Questioning Age, Parents, Happy, Prayer, Caring, and Pride

“I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens.”

-- Woody Allen

As you get older, what are you becoming more and more afraid of?

I thought it was death, but that is so wrong. I don’t fear death. It is the doorway to the next life. I suppose it would be being paralyzed, at 71 years of age.

What incident changed your personality?

For me, it was joining the Air Force. If it doesn’t change your personality you’re not paying attention.

Is it true that no one comes to hear without his own permission?

It is a “free will” state. If someone wants you to leave, be skippy, and leave. If no one cares, then stay and enjoy the show. Permission to exercise your “free will” is up to the presenter.

Why does your brain sometimes trick you into remembering events that never happened?

It never happens. As much as I’d like it to happen, I have total recall. Damn myself.

Why does it feel like this World is falling into a giant "bullshit" blackhole, and we have passed the event horizon?

We have never passed the “event horizon.” When the world gets into the last breath, someone will cry foul, and we will work to get ourselves to an equilibrium.

Is learning from mistakes with higher wisdom a sign of being wise?

Isn’t using “higher wisdom” a sign of being wise? Is this a trick question?

"We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn."

-- Mary Catherine Bateson

Who comes first in our life, parents or God?

Parents, and then they introduce you to God, or you find God on your own.

How do people give predictions when no one knows about the future?

They give their best guess.

How would you differentiate between a dumb question and an obvious one?

I’m going to give my best shot at this. One is obvious, and one is dumb. Did I get it right? These questions are getting harder and harder.

Between wisdom and intelligence, which one is better than the other?

Intelligence can get you into trouble, and wisdom can get you out. You choose.

Has God answered your prayers?

I have everything God thinks I need, and I am truly happy, so my prayers are answered. Have I missed something?

A 24-year-old woman chased me down. I’m 60. We had sex and broke up. Why?

She is 24 years old and you are 60. Do the math.

"There are certain obvious criteria—raising children, growing older together, how different career and life transitions align—that can pose challenges." 

-- Matt Lundquist

What is a stronger word for happy?

Ecstatic.

Is it true that sometimes failure can actually be a good thing, better than success? How?

Perseverance. If you fail and continue trying, you might come up with something better than you thought. Failure is an opportunity to learn, and to try again. Learning is why we are here.

Is the fear of failure driven by perfectionism?

That makes a lot of sense.

How do I move on and accept myself?

Think about this: You can stop, sit down, and become a vegetable, or you can keep moving forward and learn to accept who you are… or change into something much better. Everything is a choice you have to make for yourself. You can not put this choice on someone else. It is your choice. If you don’t like who you have become, change. Again, it is your choice.

Can God still come to this world?

God can do whatever God wants.

Why is God making me suffer if I haven't done any wrong to anybody?

God is not making you suffer. Your suffering is something you or someone else has done. Don’t jump and blame God. Any “suffering” you feel has its roots on earth. I would look to home.

“In a simple, direct, personal way He is presenting us with the reality of a God who does not condemn the world, but loves it more than it can believe or imagine. A God who can enter into the depths of our suffering is not repulsed by our woundedness or disfigurements, but who meets us wherever and whoever we are, heals us by bringing us ever closer to himself.”

-- Pope Francis

What is a powerful morning prayer to start your day with God?

“Thank you!” Any day on this side of the dirt is a great day. It requires nothing less than a “thank you” to the Big Guy upstairs.

Why does God still love people who are atheists?

God has not given up hope.

What qualifies one to be God?

God is an omnipotent creator who has been, is now, and will always be. There can be only one God.

Why does loss give you perspective?

Nothing is permanent. Having perspective can be a bitch.

How can we tell if God wants us to stop praying because our prayers are not being answered?

Perseverance, maybe? God wants you to do what you think is right. Maybe, your prayers are not being answered because... they are the wrong prayers.

Why does God take our children and leave us to suffer?

Learning.

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”

-- Benjamin Franklin

Why does society care so much about transgender people, but care so little about people with autism?

I really don’t give one rat’s ass about transgender people. They have made a choice. People with autism don’t have a choice. I think you will find that most people in society could care less about transgenders… unless they use the wrong restroom. That will just piss me off. 

What is the meaning of the quote “just one life”?

They must be an atheist.

Is it better to be homeless or go to jail?

Both choices suck. You usually don’t have a choice if you go to jail. However, you do have a choice to be homeless. It is better for you to work hard, to not be homeless.

Why do atheist always want to live close to Christians? Why don't they want live closer to Muslims?

It has to do with the country we live in.

How many times have you rebuilt your life, from scratch?

Once, and, it taught me many things. The “big lesson” is that suicide is never an answer, no matter how much you love the heartless “person.” Pick yourself out of the pit of despair and rebuild your life.

Can you provide a meaningful quote from an ancient Greek philosopher and explain its significance?

(See the quote below) It is the same road whether you travel up or down, but you can't step in the same river.

“The road up and down is one and the same.”

-- Heraclitus

How can one express pride in God?

Every Sunday people express their pride during Church services.

What is the difference between fate and destiny, and do you believe in either?

Fate, or destiny, is in your hands. It is the future of your life. What you decide in life has much to do with what happens to you in the future. You can change fate or destiny, your future… if you’re not going down in a plane crash. Take note: There is a time when your thought is too late. Other than being too late, your life is yours to live. Every decision or choice you make affects your fate, your destiny. Make good choices or decisions.

Are dogs God's creation?

Everything is God’s creation, even Satan. 

Can atheists live without Christians?

If Christians can live without atheists, atheists can live without Christians. 

Do you realize that God is real?

I realize it. I read Genesis. There is a reason God doesn’t write anything down, anymore. And, my definition of God differs from the church.

Is frugality a sign of being wise?

In a way. Being frugal can protect your money for better things, which is wise.

"Without frugality, none can be rich, and with it very few would be poor."

-- Samuel Johnson

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