Questioning Selflessness, Reality, Evil, Death, Happiness, and Connection

 

"A hero is somebody who is selfless, who is generous in spirit, who just tries to give back as much as possible and help people. A hero to me is someone who saves people and who really deeply cares."

-- Debi Mazar

Is it possible to be truly selfless?

Yes. Volunteering your time, knowing that there will be no payback, is being truly selfless. As an active military member, I had many opportunities to give my time for the greater good.

Which one is better, being selfish or selfless?

Being selfish is more satisfying… if you have that tilt. But, for the many of us who don’t buy into selfishness, we can see selflessness as a better way. I assume it depends on doing for yourself, being selfish, is being all that. I gave this “selfishness” a shot, back in the day, and I wasn’t very satisfied. I find that being selfless is a more satisfying feeling. I am doing it for those who can’t do it for themselves. Many times you don’t get thanks from people. I looked into an old man’s eyes once, his eyes said more than he could say. I knew that I needed to be there. Being selfless is much more satisfying.

Is everyone selfish in this world?

No. Not by a long shot.

Why do I feel smart when I know I'm stupid?

You are more intelligent than you think you are. By the way, you aren’t stupid. You might be ignorant in some cases, but you are not stupid.

What is something you are proud of about yourself?

I served my country for 23 years, in the Air Force. Serving your country is a point of pride. 

Is it better to be an uneducated genius or a highly educated idiot? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

I can answer this with a quote from Albert Einstein: “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with the problems longer.” Was Einstein an idiot? He thinks he gets past that question by staying with the problems longer. Personally, I would rather be an uneducated genius than a highly educated idiot. Einstein finds a better way to say it.

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with the problems longer.”

-- Albert Einstein

Are all words and things real?

People can make up words, but physical things are very real.

Is philosophy stupid and for the stupid?

Philosophy has gotten us this far. Does “this far” make philosophy stupid? Well, we wouldn’t be this far without it. You be the judge.

How many people believe that man created God?

The atheists.

Why is human nature more evil than good?

Who are you hanging around with? For most of us, human nature is more good than evil. Humans may do some ignorant things, but they are pretty good, most of the time. If you are hanging around people who are more evil than good, you should find another crowd to be affiliated with.

What am I if I can't decide if I believe in God?

You're an agnostic.

Why does God take good people?

Because they are good, and there aren’t many people like them on this planet. Exceptionally good people are needed by God for various tasks. They may be needed to offset evil somewhere. Good people are taken because they are good. Why I'm still here is a total mystery.  Just saying.

“We may not ever understand why we suffer or be able to control the forces that cause our suffering, but we can have a lot to say about what suffering does to us, and what sort of people we become because of it. Pain makes some people bitter and envious. It makes others sensitive and compassionate. It is the result, not the cause, of pain that makes some experiences of pain meaningful and others empty and destructive.”

-- Harold S. Kushner

Why do people treat "fighting darkness with darkness" as the only real and natural necessity of life? Could that correlate to nihilism, or the mentality that it always has been a dog-eat-dog world?

People need to fight darkness with light, and evil with good. Personally, I don’t enjoy a plate of tough dog. There is so much more we can accomplish, than to fight fire with fire, or darkness with darkness. We can be the light… that shows the problem with eating dogs.

Why can't some people learn that God will always win?

Ignorance.

Is revenge always the key to solving problems?

No, revenge does nothing but put karma on your ass. If you think someone has done you wrong, revenge may be worse than what they have done to you. Revenge is taking what was done to you and targeting the person with worse. How do you think this is good or right? The better tact is to forgive them for what they have done. It might make them think, and that can be torture to them.

Do you post questions to others here on Quora?

No. I have no questions, only questionable answers.

What makes you able to face everything, even though you know you are fragile?

Perseverance. This is what I was taught, by my father. My perseverance in the face of possible defeat, was magnified by my 23-year military career.

Can you provide an answer to the question of whether or not we have free will?

All people on the Earth have free will, whether we know it or not.

“Experts in ancient Greek culture say that people back then didn't see their thoughts as belonging to them. When ancient Greeks had a thought, it occurred to them as a god or goddess giving an order. Apollo was telling them to be brave. Athena was telling them to fall in love. 

Now people hear a commercial, for sour cream potato chips, and rush out to buy, but now they call this free will. 

At least the ancient Greeks were being honest.”

-- Chuck Palahniuk 

How do people go after death?

Usually to a cemetery.

What are some examples of free will?

