Questioning Life, Sucking, Alone, Faith, Problems, and Anger

“The original question, 'Can machines think?' I believe to be too meaningless to deserve discussion.”

-- Alan Turing

What has no life, but can die?

Machines.

What are the most dangerous animals on the planet?

Man. As tool users, we are the most dangerous.

What does it mean to have a philosophy of getting lucky?

You will fail more times than you succeed.

Is animal sex normal?

The animals seem to think so. Who are we to judge?

What do we need sometimes?

A break.

Is it true that money will solve all your problems?

No.

“Top 15 Things Money Can’t Buy: Time. Happiness. Inner Peace. Integrity. Love. Character. Manners. Health. Respect. Morals. Trust. Patience. Class. Common sense. Dignity.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

Did you suck anything today?

My coffee. They say you “sip,” but that’s a nice way to say you sucked, daintily.

How many hours per week do you spend sitting at your job?

Zero. I’m retired.

How does one control greed?

Control your desires. No wants, no greed. Ta-da!

Why are you so the way you are?

Blame the Air Force. They made me an adult.

Why am I so famous on [this site]?

I don’t know you, so you can’t be that famous.

How do you feel when you are alone sometimes?

Happy with the solitude.

“If you're lonely when you're alone, you're in bad company.”

-- Jean-Paul Sartre

How often do you feel the need to be alone?

More than half the time, but I have relationships.

How does it feel to be successful?

Great! Dealing with the “family trust” is a pain in the ass, though.

Life: What do you work for?

Myself. I have always worked for myself. It is my life, even when I share it.

At what age did you find out that you will have to work?

7 or 8, when I asked Mom why Dad left every day. Work? Holy crap!

Have you had sex with married women?

Yes.

Men don’t value skilled women, why?

Not all men feel this way. I value any skilled person. They get the job done.

"We have a lot of employers who are looking for skilled workers and not being able to find them. And we have workers who lack the requisite skills to access these good-paying jobs in high-growth industries."

-- Elaine Chao

What is your opinion on religious faith, particularly biblical faith?

God stopped writing things down, due to misinterpretation. Why is there a Bible?

What are the limitations of a small person compared to a big person?

Strength. 

Why won't a man marry you?

Because I’m not gay.

Are any questions considered too deep or philosophical to ask ourselves or others? If so, why?

“Why?” is the question for the ages. There's no context. The answer is, "Because."

When do you do what you don't want to?

When I have to.

What is the religious significance, if any, of the phrase "know thyself"?

There is no religious significance. Everyone should know themselves.

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

-- Lao Tzu

Are problems created or caused? Dealing with the cause of a problem will never be solved as long as the people who made the problem are not "neutralized."

Problems are created, and then they are put out there - caused.

How do I stop my "pp" from getting hard in certain situations? When I was in the hospital bed, it was gonna "blow up" in front of the nurses. What do I do in such situations?

It is what it is. Apologize to the nurses, and give them something to talk about.

How do you stop yourself from giving so much knowledge to someone?

Think before you speak, is a good rule.

What is something that happened to you before you were old enough to remember it, but still impacts you to this day?

I wasn’t old enough to remember it, so where did I put the memory?

Should I leave my GF, who makes me really happy, to go to the Air Force? I’ll be really sad, and I do like making her happy. I think I'd be happier if I stayed with her, but I don’t know.

Join the Air Force. Become the man you want to be. She will wait, or not.

Is perpetual uncertainty the birth of wisdom?

No. “Perpetual uncertainty” is constant uncertainty. Wisdom is certain.

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”

-- Socrates

Do you feel anger can be a benefit?

No. Anger is detrimental to a solution.

If someone admits to you, that £20,000 "would sort them out, right now," and assuming you make about £250,000 per month, are you morally obliged to help?

Nope.

What do you understand from the quote “Live with love, love with gratitude”?

Uh… live with love and love with gratitude? It kind of says it all.

Am I my brain, intellect, or my emotions?

Yes, but they are driven by your environment.

How many guys did your wife make love to?

I lost count, and then I divorced her.

Is mental health important? Why is it even so important? Why do my teachers ask about it when no one cares about my feelings anyway? They just ask to check off another box.

If you aren’t drooling, cutting your flesh, holding a train hostage for one dollar, or any of the other mental health quirks, let the teachers check off their boxes. Mental health is important, and you will realize this when they come to put you in a padded room.

“Maybe we all have darkness inside of us and some of us are better at dealing with it than others.”

-- Jasmine Warga

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