Questioning Love, Acceptance, God, Decisions, Selflessness, and Perfect

“God has no religion.”

-- Mahatma Gandhi

Do you love who created you?

Indeed!

Why do people choose to believe in something rather than knowing something?

Personally, I’d rather “know something” than believe in fairytales. It is the reason I redefined my belief in God into something one could actually sink my teeth into. Believing in an omnipotent energy that created the universe and everything in it, is not difficult. But, knowing it as a fact might be. It is a work in progress. 

Is it the truth that humans will attack the truth? Why is this?

Because most people are ignorant.

Does anybody care about the discontinued foods because I'm a loser?

What do discontinued foods have to do with you being a loser? And, who says you’re a loser? This question is like Swiss cheese. It has holes in it. 

What is the truth about life?

Learning. We live to learn.

At what point does making money become no longer about improving the life of one's self and family?

At the point that you choose. It is different for many people. While I endeavor to survive my retirement, I strive to be truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is my choice.

“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.”

-- Ernest Hemingway 

Do you accept everyone on this Earth?

Oh, hell no.

Do Republicans truly think of themselves as Christians when they support Donald Trump? How is that possible?

I’m not religious and I support Trump. This is one of the problems with some of the Democrats. They like to put everyone in a can and label it. Fortunately, most people are different. Maybe some Democrats should learn this.

Are you the same person when no one is watching?

I am who I am, whether people are watching or not.

How do you distinguish between destiny and making active choices in relationships?

When you make active choices in relationships, you change your destiny. Our destiny walks hand in hand with our active choices. If you change the way you think, you change your destiny. It is your destiny and everything you do steers your destiny. 

What changes occur when spirits become perfected after death?

I’ll find out when I die. Nobody can answer this.

What is the meaning of, "Live life for today and not for tomorrow."?

This might blow some minds, but it is a simple explanation. Live life for today, because this day might be all you have. When tomorrow comes, you can live life for that day. Every day is a new day that you have to live life. Live life for today, and then live life for the next day, and the next, and so on.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning."

-- Albert Einstein

Can humans find happiness and purpose in life, without believing in a higher being, or "God"?

Yes.

Is showing empathy a sign of being an adult?

I would like to say, "empathy" is the purview of adults. However, many adults started off having empathy as kids. Empathy is a sign of recognizing and understanding another living entity's issues. 

What does "split" mean in "in a split second"?

In a fraction of a second.

How will Americans ever hope to be enlightened people again, without the humility that suffering teaches? How can being whiny, spoiled rotten, and ungrateful, ever teach Republicans or Democrats anything?

What do you mean by “again”? It would seem you think Americans were enlightened in the past. To be controversial, I think before there were Americans, the world was full of whiny, spoiled rotten, and ungrateful people, trying to get a leg up. Being whiny, spoiled rotten, and ungrateful, are the traits of those who have their nose to the grindstone… throughout history.

Is it right to make others suffer as one has suffered?

Suffering is supposed to be a way for people to make life easier for those who follow.

Were we in our father before conception?

Part of us were. Part of us were in our mother, as well. During lovemaking, the two parts are brought together to create a new life.

"There's a reason why God designed our bodies so that, when we lie down in bed, our hands naturally come to rest on our genitals."

-- Caitlin Moran 

How do souls make decisions before incarnating?

I’ll find out when I die. People will keep guessing at this stuff. If you really want to find out, you have to die. Bingo! The truth will hit you in the face. 

Would having $100 million be more satisfying than having $1 billion?

It depends on how fast you plan on spending it. Don’t forget about annual income tax.

What factors helped you make your biggest career decision?

The “Selective Service System.” I was drafted. I joined the Air Force, instead. 23 years later, I retired.  It was the best time of my life.

Is it possible to stop believing in something that you are not aware of its existence?

How can you stop believing in something you aren’t aware of?

How can one respectfully discuss differing beliefs about the existence of God?

Both sides of the discussion need to agree, that neither side has any facts, to bring forth, to prove their hypothesis. The theists nor the atheists don’t have any proof to offer to back up their argument. 

Is it necessary to explain our life choices to others?

No. It is your choice and none of their business.

“You already made the choice, you are simply here to walk it.”

-- L.J. Vanier

Can someone who does not believe in God still do good deeds without expecting anything in return?

If they are selfless, yes.

What is your greatest priority in life, and what drives you to keep going each day? What do you truly care about?

My greatest priority, my drive and what I truly care about, are the same thing. I truly care about being happy always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. This is my choice.

What life experiences taught you to find inner peace?

Martial arts.

Is God the true creator and creates us so that we may create?

Well, of course. He created us to learn, as much as we can, but, in learning, we also create beautiful things. Children come to mind. But, also art that can turned into planes, jets, rockets, skyscrapers, bridges, and so much more.

What is something that the world needs that we can bring? Be it an app, a site, or something.

Permanent peace. We can bring it, but a handful of countries will balk.

Is everything in life predestined?

People like to think so, but how will they prove it? If life is “predestined” and I decide to be a bum, is this my life predestined? What we think, can change. We go to college to be doctors... and get into architecture. The grades are there, but drawing buildings makes us happy. So people die because we aren’t doctors? Maybe the bridge we build will replace an out-of-date and dangerous one. Maybe, we save hundreds of lives with the bridge. Is all this predestined? It makes one think.

“If God is really out there, then there are all the more reasons for free will to exist. If everything is predestined, what’s the fun in that? Humans must surprise the Almighty at times.”

-- Abhaidev

What is your perfect day like as a retiree?

Nothing to do, but have a cigar and a glass of bourbon. Perfect.

Do we have free will, or is our behavior determined by factors like genetics and environment?

“Free will” is a genetic belief you have to understand. No one can take your "free will" away unless you surrender it, which would be ignorant. Even if you don’t think you have “free will,” you do. You are born with the ability to commit suicide, which is the epitome of free will. “Free will” is a product of our genetics, not our environment.

The very act of claiming that you don't exist confirms that you do exist. Do you agree?

Absolutely.

What role does faith play in our daily lives?

Those with a sense of “faith” believe everything will work out well. Faith gives birth to “hope”, and what we hope for is what we want in our lives.

Have you ever had an experience that made you believe in the afterlife or spirit world?

Many experiences made me a believer, from childhood to 65 years later.

If time and everything around you is going back and you are going forward, what is the point of living?

The point of living is to learn. If everything is going back, and you are going forward, the "point of living" is to learn why everything is going back, except you.

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

-- Benjamin Franklin

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