Free will dictates you do as you please. In a “free” society, you do as you please… as long as it is legal.

Why do people have beliefs? Is it possible to not have any beliefs at all?

You mean, you won’t believe you are awake?

What will happen to me in a thousand years?

Well, you will probably be dead for 999+ of that time. According to how you are buried, you can be dust, a skeleton, or a mummy.

Is the reason why I am alive because I am not dead?

That pretty well covers it.

Is death the absence of life? Why or why not?

Almost. The dead body will lose a bit of weight when you are finally dead. Until that happens you could be resuscitated, if you’re not older than the Sphinx, or your head has left your body.

“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”

-- Mark Twain

Are you happy today and if so what is the source of your happiness?

I have been truly happy for 23 years, ever since my divorce. I strive to be truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. The source was the choice I made for my life. We are free to choose how we are going to live life. My choice was to be truly happy.

Is it our genes and life experiences that make each of us truly unique, or is it our names?

What’s in a name? Our genes, parenting, and life experiences make us truly unique.

Have you ever given up in your life? What motivated you to rise again?

Only once. I took a Logic class in college. We did the worksheet in class and handed it in. All my answers were correct. I got a zero on it. Why? Because I didn’t show my work. I told the instructor he didn’t say we had to show our work. He said it should have been obvious. I told him it was “illogical” to assume. He said it is what it is. I was crushed. I told him his “Logic” class sucked. I was “motivated” to walk out, and I did. The entire conversation was in front of the class. I went back to work at the Intelligence Division and never looked back. 

Is there a difference between a good memory and a good IQ?

You can memorize volumes, but can you understand what you have memorized?

Why are highly intelligent people forgetful and sometimes clueless?

They have all that important information crammed in their brain. They are so focused on what they have learned they become forgetful and, at times, clueless. I knew an older medical doctor who, at a formal dinner, licked his plate clean. What the… 

How do atheists form opinions and make decisions if they believe nothing ultimately matters?

Atheists only think that God doesn’t exist. Everything else probably matters.

“Just as many who were brought up to think of God as a bearded old gentleman sitting on a cloud decided that when they stopped believing in such a being they had therefore stopped believing in God, so many who were taught to think of hell as a literal underground location full of worms and fire...decided that when they stopped believing in that, so they stopped believing in hell. The first group decided that because they couldn't believe in childish images of God, they must be atheists. The second decided that because they couldn't believe in childish images of hell, they must be universalists.”

-- N.T. Wright

Do you think humans are connected to each other in some way?

We have the “alpha” particle in all of us. When we were created, that we were created with, is still with us. In this way, we are all connected.

Is being alive overrated?

Compared to what we really are, yes. 

What are you (other than a human being)?

I am me, an learning entity. I consist of energy. When I cease to live in this existence, My energy will move on to another existence. And when that one is finished, I will move on to another, and so on.

What does a weekend or day off mean for your life?

A period of rest, or a period when I can get personal projects done.

What happens after we die? Are we just going to sleep forever?

It depends on your belief. If you are an atheist, you will die, and that will be it for you, If you are a theist, you will be reborn as God commands. And, there are other beliefs just as unproven. We all have a belief that can’t be proven unitl we die. If someone says they have the facts, they are full of shit. No one knows what happens after we die. We can only have faith in what we believe.

"What is to give light must endure burning."

-- Viktor Frankl

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 

 

The Face of Heresy (Updated from 11/22/2015)

Murdering Sociopathic Terrorist: Abdelhamid Abaaoud

I was brought up by my father to call a spade a spade.  You can call the queen of hearts a spade if you want to, but everyone else around the table will think you're an idiot and take you to the cleaners.  This is pretty much what the heretical leadership of the Islamic State is banking on with the free world; we give them legitimacy, call them something kinder and gentler, and they dazzle our inept leadership with sleight of hand by having us looking over there when they are over here.  We have been "fighting" them since 9/11, and we're still calling the spade a heart.  Is this the face of Islamic heresy?  Or, is this the face of the new Islam?

One would think, for all Muslims, worldwide, the mere fact that an insane, sociopathic, murdering heretic is holding the holy Qur'an for a photo op would be cause for Islam-wide condemnation.  Hell, just drawing an image of Muhammad causes Islam-wide outrage, but this?  Not so much.  I have to ask myself why.

