Questioning Psychology, Age, You, Couples, Sex, and Destiny

 

(Not a chance. Stupid is... stupid.)

Psychology of Everyday Life: What are some of the greatest examples of "absence of mind"?

When you act or do without justification or concern for the consequences. Or, you can be a babbling idiot without a conscious thought. I would go with the “babbling idiot” answer.

Are obsessions always related to thoughts, or can they involve actions too?

Isn’t an “action” brought about by thought, even if the “thought” is subconscious?

Which do you prefer, to be known or known by what you know?

Having been in the Intelligence field, I would rather be known. I am continuously trying to forget everything I know. I left Intelligence in 1994, having served for 23 years. I think the years have made, what I still know, pointless. But, I am still on guard.

What inspires and motivates you today?

I am awake. Being awake “inspires and motivates” me, even if I don’t want to be.

Why does everybody have a future they want to pursue, yet, for some reason, I don't seem to find enjoyment or a drive to want to have one of my own? Why does it seem so dull, and there's no end goal? Nothing to strive for.

If you don’t have a future you want to pursue, and there is nothing you feel like striving for, get out of the way of those people who have a future they feel like pursuing. You have become an obstacle other people need to navigate around.

What do the right questions contain?

A point. A question without a point makes no sense.

"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them."

-- Galileo Galilei

Why as we grow older we learn that being a good person is not good for us?

Who told you this crap? As I grew older, I learned that being a “good person” was better than being a “so-so” person. Being a good person is very good for us.

Can true free will only exist in a godless and spontaneous universe?

Everyone has “free will” as part of their consciousness. They may not understand the point of “free will” but, it is there. Revolutions have been started because people discovered they have “free will,” whether they are godless or not. "Free will" is especially important in a "spontaneous universe."

What makes you believe that you are on the right path in life?

Because I am truly happy. That makes my path the right path.

What was the last moment of opportunity you had to do something big?

I found out that my dad had suffered a stroke, so I retired from my job so I could come across the country to be with him. My boss was a bit pissed and asked me how sustainable was my decision? I told her it was as sustainable as his stroke. She pissed me off. Dad had three more strokes before he died. I was a great help to him for a few years. He built me a house and I have been here ever since. Quitting my job and moving across the country was the last moment of opportunity I had to do something big. I have never regretted it.

What role does humor have in your 2025 goal to improve your social life?

I am a constantly happy person. That makes my “humor” my social life. I can’t improve it much.

What are the most powerful and scientifically proven strategies for achieving happiness?

Scientifically proven? That made me laugh and shake my head. Happiness is an emotion, so do everything necessary to be truly happy. I have strived to be truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. I have maintained this attitude for about twenty years, and it is so easy to put all the "drama" behind you. Just don't buy into it.

"A mathematical formula for happiness: Reality divided by Expectations. There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality or lower your expectations."

-- Jodi Picoult

Does the concept of 'you' truly exist, or are you simply a collection of reactions to external stimuli, shaped by your environment and experiences?

If you take the external stimuli and use your “free will” to strip it down, to what you need to be, you have created a concept of you. If you let others “create” you, then, you are not you. You are something others have made. Your “free will” belongs to them.

What part/parts of our biology make us sacrifice objectivity for emotional well-being? People tell me I need to balance these things, but why? What makes happiness more important than facts?

Nothing, if you exercise your free will.

Is human life a tragedy?

Only if you make life one. A person’s life is full of free will. The only way “free will” can be a tragedy is if someone restricts it. The good thing about “free will” is that only you control it. They can try to "restrict" it but with "free will" you can find a way to free your mind. The one thing they can’t control is your freedom of thought.

Are you that pretty all the time?

I try, but, at 71 years of age, staying pretty can be a bitch… especially because I’m a man.

Is the world we live in a lie, or is it our perception of reality that works to deceive us?

The world we live in is fluid. It can be a “changeable” fact, determined by who is in charge. If the people have a say, then the people are in charge. Our “perception of reality” does not deceive us, unless we aren’t paying attention.

