Challenges, Learning, Truth, Sex or Love, Envy, and Advice

“Only the harshest personal experiences open our eyes to the immaculate possibilities and the splendor of our world.”

-- Kilroy J. Oldster

What gives meaning to life's challenges?

What we learn from the challenges.

How can I find the true purpose of life?

I’ll save you some time. Learning is the true purpose of life. We learn to accumulate wisdom. Many lifetimes, down the road, with all the wisdom we accumulate, we will achieve nirvana, the highest state we can attain. According to the definition, nirvana is a state of enlightenment where a person’s desires and suffering go away. So, you see, learning is the true purpose of life.

How can someone discover his destiny?

Sooner or later.

Did we become aware of our ability to reflect by learning the word reflection?

We were always aware of our ability to “reflect.” The fact that they put a name to it made the act easier to explain.

What do I do when I have no choice and have to be around idiots?

Become the light that idiots want to follow.

How do you feel when you are with a girlfriend?

Wanted. Okay, so it has nothing to do with most of my “girlfriends” being bartenders… I hope. My girlfriend of 20 years wants me.

“She's the first person to smile at me today. The first to make me feel wanted. Understood. I blink back tears. It's unknown how many students' lives librarians have saved by welcoming loners at lunch.”

-- Lisa Fipps 

In which turns of life does a person learn the most?

Emotional ones. Other turns of life are important but emotional ones add to our wisdom.

What’s the best way to live life?

To “live” life. Committing suicide is not conducive to living life. Live life and be truly happy in it. Being truly happy is constantly striving for true happiness, always and in all things, regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in.

What are some dumb things people have said about loud noises?

“Boy! That was loud!” No shit, Sherlock. 

How do atheists view the concept of free will without belief in God?

They don’t believe in God. Like everything else, it is a concept that they can take or leave… as a matter of their free will. Not believing in a “supreme power” in the universe doesn’t make them bad.

"If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room." Whose quote is that?

General Electric CEO, Jack Welch. 

Why do some people have fears?

All people have fear. It is what keeps them alive. If they put the fear out of their mind, they take the real risk of getting hurt or dying. It is better to keep a modicum of fear in their wheelhouse, just in case.

“Bran thought about it. 

'Can a man still be brave if he's afraid?'

'That is the only time a man can be brave,' 

his father told him.”

-- George R.R. Martin

What are some ways to tell a story without revealing the truth?

Lie.

Theists, what's the meaning of life?

To learn as much as you can in preparation for the afterlife. In the “afterlife,” you will, again, learn as much as you can for the next “afterlife,” and so on.

I watch porn after every 2-3 days. Am I addicted?

Do you really care?

I sometimes smile and laugh to myself. Is this normal?

It is normal. It is a sign of a robust sense of humor. I do this all the time and don’t think twice about it. If people have issues with it, they all have to get a grip and develop a robust sense of humor.

How can one stop masturbating, watching porn, and overthinking?

I assume death is not an option?

What actions could humans take to defend against an invasion by orks?

Do not assume fiction is reality, that would be my take.

"A writer of fiction is really... a congenital liar who invents from his own knowledge or that of other men."

-- Ernest Hemingway

Which is more important to you, sex or love and why?

Sex is important, but when it fades away, what are you left with? True love will always be there for you, through thick or thin. You can find sex anywhere, but having true love is necessary.

How did my mom continue to transform me into a girl?

Were you not born a girl?

Is your age not how you think of yourself?

Age didn’t register on my life meter… until I got older. I view myself as an older version of myself. Older, wiser, more intelligent, and just as handsome in a 70-year-old body. 

What is the point of having any sense of morality if it’s just a subjective idea in our mind and not necessarily real?

As an idea that we made rules and laws based on, it is necessarily real, so there is a point. However, people have “free will” and, as a person with free will, you have the right to act however you feel. You can throw the thought of morality out the window. You will probably be arrested, but, what the hell? You are exercising your free will to be what you want to be.

Reader comment: Do you think that, in your “you have the right to act however you feel”, it would be more correct if the word, “right” was replaced with the word, “ability”?

My reply: If you have the ability, but don’t have the right, then you don’t have “free will” to act as you please.

What’s a term for someone who thinks they shouldn't have to bring anything to the table to get whatever they want?

Entitled. Half of the people in the United States feel this way. It is sad. 

Why is the general public so stupid that it’s scary? People just believe everything they hear, the first time, and don't question anything.

Oh! You’re discussing politics. This is how Joe Biden got elected. Nobody cared that he didn’t have a record of doing… well, anything. People are really that stupid, and now we all suffer for it.

“Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.”

-- Mark Twain 

Why do people envy geniuses?

Oh, hell no. If you envy a genius, you are welcome to it. I am very happy with who I am.

Why do people enjoy BDSM?