I have known Muslims, I have a copy of the Qur'an, and I try to listen to as many Muslim terrorist naysayers as the media may allow, of which there are very few... in this country.  I am comfortable with the peaceful face of true Islam.  I am comfortable with my knowledge that Islam is not about the actions of these cowards which dare to call themselves men.  Islam is not about cutting five year old children in half, raping women, burning captives alive in cages, cutting of heads and murdering the innocent.  Islam in general, on the other hand, would seem to be very comfortable accepting this terrible new face that presents itself as their voice for the faithful, and I have to ask myself why.

Is this cowardice truly the new face of Islam?  This "new face" is one of a religion that, now, authorizes lying about their faith and murdering innocence, to forward a heretical agenda to destroy anything they find contrary to their beliefs for any particular day.  If they wake up on the wrong side of the bed one morning and decide all facial hair is an affront to Allah, half of their own faithful might die before faces can be shaved.  This is the insanity that now seems to rule the faith.  

To say they are fighting the Western infidel is to discount the murder of their fellow Muslims who refuse to follow this new Caliphate, and maybe this is why we hear so little "peaceful" Muslim dissent.  Perhaps the dissenters are afraid of the cowardly hidden traitors to Islam who pray next to them in the mosque.  Possibly, the peaceful faithful of true Islam fear for their safety and that of their family.  After all, many have wives and daughters to be raped, and tender children to be sliced and diced, all in the name of Allah.  But, then, this is the new face of Islam, right?

I wonder how these terrorists would be able to justify their actions if Muhammad (pbuh) had actually stated that being a man is all about not raping, not murdering, not stealing, and not lying.  You know, all those things Allah does not represent.

I will continue to speak out for Islam, even though I hear so little from "peaceful" Islam, about these actions of a minority of misguided heretics.  I continue to have faith in a loving Allah, a loving God, to condemn these atrocities against innocence.  I believe this because it would be too unbelievable to think any God would condone this kind of insanity, and for the rest of the world to buy into the fact that all of Islam is to blame, would be doing a disservice to Islam and to our own Abrahamic faith.  We must rise above condemnation and face the enemy at hand until such a time that we see the balance of Islam also, truly, embrace this new heresy.

There are still those of us wishing to see the Islamic face of peace and love.  We must have faith that such people still exist in the Muslim world.  Unfortunately, these faithful will have to take up a sword against the Islamic State and reject them as mainstream Islam.  They must do this boldly and loudly, for the entire world to see and understand.  If Islam cannot, or will not do this, I fear for the safety of all Muslims, the Islamic faith, and the world as we know it.

Pray this Sunday, and every day, for peace and love, tolerance and understanding, and for solidarity against this evil, against all evil, infecting our world.  We must learn to live together, to stand together, or together we will fall.

Bless these United States of America. 

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 Lessons, Success, Unlucky, Logic, and Atheists

 

“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”

-- Haruki Murakami

What are some important and generalizable life lessons?

Failure, perseverance, and success.

Is morality just obeying the law or something more spiritual?

Parents teach morality if they believe in parenting as part of a child’s upbringing. It can be more than spiritual. The law will also try to teach what parenting failed at. If the law fails, there is jail time in the offing.

Would you rely on science or spirituality to control important elements of the universe and life?

Science. Spirituality depends on belief. Science depends on facts. 

If you were able to go back in time and talk to a person who passed away, what would you say?

I’m sorry.

Bad things happen to me & I’m told that it’s because I attract it. But, when I’m all happy and in good energy and something bad happens, it’s then that my energy turns bad. Prior, I was all good, so how come I’ve attracted it?

Things don’t just happen. If something happens to you, it is something you did or didn’t do. Your life is what you make of it. You can play the “blame game” but the blame is all yours. You have allowed it to happen. You have attracted it by what you do or not, or the people you hang around with. You have allowed bad things to be attracted to you. Change your friends, what you do, and what you are. It is not an easy task.

What golden advice did you learn in your life?

Whatever happens to you, you allow it to happen.

“A person will only do what you allow them to do, be careful on what you allow”

-- Arisa Sharpe

Is success based on smart work or good luck?

Real “success” is based on smart work. Luck is based on nothing you have done, so try to repeat it, or explain it. You can’t because it happened by luck, not by anything you intended to do. Your “success” will be fleeting.

What type of friends are good for a helping hand?

I would look to “helping” friends. Is this another trick question?

When the cost of living becomes too high in your country, do you plan to migrate, temporarily, or wait for things to get better?

Wait. It doesn’t say much if your “patriotism” allows you to bolt when the road gets rough. As a citizen, it is your responsibility to find a way to make it better. I love the idiots who threaten to leave the country because of an incoming President. They threaten, but they never go, the cowards.