Can having too many opinions on a topic be a problem?

If you’re one person, then, yes. Pick an opinion and stick to it.

"Too often we... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."

-- John F. Kennedy

How do you know when you are ready to get together?

She says, “Yes!”

What if test tube babies are soulless?

They are a concoction of tissue from human donors. As such, the babies will have souls.

How do people find a girlfriend when I can’t?

Lower your expectations.

How can I stop being a human?

Too late.

Why do I think people don't understand me?

If you don’t know, then how the hell would we? Do you speak gibberish?

Why should we not look down upon others?

You might find they’re looking down on you.

“Leaders should never look down on the people who put them into power because every leadership requires followers.”

-- Gift Gugu Mona

If someone told you they had a sex dream about you, what would you do?

Were they satisfied? It has a bearing on my answer.

What are you doing right now? Can you show us?

No.

As I have too many unknown things in life despite being an adult, how can I decrease it pretty much fast?

Become another person. Leave where you are, and pick up another identity. Done.

Why should I respect all professions?

Not a clue. I don’t. 

Why do people get mad when you have standards in life?

I really don’t care if they get mad. They need to get a life.

What happens when you truly believe in your ability to achieve something? Does that belief drive you to invest the effort and take the steps needed to turn it into reality?

Indeed.

“Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.”

-- Roy T. Bennett

How do people usually deal with changes in their destiny?

If they accept the changes they make in life, they have changed their destiny. It is a choice. “Destiny” will happen, regardless of your choice.

How do I know this is the best path for one's self?

Are you truly happy? If you are, it is the best path for yourself. Many people think that “best” means they need to suffer to follow the path they have been given. You need to choose your own path, not one that someone says you should follow. Pick a path that makes you truly happy. When I joined the Air Force, I didn’t have a job. I was offered an Intelligence slot. Intelligence? Hell yeah! I served for 23 years and never regretted a minute of it. It was the best path I could have chosen. The next civilian job, I served for 17 years. Again, I truly loved the work. If you have to work, do something that you can truly love.

How do l stop talking to my "Scorpio" mother?

When you can, leave. That ends the discussion.

How does psychology play a role in an athlete's success?

As an athlete, training can hurt. If you tell yourself, “Work through the hurt,” and you do, this is you using psychology to train. If you continue to train, using psychology to keep going, you will experience personal success. You may not be the best, but you didn’t quit. That is a “personal” success.

Is there a way to "watch"/"see" the future?

Get a chair and sit outside. Every second passes is the future. If you watch, you will see.

Life feels overwhelming lately. I’m not sure which direction to take. How do I figure out what’s best for me when everything feels so uncertain?

Take a break. Relax. Take a walk on the beach, or in the woods. Think about what you truly want in life. When the answer sticks in your brain, you have it. Now, you need to get it. Figure out a plan and put it into action. Be truly happy in your direction. It is that easy.

“Enlightenment is man's release from his self-incurred tutelage. Tutelage is man's inability to make use of his understanding without direction from another. Self-incurred is this tutelage when its cause lies not in lack of reason but in lack of resolution and courage to use it without direction from another. Sapere aude! 'Have courage, to use your own reason!'- that is the motto of enlightenment.”

-- Immanuel Kant

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

Questioning Happiness, Atheists, Suffering, Victims, Good, and Goals

 

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

-- Confucius

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My articles have been seen by 12, 035 people in the past week.

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What’s one habit or mindset shift that has had the biggest impact on your happiness?

I always strive to be truly happy in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is a choice I have made for my life. I work to leave the drama behind me.

Will being happy make me look stupid?

Probably, but you’ll be happy, so… who cares?

Do you live in a fantasy to escape reality?

Nope. I live in reality. The only way to escape this reality is to die, but that brings up a whole different reality and a whole different life. It is better to live this life out before you tip-toe into another reality.

Do you think by playing it safe in life, we are acting in a logical and rational manner?

Yes. But, taking a risk is not logical or rational. It can be exciting, though, if you risk your safety.

