Questioning Money, Society, Fates, Abortions, Being Good, and Free

 

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains."

-- 1 Timothy 6:10

Why is the lack of money the root of all evil?

It isn’t. It depends on the person. They can be evil, or they can work multiple jobs.

Is it proven that only the brain creates our own personality? Is there, maybe, something else that at least largely contributes to creating our personality and consciousness?

It’s all the brain. It takes in the environment, parenting, and whatever you go through growing up, and the brain creates a personality with our consciousness.

Is there a reason why some people seem to have more luck than others? Is it possible for someone to never have any luck?

“Luck” is what you make of it.

Who will be the person beside me when I die?

It depends on where you die, and who you are with. My worst fear is dying in the desert, and the “person” beside me is a scorpion. Of all the things I can fear, this makes me grate my teeth. I try not to think about it.

Can you be happy with a normal amount of money, neither rich nor poor?

I have been truly happy paycheck to paycheck, for as long as I can remember.

Whenever there is a religion, there is humanity. Do you agree or not?

Where there is religion, there is fire and brimstone. Religion has a colorful past, colored by blood, in most cases. The “Salem Witch Trials” come to mind, along with burning heretics.

"The strong can not be brave. Only the weak can be brave; and yet again, in practice, only those who can be brave can be trusted, in time of doubt, to be strong."

-- G.K. Chesterton

The best society is the society of lonely people. Am I right?

Hell no. Lonely people are the best society? They may be a society, but they certainly are not the best.

Are realizing, identifying, and rectifying mistakes signs of curiosity and wisdom?

It sounds right. 

What is the basis for your belief in a god? Is it based on faith, reason, or evidence?

It is based on personal faith. I can’t see why we have to die with no hope of an afterlife. I think “religion” gives mankind a way out. If it is a possibility, I certainly can find enough faith to believe in it. One needs to have hope.

How can I stop being stuck in the past as I always cannot forget the losses?

Not forgetting your losses, is your life teaching you a lesson you can learn from. Learn from it and move on.

Why does my ex act like nothing happened after she broke up with me?

Welcome to the club.

What is better: fame, money, or both?

Neither. Strive to be truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a choice.

"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking".

-- Marcus Aurelius

What are a few fates worse than death?

Being a liberal. Oh-my-God… just shoot me!

Why are so many atheists smug?

That’s what they do. 

Do you think I’m no good at thinking deep?

I don’t know you.

Is there any scientific evidence supporting the concept of reincarnation and multiple human lives?

No.

Can God take away your free will?

Why? I’ll pay for all my sins in Hell.

You lost your journal. What do you do?

Oh-my-God! The sky is falling! Kidding. I will start a new one. Too much drama.

“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

Does abortion bring good karma or bad karma?

If the abortion is not saving the life of the mother, karma will find you soon enough. 

Why do some people have good morals while others have bad morals if God is good?

Don’t pin this on God. He cut mankind loose. Pin this on mankind.

Is it possible to be both good and evil at the same time?

Yes, but “evil” has all the cards. Good does not have a chance. 

Would taking your own life be considered bad karma?

You think? Karma has to find you to mete out punishment, though. It won’t take that long. 

What are some reasons why people may say they don't love their exes?

I love my ex, I just can’t be in the same room with her.

Why are, quote-unquote, normal people, considered good when they are the cruelest?

Who labeled them “normal people”?

“I don't know what's wrong with me, says Marianne. I don't know why I can't be like normal people.”

-- Sally Rooney

What happens when a good person stops being good?

It usually means the good person is doing something bad.

What if this is "The Before Time" and we haven't really lived our lives yet and this is just practice?

It is a waste of time. Ignorance will still be ignorance, and people will still be practicing. The only thing we can do is believe this is reality on get on with it. 

Why did your ex dump you?

She was "humping" her way to a divorce. She won. 

Do you find yourself smart?

Very smart, but not very intelligent. Air Force Intelligence knew “intelligent” people would miss the bus, so they hired “smart” people. Very “smart” of them.

Why do ultra-wealthy people rarely share their wealth with their friends?

Ultra-wealthy people hang with their friends… ultra-wealthy people.

Can relying too much on God lead to disappointment?

Of course. God cut us loose. If you are asking God for a favor, you are wasting your breath. He wants to hear from you, but not for favors. God expects us to be “selfless” in our life.

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.”

-- Dalai Lama XIV

What happens when you do things for free?

You are being selfless, and people are going to appreciate your efforts.

What is everything we see materially? What is it made of?

What we see is not invisible. It is made of a substance that allows our eyes to see it. It may not be what we think is “material”, but it can still be seen. If it can be seen, or measured, it must be material.

Can something's non-existence be proven if it does not exist?

If it does not exist, it can’t be proven. Even “spirits” can be seen, so they must exist.

Is it possible for something to be created without any intention behind its creation, even if it was created for personal purposes?

If it was created for “personal purpose” there was an “intention” behind its creation. However, many things are “created” without intention. Many babies fit into this category.

"Everything happens for a reason" - do you believe this?

Absolutely. 

Does something always need proof to be true?

It needs to be touched, felt, or seen. The six-foot pink bunny in the corner, not so much. "Delirium tremens" might make a drunk see the rabbit, though. Personally, I feel my God. He might not be there, but I don't care.  He is with me, and I consider Him.

“I do not pretend to be able to prove that there is no God. I equally cannot prove that Satan is a fiction. The Christian god may exist; so may the gods of Olympus, or of ancient Egypt, or of Babylon. But no one of these hypotheses is more probable than any other: they lie outside the region of even probable knowledge, and therefore there is no reason to consider any of them.”

-- Bertrand Russell

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