Questioning Education, Girlfriends, Love, Negativity, and Nonsense

“Are there moments when our brains are not exercising?” I questioned. “That would be almost like being brain dead...”

-- Vann Chow

Why are there so many so-called "educated people" totally brain-dead?

I run into them all the time. I mean, really, who would vote for Joe Biden… again? But, he has good percentages. It seems like a lot of people don’t mind paying more… for everything.

What is logic, and why do we study it?

Logic defined: “The study of the laws of thought or correct reasoning, and is usually understood in terms of inferences or arguments.” To make it simple, logic is the study of the laws of thought or correct reasoning. We study logic so we can make the right choices for society and our personal life. If it isn’t logical, we can change it. If it is logical, but doesn’t follow the train of thought, we can delete it from that train of thought and put it where it needs to be.

What is the communication problem I face and solve in real life?

Clarity. If your communication is not clear, what’s the point of communicating it? Your message must be clear and concise. If it is too long, it affects the clarity, and people lose interest.

Why do people talk and behave as though it were scripted?

Plastic people. I don’t hand around with phony people. If you do, you might think about choosing a better class of people. You know… real people.

Who do you believe created human beings and everything else?

You begin the question with “who” which would drive the answer to a being. My definition of “God” concerns the omnipotent power in the universe, not a being. Scripture defines this power as it was, is, and shall ever be; a world without end. For me, this defines “God” as the universal energy that created the “Big Bang” at the beginning of time, more than it defines “God” as a being. 

Who makes the world a better place for you?

I do. The world I live in is my choice. I can go anywhere, but I choose to be where I am. If you trust someone else with your “better place,” you will soon be disappointed. 

“We are our choices.”

-- Jean-Paul Sartre

How do you say to your girlfriend that you don't want to lose her?

“I don’t want to lose you.” Is this a trick question?

Should I explain myself to the guy I rejected two years ago?

Why would you want to revisit your rejection? It is history. If he wants to know, he can ask. But, it has been two years. I think he moved on.

Why do I like hurting people?

You’re a sadist.

How do I get my parents to stop caring about me?

They brought you into this world. Have a little appreciation. Any day on this side of the dirt is a great day to get something done. Thank them for caring.

How can you make a sad girlfriend happy?

I usually start by buying her flowers, giving her a big caring hug, and I make her dinner.

Do men have a responsibility to make a woman feel safe?

It is our responsibility, but women, these days, don’t seem to want our help. This works for me. I have better things to do than selflessly dote over a woman who doesn’t want it. 

“If you're looking over your shoulder, then you're not secure.”

-- Anthony T. Hincks

I can not love. What do you think of me?

I try not to.

Why do men tell me they love me and want me and then leave me?

They have high expectations, probably selfish, and you don’t deliver. Let me guess. Are you pretty? If you are, you’re probably not “loose” sexually. Sooner or later you’ll bump into a real man that will truly fall in love with you. Give it time.

Is it possible to change a rude person into a nice person? If yes, how?

Wait until they ask you to stick your nose into their business. It will be easier.

Do you think that you have to marry someone to truly love them?

No. marriage is a simple piece of paper that confirms that you are married. The piece of paper does not make you love the other person. Usually, the love you feel for them comes before you ask for their hand in marriage. But, if this “love” has happened, why do you feel the need to marry? If you truly love someone, that is all one can ask. 

Why do you say you love me?

If I say it, it must be true, otherwise, I’m only in lust for you. But, then, I’d say that to you as well, since I have no filter.

What power in strength did God give you today?

Forgiveness. It is the purview of the strong.

“God's greatest blessing; gift of children.”

-- Lailah Gifty Akita

Where do you think most of the negativity in the world comes from?

Greed. Philosophically, monetarily, personally, and society’s greed.

Why do some people fear losing their religion even though there is no concrete evidence of its existence?

The evidence is their faith in their belief. Having said this, niether atheists nor theists have any proof. Such is the point of having faith. “Faith” is the belief in something for which there is little or no proof.