What made you happy recently?

A very short skirt around a pair of woman's shapely legs. I smiled.

What explanation would you offer to a friend about the meaning of suffering and evil in my personal life about the loss of my parents?

You need to grow up. Loss hits everybody. I lost both of my parents within two years of each other. I mourned the loss, and then I got back to life. Getting back to “life” is where we need to be. "Getting back to life" is an example for others to follow when they experience their own loss.

Is doubting a brain or heart thing?

A “brain” thing. It may affect the heart, however.

“Doubt as sin. — Christianity has done its utmost to close the circle and declared even doubt to be a sin. One is supposed to be cast into belief without reason, by a miracle, and from then on to swim in it as in the brightest and least ambiguous of elements: even a glance towards land, even the thought that one perhaps exists for something else as well as swimming, even the slightest impulse of our amphibious nature — is sin! And, notice that all this means that the foundation of belief and all reflection on its origin is likewise excluded as sinful. What is wanted are blindness and intoxication and an eternal song over the waves in which reason has drowned.”

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

What causes someone to be unlucky all their life (from childhood)? How can they fix it so they stop being unlucky forever and start having a lucky life like everyone else’s?

Luck is what you make of it. The cause is you, making bad decisions and choices. How to fix it? Start thinking before you make important decisions and choices.

Is it ethical to hurt somebody for their own good?

It is your “ethical” responsibility to hurt? If they are dying, probably. But is it “ethical” to hurt someone to satisfy your view of what, you think, is good for them? Who made you their guardian?

How can I increase my luck in life?

Think before you act. Yeah, it is a concept. 

Is learning from mistakes a sign of having greater wisdom?

Learning from mistakes is what we are “supposed” to do. Learning, in life, is the prime directive. If you make a mistake, don’t cry about it, learn from it. If we need to call learning, “wisdom,” then so be it. The trouble with this thought is that learning doesn’t make most people do things better, so the “wisdom” they’re supposed to glean from learning, is thrown out like dirty water.

Why do I always think about who was in my life, the people I loved, and who was a part of it?

It is your history, and you should be “learning” from it.

Is it appropriate to end a friendship with someone who holds conservative beliefs?

So, you are only going to be friends with socialists? It’s kind of limiting your “friend bucket” to one questionable belief. What if the “conservative” people are right? I think I’d leave my options open. I mean, you never know.

"One of the great tragedies of politics is that it can take people who in real life would be peaceful and loyal and loving friends and turn them into bitter enemies. I’m always struck by this when I see a political rally, with face-offs between backers and protesters. What exactly is gained by this? If you put these same people in a shopping mall or movie theater or restaurant, they would have every reason to get along and no reason to be screaming obscenities at each other."

-- Jeffrey A. Tucker

Can "there is no proof without evidence" be considered a valid logical statement?

Considering the proof is the evidence, one would be right in stating that this is a valid logical statement. If the evidence flies over to left field, one might be right in questioning the validity of the statement. Or, I could be totally wrong. It would not be the first time.

Why don't most people care if a billionaire is a vile and vindictive person these days?

People expect them to be that way. It is what it is.

Why should you do more for others than you do for yourself?

You shouldn’t. As the airline safety briefing says, “Put your oxygen mask on first, and then help the passenger next to you.” The airlines realized that they didn’t need two more dead people. Love of self should come before love for others. Once you are secure, you can try to help others.

Is it better to be kind or to be honest? Can you be both?

It is better to be both, kind and honest.

Why do people think I'm a stupid idiot?

You aren’t a stupid idiot. You can be stupid, or you can be an idiot. The two terms are similar. If people call you this, they are stupid idiots. I would ask them, “Do you realize that “stupid idiot” is redundant?” That will bring them up short. They will look at you like you said something they didn’t think of, and you did.

Can logic exist without evidence?

Yes, but logic will be looking for that evidence.

“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures bristling with prejudice and motivated by pride and vanity.”

-- Dale Carnegie

How would you respond to someone who claims that atheists are not true atheists?

If they are not true atheists they are probably agnostic (someone who is unsure if a god or gods exist).

Can atheists who are unsure of their beliefs find answers?

If they aren’t sure of their beliefs, they are, probably, agnostics.

Can arguments be based on emotion or are they always based on reason, logic, and evidence?

If you are in an argument, assume there is no reason, logic, or evidence. If there was a scrap of evidence, there would be no argument. A “discussion” is not based on emotion. A discussion is looking for a scrap of evidence.

