positions?

Read the Kama Sutra (Principles of Love). It lists most of them.

How do you explain why is my husband rubbing interfron on his skin?

I think you mean “interferon.” If I were you, I’d become knowledgeable about it, then go ask your husband why he’s doing it. There are many articles online.

Why there is censorship in society?

To protect delicate sensibilities.

How do you know you have truly and totally forgiven someone who did you wrong?

You will never know. You can forgive but you will never forget. You say you have, but the memory will linger for the rest of your life. What is worse, the offender will know this, as well. If they have a conscience, the memory will linger for the rest of their life, as well.

Is it common to be 32 years old, a woman, and single?

Only if they’re having a lot of fun.

Why can't we fully understand love?

Because “love” is never really defined by parents who never had it defined for them. Most people think they know what love is, but they fall short of real knowledge.

“When you find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will stand in front of you when other’s cast stones, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who will hold your hand when your sick, who thinks your pretty without makeup, the one who turns to his friends and say, ‘that’s her’, the one that would bear your rejection because losing you means losing his will to live, who kisses you when you screw up, watches the stars and names one for you and will hold and rock that baby for hours so you can sleep…..you marry him all over again.”

-- Shannon Alder

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