What’s not to enjoy? Role-playing is crucial in BDSM. You can be submissive or be in charge. Or, you can switch roles. Such fun! 

I have an IQ of 150-165. What do I do?

Why do you feel you have to do anything? So, you’re smart. Live life.

What does a smart person do when the majority of people are stupid?

They keep their mouth shut. People don’t need to be reminded that they’re stupid, especially not by an egotistical smart-ass who is smart enough to know better.

If you say God doesn't exist, how will you be sure?

There is no evidence one way or the other. Both sides to this issue have faith that they are right, but “faith” is the belief in something for which there is little or no proof. If theists are right, there is life everlasting, and atheists are still dead. If atheists are right, both sides to this issue will be dead. Theists are padding their bet that they are right.

Is there really a destiny?

You live it every day you are alive. Your destiny is determined by the choices and decisions you make.

“Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

-- William Jennings Bryan

Is it beneficial to take advice from others even though we know ourselves better than anyone else?

If you know yourself to be a dumbass, taking advice from other people might be a good thing.

Why shouldn't stupidity prevail? Aren't everyone's ideas equal?

Yes, but there are many levels of stupidity. You can start with most of the Senate and Congress and climb the ladder to reach “smarter” levels.

Is money evil or are people just stupid?

People are just stupid. Money can do a lot of good. It depends on the person.

Why do people make out God to be evil?

They listen to churches with hidden and no-so-hidden agendas. Christ, to my knowledge, never preached in a building every Sunday.

Why are all good people the same?

Other than being “good” they are all individuals, different in their ways.

Which type of people are good human beings?

Genuinely selfless people are truly good. Selfless people are like the wind. They help and then they’re gone before you can thank them.

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.”

-- Dalai Lama XIV 

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 Narrow Path (Updated from 3/25/15)

 

"There is nothing in machinery, there is nothing in embankments and railways and iron bridges and engineering devices to oblige them to be ugly.  Ugliness is the measure of imperfection."

-- H.G. Wells (1866-1946)

Is ugliness "the measure of imperfection," as Wells would have us believe?  Is the fact that something is ugly, necessarily demanding imperfection?  Look at Wells' statement, and we can see the flaw in his argument.  Everything he mentions was designed for function, not one of which necessarily demanded beauty, but all of which functions perfectly for the job intended.  Form and function are no guarantee of beauty, nor does the lack of beauty guarantee imperfection of function.

I look at the photo I took, above, in the engine room of the USS Alabama, and I see much beauty in the starkly industrial brass work, steel, and iron.  Perfection?  The USS Alabama still floats as a monument, and museum, to its mission and the sailors who manned her; imperfectly beautiful in her design to perfectly accomplish her task.  Today, any fantasy writer, cum artist, would probably be right at home in the bowels of this ship, while they hammered out some glorious "steampunk" novel or painting, all the while marveling at the "ugliness" around them, and thinking to themselves, how beautifully perfect a muse this retro, industrial, machine-look is for their art.

Sometimes, we narrow our path forward, as we search for some illusive sense of beauty and "perfection" in our lives.  At times, perfection is necessary to meet certain parameters required for efficiency.  But, beauty, per the examples Wells uses, is not necessary for this efficient perfection, any more than perfection is a necessity for beauty.  Whereas perfection is gauged objectively, beauty is subjective.  Beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder.

“No human face is exactly the same in its lines on each side, no leaf perfect in its lobes, no branch in its symmetry. All admit irregularity as they imply change; and to banish imperfection is to destroy expression, to check exertion, to paralyze vitality. All things are literally better, lovelier, and more beloved for the imperfections which have been divinely appointed, that the law of human life may be Effort, and the law of human judgment, Mercy.”

-- John Ruskin (1819-1900)

We should be wary of narrowing the path we tread.  The narrower our path, the more apt we are to spend most of our time watching where we step, instead of enjoying our journey.  The longer we travel the narrow path, the more apt we are to forget the reason for our journey.  But, if you keep your eye only on the prize, life will pass by you without notice.  You should be aware of the prize. Continue to move toward it on a broad path, casually gathering the keys necessary to claim it down the road.  If you speed toward the goal, you may find you have arrived without a clue, that is, if you understand you've arrived at all.  If you arrive without any understanding, it would be like your first time rebuilding an engine and realizing you've left the tools behind.  If you arrive without a clue, well, like my uncle says, you'd feel like a pig looking at a wristwatch.  Unfortunately, you'd probably look like the pig, as well.

We get nowhere without focusing on the task at hand. If we become too focused, we can find ourselves short and argumentative with those around us.  If we don't recognize this trait in ourselves, and let it go unabated, we run the risk of alienating those that care about us.

“Instead of focusing on how much you can accomplish, focus on how much you can absolutely love what you're doing.”

