Questioning Ignorance, Internet, Balance, Awareness, Happiness, and Fate

 

“Enlightenment is man's release from his self-incurred tutelage. Tutelage is man's inability to make use of his understanding without direction from another. Self-incurred is this tutelage when its cause lies not in lack of reason but in lack of resolution and courage to use it without direction from another. Sapere aude! 'Have courage to use your own reason!' - that is the motto of enlightenment.”

-- Immanuel Kant

What is the perspective of enlightened individuals on ignorance?

You have your right to an informed opinion.

Do atheists realize that we're not being a-holes when we try to convert you, we genuinely care about your eternal souls?

If you try to convert those who have already chosen their path, to them you are infringing on their belief system. If you continue down the road, now you are being a pain in the ass. If the discussion gets heated, now you’ve become an asshole. Better that both sides mention their beliefs, and then shut the hell up.

Is it necessary for all adults to own cars?

Nope.

What does it mean when someone says "I don't believe in God"? Is atheism considered a belief system?

Of course. Atheists “believe that God does not exist. That belief, contrary to the theist belief that God does exist, is as much a belief system as the theist system. Agnosticism travels down the same road. The moment someone inserts “belief” into their conversation, it becomes their belief system. It is funny how “belief” works like that.

Should the opinions of others affect our own choices or destinies?

If their opinions have some merit, they might affect our choices, which, down the road, might affect our destiny. It depends on how incontrovertible their opinion is.

Why did God create humans just to judge them?

That is a narrow sliver of fallacy created by non-believers. In all that man has written, notwithstanding, there is no factual document, from God, stating why He created humans. And, the issues with scripture, should tell all of us that most of this is supposition, not fact. We are still validating most of what we call “Holy Scripture” to see a more believable picture. Life hands down lessons, any judgment is how well we learn them.

“Apostle Paul while writing to the Corinthian church in the context of idolatry asks this rhetorical question, “Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?” (I Corinthians 10: 22, ESV). Israel experimented and found the answer. But by that time, they have already ruined their lives. Don’t we dare to follow Israel’s footsteps! Either learn the lesson here or else, the LORD will teach you.”

-- Royal Raj S

How do we avoid the dangers of the internet, and what are some examples of darkness or dangerous stuff on the internet?

Always be aware of possible bullshit. The picture of the 20-year-old fox, with great legs and who wants to know you better, is a fat guy in Cincinnati with visions of being slimmer, female, and bilking you out of a fortune.

Is God in every one of us?

Indeed.

Why does God let horrible bad things happen to good innocent people?

God lets man learn lessons from their choices and decisions, which are poor at best. You can tell a man the oven is hot, but only when he burns his hand does he learn.

Are the Talmud and the Torah delusional nonsense? Are the Talmud and the Torah based on truth, honesty, love, wisdom, and fairness?

Are the Talmud and the Torah, like other “Holy Scripture” written by man? They may be based on one man’s “opinion” of truth, honesty, love, wisdom, and fairness, stating that the “opinion” was handed down by God, but how much of that can we swallow? All religious scriptures we are told are handed down by God or the angels. A nice thought, but how much validity follows?

Can you be a straight man who identifies as gay?

Nope.

What is the stance of scripture on the number of gods that exist or should exist?

“Adam has become one of us…” and the question is, who is “us…”? “Us” seems to mean more than one, unless we see this as the “royal” we. But, this is not how we read it. When we get into the nuts and bolts of Genesis, there are so many problems with the text. Genesis is a pitiful beginning to “Holy Scripture” we are supposed to view as factual.

“And LORD JEHOVAH God said, “Behold, Adam has become as one of us, to know good and evil; now, lest he reach his hand and he will take also from the tree of life and he will eat and will live to eternity.”

-- Genesis 3:22

Is everybody evil or is everybody good?

There must be balance in the universe, so there must be a balance of good and evil.

What are the costs of being born with exceptional talent?

Jealousy, from those who are not exceptional. Jealousy, in the form of detractors from others, can make you second-guess yourself. But, if you are that good, the detraction will be turned into a force of perseverance that will drive you to do so much better than you already are.

Who is credited with the quote, "He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger."?

Confucius.

Why do people assume it is antisemitic or stupid to not believe the Holocaust happened?

