Questioning Destroying, Thinking, Sleep, Gifts, Smart, and Presents

 

"Maturity is when you have the power to destroy someone who did you wrong but you just breathe, walk away, and let life take care of them."

-- Unknown

How do you destroy someone (who destroyed you) emotionally?

The "worst" thing you can do to them, is to forgive them.

Is love from others necessary for human beings to avoid feeling lonely and depressed, or can one live happily alone without needing anyone else's love?

For the most part, we are social animals. Being social demands that we not become lonely and depressed. We all hope we can be happy and loved by others.

What type of people get annoyed at anybody for having achievements, birthdays, accolades, etc.?

Jealous people. They have to be jealous, for numerous reasons. None of which make sense.

Do you think you are living the life you love, or are you forced to live this life?

I have been truly happy with my life for 20 years. I strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of my circunstances. I have managed it for this long, and it has been easier the longer I try. It is so much easier... because I love my life.

Can someone feel sad about being happy all the time?

If their happy all the time, where is the time for the sadness?

What are the consequences of negative behaviour?

Negativity. With the rest of the world trying to be positive, negativity is the lest thing you want to put out front. Unfortunately, we have a cadre of negative people, on television and in politics, that will hold us back. The best thin we can do is ignore the negativity and push forward as a unified country. We may not agree on everything, but our votes tell the story.

"People will try to pull you down, but you need to fight the negativity in your life. It's always good to stay positive and think positive."

-- Vivek Oberoi

Do deceased people think?

That depends if you believe in life after death and ghosts.

How do you face the end of your life?

It depends on if you have solved all the ills you wanted to. If you haven’t, it is what it is. On the other hand, you can be scared shitless at not being alive. My take, is that I will be reborn and live another life. I always see the positive and not the negative. There is too much paranormal evidence to pooh-pooh life after death.

Why aren’t you scared to die?

As a Christian, fear of death is not in my wheelhouse.

Why did God create the world to be old instead of making it young?

Who says the world is old? Geologically, it is pretty young. We give God our thoughts of why He did this or that. How about we admit that we don’t know what God thinks or does. The world is what it is. To some it is young, to you it is old. To me, it is what it is.

Would you change your beliefs and lifestyle if it was proven that there is no God or gods?

Would I be bad if there was no God? It depends on the “law of the land” and the way I was brought up. I doubt I would be any different than I am.

Is it possible it is not God that atheists hate but morality itself?

Everyone seems to want atheists to be immoral. Does everyone think that atheists are bad to the bone? The only thing I know about atheists is that they don’t buy into the “God exists” argument. Atheists can be as good as the best of us. They have to obey laws, as the rest of us do. When they die, that’s it. When a theist dies, what happen to them might be up in the air. Neither theists or atheists have any proof what happens after death.

“I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.”

-- Robert A. Heinlein

What should I do when I can't sleep, because I have to finish something important? But, I also have something important coming up the next day that definitely requires me to sleep well?

“Sleeping well” is going to suffer, unless you schedule your time better. Scheduling is the bane of our existence. When you can, you do. If you can’t, you make it the best you can. This won’t be the last time.

What’s a harsh truth about life that everyone should accept? 

It is what it is.

Everything the wealthy billionaires do is highly destructive, so, it's immoral to work with or for them. How can sufficient force be applied to destroy them?

Not all billionaires are highly destructive. Some have a great work ethic. You can’t put everyone in a basket and kill them. The innocent will suffer from your shortsightedness.

What is life? Do you think, in this life, if there is no net, phone, TV, or other communication, what would happen?

Life is all about learning. If you haven’t made the most of it, you’ve wasted most of your life.

What’s a harsh truth about life that everyone should accept?

It is what it is.

I once had a student who had the family lawyer fight to allow them to eat candy in class. What are the lifelong consequences of this decision aside from cavities?

Acting out. There is something called a “sugar high,” that is a real possibility. And here I thought school was all about learning. Silly me.

“Sugar does induce the same responses in the region of the brain known as the “reward center”—technically, the nucleus accumbens—as do nicotine, cocaine, heroin, and alcohol.”

-- Gary Taubes

Can it be true that there’s a lot that is good in your life, don’t take it for granted, and, not get so focused on the struggles that you miss the gift of today?

Many people miss the “gift of today.” People should strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of their circumstances. Everything else we do supports this truth.  

What do you think of personal development books? Have they changed your life?

I’m from the school of “hard knocks.” I have no use for “personal development” books.

What does the theme "Desire produces foolishness" really mean?

Anyone who truly desires can put meaning to this. If our “desire” overcomes our “common sense” we can act like children - foolish. 

Does Russia only resolve to peace talks whenever they can't achieve something by force?

The government, maybe. The population would be happy if they could vote.

What does “you ruin everything” mean?

The speaker saying this thinks the subject “ruins everything.” In reality, the subject only seems to ruin what the speaker thinks is important. If the person ruined everything, they would be dead by now. The speaker probably needs to get a life.

Do we really even need religion?

No. People can believe what they want, privately.

“Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.”

-- Garrison Keillor

Are being brainy, wise, and intelligent the same thing?

They can be, but they usually aren’t. “Brainy” is what we call “smart.”

How comfortable would you feel being an atheist? Would you have more time for yourself instead of worrying about things that don't exist?

Whether the “things” exist, or not, is yet to be proven. Neither atheists nor theists have any proof of their beliefs. Without any proof, you need to make your best guess. I wouldn’t be comfortable as an atheist, not knowing the facts. So, I will err on the side of "God" and everlasting life.

What motivates atheists to comment on posts about religion?

The same motivation that makes theists do the same thing.

How can you live with only money?

Yes, but it would be an austere existence. Money can buy what you need. Unfortunately, money will make people think they can buy true happiness. I have money, but I don’t spend it on frivolous things. I strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. Poor or wealthy, I prefer to be truly happy always.

What are some things that money cannot buy? Can money truly buy everything?

Money can’t buy true love.

Will God be angry if we hurt the woman who loves us?

You think? Hurting anybody, that hasn’t hurt you first, is sinful. It is especially bad if you know you are stronger. But, the question bodes another question: Why would you hurt anyone who loves you?

“Of course, I’ll hurt you. Of course, you’ll hurt me. Of course, we will hurt each other. But this is the very condition of existence. To become spring means accepting the risk of winter. To become present means accepting the risk of absence.”

-- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I’m 22, and my parents surprised me with a car for my birthday, but it was my dad’s old car. I'm very disappointed. What should I do?

Disappointed? Thank them for the car, and be grateful.

Can practicing karma yoga lead to happiness for the individual?

Maybe. It depends on the reason an individual is practicing karma yoga.

What is the concept of reality and how is it distinguished from fake or illusory?

It is what it is, and it isn’t anything else. The fake or illusory can be as just as real, because they are, also, what they are.

My boyfriend says he is voting for Trump. Should I break up with him?

Only if you are comfortable being on the socialist left.

Is it possible for anything to truly exist if everything is just a perception or illusion, including one's own consciousness?

Everything, including perception, illusion, and consciousness, exists. Whether it is tangible or not, is another question.

Is it possible to change one's belief about reincarnation?

Yes, if you are open-minded.

“If you're really a mean person, you're going to come back as a fly and eat poop.”

-- Kurt Cobain

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