Questioning Prayer, Atheism, Dreams, Repairs, Love, and a Path

 

"Thank you, God, for another glorious day in paradise."

-- F.A. Villari

How do you start your day with God?

I wake up to another great day in paradise and say, “Good morning, God!”

Do you people believe we humans are animals too… or… do we just think ourselves differently?

We are animals with higher intellect. We use tools to take us into space. No other animal on this planet can do such things. Given the right tools, we can kill any other animal. This ability puts us at the top of the food chain… if we are armed. If we aren’t armed, we are kibble.

What is your ultimate goal? Is it to promote happiness for all humanity or to convert them to your beliefs?

Promote true happiness. No one wants to be forced to believe the way I do.

Why do people believe that there is good in everyone?

People are ignorant. There is no redeeming value in a murdering sociopath. They suck you in by acting good, then they torture you unto an untimely death.

What is the opposite of "always happy" or "happy-go-lucky"?

Always sad and miserable.

What are the benefits of being extremely evil?

You can do anything evil you want… until you’re caught. The possible downside of being “extremely evil” is an untimely death at the hands of society.

“In each of us, two natures are at war – the good and the evil. All our lives the fight goes on between them, and one of them must conquer. But in our own hands lies the power to choose – what we want most to be we are.”

-- Robert Louis Stevenson

How can an atheist effectively communicate with someone who believes in gods? What arguments or evidence could be used to challenge their beliefs?

Neither theists nor atheists can provide any proof of their belief. The only proof any of them will have is when they die. For the atheist, it will be permanent death. For the theist, it may be a life after death. Or, they may end up like the atheist - dead, for all eternity. Theists are betting on God.

Will it ever become possible to travel back in time, like 40 years ago?

It would be interesting, but the possibility is problematic.

Is there a valid reason for believing in a god or religion without any evidence of its existence?

Just in case. But, on the other side of the coin, is there a valid reason not to believe in God? Neither side of this discussion has any incontrovertible proof they are right. Which makes both sides sound like jackasses braying at each other. Believe what you want to believe and shut up about it.

Who do you take with you when you go to heaven?

My ex-wife. I will drop her off at hell. Maybe she will learn something.

Do people who pray a lot go to heaven?

Not if they are praying, constantly, for forgiveness for all the evil they continuously visit on mankind. Instead of boring God with prayers asking for forgiveness, try doing the righteous thing continuously.

"Everyone wants to go to Heaven but nobody wants to die." What do you say about this statement?

It is what it is. Get over it.

“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.”

-- Mark Twain

How can I achieve my dreams of owning a house when I'm an addict?

Stop being an addict, and save the money for the house.

Which is better, this life or life after death?

Nobody knows what life after death is truly like. It may be a “rebirth” into another time. What we can say for almost certainty, is that it will be more learning. Learning is what we are here for.

What determines a person's worth if they are not successful or talented?

If you can be my good friend, your worth is priceless.

What defines a "truth" in your opinion?

Facts that define it. You can tell the “truth” but before we believe what you say, we need to see and hear the facts. Without facts what you have is an opinion. The opinion may be based on facts, but if you don’t know the facts, it is another opinion.

Is death the only truth in life?

You forgot “birth”… before death.

Why are some beliefs not important?

The beliefs have no bearing. “I love you, and whether you believe me is not important. The "fact" that I love you, is all that matters.”

“A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it.”

-- Oscar Wilde 

Can l repair the damage l caused?

You have to be a bit clearer. What damage did you cause?

Why do all humans want to become more powerful than other humans? What are your opinions?

Well, for one thing, not “all humans” want to be more powerful than other humans. Many are submissive, and others don’t give a fig. You put all humans in the same bucket. Not a good thing to do. Personally, I don’t give a fig about being “more powerful” than others. I’d rather be a lover than a fighter.

What makes a philosophical argument logically sound?

Facts.

What religion are you?

I’m not. I am spiritual. I believe in my definition of God. When all is said and done, what you believe in your heart is most important.

Should religion have a say in abortion laws?

Killing children goes higher than religion. It is a matter of right and wrong.

Why do people ask if they "should" believe in God?

Why would you believe what someone else says? If you feel like believing then so be it. Whether you believe or not is between you and God and nobody else.

“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.”

-- Philip K. Dick

If God is the true embodiment of unconditional selfless love, does that mean we become like Him when we express this love ourselves?

Don’t believe everything you hear or read. God decided not to write things down because humans kept getting the story wrong. So, what did humans do? They wrote the Bible, and it has multiple problems of its own. People, in general, are ignorant.

Why do people always try to take advantage or control people that are always there for them and never been told to set good boundaries why do people try to control and take advantage of people like that I notice this even on movies why is this so?

You need to learn punctuation, at a minimum. 

Do you think an AI program should be given a soul?

Not possible. Destroy AI and it dies. Destroy a human and the soul lives on. We can’t give a machine a soul.

Why did you create your destiny?

Because that is what we do. If someone else “creates” your destiny, you have created your destiny by giving them permission. Your life and your destiny are yours to do with what you’d like. You can’t blame anyone but yourself for your destiny.

"When I'm in a new environment, it's the people who are supposed to adjust to me" Um…is this peak narcissism?

Ya think? Nobody has to “adjust” to them unless it is their job, to do so.  

When did the idea of a "soul" start? Why, after all these years, has no scientific evidence of a soul been found?

They have found that immediately after death, the body loses weight. The consensus is that the soul leaves the body. Is this true? Well, it sounds pretty good to me. Is it scientific? I have no idea.

"The only weight you lose after death is the weight of the world on your shoulders."

-- Unknown

Can you alter the path of your life?

It's your path. Only you can alter it, or you can allow someone else to alter it. Your path, your life.

If we acknowledge "nothing," doesn't it make "nothing" something?

It does. "Nothing" is something that doesn’t exist.

What role does destiny play in the life paths and choices we make?

Destiny is the choices and decisions we make in life. It is where we go, by the choices and decisions we make. Our destiny can change as our choices and decisions change. It is what it is.

How possible does our decision determine our destiny?

Any “decision” you make determines your destiny, now or later.

How does the concept of free will fit into the belief that God is love and loves us unconditionally?

It is your “free will” to believe “that God is love and loves you unconditionally.” You are right when you call it a concept. Many people would not accept this.

Can the devil take away your free will?

Only if you give it to him.

"The forces of good and evil are working within and around me, I must choose, and in a free will universe I do have a choice."

-- Martin Luther

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