Questioning Atheism, Difficult, Genius, Sacrifice, Longevity, and Kids

 

“An effort was made to spread this new materialist atheism with its Communist consequence "by the sword" (as the metaphor goes), that is, by the invasion of neighboring countries with consequent further massacres and the extension of the area of despotic Soviet control... This armed attempt at expansion was checked by Catholic Poland, the most immediately exposed victim, in what has been called "one of the decisive battles of the world.”

-- Hilaire Belloc

 

Atheists, a new country is formed called 'The Christian Republic of Jesusville.' You are the only non-Christian in the entire country. Everyone around you is praying and worshipping all day long, while also reading their Bibles. What will you do?

Atheists are who they are. Christians will respect their belief and leave them alone to believe as they want. Why should an atheist feel they need to be something? They aren’t existing just to placate theists. It is what it is.

What religion has the most proof of it being true?

Buddhism.

Atheists never come to their atheism through research, they become atheists by blindly believing what other atheists say. Is that true?

It is the same for theists. Neither side has any incontrovertible proof that what they believe is true. Both sides, theists and atheists, have faith in what they believe. Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof.

How did you start going naked for others and at what age?

That was the first time I had sex, and I was 16.

Is it possible to identify as a "nonbeliever" instead of an atheist to avoid conflict with believers?

You do know that “non-believers” are atheists, right? Better if you become an agnostic, and question the validity of a God figure. As an “agnostic” you’re still sitting on the fence.

Is it true that every religion has its own version of truth, but no single religion holds all the truth?

It is true that every religion thinks they have a version of truth. But no religion has any incontrovertible proof that they are right. Even Islam has several versions of “truth” depending on the Imam you choose to listen to. How can you have a "terrorist" version of peaceful Islam? What "religion" thinks is not what God intended. 

"Protestantism has the method of Jesus with His secret too much left out of mind: Catholicism has His secret with His method too much left out of mind; neither has His unerring balance, His intuition, His sweet reasonableness. But both have hold of a great truth, and get from it a great power.

-- Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) 

How do you help a difficult person become less difficult?

You assume they must want to be less difficult. But, a difficult person is difficult for their reasons, and they will probably balk at any suggestion you make so they can be less difficult.

How are people who lack motivation and intelligence perceived? Are they considered dumb or not smart enough?

They are perceived as being lazy. They are not necessarily dumb.

Can an average person improve their intelligence through practice to the point of being able to solve complex math problems or play an instrument well?

If they have the talent to pull it off, yes. Improving intelligence is no proof of any talent. They may know the chords to play, but the fingers just don’t want to. As for me, I just love math, and I have tried, but it escapes me. I have no talent to help me pursue higher mathematics.

Why is it so hard to find a feminist with large boobs?

Why is it hard to find a feminist that doesn’t want to be a man? I think that kind of answers your question.

Are there truly those who can ''do no wrong'', or are those who say a certain individual can do no wrong in the eyes of others who are just being paranoid and bitter?

There are people we say can “do no wrong” in our eyes, but everyone does something wrong, it is part of being human. I am my worst critic and, as such, I know I do things that are just stupid. No one is perfect, and if they say they are… run!

Why are dumb people happy yet intelligent people aren’t?

“Dumb” people learned the truth of life’s success. Don’t stress. Strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of circumstances. Most people miss this fact of life.

“Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.”

-- Ernest Hemingway

Why are geniuses often really lost in life?

One doesn’t necessarily follow the other. Just because you’re a “genius” doesn’t mean you know anything about life. Genius only means you’re over the top in something, but life might not be it.

How can you determine if someone is intentionally using incorrect grammar or not?

Considering that most people are ignorant when it comes to grammar and punctuation, it is difficult to tell.

What do you think is the most important quality for a person to possess, and why?

Selflessness. They will never be selfish when it comes to helping other people. They will be of help and expect nothing in return. People think this means they can be used, but that is rare. Selfless people tend to know when someone is going to use them and take advantage.

What is the importance of life when there is no life?

When there is no life, the importance becomes disappointing and moot.

Is it possible for someone to be highly intelligent but not realize it and consider themselves to be average?

