Questioning Atheists, Suffering, Death, Funny, Life, and Happiness

 

“For God to prove himself on demand, physically, would be a grave disappointment, and the strongest Christians should be considerably grateful that he chooses not to do so. The skeptic endlessly demands proof, yet God refuses to insult the true intelligence of man, the '6th sense', the chief quality, the acumen which distinguishes man from the rest of creation, faith.”

-- Criss Jami

Where are atheists going to be in the afterlife?

They won’t be. They believe that death is the end of life. So be it. Sucks to be them.

How can I learn to talk like an ordinary human being?

Define an “ordinary human being” for the audience. There are so many different “ordinary” people that it might require a definition. I think most people are ordinary, in their own way. So, unless you are an ax murderer… Do you see my point? 

Is death just eternal darkness?

For atheists, it is what it is. Death. For theists, it is the beginning of the next great adventure.

How do you continue living, when you know, life won't get better?

You are waiting for life to hand you a gift? Sometimes life runs out of “gifts” for people. When this happens, the only way life will get better is if you make it better. If your life sucks, it is up to you to make it better. Or, you can sit there and complain about it. “Perseverance” says that you should look out for yourself. But, if you have the time, bringing someone with you is always a good thing.

What would you sacrifice to be happy?

I divorced my wife in 2000. I have been truly happy ever since.

How come God never called Jesus his son?

We are all children of God. Yet, God never calls us “daughter” and “son.” It is a given “fact,” handed down by the church.

“I think people are the same from the day God first made one.”

-- Cormac McCarthy

Indeed, to be human is to suffer. But, why?

To learn. The “prime directive” of life. This "lesson" for you, is to learn how not to suffer.

I am lost in life. How can I bring myself back?

Look at your feet. You know where you are. You brought yourself to where you are. You aren’t lost, you just need to focus. Ask yourself, “How can I be lost in life when I brought myself here?” Focus, and bring yourself back to where you weren’t lost. If you can do this, you can start again. Only, try a different path.

What makes you special every day?

I wake up. Any day on this side of the dirt is a special day for me. 

I am God. What is the best way to disprove such an assertion?

But, you are God. You should know how best to disprove such an assertion. Yes? The fact that you ask this question puts your assertion in serious question. You are probably not God. 

What is your opinion about the concept of an afterlife?

I hope the concept is real. I will find out when I die.

What won't you do in life to make you happy?

I won't do anything that would make someone suffer. Being bad, or evil, is not a way to make yourself happy. You should strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. Being bad or evil is not the way to find true happiness in life. Good and true happiness is a choice we should all make for our lives.

“It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it.”

-- Dale Carnegie

Why do you think, what happens after death, is meant to be unknown?

Of course, it is. It is a matter of faith.

Is there a way to find meaning in life through the inevitability of death?

If you learn all you can learn, you have found the meaning of life. The inevitability of death signifies the inevitability of the continuation of life everlasting.

If enjoyment isn't the purpose of life, what is it?

Learning. Enjoyment fills the time you aren’t learning.

What fears, or doubts, held you back from reaching your full potential in that moment?

At what moment? I was being drafted by the Army in 1972. College deferments were dying a painful death. I opted for the Air Force. My father said I should wait, but my doubts overrode my good sense. I took a job in Air Force Intelligence, and they cut the draft. I was having so much fun I stayed in the service for 23 years. The potential of my psychology major was history.

How do you think happiness and sorrow are connected?

Balance. The universe demands balance. A little happiness, a little sorrow.

Does everyone have a spirit inside them?

Science says we lose a bit of weight during the moment of death. The “spirit” leaving? It is an interesting question that science cannot answer. But, if it’s true, then “something” leaves the dead body at the moment of death. It’s the only mystery that science can’t, or won’t, answer with a fact.

"There is nothing more dead, than the body from which the soul has flown."

-- Alison Stormwolf

 What is so funny about life?

