Questioning Destination, Dirty, Righteous, Actions, More, Self-Care

 

"It's not the destination, it's the journey."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Can life be considered a continuous journey without a specific destination?

You start out at birth. You end your journey at death. There may be a specific destination, though. Everybody dies.

Is everybody crazy?

I don’t think I am. Of course, I could be wrong.

Can you explain the meaning of the phrase, "The Journey Is The Destination"?

The journey is what it is, a journey. The destination is the "endpoint" of the journey. If the journey never ends, then you will never reach a destination until you die. Where you die will be your final destination on this plane of life. A journey is not a destination. There may be many destinations during your journey, but the journey is not a destination.

Is it better to believe in something because you want it to be true or because there is evidence for it?

Something that is “true” has evidence pointing to its validity.

In order to be a Christian, do I have to believe that every other religion is wrong?

Actually, you are paying homage to Jesus, the Christ. Other religions and philosophies have their moments, and we can recognize them for those. Most other religions are not completely wrong, however, Islam has been hijacked by several “pretenders” who say they speak for God. They don’t. Islam, at its purest, is a loving religion.

What do you know about Area 57

“Area” 57, is not real. Don’t get it confused with the "57thWing" at Nellis Air Force Base.

"A comedy about the employees for the U.S. government, who work in a remote facility in the Nevada desert, which houses an alien creature." (This stars Paul Reubens, which tells all you need to know.)

-- IMDb

What matters less, a dirty heart or a dirty mind?

A dirty mind. A dirty mind can be fun, but a dirty heart is problematic.

When you are at something, but can't ascertain what it is, which is deceived, the eyes or the mind, or both?

The eyes see what is there. The mind, on the other hand, might have problems figuring out what the eyes are seeing.

Do black people call white people God?

No. Why would they?

Why is prayer recognized as a conversation with God?

To have a conversation, both parties must talk. Have you heard God talk? Prayer is a "conversation" with yourself, providing you come up with answers. Otherwise, you're just pissing in the wind.

Can you say you know everything about yourself?

At 71 years of age, I know everything I want to know about myself.

Is there a correlation between God's love and material wealth? Can this theory be proven or disproven?

No. God loves the poor if the poor can love God. Wealth means nothing to God unless you use the wealth selflessly for the poor.

"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

-- 1 John 4:8

What are the rewards for being righteous according to God?

Heaven, nirvana, or a chance to move forward into the next life so you can learn more.

What do you call a person who doesn't believe in Christianity?

It depends on what they believe in. They can believe in Buddhism, atheism, or something else. “Belief” is a deep well.

Even if atheists don't believe in God, at least go to church on Sundays and donate a little. At least do this so that maybe some of your sins will be forgiven. What do you think?

But, they don’t believe in God. The rest of your statement is moot.

What does a person do if they feel not needed in this world?

Do something that is needed in the world. Feeding the hungry masses… is my humble thought. Doing “selfless” projects can steer you into something more meaningful.

Can obsession with your own progress blind you to the growth of others?

An “obsession” can blind you to anything but your obsession.

What does it mean for someone to admit they were wrong about something?

They are honest in their opinions. If they think they are wrong, they are honest in saying they might be wrong. It takes a selfless person to admit that they might be wrong. It can make others think about their own opinions.

“It is very unnerving to be proven wrong, particularly when you are really right and the person who is really wrong is proving you wrong and proving himself, wrongly, right.”

-- Lemony Snicket

What do you want? What are you doing daily? If your daily actions are not moving you in the direction you want, you will never get what you want. Common sense, isn't it?

Yes, it is. I’m 71 years old and started in the direction I wanted when I was 21. The only mistake I made, was my marriage. I solved that little hiccup with a divorce.

I have a strong feeling my boyfriend is cheating on me. How can I find out?

If you trust him so little, why are you with him?

I have always heard about gratitude, this, and gratitude that. My question is: What exactly is gratitude, and how do we genuinely implement it into our lives?

Gratitude is a feeling of thanks. You implement it into your life by recognizing the feeling. If someone has done something for you, you can thank them for their effort. If you have succeeded in a project, you can thank yourself for your effort. Gratitude, if we all recognize the benefit, and give oral thanks, can make the world a better place.

Do you always fish like that?

It depends on the woman. 

What does it mean to be a genuine person?

You are a lying, cheating, gaming piece of shit. I hope to never be a “genuine person” in my lifetime. It takes quite a bit of effort to not be a genuine person, but it is worth it.

What makes truth true?

It lays out the provable facts that what someone is saying is true.

“It is the absence of facts that frightens people: the gap you open, into which they pour their fears, fantasies, desires.”

-- Hilary Mantel

Why do billionaires who can buy anything they can imagine seek more?

Because they “can buy anything they can imagine.” I used your own words.

How do I deal with the feeling of falling behind, or underperforming, in life?

Don’t fall behind and find yourself underperforming in life. It’s a pretty good philosophy I have followed since high school.

Why do people take advantage of you?

They don’t. They try, which makes me laugh.

Why did people decide that the majority preference is the right preference? Does it mean that conventional social justice was built upon mob justice?

Not all people follow the “majority preference.” It is occasionally not so right. If you go along with the crowd, you have become another lemming running off the cliff. You need to consider the facts and make your own decision as to what is right.

What is the most satisfying moment in your lifetime?

So far, the birth of my son. And then, the birth of my daughter.

What’s the most profound lesson about love you’ve learned through the years, and how has it shaped the way you see relationships today?

Being a man does not make me right. You have to be a partner with your significant other. You are sometimes right and sometimes wrong, so get over it. The best couples are best friends and best friends understand each other.

“All men make mistakes, but a good man yields when he knows his course is wrong, and repairs the evil. The only crime is pride.”

-- Sophocles

Is there a way to determine if the universe is looking out for you?

I am looking out for me. The universe has more to do than worry about little ol’ me. We have ourselves to look out for. To think someone has our best interests at heart is ignorant. If they blink, we could be dead. We should take control of the reins and look out for ourselves.

What if I can never be a genius, because I never learned another language?

Learning another language does not make you a genius.

How do you focus on yourself and leave others?

Well, that is selfish. Have you thought about how you are going to ignore other people? It is not so easy. It’s like… you are going to focus on yourself. Focussing on yourself, to the detriment of everybody else, is not so easy, either.

Is being an atheist a gateway to a life a sin?

Not anymore than being a Christian.

Can atheists understand the concept of "love" when they have only hate for God?

True atheists don’t hate God. You have to accept something to hate it. Atheists don’t accept the concept of a God, so how would they form hate for something they don’t accept? Or, perhaps, I don’t understand the question.

Why is God punishing Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is punishing themselves. Don’t bring God into this.

"God isn't waiting to punish you. He's waiting to shower you with his love and compassion."

-- Debra L. Butterfield

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