When are Americans going to get tired of the shit?

We just elected Trump, again. Democrats helped to elect him. We are all tired of the shit.

Why do Americans put up with atheists?

Why do Americans put up with theists? We accept "opinions" that don’t risk the security of our nation. We are all Americans in this country and we, all of us, have the freedom to think and speak our minds. Theists nor atheists have any proof that they are correct in their beliefs. They have faith that they are right, but they have no proof.

 Why is honesty a choice for some people?

They have a problem dealing with, or accepting, the truth.

“It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.”

-- Noël Coward

Do atheists recognize the perceived absurdity of their beliefs?

Do theists? 

Why did I deserve this painful existence?

We are here to learn the lessons that life gives us. If you have a “painful existence” you have learned nothing from it. You need to recognize the lesson, learn from the lesson, and overcome the lesson. Denial only keeps the lesson hammering away at you.

Why do atheists make emotional arguments rather than logical ones?

The same can be said for theists. Both sides have no concrete proof to offer.

Are genius and moron two sides of a coin?

I’d like to agree with this, but the genius can be a moron. I have known brilliant people that have the manners of a moron. I think the parenting they got as children was lacking due to their intellect.

What is one thing that you have aspired to become in life and achieved it?

Master Sergeant.

Why, after all these years, do humans still feel like they're above every other species? Why have they still not understood that they're just another kind of animal?

Because we are above every other species. We think about space travel… and make it happen. We think about cities, cars, trains, planes, and the like, and we bring them to fruition. We think about advanced mathematics. We think about advanced medicine. We think above any other animal on this planet. We do this because we are frail and can be eaten at any moment by a predator. Our brains strive to protect us, because we are, otherwise, weak. We are simultaneously food and predator.

“There is some kind of a sweet innocence in being human- in not having to be just happy or just sad - in the nature of being able to be both broken and whole, at the same time.”

-- C. JoyBell C.

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 Illusions, AI, Reasoning, Rewind, God, and God

"Reality is an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."

-- Albert Einstein

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My answers were viewed 12,355 times in the past week.

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God and space are an illusion?

Space is not an illusion. God, on the other hand, depends on your definition. If space is not an illusion, and the “ultimate power in the universe” created space, then the ultimate power, let’s call it God, created space. Again, it depends on your definition of “God.”

If you could make one positive change in the world, what would it be?

Peace.

How can I become very rich and wealthy, and enjoy my life?

You have it backward. If you have time to enjoy your life, you are already wealthy. Strive to be truly happy always, and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a choice you must make.

What if I don't want to exist forever?

Let God know.

Is life really unfair?

It is your choice. If life is unfair, you have done something to make it so. It is your life, so make better choices and decisions.

What do you love most about your life and why?

I had great parents. I enjoyed school, even though I almost didn’t graduate. I enjoyed college. I enjoyed the Air Force, for 23 years. I enjoyed my work for the Western IRB, for 17 years. I’ve had the most active life I could have ever imagined. I only made one mistake, and that was my marriage. But, even that gave me two great children. Now, as I sit here, retired, and think about my life, I would do it all over again… except the marriage. I only made one fricken mistake. Jeeze…

"With me, what you see is what you get. Yes, call me naive, but I love life. I am happy, and for that, I make no apologies. I do like to see the best in people, and when someone is nice to my face, I tend to believe them."

-- Joyce Giraud

I always wanted to be a software engineer and programmer, and do coding, but, sadly, it will done by AI. I am struggling right now to get it. What’s the solution?

You haven’t thought about engineering the coding required by AI? You haven’t studied hard enough. Look at the requirements that are necessary for you to work with AI programming. You may have to climb to the next rung.

Is empathy the ability to see yourself in others’ circumstances, or is it the ability to see others’ circumstances (or similar) readily happening to yourself someday?

It is the ability to feel and understand their pain.

Is someone's entire life determined by horrible actions they committed in the past? Can there truly be redemption for such a person?

Pretty much. If they truly want redemption they can earn it, but, it requires them to revisit all they have done to others, apologize, and try to make it right. Many people would rather burn in hell than go through all this. It is what it is.

Do you think it's necessary to be alive?

Do you think? Then it is necessary to be alive.

Will you help me ? Any one who knows who can take my life and build up a hospital for my needy people am ready, am tried of seeing needy people suffering one live can change the communities.

