Those That Do, and Those Who Critique (Updated from 8/19/2015)

Whiskey - Tango - Foxtrot

(Note: Once again, due to the monastery's "narrow-mindedness" this will not be posted on the monastery website, due to the "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" shown above. For ministers who happen upon this post and find it of some value, please feel free to share it, or invite other ministers to visit this blog.)

I saw the semaphore (above) online and was reminded of my time with the U.S. Navy in Sigonella, Sicily. Our Air Force detachment was invited to attend a big presentation by the Navy.  The small Air Force detachment asked if we could help our naval hosts set up. The Senior Chief of the Navy's Fleet Mail Center entrusted the Air Force with stringing signal flags over the dais, for reasons that still mystify me to this day. 

It was a simple, colorful, decoration of flags. Each flag represented letters in the alphabet. No kidding? Really? How hard could this be? Well, the honored guests, and the commander of Naval Air Station Sigonella, all sat at attention as the presentation ceremony started. All of the invited guests were unaware that the Air Force did our homework.  

One string of flags above them spelled out, "GO AIR FORCE."

The Senior Chief was up on his semaphore flags. I watched as he hung his head and looked straight at the detachment, much to our chagrin. Hey, I'm Air Force Intelligence.  What did he expect?

I'm not sure how I'm going to tie this in. I suppose it has to do with the look on the Navy people's faces. Confusion, and/or disbelief, dictates that their minds respond with, "What the...?"  This exclamation is usually followed by some comment of reasonable acceptance, akin to, "Well, shut the front door..."  

This was about the time the Air Force personnel prayed we wouldn't come out of the presentation with egg on our face.

But, then, I have no filter.  

There are many things I wish I could have witnessed that have occurred in history, before written history, or at least history that was written on the spot by people who actually witnessed the events. Wouldn't you like to have seen the faces of people who were confronted by amazing, unexplainable things, and heard their first comment? I would liked to have witnessed the biblical "burning bush" of the Old Testament, Moses receiving the Ten Commandments, or Noah being instructed to build the ark.

I envision those involved, looking behind boulders to ensure their buddy, Ismael, isn't trying to pull their leg. Things like this occur when one has imbibed too much of the fermented goat's milk and blood. 

Once they have ascertained they're alone, except for the voice of God, I see an eyebrow being arched followed by the Hebrew version of "WTF?" 

One can really feel for the "virgin" Mary as she was trying to explain her pregnancy. Yeah, the same three words come to mind.

"And the great Dragon was cast down, that Chief Serpent, which is called The Devil and Satan, which deceives all The Earth, and it was cast down unto The Earth and its Angels were cast down with it."

-- Revelation 12:9

How gullible were the people of the time? Read the Bible. 

It seems that "gullibility" holds tightly to the left hand of faith, while "skepticism" holds tightly to the right.  Satan, after all, is the great deceiver.  A healthy dose of skepticism is nothing if it is not proof of faith.  Gullibility is also proof of faith, but without mind.  Blind obedience is not required.  It proves nothing, except deafness to a truth that was spoken and not heard.

Mary had her hands full of skepticism.  I think the gullibility factor might have been less with Moses, than with Noah.  Any "skepticism" is squelched when stone tablets are being etched from solid rock by God.  

Noah, on the other hand, had to take it all on faith that building a monster ship was a reasonable request from some bodiless voice seeming to emanate from the heavens.  I would hate to think that building such a ship was simply a test Noah wasn't expected to fulfill. But, once he called Gods "bluff," so to speak, God was left with no option but to destroy the earth as He proclaimed.  

Our "heroic" biblical cast of religious heroes take their instructions on faith, for the most part, trying their best to fulfill the wishes of the omnipotent creator, whereas the "bad guys" are always demanding from our heroes, "Yeah, well, prove it!"  Remember, much of the proof was often followed by an astonished, "Well... shut the front door!"

I am constantly amazed when God reveals the truth.  Not that God has revealed it, but, rather, that I was cognizant enough to realize it, witness it, and stand there with my mouth agape, like some simpleton, marveling at it.  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?  Well, maybe... November Sierra!

Thank you, God!

