Questioning Good, Conflict, Fear, Honesty, Reliving, and Failure

 

"Truly great people in history never wanted to be great for themselves. All they wanted was the chance to do good for others and be close to God."

-- Muhammad Ali

Why are good people called good, when there's no one "truly good" on Earth, in my opinion?

“Good” is not truly good. There is some “play” in the line. There are many “truly” good people on Earth. If your opinion is contrary, then you need to meet a different class of people in your life.

What do I say to people that judge me?

“It is your opinion. I don’t listen to opinions from jackasses. Just saying.”

Would you want to know everyone else's reality?

Not really. I have quite a time staying truly happy while dealing with my own “questionable” reality. If someone looked into mine, they would question whether they should look into any other. A person’s “reality” can be quite telling. I would rather not know.

Why would someone who mistreated you and ran you out of their life, be looking up your social media profiles, regularly, long after you haven't bothered them again?

They think they made a mistake.

Should I admit that I told a little white lie?

Why did you lie in the first place? No matter how cruel to another person, honesty is the best choice. People need to know reality, not “little white lies.” If you feel that a “little white lie” is necessary, tell the truth or just don’t say anything.

How do you define success beyond just money and fame?

Strive to be truly happy, always, and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a choice.

“Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.”

-- Walt Disney

How can listening to each other help resolve conflicts in a marriage?

Truly listening can help resolve conflicts anywhere, not just in marriages. Listening can bring another dimension to the conversation. One, or all, participants can learn something about the conflict that might help to solve the issues. Listening and not talking is a great way to understand.

Is it normal to hate everyone?

No.

Say that someone sees all reasons why the world and all humankind should be saved or protected as nothing but excuses for their cowardice at their "well-deserved" expiration. If that's not a sign of giving up on life completely, what could it be?

It is giving up on humankind. Someone is making excuses to give credence to their rant. We have many problems and are trying to get ahead of the majority. This “someone” doesn’t see the big picture, because it’s blurry. If we can get a handle on peace for a bit, we might be able to get a grip. Russia isn’t helping. 

How does giving make one a good person?

You can give selflessly, with no thought of notoriety, if you can give from the heart, and keep the giving to yourself, you have crossed the line to being a good person.

At what moment, did you know your child’s life would never be the same?

I had a father/son talk about his grades in high school. I told him I was tired of going around on this. If he wanted to be a street sweeper, be the best street sweeper he could be. I would be proud. I was done with beating my head against the wall. The next report card was fantastic, and the next, and so on. He was on the “Dean’s List” for a few years in college. He got a job with a telecommunications company making good money. I knew when he got good grades in high school, his life would never be the same. It hasn’t, and I am so proud of him. 

What is the purpose of human existence on Earth? Is it possible that humans were not meant to exist on this planet?

Our purpose is to learn. Life gives us many opportunities to learn, and most people take advantage of it.

"Learn everything you can anytime you can, from anyone you can; there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did." 

-- Sarah Caldwell

What are some negative side effects of having zero fear of anything?

“Fear” keeps us alive. The “negative side effects” would be death. Any questions?

What if everybody on the planet just stopped and said "I don't want to hate no more"?

Well, it is a great thought. The problem is human nature. “I don’t want to hate no more,” is a great “catchphrase” that most people will recite and forget. Greed will help most people to see where they came from, before the catchphrase.

I know I should get a divorce. I don’t have the courage, to do so. What do I do now?

Suffer.

Is it true that not having something means we are not thinking about it? Can we make something happen just by thinking about it?

You are still not having it if you are thinking about it. You can think about something forever and, unless you go for it, it may never come your way. Thinking and doing are the problems, here. You can think, or you can do. Doing will get you a better chance to have something than thinking.

Why does humanity need to step up and say we don't want war?

Talk to Russia, China, Iran, etc., and see what they say.

What gives you hope that everything will be fine one day?

Faith. I have faith that, one day, my hope will be realized, and everything will be fine. If you don’t have faith, then hope is worthless.

"Faith is unseen but felt, faith is strength when we feel we have none, faith is hope when all seems lost."

