Questioning Time, Discipline, Spanking, Quotes, and Girls

 

“There comes a moment in your life when you realize that no matter how hard you try, you're never going to be fluent in Spanish. Or go on that African safari you've read about since you were a kid. Or be as excited as you used to be about catching fireflies. I keep trying to find my answer to life - and it gets more elusive the older I get.”

-- Kim Gruenenfelder

How much time do you spend in this world?

My entire life.

Why do neurotypical people ask me questions if they are not going to accept my answers?

You have come across my favorite group, the League of the Perpetually Offended. It doesn’t matter what your answer is, they will be offended by it. Do what I do… learn to ignore them.

Does needing examples to learn things make you an idiot? What would this say about you if not?

Different people learn in different ways. An example cements what’s being discussed in memory.

Have you imagined little people acrobatically moving between the letters of a page of words on your screen?

No, but if you have, you might want to seek help.

How would you react if your 25-year-old daughter turned bright red and walked out of the room during a family gathering when your relatives pointed out how shy and quiet she is?

She isn’t comfortable in her own skin. She needs to learn to let things roll off her back. The relatives seem spot on, and if what they say is true, she needs to learn to deal with it. She’s 25 years old for goodness sake. She needs to get over herself.

Is Joe Biden a generally dishonest and despicable person? Does he lack integrity?

Ya think? Makes Trump look like a Boy Scout.

"Integrity means being honest and having strong moral principles. A person with integrity behaves ethically and does the right thing, even behind closed doors."

-- Betterup.com

How much does it cost to discipline your child?

A loss of respect, until the child understands the purpose of discipline in their life.

Do you ever wonder if you're wrong, but you stay the course because the opposition keeps making the same stupid mistakes?

I’m rarely wrong. But, I do stay the course because people keep making the same stupid mistakes. If you are the only critical thinker in the room, sooner or later the people will see that you have the better idea.

Between genius and wisdom which will you choose?

Wisdom. Genius is overrated, but it will follow wisdom if you decide to work at it.

Would you allow AI to create day-to-day tasks for you?

Absolutely not. The next step would be letting AI do the tasks. The next step would be letting AI rule the roost. We give too much value to AI and not enough to human ingenuity. We need to take a giant step back and really look at the “Pandora’s Box” we’re getting ready to open. This is something that will get out of hand so rapidly we won’t be able to keep up.

What's the key to unlocking creativity and innovative thinking?

Critical thinking and an open mind.

How do I solve a problem that I have partial knowledge of?

You don’t. Having “partial knowledge” will lead you to a partial solution… if that. It will be better if you take the time to bring yourself up to speed on the total problem.

“Every solution to every problem is simple. It's the distance between the two where the mystery lies.”

-- Derek Landy

Is spanking a big part of your life?

It didn’t used to be, but at 70 years of age, I’m getting into it. Spankings will commence.

Does 2nd Cor. 11:8 contradict 1st Cor. 9:18?

11:8 is a statement, a confession of sin.

9:18 is questioning the point of not charging for preaching, and not abusing their authority.

Christ preached and lived off the generosity, the charity of those around Him. He took no money for his efforts. To question not charging brings us up to the days after Christ when the church became a center for ill-gotten gains and abused their authority. We still suffer under this today. 

How small are you that you still get spankings at 22?

You don’t need to be small to enjoy a pant-down spanking at 22. Just saying.

Does a wise person say nothing but let the actions do the talking?

It depends on whether the action will cause harm. If not, then letting the chips fall where they may, might be a much better lesson than saying anything. Wisdom can be imparted after the action falls apart. In this way, learning takes place.

How can I make women happy?

You might study the Kama Sutra.

What are the reasons why people blackmail others for money? What are some ways to deal with it?

They blackmail you because you have done something that you don’t want anyone to know about. Oops… they found out your secret, The best way to deal with it is to not pay the blackmail and face the consequences. The better way is to not do anything that someone can blackmail you for. If you always strive to be good and selfless, the chances of blackmail are limited to zero.

“You can't use blackmail on someone who doesn't know anything about the hold you have on them.”

-- Charlaine Harris

What's the good word or quote for the day?

Happiness! “Any day on this side of the dirt is a great day!” 

If the universe itself is conscious, how does that redefine our understanding of our place in it and our interactions with it?

Maybe the universe is, actually, the conscious God. In which case, we’re right back where we are, trying to redefine our understanding, our place, and our interactions with the supreme energy that is the universe. God has been, is now, and ever shall be. This defines energy.

If one were to attain absolute knowledge about the universe, would that knowledge inherently change the nature of the universe itself?

No. Our knowledge of the universe changes nothing. What we do with that knowledge, however, may have dire consequences. Knowledge and action are two separate things.

What is the impact of risk-taking behaviors on the life expectancy of men assigned "male" at birth?

What? Sex is not “assigned” at birth. It happens much earlier. And the “risk-taking” behaviors are up to the individual. Let’s not let the responsibility for their actions be someone else’s. They are in charge of their own lives. If what they do shortens their life expectancy, so be it. 

Can human beings live forever?

No. Longer life spans, maybe. But, not forever. That opens the door to deification.

Why do things make us laugh? Do we all have the same sense of humor or not?

They make us laugh because we think they’re funny. Our “sense of humor” depends on our upbringing. Some have a robust sense of humor, whereas others have not so much.

“If fate doesn't make you laugh, you just don't get the joke.”

-- Gregory David Roberts

Do girls want you to miss them?

What they want is of no consequence. I will miss them, regardless.

If a person lies about everything, how can you be sure what they're saying is true?

You can’t, without doing your due diligence. What a waste of time that would be. Better to accept that everything they say is bullshit.

Can a person who has blackmailed others before stop and not do it again?

They might, but their greed would say no.

A “friend” is mad at me. I ask him why but he goes “Think for yourself”. I tried but I might have forgotten but he still won’t tell me. What do I do?

Ignore them. The “friend” seems fine ignoring you, so ignore them. They don’t seem much of a friend, not being honest with you. This game being played is juvenile. Better that you go on with your life and let them stew in their own senseless game. Life is too short to waste time dealing with senseless crap.

What is your opinion on people who think they never make mistakes?

Everyone makes a mistake. If they say they don’t, they are lying to you.

Does my IQ prevent me from becoming a smart person?

No. Anyone can be “smart” in life. Being “smart” has more to do with the wisdom you gather. However, your ability to learn more difficult topics might prevent you from becoming more “intelligent” in life.

“Hiring smart people may be one of the most important decisions that a company can make. It may even be the difference between success and bankruptcy.”

-- Russell T. Warne

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 in 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