Is there any such thing as good or bad?

It amazes me that you don’t know this. Terrorists I can understand. They’re insane. But normal people should be aware of what is good and bad.

We come to this world with nothing, and we leave with nothing, so why are we here?

To learn. You don’t leave with nothing. You leave with all you have learned while you were here. You take all of this information into the next existence, where you will learn some more, and so on until your wisdom crosses into Nirvana.

How do I ask a woman out on a date?

“Would you like to go out on a date with me?” (This is a hard one.)

What is wrong with the attitudes of humanity? What is wrong with the earth scientifically?

The attitude of humanity is greed. Scientifically, we are screwing it up. We will use the earth until we go the way of the dinosaurs. The earth, however, will abide. It will wipe away all evidence of humanity and will continue where it left off… before we showed up.

“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”

-- Socrates

Should a person be selfish in love?

Not a bit. Love everyone, even your enemies (because it will piss them off).

What sets your religious group apart from others in the eyes of God?

I have no “religious group,” per se. Organized religions all have hidden agendas. I am a “spiritual” being, and, as such, I have my definition of God and what God does. I thank God each morning for the gift of another day in paradise and another chance to try and do good.

Why do some people not want to do anything? Is it fear?

Fear and laziness.

Are all spiritual faiths true if they contradict each other?

No, they aren’t all true. However, they do try to play the same tune of righteousness. If you treat people right, if you are honest, and if you are always good and do good deeds, you will earn a spot in whatever righteous spiritual faith you believe. You might even earn a spot in the true faith.

What is the relationship between respect and fear?

If you don’t respect your fear, your life expectancy clock is ticking down.

Sometimes we have to get rid of our pets and that's okay. They're just animals and it's called being an adult. Where would you go to get rid of a pet?

Do me a favor. Don’t get another pet as a companion. They are just animals, and, as such, they look to us to protect them from harm. Being an adult means taking the responsibility for protecting your pets.

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.”

-- Anatole France

How can it be true that just because you don’t understand something, it does not mean it’s nonsense?

It may not be nonsense, just as it could very well be nonsense. Your understanding of the “something” could be in question. Does it make no sense because you don’t understand it, or because it really makes no sense at all? I am constantly asking people to restate things that make no sense to me. That doesn’t make it nonsense… yet.

If ignorance is bliss, what is willful ignorance?

Willful bliss. Damn… this is easy. 

Why are intelligent and deep people always depressed?

I consider myself intelligent, smart, and deep, and, at 70 years of age, I am anything but depressed. You need to strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances in life. It is a simple choice we all have to make.

My teacher failed me in math. So I came to his home and threw a brick through his window. The brick sent his daughter into a coma. Am I in the wrong?

So, you didn’t do as well in math as you should. He didn’t fail you, he tried to teach you and you failed yourself. And, because you didn’t apply yourself to math, you thought it was appropriate to take your shortcomings out on his daughter. Now, you wonder if you’re in the wrong. You took your inability to get a good grade out on the teacher. I’d say you’re a very poor marksman, as well.

Can I be the bringer of peace to the world?

Good luck!

Is it unethical to offend people?

Pretty much. If you go around offending people, what does that say about you? You practice being “unethical” and you think you offend them? You offend yourself by offending others. Not a "good game" plan for life. Having said this, I have no filter.  I offend people without ever knowing it.

“Nobody has the right to not be offended. That right doesn't exist in any declaration I have ever read. If you are offended it is your problem, and frankly, lots of things offend lots of people. I can walk into a bookshop and point out a number of books that I find very unattractive in what they say. But it doesn't occur to me to burn the bookshop down. If you don't like a book, read another book. If you start reading a book and you decide you don't like it, nobody is telling you to finish it. To read a 600-page novel and then say that it has deeply offended you: well, you have done a lot of work to be offended.”

-- Salman Rushdie

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