It is so short! You’d think we’d get a couple of hundred years to live more of our life. If you fart you’ll probably die. Not trying to be funny, but you could die from a heart-wrenching fart.

Does life have a unique way of figuring itself out in a human being's life?

That is not "life’s" job. That is the human being’s job. The human has to figure life out.

Why is it important to have a strong faith to believe in things?

Do you believe in things? Do you have a strong faith in the things you believe in? You believe in something but you don’t have faith in your belief. If you don’t, then your “belief” is so much bullshit. I believe that Kamala Harris will be a great President. I don’t have any faith in my belief. Why? Look at her record as Vice President. Oh… I’m sorry. She has no record for her to lean on! You need strong faith to make a statement that will, otherwise, suck all the dumbasses into the party. If you make a statement make sure you can back it up, with facts and a strong faith. 

Why are so many people telling the truth that Santa is real, even though, some people think, Santa isn't real?

I’m a parent, Santa isn’t real, and you need to have that head injury looked at.

What does it mean to be born an atheist?

They will be blessed with a long life... and then they will die. There is no afterlife for them, no meeting dead relatives, there will be a coffin and a burial. That’s it. This is all the atheists can hope for. Crying at the gravesite, but no words from the pastor about any afterlife they didn’t believe in. I’m a theist, and I hope to God that I get all the good that is coming my way as a theist.

How do you handle setbacks or failures in your journey?

I study where I went wrong. If I can fix it, I should. If not, I have, hopefully, learned something I can bring with me.

“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

-- Winston S. Churchill

I have a question: Are there times when life is hard, painful, or sad?

Not anymore. At 71 years of age, I have tried to live truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It was a choice I made after the divorce from my 25-year marriage, and it has served me well.

What's going on for the rest of the evening, after you're all squeaky clean?

Hot, steamy sex. Let’s not waste time "thinking" about the “squeaky clean” areas.

Is it possible to live without having faith or hope?

Yes, but it’s a miserable existence. Faith gives life to hope, and hope is everything we want to make life bearable. Without faith and hope there is nothing left to life.

Is there a right way to pursue personal growth?

Be good and honest, work hard, be truly happy, and fall in love.

Do you have a bench or spot where you sit to reflect and allow memories from happier times to return?

Anywhere I sit. All I do is reflect on my memories and let the happy times return. It is a bonus to feel truly happy, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is my choice.

Why do some people believe that being fearless will bring them eternal happiness, but it actually leads to unhappiness as they age?

Fear makes us careful. Fearless will do nothing for “eternal” in life, hence… unhappiness.

“Don't be afraid of your fears. They're not there to scare you. They're there to let you know that something is worth it.”

-- C. JoyBell C.

What’s one truth about happiness that people often overlook?

It lowers your blood pressure.

How do you meet your ex-love?

There is no way I will meet my ex-love. She tore my heart out. I cannot turn off the switch, but, I certainly won’t look into the light. It hurts too much.

I'm 60 years old and I'm finding it hard to deal with. What should I do?

Have the sex of a lifetime. Do this every other week. You’ll forget that you are 60. 

Can you describe the experience of being a truly satisfied person with life? What steps did they take to reach this point and what advice do they have for others?

I strive to be truly happy, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. My advice? It is a choice. It is a choice you make for your life. If you can’t make this one simple choice, you are lost.

Is it considered gullible to believe in something without evidence? How does this apply to belief in god(s)?

Again, no evidence. But, when it comes to God, sometimes you take some things on faith. 

Can someone without ambitions or goals still find happiness in life? What motivates them to keep living?

During my divorce in 2000, I lost all ambition to attain goals for the business I was part of. I was seconds from ending it all. But, why? She wouldn’t care. My kids, though older, would still be scarred for life. What was my motivation? To keep living, and find a way to live with this massive loss. I chose to be truly happy, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It was the best choice I have ever made… for myself.

“But in the end, one needs more courage to live than to kill himself.”

-- Albert Camus

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