-- Leo Babauta

It's good to keep your path broad, the majority of the time, staying aware of everything and everyone around you.  In this way, you won't miss the love, camaraderie, and beauty along your journey, and you won't adopt a self-centered attitude where everything is always about you, but you're the only one who realizes it.  Try to un-focus on your goals often enough that you don't become a slave to them.  Take this "downtime" to make sure you don't forget why you have these goals.  

It is never about what the goals are but, rather, why you have them.  For instance, it does little good to alienate those you love while you're focused entirely on working on the goals for those you love.  Doing this, you will find yourself achieving your goals and having no one to share them with, or to appreciate your achievements with.  What fun?  Not.

"Too much self-centered attitude, you see, brings, you see, isolation. Result: loneliness, fear, anger. The extreme self-centered attitude is the source of suffering."

-- Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

A broader path with "less focus" may not be perfect, it may not even lead to excellence,  and it may even be ugly.  Sometimes "perfection" isn't all it's cracked up to be.  Sometimes ugly can be "perfection" in disguise. Like the old battleship, she may not be pretty to look at, but piss her off and she will be beautiful to watch as she kicks some butt.

Everyone needs to get comfortable with the fact that sometimes life can be much happier, and robust, if you let a whole bunch of ugly into it.  As long as the "ugly" is good, what can it really hurt?  You might find that the less attractive it can be is just what the doctor ordered.  It, or they, just might get the job done.  Who's to say that a less-than-attractive person, giving you the once-over, might just be what you've been looking for in all the wrong places.  

Hey, sometimes love ain't pretty, but it works.  Broaden those horizons!

"Beautiful people are not always good, but good people are always beautiful."

-- Ali ibn Abi Talib (599-661)

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 Wants, Cruel, Revenge, Punishment, Satisfaction, and Pressure

 

“Each day hands me a clean sheet of paper upon which to write. Therefore, I would be wise to write without ever having the need to erase.”

-- Craig D. Lounsbrough

What would you call it if a person simply wants another person to be "erased" or "dead" without feeling anger towards them?

Emotionless murder?

Why do families act like stupid animals?

You have a family, you tell me. I have no experience with my family acting like this. So, it must be certain families you have experienced.

If Jeffrey Dahmer got a cooking show where he cooks humans, what recipes would he make?

Open the recipe book to “Pork” and you'll have enough to start cooking. 

I don't develop strong affective bonds with anybody. Why?

I don’t either. My reason is the people I used to hang with. If I needed to be disappointed, my friends were the ones to help me out. As I grew older I didn’t see any reason to get close enough to “bond” with anyone. My bad? Who knows.

If you could get what you want what would you want?

I'm not sure listing names would be proper.

What would you do if life killed you?

Uh… I’d be dead, so… not much I can do. Did I misread this question? I have a habit of reading into a question.  But, this one, seems pretty straightforward.

“Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome.”

-- Isaac Asimov

What if everyone around you was cruel and mean?

I would have no one to talk to, or there would be a lot of unusual “accidents” occurring. I don’t abide cruel and mean in my little universe.

Why wouldn't things turn out perfect?

Because “perfect” is unattainable. Things can only turn out levels of “excellence.”

What is sex between a girl and a 15-year-old boy?

It’s not legal, especially if the girl is of age. The boy will have a lot of fun, but, he isn’t supposed to be in that situation. 

What is the difference between "I know for sure" and "I'm sure"?

There isn’t any difference. You either know or you don’t know.

Why do I stress over stupid crap?

Almost everybody stresses over “stupid crap.” It is what we do. If you don’t want to, the best tact is to identify it as “stupid crap” and ignore it. If someone asks you why you ignored it, tell them it is “stupid crap” and you’re not going to stress over it. There is a lot of “stupid crap” on my plate, and I pile it over to one side. Someone asked me why I hadn’t dealt with it, and I told them I didn’t have the time for it. They said it was a “yes” or “no” answer. I asked what they thought. They said, “Yes.” So, I said, “Yes.” They looked at me crosseyed. I told them, if they could answer the bullshit, why didn’t they? They looked at me crosseyed… again. It was bullshit that any answer wouldn’t end the world I live in. It was “stupid crap.” Don’t stress over it.

In terms of your emotional behavior, how would you describe yourself?

Out in left field.

“Pity those who don't feel anything at all.”

-- Sarah J. Maas

How do I hack? I’m trying to get revenge.

Don’t. Getting revenge puts you on the level of the person who wronged you. Rise above it. Karma has enough to do without having you on the plate.

Is it possible that people who identify as "moderate" actually have hidden liberal or conservative beliefs?

Yes, that’s the reason they can lean one way or another.

Why should you be bitter in your marriage?