"A healthy dose of skepticism is nothing if it is not proof of faith.  Gullibility is also proof of faith, but without mind.  Blind obedience is not required and proves nothing except deafness to a truth which was spoken and not heard."

Ego is an evil master. I try to avoid the pitfalls of ego by the constant struggle to remain humble. Humility is tested time and again by those who critique instead of offering constructive comments that can further conversation and communication. I revisit "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" to evidence a point... I think. 

 In all honesty, I'm taking a shot in the dark. This post is being targeted by a reader who sent me a comment not attached to any post. The reader is a fellow member of the monastery website.  As you can see by the note, at the beginning of this post, I stated I would not be posting it to the monastery website for listed reasons. It seems that no matter how hard one tries, someone always misses the glaringly obvious statements put forth in a "note."

I have posted the comments and my responses below, in order.  Nothing has been altered in the text, including spelling.  It is as it is.  It is easy to understand my confusion starting with the first comment, as it sets the tone for the rest of the string, having no context, except that of my assumption it dealt with Whiskey Tango Foxtrot:

JWH:  Silence has a deafening Roar! 

JWH:  Don't know where you are coming from Pastor Tony or where you are leading..I do not see Guilibility as a PROOF of anything...This is a lot of nonsends about nothing but confusion..If you must post....post logic in simple terms as a benefit for the young in Christ to learn something solid...God Loves you and so do I, but I have no time for Gibberish

ME:  It is an opinion, John, as is yours. Everybody has one (an opinion) and, like yours, deserves consideration. Thank you for doing so, and for sharing! 

ME:  By the way, I see no posted blogs from you. Have you written anything, or am I just missing them? 

JWH:  Sorry Pastor Tony...The Lord keeps me busy with Personal Matters of the Heart...I may get to Blogs at some time in the future but my Book also keeps me occupied....After I'm gone I'll leavethe "Memories" I guess succes is when you look back at them and SMILE !!!! 

ME:   Ah, I see.

Several things came to mind when I read his first two comments.  The first was, obviously, "WTF?"  The second was that he had interrupted my enjoyment of the "deafening roar" of silence with a paragraph of misspelled, grammatically incorrect comment, the context of which was only evidenced by the incorrectly spelled "Gullibility."

I rarely address comments like this.  What's the point?  It isn't constructive since it tries to be antagonistic.  This comment, however, played right into the title, and point of the original post. 

More than being at odds with my ego, I find myself fighting a lack of patience even more so.  If you don't vote, you don't have the right to moan about the outcome.  If you won't get in the pool, should you presume to tell people who you don't know, already in the pool, how to swim while they're doing daily laps?  If you haven't posted a single word on a blog, how do you presume to critique those who constantly do?  It is easy to sit on the sidelines and "coach" those who are hanging it all out there for others to shoot at.  It is a bit more difficult to be the target of other people's abusive rhetoric.  I have coaxed several people to write what they think, so I can post it on my blog.  They continue to write articles of substance, to this day.  Bravo to the bravery shown by those who do.

Having over 164,227 hits on my posts from the worldwide readership, to date, I will continue to do what I have done since I founded the "Congregation for Religious Tolerance", and The Path.  Having enjoyed 2,499,780 hits on the site I answer questions on, I am reluctant to stop.

I will continue to write my "gibberish" until all of those who thank me for my efforts, turn away.  Even then, I will continue to write for my children and their children, and I will flatly refuse to dumb any of it down for a minority of individuals.  These folks can write and ask for clarification.  They have, and I respect their inquiries, as it continues to fuel the fire of creativity that may eventually lead me down the path to, yet, another post.  If, however, gibberish and "nonsense" is not one's cup of tea, especially if one does not have time for it, I would recommend not wasting any more precious time reading my posts.  The logic of this could not be any simpler.

But, then, maybe I'm wrong.

And the quote that ignited the fire?  I'll, once again, assume it was this:

"A healthy dose of skepticism is nothing if it is not proof of faith. Gullibility is also proof of faith, but without mind. Blind obedience is not required and proves nothing except deafness to a truth spoken and not heard."

Gibberish?  It depends on your point of view.  As I state at the end of each of my posts, in my "Editor's Note":

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