-- Catherine Pulsifer

Why are honest people often accused of being self-centered, while criminals, fraudsters, and scammers who release evil fake news to harm society get called not self-centered?

The only people not calling them “not self-centered” are dumbasses that believe everything they hear. Truly honest people ignore accusations from these people. Why? Because they see them for what they are: Self-centered, criminals, fraudsters, and scammers. Kamala Harris is the new “fake news” being used to harm society. Is she self-centered? Absolutely.

Can there be life in other galaxies?

There is a plethora of life in this galaxy, so why shouldn’t there be life in other galaxies? Creation did not pick and choose. Creation just did… everywhere.

How do I know that I am the same person as yesterday's me? Maybe yesterday's me died and the current me took birth with memories of yesterday's me transferred into me? How do I know the things I experienced yesterday were real, and not just memories?

You don’t. But, if you learned anything yesterday, you aren’t the same person you were. You have learned. Learning changes us from what we were into something new. So, who you “died” and a new you was born. This will happen every time you learn. What you experience is real, and they are, now, memories. Every day this sequence will repeat. Every day, you are a new person.

Why would someone enjoy someone else's homelessness?

Standby for usury upon the person. They are getting something for nothing, and the “something” must be personal to the homeless person.

Will humanity have a better quality of life if people start to seek happiness through improving our virtues, and would this seeking of virtues save the ecology of the Earth?

Those of us who celebrate true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of our circumstances, also celebrate a "better quality of life" by improving our virtues. Will it save the ecology of the Earth? Maybe. But, until we know, people need to get on the bandwagon and strive to be truly happy… always.

What is the difference between destiny and pridestiny?

Do you mean “predestiny”? Predestiny is the plan for the destiny that hasn’t happened yet.

“I think​ that both our lives, and the potential directions our lives may go, are predestined. By using our free will in making our life choices, we do nothing else but pick up one of many already predestined options. To us, it seems like we were making the decision, while in reality, we just selected one of many possibilities that were already a part of our destiny.”

-- Stevan V. Nikolic

If you could relive one day, which day would it be, and why?

When I proposed marriage to my wife. The fact that she gave me two great kids, our marriage was a disaster. We divorced 25 years later. I’m certain that any other woman would have been better as a life partner.

Does the human species think they can overcome the forces of nature?

Hurricanes present a complicated "force of nature" we may have trouble overcoming.

What type of person or status would a person have for a bunch of citizens to protect him even if he was in the wrong?

Adolf Hitler was so wrong in everything he did, but he conned Germany and several other countries to back him. In the end, he faked his death, changed his name, and escaped to South America.

Do you think that the main cause of many mental illnesses is materialistic, positivist thinking and conditioning?

No. I think “mental illness” is caused by many factors, including the ones listed here.

Why are so many people okay with mundanity?

People, generally, don’t want “new and extraordinary” lives. They are fine with life being commonplace and ordinary. “New and extraordinary lives” scares the crap out of them.

My wife doesn't want to have sex with me almost always. What do I do?

Divorce her. Find a woman who wants sex always. Why did you marry her?

"We are all born sexual creatures, thank God, but it's a pity so many people despise and crush this natural gift." 

-- Marilyn Monroe

I feel like a failure as a woman. What should I do?

Find a good man who will make you feel like a woman. A good orgasm solves most things.

How do you overcome the fear of being rejected by women?

Become very good at what a woman wants. Cooking, nightlife, sex, etc. If she rejects you at that point, it is her loss, not yours.

I love sex work. What should I do?

Stay in the industry.

My husband abandoned me with my three children? How can I get him back?

So, you want someone who abandoned you? Why, in God’s name, do you want him back? All he will do is cheat and leave you again. Go out and find another lover. Be honest with them: You will constantly screw their eyes out if they stay with you. Damn… I’m good at advice.

Can the truth and a lie be easily confused?

Only if you don’t do your homework.

Do taller people take words personally?

What does height have to do with anything? So, if you’re tall you are more sensitive? I throw the “bullshit” card on this. People are people, and they’re not going to take anything personally unless you insult them. I wouldn’t insult a person taller than me, for fear of getting my ass beat.

“You're so full of crap, you could pass for a toilet.”

-- Kami Garcia

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