Questioning Truest, Success, Tolerance, Idiots, Experts, and Intelligence

 

"Everybody knows something, and nobody knows everything."

-- Dusty Baker

What are the truest things in the world that everyone knows?

It doesn’t matter how true it is, everyone doesn’t know what others know. For instance, time is very factual, yet many people, worldwide, don’t afford a watch and don’t have a clock, so they can’t tell what the time is. 

Which is more important in successfully mastering a discipline, ambition, or talent?

Mastering ambition. If you have no ambition, you have no discipline to learn a talent. Without ambition, everything else falls flat.

Reader comment:  But the world is full of musicians who strain every sinew to master their craft but lack that tiny unlearnable spark that makes them excel at it.

My reply:  And, yet, they don’t lack ambition.

His reply:  Yes. And all to often are heard performing.

My reply:  Yes. And even with you in the audience, they don’t lack ambition. (and that is "too often" not "to often") 

What is the difference between a leader and a manager? How does power play into each role?

A leader leads the team. A manager doles out assignments to the leaders. A leader doles out assignments to the team. The manager ensures the leaders are meeting their deadlines, and the leaders ensure the teams are doing their job. 

Is boredom good for you?

Yes, it lights a fire under my ass to find something to do.

If a man really loves me, would he not let anything bother him about what other people think?

Oh, I’m sure he would be bothered by anyone bad-mouthing you. If you truly love someone you will stand for their honor, preferably on the chest of the person badmouthing you.

What is your opinion on wealthy women who marry poorer men? Does it make sense from an economic standpoint?

No, but true love doesn’t make a lot of sense to most people. 

"I'd rather marry a poor man with a rich heart, than a rich man with a poor heart."

-- Unknown 

What is success in life?

Success in life is true happiness. If you strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances, you will have success in life. It is a simple choice. 

What is it like to be dumb, fool, and stupid?

Well, the word you were looking for is “foolish,” and dumb and stupid are technically the same thing. But, if you know you’re all that, then you have the choice to change how you appear to those around you. Awareness is the first step toward change.

Is it possible to get rid of boredom forever? How can one become emotionally immune to the condition of boredom?

Make a list of things you need and want to do. If you are constantly working on something, you don’t have time to be bored.

How do I explain to my parents that there is no such thing as an evil person? Everyone is good, however, disappointments and jealousy due to everyone not having the same advantages can cause people to do awful things, people aren't bad though.

You can’t explain a falsehood. There are evil people, who do awful things, and they are bad. The fact that you don’t understand this makes you naive. Being naive makes you a target for evil people. You should rethink your philosophy.

How do you usually feel after doing something to combat boredom?

Tired. 

Is it better to forgive and forget or forgive and never forget? What are good examples of both?

It would be better to forgive and forget. However, this is not possible. We can forgive, but our mind our memory, will never allow us to forget.

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

-- Friedrich Nietzsche 

Why am I not tolerant of other people's way of thinking?

You are not open-minded. The fact that no one is perfect should drive you to listen to other people’s way of thinking. They may, very well, be wrong. But, what if they’re right? I would hate to be the only person without a lifevest standing on the deck of a sinking boat. You don’t have to agree, but it is usually safer to be tolerant.

Why do I always feel like people think I'm doing something wrong?

Why do you care what other people think? They are no more perfect than anyone else.

I am 21 and I have wasted many years of my life. What should I do?

This is pretty simple, for someone who is 21 and hasn’t started living life. Stop wasting your life. I joined the military and learned how to not waste my life. There are many ways you can “volunteer” and find purpose in life. Hell, you can become a “first responder” and accomplish this. When you waste your life doing something meaningful, you find meaning in life.

Why is it, the more good and respectful I am towards someone, exactly the opposite I am getting in return?

What you get in return reflects on them. Continue to be good and respectful to people. It defines who you are to those around you.

What does it mean to hurt people's feelings or just hurt people?

This is what assholes do. They get their kicks by hurting people. I think they’d find more satisfaction by not being known as an asshole. How about protecting those who can’t protect themselves? Now, there’s a thought. 

If you have been bullied in the past, can you say the first time you finally stood up to your bully?