This is your challenge. You can’t put this on others. You need to do the work, in order to make this happen. If you are tired of seeing people suffer, be the change that makes them better. It is a lot of hard work, and you are the one to make it all happen. Bring people in to help you in your endeavor. Giving up your life is not the answer. Investing your life toward the solution is.

Why should I help others in time of need?

Other than learning, this is another reason why we are here, to help our people to succeed.

"The greatest poverty that can afflict the human spirit is the loss of a generous heart. You will know that success has slipped away when your passion for helping others grows cold."

-- Bill Lane Doulos

How can you reason with stupid?

You can try to reason, but they may be too ignorant to understand. It is what it is.

A person has done some pretty bad things throughout their life. One day, they decide to do a complete 180 for the good of themselves, and for others. Is it too late for redemption?

It is never too late for redemption. However, what you must do gets more complicated the longer you let it go. You must make it right, all you have done to others. Apologies, compensation, etc., are all at your fingertips. You need to make them happen, if you can. This is doing a “complete 180” in your life. It is not going to be an easy task. But, you have earned the punishment.

Is there a term for someone who never receives karma?

Lucky.

Is it a bad thing to always want to help others?

Not if they don't want your help. We are here to learn, and to help each other to be much better than we are. If we can’t do this, then, what’s the point of being here? We are here to learn. Everything else is supportive of this main theme. Helping each other should be the next thing we should learn. Unfortunately, it isn’t… in most cases.

Is everything okay with helping people?

Only if they appreciate your help.

Why do people judge other people, against their own bad and shortcomings? As if other people had these same shortcomings? For instance, if a person keeps talking about the same ethical morals, all time, they probably are not ethical.

Probably? This seems like judging the person you think has no morals. People are what they are. If they want to change, they can. It is up to them. The person talking about morals all the time, but doesn’t have any morals, it is who he is. Does his conversation about morals make any sense? Consider a teacher can teach what they don’t agree with. The student will learn, regardless of the teacher’s bias, or due to the teacher's bias.

"Never judge, until you can see through the eyes of the person you are judging, and then... never judge. The grass is always greener on the other side - until you get there and see it's AstroTurf."

-- Unknown 

If you could go back in time, and talk to a person who passed away, what would you say to them?

You are going to die... soon.

Can it be true that sometimes, you let go of the picture of what you thought life would be like and learn to find joy in the story you are actually living?

My picture of what “life would be like” was that life was moving so fast that I had to keep up. The minute I went to college, and then got drafted, my life was in a spin for more than 22 years. When I got out I managed to get a job that kept me on my toes. Now, I am retired. For my entire working life, I was on my toes and enjoying every minute of it. I had no preconceptions of life. I took it as it came, and it came to give me experience. I found joy in all my work. It is who I am.

Author comment: Brilliant! I like this, thank you. 

Did you know that evil is sometimes necessary?

Evil exists because we have good in the world. Life demands balance.

Can you describe your year and what factors contributed to it being good or bad?

The good is that I’m retired. The bad is that Mom died. The good is that I am now the recipient of the “family trust.” The bad is that the “trust” is a pain in the ass. The good is that I like bourbon, cigars, and female bartenders. And, there you have it.

What are deep quotes, from books, that can change a person's outlook on life?

If I need a “quote” to change my outlook, I make it up. It is what it is.

Does God exist in Heaven?

God exists everywhere, always, and in all time. The energy we call “God” is all-powerful. It creates things that we can’t comprehend and have no knowlege of.

“God has no religion.”

-- Mahatma Gandhi

God is fake. Can you prove me wrong with evidence?

Can you prove God is fake, with evidence? Neither side of this argument has any proof, yet they go at each other like cats on fire.

Is the mainstream media lying to me? How can I tell?

If you are listening to the “mainstream media,” you don’t need to ask the question. They are probably lying to you. You should take this as a probable fact and do your own due diligence. The only media that has even a whiff of responsibility is FOX. Both sides of the political coin listen to them. That should tell volumes.

Is there a difference between Christ and Jesus?

Not that I’m aware of.

Reader comment: Christ is a title. I became God through Kundalini.

My reply: His "comment" should tell everybody a story. One, the only person I've ever heard called the "Christ" is Jesus. This being said... Two, is there a difference between "Christ" and Jesus? No. Ask anybody and they will tell you Christ is Jesus. Three, this guy is a loon, thinking he became "God" through anything. Nuff said.

Are letters and words sufficient to understand God?

You have enough information to understand God as much as you can. Any more information and you might go insane. It’s kind of like, looking at the face of God.

What do you call God in your own language?

God. Is this a trick question?

