Questioning Marx, God, Atheists, Russell, Cheating, and Advice

 

"The various strands of Marx’s thought surveyed here include his philosophical anthropology, his theory of history, his critical engagement with the economic and political dimensions of capitalism, and a frustratingly vague outline of what might replace it. Whatever the connections between these threads, it seems implausible to suggest that Marx’s ideas form a system which has to be swallowed or rejected in its entirety. It might, for instance, be that Marx’s diagnosis looks more persuasive than his remedies. Readers may have little confidence in his solutions, but that does not mean that the problems he identifies are not acute."

-- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

Why is Karl Marx's work being studied in philosophy classes?

If you studied him in a philosophy class, you would have a better answer than you will ever get here.

Kamala Harris can't even do interviews with those in the press, that want her to win. What does that say about her ability to think on the fly?

All good points.

How does our upbringing shape our perception of success and failure in life?

Unless you ignore a bad upbringing, it will be up to you to be a success in life. A good upbringing will give you a better chance to make life a success.

Should we help others without expecting anything from them in return?

Yes. It is called “selflessness”. You should never help with any thought for yourself.

Do we possess a soul? Should we listen to our hearts and seek our conscience to guide a happy, healthy, and virtuous life?

If you listen to your heart you will get in so much trouble. Listen to your brain. A better thought is to strive for true happiness always, and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Your soul will thank you.Am I wrong for not wanting to celebrate my birthday? I told my parents that I didn’t want to celebrate it but they are doing it anyway.

They are your parents, so give them a break. They brought you into this world, and they can take you out. Celebrate.

“Don't expect gifts on your birthday, because when you were born you already received the greatest gift, existence!”

-- Mehmet Murat ildan

What does it feel like for God to favor you?

God favors no one. If you do “good” throughout this life, you may get a ticket for the next life.

Which intelligence agency has its dedicated research lab, that does research without disclosing its findings, tools, and weapons to the public? Which intelligence agency is known to accumulate a competitive advantage by being decades ahead in research?

The FDA and/or the CIA.

What is a possible counterargument to, "God exists because I believe in him."?

God exists, whether you believe it or not. It is the definition of God, that is the problem, for some people.

Which scientist would atheists believe in when different scientists have different theories about the universe?        

Any scientist that won’t mention God in their explanation.

What does it feel like for Jesus to hate you?

Jesus will not hate you. You will hate yourself, for everything you did that was bad. You may have to pay for it. It is what it is.

My husband told me he hates the life he built with me after 26 years of marriage. I am so hurt but don't want to divorce him. What should I do?

Sounds like my wife after 25 years of marriage. I divorced her. Get a clue.

“Every woman that finally figured out her worth, has picked up her suitcases of pride and boarded a flight to freedom, which landed in the valley of change.”

-- Shannon L. Alder

Do atheists believe that they have control over their own lives?

I would hope so.

How do you respond to, "If God doesn't exist, who created the universe?

It depends on your definition of God. If “God” is the omnipotent power that is the universe, then yes. Like I said, it all depends on your definition.

Are there any evil windows?

No, only evil spirits that operate them.

What can we learn from communicating with God?

Prayer is a way of asking God to help you to find an answer. You pray and focus on the issue at hand. In your mind, with all that focus, you might find the answer you are looking for. Was it God, or was it you focusing on the problem? That is for you to decide. Regardless, “prayer” helped you find the answer you were looking for.

Why are girls friends with other girls and boys friends with other boys?

It depends on who they have more in common with.

My wife is upset with me because I asked her to wait until I leave for work in the morning to poop. Is this unreasonable?

That is idiotic. When you need to poop, you need to poop. Holding it back can be unhealthy. If you don’t want to be around when she poops, why in the world did you marry her? If I were her, I’d tell you to leave, because I need to poop, and I’d be heading for the bathroom. Stay or go, it is your decision.

“You ask Raymond what he does for a living and he says, "I breathe and walk and when I'm told to sit I sit and when I'm told to leave I leave and return home to luxuriate and think of how much I despise them.”

-- Patrick deWitt

Was Bertrand Russell right in saying Aristotle’s logic is limited? If so, what books on logic should one study in order to learn how to employ it?

Bertrand’s understanding falls short by not understanding the “golden rule” of, “Keep it simple, stupid.” The logic is limited for a reason. If you make logic too complicated, the simplicity of it gets lost.

