Questioning Life, Morality, Learning, Conflict, Evil, and Purpose

 

“The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

-- Dr. Seuss

What is the purpose of life according to God? Why do some people not follow or search for it?

The ultimate purpose of life is to learn. If people are searching for it, or not following it, then they have no clue. We are here to learn, period.

How much faith is too much faith?

You cannot have too much faith.

How do you handle doubt and uncertainty in your faith journey?

I have no doubt, and my “faith” journey is exactly that, based on my faith. My God is defined by me, not a church, or a priest. My God is who I defined God to be. God is the omnipotent energy that created this universe. I’m not sure who they chose to play God in Genesis, but that “God” made a lot of mistakes. My God is the perfect energy to create.

What influences your belief in God more, science or faith?

Both. My faith is supported by science. 

Why do some people lose hope and faith so easily?

They want instant assistance, Unfortunately, hope and faith are not instantaneous. They take time and hope, and a little faith, from the people who want it.

What happens when you decide to believe in yourself?

You have attained the next level of awareness.

“Don’t let others tell you what you can’t do. Don't let the limitations of others limit your vision. If you can remove your self-doubt and believe in yourself, you can achieve what you never thought possible.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

Is it impossible for us humans to be moral without religion?

It is very possible to be moral without religion.

Do you believe taking on challenges is a universally satisfying experience for most people? Why or why not?

Yes, because we are here to learn. Challenges give us that impetus to do what we are here for.

What is the basis of morality, religion, or human nature?

Survival.

From a Christian viewpoint, why does evil exist?

There must be balance in the universe. If there is cold, there must be hot. If there is man, there must be woman. If there is dark, there must be light. If there is plenty, there is nil. If there is air, there is a vacuum. If there is good, there must be evil. Balance is needed so we can know what is the opposite.

Is the devil really good and God evil?

No.

What are some reasons why husbands should be more understanding than wives?

I can’t think of one reason. Women raise children, and that, in itself, explains why women are more understanding than men.

“Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach.”

-- Aristotle

Life is boring. Can you prove me wrong? Just about everything I can do feels like I have already done it all, and everything bores me beyond belief because everything I have to do does not make sense, and makes me feel stupid to be apart of it.

Everything in my life has been for a reason. Every reason was a lesson. And, every lesson was an opportunity to learn. I have spent my life learning. As I approach the end of life, I can say it has been well spent. I have learned much, and still have much to learn. I have failed and I have succeeded. I have loved and divorced. Life is never boring for the person who chooses to walk the path. Life is as exciting as you choose it to be. Choose wisely, or be bored.

Does anything “make sense” to you, or is life senseless?

Many things make sense to me, including my divorce.

What is the process of proving that something does not belong to you when someone claims it does?

If it doesn’t belong to you, the impetus is on the accuser to prove their hypothesis. Personally, I would walk away from the drama someone wants to create. But, that’s just me.

What is the life expectancy of an 85-year-old male?

I’m spitballing, but I’d say… more than 85 years.

If a [user of this site] begins his, or her, answer to a question with the words, "there is no such thing as," could it mean the author of the question has a lack of knowledge, or is the author using terms incorrectly?

It could be. It could also mean the answer is going to be bullshit. Not everybody is knowledgeable of everything, and most people are ignorant. It is a fact of life that most people know very little other than what they need to know.

Would you rather have boredom or drama? Why?

Boredom. I am so sick of other people's drama. They need to get a job, a life, a new spouse, yadda, yadda, yadda…

"A TRUE FRIEND is someone who never gets tired of listening to your pointless dramas over and over again."

-- Lauren Conrad

 (Oh, hell no!)

How can you effectively resolve the conflict of ambition with contentment?

For one thing, my ambition, such as it was, was never in conflict with anything but me. I learned early on that I was my worst enemy. I learned to study, pay attention to the job, and be content. The only “peanut in the engine” was my wife, and I finally divorced her. Now, 23 years later, I continue to strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is my choice. I am a truly happy camper!

What is it from the past that remains as fresh as yesterday's memory?

My ex-wife.  All 25 years of her.

How can I stop being afraid of uncertainty? It's almost as if I would rather something bad happen than worrying about something bad happening.

Everybody is afraid of uncertainty. For 23 years, in Air Force Intelligence, I was scared shitless of our uncertainty. The only thing to do was plan the best you could and hope it was good enough. For 23 years we never had an issue.

What does it mean for God to be eternal, and how does this affect your view of time and existence?

God being eternal has nothing to do with time and existence. When we disappear, the world will carry on.

What does it mean to live a life that is pleasing to God?

Live a life that is good, selfless, and meaningful. My God will be pleased.

How does your understanding of God shape your view of purpose and meaning in life?

My “understanding” is my definition of the omnipotent creator of all things. I try to be good in all things and be selfless in my giving. My “understanding” of God has helped bring me closer to the power.

“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one's weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”

-- Mahatma Gandhi

How do you define real spiritual evil with rejection of the concept of love?

I haven’t run into “real spiritual evil” yet. I’ve chased down shadow people, taken photos of spirits, and sent a young ghost on her way. But, I have not encountered real spiritual evil yet.

What is a time when you did something without thinking it through?

My marriage. 25 years of hell.

Do you care that people talk rude about you, when you live in a small town and is freeballing all the time? Are you tough enough to not care, and even have an answer ready if someone say you are vulgar?

I’m in a small town, but I’m not freeballing… ever. I’m tough enough to not care what people think of me, and if they say I’m vulgar, they really don’t know me. I don’t have a ready answer for them. Ignorance is their issue, not mine. I prefer to be truly happy always. 

How would you describe your spouse in one word?

Slut. She is my “ex” spouse. 

I am getting close to calling it “quits” with this life. What should I do?

Calling it quits with this life will negate you getting another chance. If your life is crap, you need to learn from it to make it better. Life is all about learning, and you must have missed that little fact.

What is the poison of happiness in this world?

Stress.

“You must learn to let go. Release the stress. You were never in control anyway.”

-- Steve Maraboli 

What is the purpose of life? Is there a specific purpose that we may not be aware of?

The purpose of life is to learn. People miss this little fact. Life is all about learning.

How do you explain that opinions and beliefs, color our message or response?

Not exercising an open mind is one mistake that will color the message or response. I try to keep an open mind, even when I have an opinion or belief. Having an open mind can help you change for the better.

How would I know if my wife has a spouse?

Uh… isn’t she married to you? Just asking.

What would happen to humans if artificial Intelligence (AI) takes over everything? Would they have a purpose or meaning in life after that point in time?

Would they have a life? Would AI make people slaves to the new regime? The “Terminator” movie comes to mind. Would people be superfluous?

Is studying necessary even if someone is naturally intelligent?

They still need to study, even if they’re naturally intelligent.

Let’s say your soul lives on after you die, the question is, would your soul have existed before you existed?

Probably. But it requires us to know if you are a new entity. You could be new and were just put into the mix. The chances are that you have no history. You never existed, until now.

“The soul is placed in the body like a rough diamond, and must be polished, or the luster of it will never appear.”

-- Daniel Defoe

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