Questioning Stupid, Authenticity, Evil, Religion, and Hurt

 

"It's not how you pick your nose, it's where you put that booger that counts."

-- Tre Cool

Does one become wiser with age, or does one end up stupid?

If you want to be wiser, it is easy. It is also easy to continue being stupid. Being ignorant is better than being a "stupid" oaf. It is all about what you want to be. 

What are the "golden rules" we can apply in ourselves, usually as students?

Be kind, honest, truthful, and selfless. You can do this throughout your life.

How do you overcome the feeling of impostor syndrome? If anyone relates/has been through it, what helped you? I just feel stuck in life right now.

I was assigned to Air Force Intelligence. It was easy to be an imposter… if you wanted to. The best help I can give you is, to not be who you aren’t. It is so much easier to be yourself.

What’s the best piece of advice you have that changed the way you think and act?

Don’t be who you aren’t.

I want to join a cult so that I can have meaning in my life. What's a good cult to join?

Gee, this is a hard one. The best cults that exist are religious. Only get involved with religious cults that have good intentions, are helpful, and are selfless. “World Religions” by Michael D. Coogan, will give you a list.

Do you have any quotes about unity?

Try this:

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools"

-- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I value authenticity. I stay away from people who don't support my values and ambitions. Why do people fail to apply authenticity in their lives?

As you get older, you start to apply authenticity to your life. I was a lucky one. I joined Air Force Intelligence and found what “authenticity” was, in my life. I don’t hang around people who aren’t authentic. Luckily, most of my friends are military retirees, and they are “authentic”.

Is someone who is aware of their own pretensions better people than those who aren't aware?

If you are aware and don’t act on your pretensions, you can be a better person than those who aren’t aware.

What morals have been the most consistent in history?

Morals. Consistent with who? I can’t think of a moral that has been consistent with anyone. Morals have a bad track record. Between lying and cheating… I’m not sure anyone has been that good. Maybe the Dalai Lama, but, you’ll have to take his word for it. Again, is he telling the truth?

Can it be true that almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes?

That’s a crap shoot. It may work again, or it may not. Or, it may work for a few minutes and then cut out again. History says there’s something wrong with it.

Is it true that living isn't for everyone?

And, they are usually dead.

What are some ways to deal with failure?

Everybody fails. How you deal with it is the rub. When you fail, you see where you went wrong and try again, and again, and again, until you figure out why you keep failing.

“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”

-- Thomas A. Edison

Is it bad that I relish being as evil as possible?

What do you think?

Why should I read Dostoevsky, and why is he popular?

“Crime and Punishment” is the most famous of his works. He is popular because he writes about Russia in the 19th century. If you have no reason to read about Russia back then, I would steer away from his works. He is touted this way: "Dostoevsky is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential novelists of the “Golden Age of Russian” literature."

If you could only wear one color for the rest of your life, what color would it be?

Blue.

What motivates you to still do good things?

That I still do good things is not as important as I do them selflessly. If you can’t do good things selflessly, then do good things regardless. Doing good makes the world better to live in.

Is Jesus Christ an immortal God?

No.

To save someone's life, would you break the law if there was no other option?

As a retired military man, I have to say… yes. A life is a valuable thing. If the law doesn’t see the lack of options at hand, so be it. I would have saved a life. Saving a life is more than many people would be able to do.

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

-- Mahatma Gandhi

Is "human mind enlightenment" a supersaturation of evil?

No. Not unless you want it to be.

What is the one thing that you would always be willing to sacrifice for? Why do you think it is important to make sacrifices even when they may be difficult?

I would be willing to risk my life if there was a chance to save someone from an impending death. It is important to make this difficult sacrifice to show everybody how valuable a single life is.

How do you approach self-discovery when starting later in life?

The same way it is done earlier in life. Age gives you an advantage of wisdom.

If no one else will do it, will you? Why?

If I can, why not? If it isn’t dangerous, then someone needs to do it. Besides, if someone else does it, the cowards will be known. 

As a hateful atheist, what does "live your OWN experience" mean to you? Why do you think you are everything?

Being a Christian, what makes you think an atheist is hateful, living in their own experience, and they think they are everything? I disagree with atheists, but if they keep their opinions to themselves like many Christians should, we would be so much better off.

Do you need a reason to do good or not to do evil?

No. Doing good may be difficult, but it is good. Evil is, well… evil.

“I'm starting to think this world is just a place for us to learn that we need each other more than we want to admit.”

-- Richelle E. Goodrich

Can you provide an example of something that is considered free will, but not related to religion?

Happiness. Strive for true happiness always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a choice.

Do we go through hell, getting into heaven?

No. We are given learning problems to solve. If we can learn, we can move farther into the next life. We are here to learn. That is the prime objective of life. If you learn the answers you move farther into the next life.

Can one man's ignorance be greater than another man’s?

Of course. All people are different. 

Are you grateful for what you have? Why?

I am 71 years old, and I am so grateful for what I have. Why? Because I’m 71 years old. Sour grapes are not in my wheelhouse. I am so grateful for my children, and my grandchildren. Everything else is just drama that I don’t want to recognize. I will leave this life a happy camper. I strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances.

How do we know the truth about everything?

You can’t. You can make good guesses, but that’s it. Nobody knows everything.

What is more important in life, "being good" or "being the best"? Why?

Being good, and being the best. “Why” is an ignorant question, but… if you can’t be the best, you can still be good. Being good can go a long way.

“There are tons of things I could and probably should be doing for work right now. But at some point, you have to put it aside and get busy with the things that really matter.”

-- Lisa Wingate

Is life a setup for you to be hurt?

Yes, if you aren’t careful. Not being careful will give life a chance to teach you a lesson. If you learn the lesson, you will be ready for the next time it comes up. Life is full of lessons we need to learn, as we travel through life.

Is life better when you keep to yourself?

Yes, but it isn’t nearly as exciting. 

How did you rebuild your confidence after a failure?

I never had to rebuild my confidence. Failure is life telling you that you’re wrong. You go back and see where you got it wrong. You try again, and again, and until you succeed. You ask those who got it right, where you might have gotten it wrong. You study the right answer so you don’t screw it up again.

How did you come up with this decision to be who you are today?

23 years in Air Force Intelligence. Who knew?

Can hope or goodness be found in our lives?

One can hope you find hope, goodness, and faith in your life. Hope gives birth to faith in your life, and you had better be good. It is the “trifecta” of a great life.

How do you handle the pressures of perfectionism in your life?

Pressure is someone judging you. I am the only one I care about the opinion of, and I will do what I need to. If I made the cut I have tried to be the best. If not, I will try harder the next time. There is no pressure, as pressure is nothing more than drama. I hate drama. “Perfection” is what people see as drama taken to the next level. If I make it, great. If not, I will try the next time. Did I say I hate drama?

“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.”

-- William Faulkner

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