My wife and I have been arguing for the last two weeks and everything is good this week. I went in to make love but she rejected me and told me today that I have to earn it. What do I do?

File for a divorce. That will put the fear of God in her.

Is belief in God and religion essential for moral guidance, despite the fact that many people have lived good lives without any religious beliefs?

Well, “many people have lived good lives without any religious beliefs,” this seems to answer your question. God and religion are not necessary to have moral guidance. Morality is a choice. God, and religion, are only necessary, according to the Christian faith, for a chance to live in the realm of the afterlife.

Why do politicians think we, as citizens, are dumb?

Who voted them in? Nuff said.

I'm 29 years old. I have no job, not married, broke, and living with my parents. What should I do?

At 29 years of age, if I were your parents, I’d throw you out. You need to get a fricking job and stop being a blood-sucking leech to your parents.

My husband cheated on me after 31 years (3 adult kids) and told me the reason was, "he stopped loving me a few years ago." He's been with a married OW for 11 months. Should I divorce or not?

Yes, and take him for everything he has. Divorce is an eye-opener.

“If you spend your time hoping someone will suffer the consequences for what they did to your heart, then you're allowing them to hurt you a second time in your mind.”

-- Shannon L. Alder

How do I deal with my husband cheating on me with the woman he had children with?

Divorce. It seems he hasn’t changed.

Would most atheists choose to become religious again if they could go back in time before becoming an atheist?

Why do you say, “again”? Their mindset says religion is not the way to go. If they go back in time, the same mindset will prevail. Atheism and theism are choices we make. We make choices for reasons and the reasons will still be prevalent if we go back in time.

What if you caught your wife cheating on you with a woman?

Can I watch?

Have you ever been cheated on? If so, how did you handle it?

It ended with me filing for a divorce. I couldn’t count the men she had sex with. I finally said enough was enough, after 25 years of fighting to keep the marriage together. I have been so happy since the divorce in 2000.

I want to get married to a certain lady. What should I say to her mother?

Are you marrying the “certain” lady, or her mother? I’m confused.

Why do some people argue that there is no god even though they have never seen him/her? Is it a matter of not believing in something that cannot be seen?

Atheists and theists have the same issue - no proof. Neither side can provide any evidence for their belief. Atheists expect to die when the time comes. Theists expect to live many more lives, after death, due to their belief in a “life after death” philosophy, even though their belief is a bit in left field, based on the written word their God argued against.

“I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. But, as much as I want to believe that, and despite the ancient and worldwide cultural traditions that assert an afterlife, I know of nothing to suggest that it is more than wishful thinking.”

-- Carl Sagan

What is the most valuable piece of marriage advice you have received? Did you follow it and how did it impact your relationship with your spouse?

"Marry the woman you are so much in love with, and that she is so much in love with you. Be the best friends of all friends, and never stop telling them how much they mean to you." This was valuable advice... I did not get... from anyone. My marriage of 25 years went to ruin. I have spent the last 23 years as a happy single man, with a girlfriend. I would have liked to have the marriage succeed, had I received this valuable sage advice.

Can patriotism become dangerous?

Only to their enemies. 

Is it ironic that people who read holy books think movies are boring?

It depends on whether you want to watch movies and burn in hell, or read Holy Scripture and live in paradise. It is a choice.

Discuss 5 reasons why ethical principles can fail or why one would not follow ethical principles?

I will give you the one reason why ethical principles fail - they are not constantly practiced as “ethical” principles. Why one would not follow ethical principles? Because the person is not ethical. This is not rocket science. It is this, because of that. I can give you hundreds of reasons why ethics fail, but it all comes down to not believing in ethical principles. Ethics fails because it isn’t followed.

Do you find it hard to accept others' help when you need it?

If you rely on anybody but yourself, you are doomed to fail. 

How do we know that what we are told is true when we cannot even tell if what we are seeing with our own eyes is true?

This is why we have faith. You do your due diligence and, if you are right, everything is as it should be. You can have faith that it is right, or your faith can tell you it is not. How good your faith is, depends on how you have learned your life lessons. Life is all about learning.

“Sometimes beautiful things come into our lives out of nowhere. We can't always understand them, but we have to trust in them. I know you want to question everything, but sometimes it pays to just have a little faith.”

-- Lauren Kate

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