Questioning Production, Words, Humanity, Monsters, Gays, and Religion

 

“To say that a man is made up of certain chemical elements is a satisfactory description only for those who intend to use him as a fertilizer.”

-- Hermann Joseph Muller

How can I stay productive without burning out?

Pace yourself.

Why can’t we express ourselves without ruining this world?

“I am extremely happy!” Wait for it… wait… Huh… It seems my “expressing myself” didn’t ruin the world. How about that?

Why do people feel that two wrongs make a right?

They’re idiots. Two wrongs are double the wrongs, not a right.

What are the three kinds of lies?

Kind of a lie, a lie, and a serious lie. This is all bullshit. A lie is a lie. There is no making a lie seem better than it is. It is a lie. Period.

Why can being vile and vindictive to others be rewarded sometimes?

It depends on if they’re submissive.

Why do you think it seems, people want to get "dirt" about other people, when this should be wrong?

I don’t care about getting “dirt” about other people. It is wrong. People are who they are. If they like me, so be it. If they don’t, it is their loss. Gay, straight, bi, it really doesn’t matter, in the great scheme of things. If we can be friends, that is all that matters.

“There is nothing better than a friend... unless it is a friend with chocolate.”

-- Linda Grayson

What do words mean to you?

Communication. The more words you know, put in the right order, the better the communication will be Of course, the people listening to the communication, must also know the words being used, or have a dictionary at hand.

What are some things you realize as you get older?

You realize you aren’t the “sexual animal” you used to be. It is a loss.

Why are people so ignorant and judgemental in public?

Once a person opens their big mouth, it is very hard for them to get it shut. Stupid is as stupid does, and the mouth is the worst.

Do bad people eventually pay for all the bad things they have done?

Karma has then well in hand. They will pay now or later, but they will pay.

How can it be, that people can't get any agreement, even though it's an important case?

I assume this has to do with a court case. One of the reasons they have 12 jurors is for them to agree or disagree. All it takes is one juror to hear something none of the jurors understood. A juror’s opinion is something the court shouldn’t take lightly.

Is it possible for someone to be completely free from ignorance, or does everyone have at least a little bit of it?

Impossible. Ignorance is a balance of intelligence.

“To know that you do not know is the best.

To think you know when you do not is a disease.

Recognizing this disease as a disease is to be free of it.”

-- Lao Tzu

Why can't humanity stop having war?

Greed. No greed, no war.

If a man loves you, shouldn't he be concerned if you cry? Even if he thinks the reason is dumb?

Of course. If he doesn’t, he evidences a heartless bastard. Not a good thing, when trying to make your wife think of you as a warm, understanding person… even if she cries over bullshit.

What can't redeem the soul?

Anything but the truth. Only the truth will set you free.

How do we live without knowing how our brain uses knowledge?

That is the "mystery" of our brain. Sometimes we think it is on vacation and, BAM! It gets us out of danger. Our brain “thinks” while we are doing something else. It “multitasks” without us even realizing it. It is good to know how the brain works, but, the fact that it does work means we really don’t need to know.

How do people find purpose in their lives? Is it normal to not know what one wants in life or their purpose on earth?

The purpose on earth is to learn. What you do to earn a living while you learn is up to you.

What is the key to finding true happiness? Is it achieved by being content with everything in life?

Pretty much. We let too much “drama” invade our lives. In a normal life, nothing is so important that we need to lose sleep over it. Even the drama that slips in is manageable. All you have to do is take a big breath and handle it. I have managed to get a grip on life. I wish I had done this before my marriage went south. 23 years ago, after the divorce, I made a promise to myself. I “strive” to be truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is my choice, and it works.

“People don't want their lives fixed. Nobody wants their problems solved. Their dramas. Their distractions. Their stories resolved. Their messes cleaned up. Because what would they have left? Just the big scary unknown.”

-- Chuck Palahniuk

Who are you calling a monster? Have you looked in the mirror?

I don’t remember calling you a monster. It wouldn't be in my character.  However, I did look in the mirror, and I hate to admit this, but... I’m the same handsome SOB I was yesterday.

Are you scared that you may not survive?

May not survive what?

Is pain and suffering necessary to have a meaningful life?

Life insists we have "balance" in the universe. Pain and suffering balance out the happiness in life. How you handle the pain and suffering is up to you. I strive to be truly happy, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is a choice that works for me.

What is it like being an idiot?

I have no idea. Ask an idiot.

What is the worst thing a person can do to upset you?

Upsetting me is a difficult thing to do. I used to get upset over people accusing me of things I didn’t do, or they misunderstood. But, now, I let that go as their issue, not mine. If people ask me what the fuss was about, I’ll tell them, and then I let it go. There is too much drama in life. Bad drivers piss me off. They piss most of us off.

Can anyone be more stupid than you?

You, but I think that’s a given.

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”

-- Albert Einstein

Can gay people turn straight without God?

Yes. Religion did not turn them gay, so God had no position in the argument.

Can all human beings think and act as one?

No. This is why we have supervisors, managers, commanders, etc. If we could think and act as one, we wouldn’t need all the supervision.

What is the difference between humans being creatures of habit and being lazy?

Nothing. If they are lazy, that is their habit.

On a scale from 0 to 10, how much do you hate people?

One half. I don’t "hate" many people, I may not like them very much, but I don’t hate them. My ex-wife, maybe. In the Air Force, I heard a couple of aircrew talking about bombing another country. I asked them why they hated them. "They are the enemy." That was it? But, why did they hate them? They couldn’t answer. I told them to keep that in their heads as they go dropping bombs. They are told to kill us, and we are told to kill them. We follow orders. Any other day, we might buy them a bourbon. If you hate, ask yourself why you hate.

Who is the most successful man in his life?

The happiest.

On a scale from 0 to 10, how much do you hate people?

One half. I don’t hate many people. I may not like them very much, but, I don’t hate them. Hate is a terrible word.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

-- Martin Luther King Jr.

If religion is true, why does it never correct science?

Who says it doesn’t? The scientists? It is not the purpose of religion to prove science; it is more likely that the purpose of science is to prove religion.

Is atheism fact or opinion?

An opinion, just like theism.

Is atheism a false religion?

What makes atheism any more false than theism? There is no concrete proof of either one. Both are belief systems based on nothing but stories and beliefs. There are no concrete facts to prove or disprove God.

Can our religious beliefs be incorrect?

Of course. They are “beliefs” not based on facts.

Whenever something good happens in my life, why does God counter it with something bad within a day?

Balance. There must be balance in the universe. A little good, a little bad, makes us humble. It is the way the universe is wired. It doesn’t necessarily mean that God is targeting you. It is the way life works.

What makes you unable to trust women?

My ex-wife.

“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.”

-- Ernest Hemingway

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