Is there a contradiction in atheism's belief that there is no god? How can we be sure of this if there is no god?

Neither atheists nor theists can prove their beliefs. Without proof, both schools need to rely on faith in their beliefs. Without proof, both sides kick up a storm when it comes to talking about a belief… that they can’t prove.

“For God to prove himself on demand, physically, would be a grave disappointment, and the strongest Christians should be considerably grateful that he chooses not to do so. The skeptic endlessly demands proof, yet God refuses to insult the true intelligence of man, the '6th sense', the chief quality, the acumen which distinguishes man from the rest of creation, faith.”

-- Criss Jami

What can we do to please God?

Be always good.

Does consistency make a person skilled and perfect?

Consistency makes a person skilled, if “consistency” is creative. Consistency, being the same, will not make a person “perfect” in more than one endeavor. A “perfect” person will be talented, creative, and “consistent” in all things they put their mind to. 

Is life an eternal struggle?

Yes, between good and bad.

Between heaven and hell, which one do you choose?

What I choose will have little bearing, considering the life I’ve lived. I will prostrate myself before God and the creating power will have the final say. I hope the verdict will be life everlasting. I have much to make up for.

How can I exist without knowing someone like you?

I have no idea. 

Does God still love me even if I am gay?

Do you still love God? God loves everything He created, as long as what He created loves God. What will happen at judgment will be up to God. But, I think God will have tolerance for love, no matter who you choose. Be good, love, and praise your creator. It is all you can do.

“If you find someone you love in your life, then hang on to that love.”

-- Princess Diana

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 Destroying, Thinking, Sleep, Gifts, Smart, and Presents

 

"Maturity is when you have the power to destroy someone who did you wrong but you just breathe, walk away, and let life take care of them."

-- Unknown

How do you destroy someone (who destroyed you) emotionally?

The "worst" thing you can do to them, is to forgive them.

Is love from others necessary for human beings to avoid feeling lonely and depressed, or can one live happily alone without needing anyone else's love?

For the most part, we are social animals. Being social demands that we not become lonely and depressed. We all hope we can be happy and loved by others.

What type of people get annoyed at anybody for having achievements, birthdays, accolades, etc.?

Jealous people. They have to be jealous, for numerous reasons. None of which make sense.

Do you think you are living the life you love, or are you forced to live this life?

I have been truly happy with my life for 20 years. I strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of my circunstances. I have managed it for this long, and it has been easier the longer I try. It is so much easier... because I love my life.

Can someone feel sad about being happy all the time?

If their happy all the time, where is the time for the sadness?

What are the consequences of negative behaviour?

Negativity. With the rest of the world trying to be positive, negativity is the lest thing you want to put out front. Unfortunately, we have a cadre of negative people, on television and in politics, that will hold us back. The best thin we can do is ignore the negativity and push forward as a unified country. We may not agree on everything, but our votes tell the story.

"People will try to pull you down, but you need to fight the negativity in your life. It's always good to stay positive and think positive."

-- Vivek Oberoi

Do deceased people think?

That depends if you believe in life after death and ghosts.

How do you face the end of your life?

It depends on if you have solved all the ills you wanted to. If you haven’t, it is what it is. On the other hand, you can be scared shitless at not being alive. My take, is that I will be reborn and live another life. I always see the positive and not the negative. There is too much paranormal evidence to pooh-pooh life after death.

Why aren’t you scared to die?

As a Christian, fear of death is not in my wheelhouse.

Why did God create the world to be old instead of making it young?

Who says the world is old? Geologically, it is pretty young. We give God our thoughts of why He did this or that. How about we admit that we don’t know what God thinks or does. The world is what it is. To some it is young, to you it is old. To me, it is what it is.

Would you change your beliefs and lifestyle if it was proven that there is no God or gods?

Would I be bad if there was no God? It depends on the “law of the land” and the way I was brought up. I doubt I would be any different than I am.

Is it possible it is not God that atheists hate but morality itself?

Everyone seems to want atheists to be immoral. Does everyone think that atheists are bad to the bone? The only thing I know about atheists is that they don’t buy into the “God exists” argument. Atheists can be as good as the best of us. They have to obey laws, as the rest of us do. When they die, that’s it. When a theist dies, what happen to them might be up in the air. Neither theists or atheists have any proof what happens after death.

“I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them. I am free because I know that I alone am morally responsible for everything I do.”

-- Robert A. Heinlein

What should I do when I can't sleep, because I have to finish something important? But, I also have something important coming up the next day that definitely requires me to sleep well?

