Questioning Forgiveness, Awakening, Philosophy, Anger, Kamala, and Learning

 

"Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a commitment. It is a choice to show mercy, not to hold the offense up against the offender. Forgiveness is an expression of love."

-- Gary Chapman

What does forgiveness mean to you, and how do you practice it?

“Forgiveness” is excusing humans for trespassing, whether they do it knowingly or not. I practice it constantly, but drivers I have little patience for. I am working on my forgiveness for bad drivers. It is a work in hard progress. They need to pay more attention to driving.

Reader comment: A friend of mine introduced me to [this site]. I have been observing some comments lately and I find you very interesting and clever.  I will be glad enough if only you can appreciate my special time.  Please do me a favor and follow me back.

My reply: Done.

If you were playing truth or dare and it's your turn, do you choose truth: admit your most embarrassing moment or dare: walk around the neighborhood at night in your underwear?

Truth. There is nothing most people don’t already know about me.

If you knew the outcome of each choice, would you still make the same decision, or would you be plagued by endless hesitation and fear?

Each choice is the best I can come up with. It may not be the best outcome, but it is the best choice. When making important choices, hesitation and fear need to take a back seat to what is right and good. I can deal with it, and the people it effects need to deal with it as well.

What is the wisest advice?

Stay out of debt.

What should I do? I try to face many problems. Nowadays, when I solve one problem, another one rises up. When I solve this problem, then another problem is created. I am so confused and stressful.

What we call “problems” are lessons we need to work through and learn. I have many “problems” in life, and I smile and work through them. Some take quite a while to work through. I learn the lesson, so the next time it comes up, I can handle it easily.

What happens when a person surrounds himself with people with a common goal and desires?

Things get accomplished.

“Effective leaders can work effectively with different people. Even when they differ in opinion, they find common ground to accomplish a common goal.”

-- Gift Gugu Mona

Can an intense spiritual awakening experience with God lead to a loss of spirituality in life?

No. If it does nothing else, it will magnify the spirituality of life through the “spiritual awakening” experience.

If the woman is called the mistress, what is the man called?

Master.

How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with a partner without letting them escalate into major issues, and what techniques have you found most successful?

I used to tell her, in a calm voice. to leave the room. Lately, I have noticed that my look tells her the whole story. She leaves the room. Nothing escalates, and there are no “major” issues. Peace reigns over the kingdom.

Reader comment:  Your kingdom, obviously - big hint there - ‘leave the room’ indeed! Bossy, bossy, bossy!

My response:  It is my “kingdom” that I’m willing to share. I hate conflict, and she knows when to stop cutting bait and go fishing. We share peace in the kingdom.

Buddhism suggests we put anyone "above" us. What is wrong if we cherish ourselves, too?

We are on the "lowest" level. We are still cherished.

What does it mean to compromise your morals?

If you lead a moral life and come upon an issue that requires you to compromise your good morals, to do what is needed even if it is bad. A person with a good moral philosophy will never compromise their morals. Unfortunately, there are times when one fudges a bit, to do what is wanted, not necessarily needed.

What is the difference between karma and lessons from God?

Lessons we learn from. Karma takes care of issues we don’t want to dirty our hands with.

“Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at the moment.”

-- Eckhart Tolle

What distinguishes a philosophy from a philosophy major?

There are many philosophies, and the “major” covers most of them.

Is the statement "human beings are made in the image of God" meant to be taken literally or metaphorically? If it is not literal, what is the significance of this statement for humanity?

The “Bible” is a work of man, not God. You can take it literally or metaphorically, or you can take it as an affront to God, who stopped giving the written word to man because man reinterprets it. The “Holy Bible” is a work of stories, on which to base a religion. That’s it.

How do I know if it's God taking away my ambition for a good reason, or the devil trying to lower me?

God has no interest. It is probably your “choices” allowing the devil to exercise.

What is the term for someone who values women?