Why does it feel like the universe is messing with my life?

It probably is. Life is funny that way. One way to stay one step ahead of the universe is to, well, stay one step ahead. Look to the future and sidestep the universe messing with your life. Plan your life a bit better than you have been. 

Do things hoped for have substance?

If you hope for the love you feel toward another person, that love has “emotional” substance. You can feel it. If you don’t feel it, then it isn’t real.

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope"

-- Martin Luther King Jr.

In the game of life, are atheists spiritual losers?

They don’t think “spiritual” has anything to do with a God that they don’t believe in. “Spiritual” has much to do with the realm, not with any God.

What helps you get through hardship?

Recognizing it is just drama.

How do I learn to be happy in life?

Understanding that life is all about learning. I strive to be truly happy in life, because I understand its purpose, regardless of my circumstances. I learn... and everything else in life supports this "prime directive" to learn.

What’s the biggest misconception people have about life?

To live it. They miss the point that living is all about learning. They go on about living, without focusing on learning the lessons that life sets before them.

Why am I here? Who am I actually? Where will I go once my time is up? What is life?

You are here because you are the product of two people having sex. You are what you want to be. When your time is up you will die and travel to another realm. Life is all about learning, and what you learn you take with you, through the many lives you will live. In the end, you will be all you have learned to be.

If a person were to live inside your brain in your limbic system (the emotional seat of your brain), what would they learn and discover about you?

All of my emotional secrets.

“The limbic system is essentially devoted to moving us rapidly toward or away from things in life that are relevant to our survival.”

-- Daniel A. Hughes

Why is there suffering in the world if God wants us to be happy and content?

Have you learned anything from suffering? It will teach you how to be, really and truly, happy and content.

What are the potential negative consequences of living forever, even if someone desires it?

Paraplegia is paralysis of the legs. Quadriplegia is paralysis of the legs and arms. If you are inflicted with these, living forever would become a real hell on earth. Living forever is great if you can heal yourself. If you can’t… 

Who or what caused you to discover creative ideas that improve your life?

My parents, my friends and associates, and my schooling. 

Are sharing emotions and being friendly signs of immaturity? Why am I unappreciated for having such traits?

You are hanging around with the wrong people. Perhaps, you should find those people who can appreciate your traits. I see no reason why you should continue to grow alone. 

Do you think human beings exist to destroy one another?

No. They haven’t learned enough to stop.

How do women feel about being hated by men in real life?

Where does this come from? I don’t hate women. I love the heck out of women. And let’s not go to sex. Oh… my… God! As a teacher or a student, sex, and love, are the two most important things in a loving relationship. Hate women? Be real.

"This is what sexual liberation chiefly accomplishes—it liberates young women to pursue married men."

-- George Gilder

What does “At least we’re not going around thinking everything involves us and try to make ourselves the victims” mean?

They don’t think they are victims, and they don’t think everything involves them. This seems like something a person who dislikes “drama” in life, would say. Hell, I would say it.

Why do people often sabotage their own happiness?

They are ignorant. Who sabotages their happiness?

Some truths are easily changeable, and others are very difficult to change or are not changeable. The only ones we can rely on are the ones that are difficult to change. How much emphasis should be placed on cultural beliefs?

The “truth” and “cultural beliefs” can be worlds apart. The “truth” is not changeable, unless it is proved not to be true. The only truths you can rely on are the ones that have been proven to be true. If “cultural beliefs” have been proven to be true, much emphasis should be placed on them. If they are "stories" passed down from generation to generation, well… “facts” get blown out of proportion the more color the storyteller adds.

Reader comment:  Would it be true to say that any truth is a belief? You have to believe in something to establish the truth. For example, the “Flat Earth Believers”. For them, the truth is the world is flat. For the rest of us, we know that it is not true. So, in these cases truth is subjective. Is truth ever objective?

My reply:  Or, it isn’t really true. What a scientist tells us is "true" may not be, next year.

Reader reply: With that argument, it would be difficult to say anything is absolutely true. Our perceptions of reality are what establish truth for us.