I had enough. I licked up a tree branch and was going to beat the bully to death. My friend pulled me off of him. From that point on I never backed down from bullies. I got my ass beat many times, but I never backed down. Pretty soon, they left me alone, especially when I started using their girlfriends against them. What did they think of their “big man” picking on someone smaller? It didn’t say much about their choice of men.

"Bullying is a cowardly act. It's easy to bully someone when they aren't looking or when they can't fight back."

-- Ronda Rousey

Are you a fucking idiot?

Probably, but not more so than you.

How do I tell my partner that I have been with someone else?

“I don’t love you like I used to.” Well, it stands to reason that you don’t, or you wouldn’t have been with someone else.

Is there a point in trusting anyone in this world?

If you trust yourself, you will probably not be disappointed.

Is it appropriate to identify as an "atheist" if one is unsure about what is true and what isn't?

That would be an agnostic. An agnostic questions the validity of God, because they aren’t certain what is right.

Why does my boyfriend get upset when I am honest with him, even though we agree that honesty is important in our relationship?

He’s a hypocrite.

Can anything ever go wrong if destiny exists?

Destiny exists because things go wrong. We can be on a path, to what we think is our destiny, when something happens. We make a choice, a decision. It can be good or bad, but it changes what we thought was our destiny. Our destiny is not what we think it is. Our destiny is what we make it.  Our destiny will be shaped by the triumphs and failures of the choices in our lives.

“Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

-- William Jennings Bryan 

Regardless of whether one is a celebrity or a normal person, is it a nice feeling to try to be an expert in your field, and what are such people called?

Experts in their field.

How do I deal with a bossy friend who has a superiority complex?

Find something you can do that they can’t. Oops! They’re normal. You don’t have to bow to their bossy attitude.

How can you help someone with internet addiction?

Take them camping, for a week, in the mountains, without a computer.

Can atheism be supported without arguing against religion or the existence of gods? If so, what would these arguments look like?

Arguing atheism and theism is two jackasses braying at each other. There is no incontrovertible proof, either way. Both sides have faith that they are right, and faith is a belief supported by little or no proof. Ask a theist for proof and they will fall back on faith. Ask an atheist for proof, and they will call you names, cuss you out for being stupid, and will have no cogent answer.

I've impressed an old classmate of mine on Facebook with my intelligence, wisdom, grammar, and analytical skills. I’ve blown his mind. Isn't it insane?

It doesn’t take much for “certain people” to be impressed.

Why are humans scared of artificial intelligence?

Without rules or laws governing AI, there is a real chance that we can lose control of it. Issac Asimov knew this years ago and, still, nobody is paying attention. Consider the following nightmare:

“Compassionate AI concept implies that the machine not only comprehends the complexities of human suffering but actively seeks solutions that alleviate pain and contribute positively to societal welfare.”

-- Amit Ray

How is the intelligent man in the world?

Uh… the same way everybody else got here. Sex. Am I missing something?

Where can I find safe and enjoyable online conversations?

“Safe” is where you’ll run into problems. The voluptuous young girl looking for safe conversation is, actually, a 46-year-old fat guy from New York City. Enjoyable, possibly, but safe? Don’t count on it.

How would you reply to a person saying "Marhaba" to you?

“And, God loves you, as well.”

What are some signs that your significant other doesn't really love or care about you? How can you tell if someone is using another person?

You will know in short order. It isn’t that hard to tell that the person “loving” you is using you. I fought this battle for 25 years, thinking I could bring her over to me. She finally admitted she had never loved me. Divorce was the only option at that point. It wasn’t that I was that stupid, I truly loved her. But wasting a good chunk of life on someone who will just keep on using you? It was time to save some of my life to enjoy.

Reader Comment: True, I’m so sorry, she was so wrong for that but I know you know that someone is going to really cherish you!

My reply: Indeed.

What are some New Year's resolutions for someone who doesn't have any goals in their life?

They can resolve to continue not having any goals for the coming year.

How much jealousy is necessary between lovers?

If you truly love each other there is no room for jealousy. They are the other arm of the relationship that supports the two of you. You can be extremely happy for their contribution to your relationship. If you find that you are really jealous, then something has gone terribly wrong between you two.

“A lot of people get so hung up on what they can't have that they don't think for a second about whether they really want it.”

-- Lionel Shriver

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