It could be a pimp, someone who loves women, or an employer who needs women. I’m sure many more people value women. I value women because I’m a man that loves them. I hold them, cry with them, and enjoy their company. The “terms” can be manyfold.

Why do people have different beliefs about the existence and nature of God? Is it possible for everyone to agree on the truth?

Generally, they base their belief on a book written by man. What do you think?

What is a moral person?

A person who concerns themselves with the “principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.” Good “morals” are so much better than bad morals.” When we speak of a “moral” person, we assume them to be good, unless the person speaking defines them otherwise.

“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.”

-- Marcus Aurelius

How would you characterize a husband who displays anger and aggression towards his wife, but acts polite and loving when others are present?

A bad husband.

What is life? Why am I alive?

You are alive so you can learn. Someone didn’t tell you this. Someone didn’t inform your parents, either. Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger, most people don’t know this. You are alive to learn. The more you understand (ie, learn) the farther you move forward in the next life.

Is at-home atheist instruction the poor man's university?

Using this sad definition, any “home instruction” is a poor man’s university.

Do you believe in fate and the power of the universe? Why or why not?

“Fate” is the result of your choices and decisions, or the ripples of someone else’s choices and decisions that affect your life, if you let it. You have much power over your fate.

Is it okay to dislike the mentally ill?

They are sick. What did they do to you?

What is the most accurate version of the Bible according to God's word? Why do different versions of the Bible have varying word counts?

It is the reason God stopped writing down instructions. Man misinterpreted them. The “Holy Bible” is an example of writing down what God didn’t hand down. Differing text and lengths. Don’t blame God. This is man’s doing.

“It is fashionable in some academic circles to exercise scholarly criticism of the Bible. In so doing, scholars place themselves above the Bible and seek to correct it. If indeed the Bible is the Word of God, nothing could be more arrogant. It is God who corrects us; we don’t correct Him. We do not stand over God but under Him.”

-- R.C. Sproul

What quote best describes Kamala Harris?

Incompetent.

Why is evolution just a theory, not a proven fact?

Because we haven’t seen an “evolution” occur. Until we see “natural evolution” it will remain a theory.

How can you ensure dedicated resources align with your project goals?

I always did. It was the benefit of working for a good company.

Can spreading false information ever be justified for a greater cause?

In military Intelligence, we used “false information,” as a way to save lives. It worked many times and saved many lives. So, yes. Spreading false information can be justified for a greater cause.

Why do people hate psychiatry? Don't they realize it is for their own good?

It is the “sigma” of going to a psychiatrist. They don’t want anybody to know.

How can you determine if someone is truly in the military or using it as a cover-up for their identity?

Ask to see their laminated military identification card. It will have their picture, a “DD FORM” number on the back, and it will say “PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT”. It is almost impossible to fake these.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

-- Sun Tzu

If my question is not permitted to request answers from people, due to the nature of it.  How will anybody ever help solve it? How would anybody even see the question, to answer it?

The site, whether they know it or not, wants you to learn. Perhaps, how to ask questions that are permitted. You are supposed to learn. It is why we are in this life. 

What are the benefits of loyalty?

Trust, protection, and to a lesser point, friendship.

Do you agree with this viewpoint that progress is defined by what we don't need to know?

Progress would be more forthcoming if we knew more about what we were doing the progress for. Ignorance does not benefit anybody.

Why do some people you know end up enemies?

Combined ignorance. They don’t know any better. 

What are ethics and ethical behavior in an organization?

Ethics is very good behavior. Unfortunately, it is rare to find good “ethics” in an organization, even if you look to the Vatican. “Ethics and ethical behavior” can be bent, to the breaking point, and beyond if necessary to attain the end product. “Bending” ethics is not the best tact. Bending is not good. Breaking good ethical behavior is just wrong.

What are some examples of questions in ethical concerns and responsibilities?

“Why?” It is the only question that isn’t answered with any total honesty.

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.”

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

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