My reply: Indeed. 

How do I love to be?

I would think, you would like to be lovable. Try that.

What does “How you gonna call us out for being hardheaded when you’re hardheaded yourself” mean?

Whoever said this is not thinking. A “hardheaded” person knows a hardheaded person when they hear one. If I hear a hardheaded person call someone else hardheaded, I’d be looking to the person they called "hardheaded" for a reasonable retort.

What are the bad things you will leave behind going into 2025?

Negative attitudes. There is too much drama involved in them.

“Whoever is able to anger you is able to control you.”

-- Lamine Pearlheart

How do I stop being good?

Start being bad. Whatever you do to be good, stop doing it. However, the quality of your life might suffer. Police might get involved, depending on how bad you are. Being good is the best we can be, so be the best.

What could real greatness look like?

If you are truly happy with life, regardless of your circumstances. There is nothing greater.

What are some tips to be a lame worker who does the bare minimum at my dead-end retail job? I’m naturally a very hard worker and enjoy working, but it’s just stressing me out and it's thankless.

Becoming a “lame worker” will follow you. You won’t want to do this. Find a better job, you will like, and then leave the old job.

Is truth infinite?

Truth is what it is until it isn’t, and then it becomes the truth again.

This world is temptation and the universe. Are we in the afterlife already?

We are always in flux with our afterlife. We lived before, and now we live again. We will die and be reborn into a new life, and this continues until we determine we have had enough, or we reach nirvana.

Is my mind going crazy and entering a whole new dimension?

No, you aren’t going crazy, you have finally recognized the dimension you are in. It seems new to you, but you’ve been in it for a while.

“Don’t try to make them happy, you’ll only get in trouble. Don’t try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it irritates the pig.”

-- Anthony de Mello

Why might your goals not be achieved because you told people about them?

Achieving your goals is up to you. Telling people about them might make achieving them harder, but not unachievable. Achieving your goals is up to you.

At what age is the mind the most creative?

I started to be creative at 12 years of age. I continued to be creative throughout my Intelligence career. If I had nothing to work on I painted canvas or carved wood. I slowed down when I reached 65. It is hard to put an age to the most creative part of my life. Here I am, at 71 years of age, creating answers for people who want to know things. When do we take a break? Probably when we die, but many of us will be reborn. The cycle will continue.

I’m very tired of being around other people and existing, is there any way to speed up life?

No. This is a lesson you must learn to deal with.

Do you believe in happy endings after a long period of suffering?

Suffering is a learning period. You either learn to get better, or you learn to live with the malady, or you learn that you need to die. One would hope, that after a long period of suffering, you would enjoy a period of happiness. The need for death should be followed by rebirth… since the lesson has been learned.

Life is easy if you make it simple, but why do so many people make it complicated?

They are learning. If they are making your life difficult, it is your choice to deal with it or move on.

Where would you be if you hadn’t followed your dream?

I would be someone else. My dreams changed, as I lived my life. An opportunity arose and I chose to take it. My life as a psychologist was interrupted by the draft for Vietnam. I decided to join the Air Force. 23 years later, I retired from a fulfilled life… I thought. I had another fulfilled life with a civilian corporation. Psychology was a dream not fulfilled, and I have no regrets. My life changed by my choice. Nobody made decisions for me. I look back at my life and I am fulfilled. I have learned so much and, at 71 years of age, I have much left to learn.

“I have not always chosen the safest path. I've made my mistakes, plenty of them. I sometimes jump too soon and fail to appreciate the consequences. But I've learned something important along the way: I've learned to heed the call of my heart. I've learned that the safest path is not always the best path, and I've learned that the voice of fear is not always to be trusted.”

-- Steve Goodier

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

Questioning Happy, Future, Manifesting, Death, Success, and Reincarnation

"I don't call it gossip. I call it "emotional speculation."

-- Laurie Colwin

Is it okay not to be happy all the time?

It’s okay, but it isn’t good. I strive to be truly happy always and at all times, regardless of my circumstances. It is my choice.