I never realized it until I managed to make it to college. I almost didn’t graduate from high school. It turns out they weren’t teaching me anything I wanted to learn. My mom was so worried that I was “intelligent” but wasn’t getting the commensurate grades. I had two wall maps in my room where I plotted UFO and Sasquatch sightings. I taught myself to plot coordinates and brief people about what the maps were showing. When I got into college, I rarely cracked a book and made a 3.2 GPA in Psychology. Psychology got me an Intelligence position in the Air Force when I was drafted for Vietnam. I tested in the top 10% of USAF personnel. I served for 23 years and loved it.

What is the best way to describe a person who is intelligent but lacks common sense? How about a person who is not very intelligent but has common sense?

It makes sense that an “intelligent” person lacks common sense. A person who is not intelligent, but has a butt load of common sense, is considered “smart” where I come from.

“Don't be afraid of being scared. To be afraid is a sign of common sense. Only complete idiots are not afraid of anything.”

-- Carlos Ruiz Zafón 

Why would someone be afraid to make a sacrifice if it meant changing things for the better?

If everything they tried failed, it makes sense they might be cautious.

Are we supposed to worship God or Jesus?

If you pay homage to the Son, you also pay homage to the Father. But, according to the Son, the Father is the one to worship. 

Where the supremely intelligent demand proof, what have they ever proven?

Gravity.

How do airports impact a country's reputation?

I don’t visit countries where air travel is hit-and-miss. A well-tuned airport says much about a country’s abilities.

What are some reasons one would be afraid to make their own moves in life?

They are more wrong than they are right, and they have a hard time learning.

What qualities make someone truly smart besides book smarts and common sense?

Listening, paying attention, and speaking only when they have something informative to say. If they can do this and be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of their circumstances, they are truly smart.

“The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart. And being thoughtful. And being generous. Everything else is crap! I promise you! It's just crap that people try to sell to you to make you feel like less. So don't buy it. Be smart, be thoughtful, and be generous.”

-- Ashton Kutcher

Why do Christians prefer longevity to heaven?

Heaven will always be there, and they will always be worthy, so if they can live a little longer and practice selflessness on a few more people, heaven can wait and God will be pleased. 

What emotions does God experience toward his creation?

You ask everyone to guess. What God thinks is the purview of God, not man.

Which quote holds more value: "It's not about money, it's all about happiness" or "Money makes the world go round"?

They sound equal, but true happiness is something we should have before we consider undertaking to make the world go around.

I am 19 years old, but making lots of mistakes. I felt like losing hope after my mother told me everything bitter and hurtful. Do I still have hope when I hurt? How to overcome the hurt?

Mistakes are life serving up some lessons you need to learn, and life is all about learning. I’m 70 years old, and I have not stopped learning. Strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a choice. If you ignore what your mother says and just be truly happy in life. Your mother might come around to your way of thinking. You must always have faith, and hope is the product of having faith. So have faith if you have nothing else. Any day on this side of the dirt is a marvelous day. Don’t waste it.  

How do I pretend to be Captain Hook?

You’ll need a hook to replace your left hand and a lavish pirate outfit.

Why don't I do something I know I am capable of doing just because it's easy to do? How do I deal with this problem?

You are procrastinating. If it is easy to do, it isn’t a problem and you have no reason for not doing it. Life is a journey, so do the damned project and start moving down the road. You are wasting too much time.

“Time is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can't buy more hours. Scientists can't invent new minutes. And you can't save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you've wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow.”

-- Denis Waitley

My girlfriend said she wants kids. What should I do?

Marry her, and have the sex of a lifetime.

How can leaders create a safe space for employees to experiment, learn from mistakes, and grow?

If they are good leaders, on-the-job is a safe place to experiment, learn from mistakes, and definitely a good place to grow.

What will you say to God about your sins on Judgement Day?

“Oops…”

How do you feel about praying to a god that you don't believe in?

I don’t pray to God. I talk to Him. My description of God is different than many, but I believe in an omnipotent power in the universe that created all things. You can believe or not, or you can question the existence. It’s a choice to believe is something for which there is no proof, either way. I like to pad my bet for everlasting life, so I believe.

What is the meaning behind saying "I am afraid" or "I have fear"? How can we cope with fear?

It means you’re going to be that much more careful in what you do. Fear keeps us alive.

Why are there evil people in the world?

They provide balance for all the good people in the world. Without evil, we wouldn't know what to do when we come face-to-face with it.

“People who claim that they're evil are usually no worse than the rest of us... It's people who claim that they're good, or any way better than the rest of us, that you have to be wary of.”

-- Gregory Maguire

 

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