It isn’t “stupid” but it does play to the ignorance of the witnessed history. It not only was witnessed by the Jews, the Americans, and the Germans guarding the camps, the numerous ovens for cremation with bones and teeth discovered in them, the evidence presented at the Nuremberg trials, etc., etc., etc. But, if you repeat an alternate history long enough, some people will come to believe it.

Is ignorance the cause of religion?

Or, is religion the cause of ignorance?

Is religion maintained only by ignorance?

I’m not big on organized religion. We have to follow the edicts the “church” is founded on. Yet, God gave us everything we needed to live a righteous life. So, why is there a holy building? Why are there priests, imams, and the like? Why is the Vatican, and other religions, so wealthy in cash? I’m not certain we can call it ignorance, but we have certainly lost our way.

“Religion is regarded by the ignorant as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful.”

-- Seneca 

Why does the brain use self-awareness all the time?

It doesn’t. Many people find themselves “out in left field” due to not being self-aware of what they were doing at the time. Don’t we all wish we could pay attention to ourselves, all the time, so we don’t look like idiots, wandering, out there, in left field?

Why is a woman always submissive?

Not all women are submissive. Some men play into this, as well. 

What’s your price to have sex if no one knows it happened?

What? Why would you pay for something you don't know happened? How would you not know?

Why can someone not believe in the existence of God?

There is no proof, either way.

How do atheists justify their beliefs about religion?

They can’t, any more than theists can. Both sides have “faith” that they are right. Faith is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. The only upside of being a theist is, if the atheists are wrong, there will be a lot more room in the afterlife.

What does God require from us?

It is set down in the Ten Commandments.

Try this:

“I am the LORD your God: you shall not have strange Gods before me.
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
“Remember to keep holy the LORD’s Day.
“Honor your father and mother.
“You shall not kill.
“You shall not commit adultery.
“You shall not steal.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.”

-- The Ten Commandments

As a whole, are you happy with who you are?

Yes. It took a divorce for me to realize it, though.

How can someone make others appreciate their honesty and straightforwardness?

For me, I have no filter. This means I say what’s on my mind. If others appreciate it, that is for them to determine. I couldn’t care less. I will continue to be honest and straightforward, regardless.

What is your fantastic article on anxiety?

I try not to think about it. The article makes me anxious.

Where does God fit into you becoming successful?

I was created with all the mental tools I need to attain my goals. I was also created to be perseverant in the face of failure. If I do fail, I learn where I went wrong and try again until I succeed. I was created this way, as all people were. Recognizing the tools and then utilizing them, is another matter.

Have you ever wondered why so horny and feel slutty this last weeks?

By the missing words in the question, it seems you may still be suffering some side effects. 

What is the psychology behind opting for BDSM?

BDSM is an acronym for Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, and Masochism. It is characterized by one partner being submissive to the other for mutual sexual pleasures (Hot damn! Beat me, hurt me, and make me do things): 

“Sexual activity involves, for example, tying a partner up, games in which one partner controls another, or giving and receiving pain for pleasure. The activities in BDSM are often characterized by the participants taking on roles that involve inequality of power.”

-- Cambridge English Dictionary

Can someone who believes in fate also believe in free will?

Considering their fate is in their hands, it stands to reason that their “free will” would have much to do with their fate unfolding.

What percent of Christians are Christians?

100%. I know a trick question when I see one.

Knowing that I and my choices are to blame for my depression and knowing that only I can get out of it and that it takes a lot of work has made my depression 10 times worse. Why?

Because it will take a lot of work. You know this, and that makes your depression worsen. It might make you feel better to know that almost all of the problems people have are caused by them and their crappy choices and decisions. They might try to shift the blame, but the blame is stuck to them like glue. Make a list of things that will make you feel better, and start working on them. It isn’t that hard to change bad choices and decisions, you just need to start.

Are religious people just wasting their lives and being troublesome and odious to everyone else?

50/50 with atheists. Both sides should shut the hell up. Questions like this add gas to the fire.

How is a bully different from a bad person?

Bad is bad, and a bully is just a different kind of bad person. Bullies get off on making people suffer. It makes them think they are tough, when, in reality, they are probably hurting more than the people they bully. 

Are televangelists trying to lead people to Hell?

They can use the jets they own to ferry people there.

“Televangelists preach a corrupted perversion of Christ's socialist teachings. The prosperity gospel is predatory capitalism masquerading as religion.”

-- Oliver Markus Malloy

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