Can a person live an entire life without telling a lie?

Being a child, I doubt it.

What is the belief that a person can be in so that they succeed in life? I mean spiritual belief.

Believe in yourself. Believing in what you can accomplish is the highest “spiritual” belief you can have, next to believing in God.

Can any law last forever without change?

Have the “Ten Commandments” changed? God handed them down, so the story goes.

Discuss this theory: The purpose of life is to run from depression. From what I've read, this means that over time what always moved people was the opposite of what made them depressed.

The purpose of life is to learn. People have this all screwed up. Everything else in life is to support our learning. If you are learning you have no time to spend on depression.

The purpose of life is to run away from depression. This means that over time what always moved people was the opposite of what made them depressed. Example: Billionaires get depressed if not working constantly. What do you think?

Again, learning is why we live. If you constantly learn you have no time to be depressed. Depression is brought on by yourself. Don’t buy into it. If you think you are going to be depressed, do something that will make you happy. I strive to be truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It is a choice that everybody needs to make.

Reader comment:  Good answer, Tony. BTW, how did you manage to post two separate answers to the same question?

My answer:  Split personality.

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself."

-- John Dewey

Why should I care about the future of the planet, nations, or people, when I won't be here forever? Shouldn't I be selfish while I live? But, life has no fun either. What exactly is the meaning of life?

The meaning of life is to learn. Who told you that you won’t be here forever? We live many lives and learn much. What you are doing is wasting your life. Better that you start to learn.

What's the point of existence if everything is going into the future and what happened now will soon be forgotten?

People. This is the problem with people. No memory.

Why do we have to complicate life? Life is pizza. There is nothing else like an assault on the senses like delicious pizza.

We complicate life. Life is simple. And then, we get involved in it. We can make a can of soup so complicated that it isn’t worth heating up. It is a can of damn soup! Get over it.

How can you tell if you have a fat or skinny mirror?

It is a matter of your point of view.

When it isn't meant to be, is it really the end?

If it isn’t meant to be, then why is it? Everything is, is supposed to be. It isn’t the end, rather, it is a new beginning. What you make of it, is the real question.

Is every narcissist made, or are some narcissists born? Is every narcissist mentally ill, or are some narcissists disabled and not mentally ill?

I’m not touching this question, for fear that I will get shit thrown at me.

“The main condition for the achievement of love is the overcoming of one's narcissism. The narcissistic orientation is one in which one experiences as real only that which exists within oneself, while the phenomena in the outside world have no reality in themselves, but are experienced only from the viewpoint of their being useful or dangerous to one. The opposite pole to narcissism is objectivity; it is the faculty to see other people and things as they are, objectively, and to be able to separate this objective picture from a picture which is formed by one's desires and fears.”

-- Erich Fromm

People always say, "If you manifest something, it will come true." But, whenever I think too much about something, it never happens. What am I doing wrong?

You are not "manifesting" something. You are overthinking about something, not manifesting it. The saying is pretty obvious. If you create something, it is there.

I feel like I’m alive, but not living. I'm surrounded by complete unhappiness and feeling stuck. How can I get over this? I don’t even want to be around people anymore.

I made a promise to myself after my divorce. I wanted to be happy. I strived to be truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. It wasn’t hard, it was a choice. You don’t "need" to be around people to be happy, but it is easier to surround yourself with good friends. 

Why do people not think love is the best thing in this world?

They are not truly in love. If they were, they would think differently.

What can I do to be remembered?

To be “remembered” you must do something memorable. Or, you need to make good friends, who will remember you for what you were. They need to miss your presence around them. Maybe you are selfless or are always there when they need a friend. You need to be someone they will miss when you are not there.

What are the potential benefits of believing in the absence of God and an afterlife?

You will only have one life. Live it to the fullest.

How do I become very hungry to learn?

You have asked this question, and asking questions is the best way we learn. If you want to be “very hungry” to learn, find something you want to learn and pour your heart into it.