“Sleeping well” is going to suffer, unless you schedule your time better. Scheduling is the bane of our existence. When you can, you do. If you can’t, you make it the best you can. This won’t be the last time.

What’s a harsh truth about life that everyone should accept? 

It is what it is.

Everything the wealthy billionaires do is highly destructive, so, it's immoral to work with or for them. How can sufficient force be applied to destroy them?

Not all billionaires are highly destructive. Some have a great work ethic. You can’t put everyone in a basket and kill them. The innocent will suffer from your shortsightedness.

What is life? Do you think, in this life, if there is no net, phone, TV, or other communication, what would happen?

Life is all about learning. If you haven’t made the most of it, you’ve wasted most of your life.

What’s a harsh truth about life that everyone should accept?

It is what it is.

I once had a student who had the family lawyer fight to allow them to eat candy in class. What are the lifelong consequences of this decision aside from cavities?

Acting out. There is something called a “sugar high,” that is a real possibility. And here I thought school was all about learning. Silly me.

“Sugar does induce the same responses in the region of the brain known as the “reward center”—technically, the nucleus accumbens—as do nicotine, cocaine, heroin, and alcohol.”

-- Gary Taubes

Can it be true that there’s a lot that is good in your life, don’t take it for granted, and, not get so focused on the struggles that you miss the gift of today?

Many people miss the “gift of today.” People should strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of their circumstances. Everything else we do supports this truth.  

What do you think of personal development books? Have they changed your life?

I’m from the school of “hard knocks.” I have no use for “personal development” books.

What does the theme "Desire produces foolishness" really mean?

Anyone who truly desires can put meaning to this. If our “desire” overcomes our “common sense” we can act like children - foolish. 

Does Russia only resolve to peace talks whenever they can't achieve something by force?

The government, maybe. The population would be happy if they could vote.

What does “you ruin everything” mean?

The speaker saying this thinks the subject “ruins everything.” In reality, the subject only seems to ruin what the speaker thinks is important. If the person ruined everything, they would be dead by now. The speaker probably needs to get a life.

Do we really even need religion?

No. People can believe what they want, privately.

“Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.”

-- Garrison Keillor

Are being brainy, wise, and intelligent the same thing?

They can be, but they usually aren’t. “Brainy” is what we call “smart.”

How comfortable would you feel being an atheist? Would you have more time for yourself instead of worrying about things that don't exist?

Whether the “things” exist, or not, is yet to be proven. Neither atheists nor theists have any proof of their beliefs. Without any proof, you need to make your best guess. I wouldn’t be comfortable as an atheist, not knowing the facts. So, I will err on the side of "God" and everlasting life.

What motivates atheists to comment on posts about religion?

The same motivation that makes theists do the same thing.

How can you live with only money?

Yes, but it would be an austere existence. Money can buy what you need. Unfortunately, money will make people think they can buy true happiness. I have money, but I don’t spend it on frivolous things. I strive for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of my circumstances. Poor or wealthy, I prefer to be truly happy always.

What are some things that money cannot buy? Can money truly buy everything?

Money can’t buy true love.

Will God be angry if we hurt the woman who loves us?

You think? Hurting anybody, that hasn’t hurt you first, is sinful. It is especially bad if you know you are stronger. But, the question bodes another question: Why would you hurt anyone who loves you?

“Of course, I’ll hurt you. Of course, you’ll hurt me. Of course, we will hurt each other. But this is the very condition of existence. To become spring means accepting the risk of winter. To become present means accepting the risk of absence.”

-- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I’m 22, and my parents surprised me with a car for my birthday, but it was my dad’s old car. I'm very disappointed. What should I do?

Disappointed? Thank them for the car, and be grateful.

Can practicing karma yoga lead to happiness for the individual?

Maybe. It depends on the reason an individual is practicing karma yoga.

What is the concept of reality and how is it distinguished from fake or illusory?

It is what it is, and it isn’t anything else. The fake or illusory can be as just as real, because they are, also, what they are.

My boyfriend says he is voting for Trump. Should I break up with him?

Only if you are comfortable being on the socialist left.

Is it possible for anything to truly exist if everything is just a perception or illusion, including one's own consciousness?

Everything, including perception, illusion, and consciousness, exists. Whether it is tangible or not, is another question.

Is it possible to change one's belief about reincarnation?

Yes, if you are open-minded.

“If you're really a mean person, you're going to come back as a fly and eat poop.”

-- Kurt Cobain

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