Questioning Arguments, Death, Enemies, Fears, and Hell

 

“Any woman who is sure of her own wits, is a match, at any time, for a man who is not sure of his own temper.”

-- Wilkie Collins

Why are some humans argumentative?

They are usually in a discussion with no facts, or wrong facts presented, by either side. If you have no facts, then what you have is an opinion. An opinion is nothing to argue about… it is an opinion. Unfortunately, people tend to forget this. They go arguing their opinions, backed up by nothing.

Is it feasible to discover someone who still believes in soul connection and real conversation? My heart still believes in it.

It is so feasible. My heart is bigger for it.

Have you ever noticed that atheists have to constantly tell us that they are good people, despite the absence of God? Is this "relentless self-promotion" more than a bit suspicious?

It looks suspiciously like theists constantly telling people they believe in God. How about we think what we believe, keep our mouths shut about it, be good to each other, and live in peace? Self-promotion is a “bit suspicious” on either side.

I enjoy making people mad, and rant on [this site]. Is something wrong with me?

Yes, there is.

How do you go about arguments in a relationship?

It would be best if you didn’t have arguments in relationships. State your belief, back it up with facts, and if they believe you, so be it. In my household, we have very few confrontations. We state our beliefs and try to back it up with facts. We tend to ask each other what we believe about a subject. The only yelling in the house is due to my crappy hearing.

Can people with a history of lying, be trusted if they have changed their behavior and no longer lie?

Friedrich Nietzsche said it best: 

“I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.”

Who is one person that you wish never passed away?

My mother. She was my rock.  

What excuse could I make to my teacher for cheating on a test? I cheated and my teacher took my scratch paper, which had absolute nonsense on it. She will know I didn't do anything and my work makes no sense. How do I explain this?

Stand your ground. Tell her that the piece of paper was nothing. If she won’t listen you can bump it up to the Principal. If that doesn’t work, you can get your parents involved. If you are in the right, stand your ground. However, you admit you cheated. So…

I'm 29 and stuck in life, I have no idea how to move forward. How can change that?

Join the military. There is still time! I recommend the Air Force.

How does one navigate, and find contentment with, the daunting realization that their life will most likely never reach a higher echelon of success; accomplishment, or amount to the sought-after "Dream" they had envisioned in their youth?

It is what it is, or, what you put into your life. We are here to learn. Fun and all the other trappings are superfluous. The "prime directive" is to learn. Having said that, you need to strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Once you have true happiness, you can start learning, and find contentment. What you accomplish is up to you. If you don’t reach as high as you’d like, there is always the next life.

My coworker is 28 and only has her mom in her life who is 67. Why does she still act as if she were 16 years old?

It sounds like Mom doesn’t want her baby to grow up.

How can I overcome paranoia and fear of living alone? I have been struggling for a while now.

Find a roommate. Living alone can put you on pins and needles, especially if you are young. In the military, three of us got an apartment downtown. It was great. Someone was always there that we could lean on, and we had a “party” almost every night.

“These feelings don't just go away. They linger. Hover. They are with me always. Even at my most functioning...they are there, watching me. These emotions are my roommates now, bunking up beside me at night. They do not pay any rent...they are determined to ruin me, and yet I can never fully evict them from my brain.

-- Kate Spencer

Who is the greatest enemy of human beings, and why?

The "who" is a disease. The disease doesn’t pick and choose. It infects… anyone.

Why do people think they can choose other’s lives and choices?

Life is all about learning. People, in the know, can freely choose which path they take. There may be barriers, but it is up to the person to take full advantage of their choice. If the government stifles your choice, leave the country for a free society. It is all your choice. People "think" they can choose because it is their right, to do so.

 Are we, as a society, just a lost cause?

No, we are still looking for the right path.

Why is it that we don't think we're good enough?

People believe in “bad parenting.” Strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of circumstances. If you can do this, you can succeed in most things you try, if you don’t give up. Life is all about learning, and if you learn… you are good enough. 

What is something that your mother-in-law said that you'll never forget?

“Chopsticks are not that difficult.” She was right.

How do successful people handle failure differently than most?

Failure is life telling you to choose another path to try. Life is all about learning. If you give up, that is your choice and failure wins. You can try 10,000 paths, but only one will be excellent.

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

-- Thomas A. Edison

How can we overcome fears?

As military personnel would tell you, a good dose of “fear” can keep you alive. When you lose your fear you are susceptible to dying. Just saying.

When does a person change?

When they find something they are, doesn’t work for them.

What life lessons/experiences can you write about today?

Life is about failure. Through failure, we learn. Learning is what we are here for. Lessons come from our experiences. Each of us can write volumes about what we have learned each day. 

What’s a fear you overcame, and how did it change you?

I learned to live with fear, knowing that a good dose of fear would keep me alive.

If you could trade your own happiness for the happiness of everyone you know, would you do it?

No. I would train them to be truly happy, always and in all things, regardless of their circumstances. It is a personal choice we should all make. If they don’t want to make this choice, my happiness won’t do them any good. It will be a waste for them. 

What do you take seriously in this world?

Death. Everything else is drama.

"Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome."

-- Isaac Asimov

What is your understanding of hell?

It’s very hot, not inviting, and there are many “houses” of pain you can be treated to... for eternity. It isn't my cup of tea.

Do you think God punishes people who don't believe in him?

I think people who don’t believe punish themselves.

What happens to people who don't believe in God or Jesus?

They can live a long, productive life, but that’s it. When they die they are worm food. People who believe, on the other hand, might find that their life is incorporated into the next great adventure. The problem is, we have to die to find out. It kind of sucks.

Why does fear rule humanity all the time?

We are still here. It speaks to something.

What criteria do you use to decide who goes to heaven?

Be good and believe in the Creator. It isn’t rocket science, for a good slice of the population. For the rest, the criteria present a quandary. You can believe it or not. You know what the two possibilities are. It is either this or that. It is a choice we all have to make. The belief you use is a matter of faith.

What's the longest it took you to get over a breakup?

Five years. My lawyer told me to call her to thank her when I found out she was right.

“There is no such thing as a "broken family." Family is family, and is not determined by marriage certificates, divorce papers, and adoption documents. Families are made in the heart. The only time family becomes null is when those ties in the heart are cut. If you cut those ties, those people are not your family. If you make those ties, those people are your family. And if you hate those ties, those people will still be your family because whatever you hate will always be with you.”

-- C. JoyBell C.

Do you think a good God would allow people to go to Hell?

It is not God’s decision. People have free will. If you want to go to hell, be bad. That’s about it.

What if God was human and he went to hell?

If God were human, he wouldn’t do anything to sentence himself to hell. And, if Satan knew God was there, he would assume it would certainly be a trick. One would assume, Satan is happy God isn’t human.

Should we allow God to talk to atheists?

I don’t think we have much say in this. God will do what pleases Him.

How can I ensure that atheists do not overhear my personal conversations with God?

I’m certain that atheists could give a rat’s patoot what you do. More to the point, why would you care if they heard you?

How do you know if an ex will return, or if the breakup is permanent?

Why would you take them back? They made a big mistake. Oh, well…

Should atheists give Christians a second chance?

Why are you giving atheists that kind of power? Neither atheists nor theists have any proof that either of them is right. Give Christians a “second chance”? The atheists can kiss my rosy butt.

"I believe in second chances, but not everybody deserves them."

-- Anonymous

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