“The best thing for being sad," replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, "is to learn something. That's the only thing that never fails. You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder of your veins, you may miss your only love, you may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds. There is only one thing for it then — to learn. Learn why the world wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting. Learning is the only thing for you. Look what a lot of things there are to learn.”

-- T.H. White, "The Once and Future King"

What does a person feel after death?

When you die, you’ll know.

Where do we go if we die? Do we go to heaven?

It depends on your belief. I believe we continue to learn for many incarnations before we attain nirvana. But, this is my belief. I’m certain, there is some version of “heaven” waiting at the finish line. I don’t worry about it, though. It will be many more lives and more learning before I see it.

How do individuals who believe in destiny reconcile with the concept of free will?

Destiny is what you make of it. Your “free will” has much to say about what you do in forming your destiny.

If life is predetermined, what is the significance of our choices and actions?

Life is not predetermined. Everything we do affects our destiny. For “weak-minded” people, they can let our choices determine what they do. It is their choice to let us “predetermine” their destiny. When it comes down to it, everything we do is a choice we make, even if it seems others are doing it. What they miss is that others are being allowed by them to plan their destiny. It has to do with them exercising their free will.

How do I die without realization?

You won’t. 

Do we sleep forever after we die?

If you have religion, atheists will sleep forever. Theists will have many more lives to live and much more to learn. Of course, this could be totally wrong. It has to do with having hope in my faith.

“It is a curious thing, the death of a loved one. We all know that our time in this world is limited and that eventually all of us will end up underneath some sheet, never to wake up. And yet it is always a surprise when it happens to someone we know. It is like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking there is one more stair than there is. Your foot falls down, through the air, and there is a sickly moment of dark surprise as you try and readjust the way you thought of things.”

-- Lemony Snicket

What is a tip for a successful life?

Be always happy and you will always be “successful” in life. “Success” is being always happy.

Why do we live a permanent death?

I don’t know where you live, but I live in life. What you need to do, is to move from where you are, over to where everybody is enjoying their life. “Death” claims everybody, but we are reborn and live another life, and another, and another, and so on. Death is temporary… if you believe it to be so.

Do you believe that knowing too much can actually make your life hard to live?

No.

When was there nothing? What did nothing look like? At some point, something had to come from nothing. Matter has to exist for The Big Bang or The Big Crunch to happen.

This is complicated, but, I’ll try to make it simple. Nothing looks like… nothing, nada, zilch, zero. If you see something there, it isn’t “nothing”, it becomes something. If you really want to get down to basics, nothing is something. I mean... we named it “nothing” so it must be something... called nothing. Is this confusing?

Have you realized lately that you are living in your past assumptions and that nothing is ultimately real in your world?

Unfortunately, everything is real in my world. If you assume, it makes you look like you’re guessing. I never try to guess.

What are the beliefs that justify an unethical behavior?

A “belief” does not justify an unethical behavior. If you think it does, don’t do it. It is a choice, a part of your “free will.” As we age, we are supposed to try to be always good. Being "always good" is part of being ethical.

“Unethical behavior significantly increases the cost of doing business.”

-- Frank Sonnenberg

Is it possible for someone to believe in the existence of souls without believing in reincarnation?

Yes.

What do you do if you do not know what to do?

Twiddle your thumbs. When you get tired of that, something more creative will present itself.

Can I do whatever I want in life?

If it is legal and there is a market for it, yes.

What are your personal 10 commandments?

Live, learn, be spiritual, be truly happy always, be successful, obey societal laws, avoid drama, avoid hate, be myself, and avoid assholes. That’s pretty much it unless you think that looking at pretty women rates. I think that’s covered under the first commandment - Live.

Is it possible for people to be chosen for great things in life?

Most of the “great things in life” people are chosen for.

Why do we never incarnate? Is death the final end of life?

Death is the “final end of life” for those who don’t believe in life after death. For those who do believe, life may continue for many incarnations. There is no concrete proof either way, though. It is a matter of faith.

“You cannot put straight in others what is warped in yourself.”

-- Athanasius of Alexandria

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