When your “partner” cheats, cheats, and cheats again, with no end in sight, it can make you bitter. If you have wasted 25 years trying to turn things around, it can make you bitter. If you find out your partner has lied about you, it can make you bitter. Bitterness in marriage is a reason for divorce.

What should I do now that my wife has moved in with her lover?

Divorce her ass. Search for someone you can celebrate your liberation with.

How is it possible that I am still married to the dumb bitch?

The fact that you refer to her as “the dumb bitch” tells me that, if you’re still married to her, you might be just as dumb.

Why do humans struggle with the concept of eventually becoming just a memory for someone else?

Oh, hell no. Not all humans "struggle" with this concept. 

“The pleasure of remembering had been taken from me, because there was no longer anyone to remember with. It felt like losing your co-rememberer meant losing the memory itself, as if the things we'd done were less real and important than they had been hours before.”

-- John Green

Why does anybody punish anybody for reacting badly who is bothered by anybody?

Because anybody doesn’t care, except me and a few others.

How do I become better at making decisions and choices?

Don’t rush it. Take time to consider all the options and the possible outcomes. I go by the rule that if a salesman says the deal is only good for today, it will be good for another day… or I don’t really need it.

Why can’t my wife just accept the fact that I’m going to cheat?

She has problems accepting that she married an….

Why do people see pets as toys? I get it because they don't do anything interesting/can't communicate with you and people eventually grow bored of them so is that the main reason?

Read Julia Glen’s answer. I could not have said it any better.

Julia Glen's answer: "People who get a pet as a toy should not have a pet. They are living breathing creatures that require a lot of care and love. People get pets as companionship and as a friend. Having a pet you can communicate with once you know your pet. They can be very smart. The love you give a pet you will get back many times over. Anyone who gets a pet will never get bored because they become much more to you than a disposable object."

Why do people put up with women?

Because they're soft and cuddly.

How do you control your brain when it overthinks?

I have found that doing physical work tempers the mind. If you put yourself to a physical task you will focus on that task and give your mind a break.

“The more you overthink the less you will understand.”

-- Habeeb Akande

Why can’t my husband satisfy me?

If he can’t satisfy you, why did you marry him? This is the problem with not sleeping with your future spouse… or ignoring the “satisfaction” quotient.

What do you do if you have lost your mind and cannot find it?

You are in deep shit.

How do you forgive the other man who had sex with your wife?

Why are you faulting him? Your wife probably told him she was single. The culprit in this scenario is your wife. Instead of having it out with you, she goes and has an affair. Men are pretty basic, so blaming him is shifting the blame from where it needs to be. Your wife is to blame.

How do you handle standing 8 hours every day at work?

By finding another job where you can sit down.

I’m a husband and I hate when my wife degrades me and tells me how other men are more loving and better in bed. She does this every single time we’re alone. What should I do? Sometimes I feel like just running away where no one can find me.

So, do it. She is not satisfied with you, so divorce her and find someone better, more loving, and are so much better in bed. Your wife, pardon my lack of filter, is a shit.

What is a man who doesn't want to get married called?

A happy bachelor.

“Eighty-three years old. A lifetime of being a bachelor. This extended life of aloneness might have an effect on a man's character, might it not? Independence might have rusted into obstinacy.”

-- Jonathan Lee

Who do you turn to when you feel the pressure of life?

Myself. Since I have no filter, I have found that I’m the only one who is brutally honest with me. I have learned to ignore the “pressure of life” and take life a bit at a time. It is what it is and it’s not going away, so I’ll deal with important issues as I get to them. Bourbon helps.

What is the best thing to do when they don't believe you?

Smile and walk away. The truth will come out. Truth always does.

Does the existence of God affect our free will? Do we have a choice in believing in him?

There is no proof that God exists. Having said this, unless you plan on living a non-righteous life, you have “free will” to live a good life whether you believe in God or not. Our “faith” in the existence of God puts our focus on being righteous more times than not. When atheists die, they will never see an afterlife. When theists die there is faith and hope for a life after death. We may be wrong, but I still like to pad my bet with my faith.

Instead of following God's rules, why don’t we make our own?

Atheists already do this. 

What should I do when my husband threatens to divorce me?

File for divorce and take him for everything he owns. He won’t use that tact ever again… unless he’s an idiot. 

Why would you have sex with someone else?

Variety.

“We have that feeling that life could have been other, different, better in a way impossible to articulate, yet we sense there was another road we missed.”

-- Chloe Thurlow

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 Idiots, Atheists, Strict, Idiots, Death, and Questions

 

“Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.”

-- Mark Twain 

What exactly do you need from God?

Salvation. Don’t do as I do, do as I say.

Will you ever realize what an idiot you are?

Probably not. Everybody else is being an idiot, so I guess I blend in. Will you ever realize what a total idiot you are?

Reader comment: Don’t listen to him, Tony. You are great!

My reply: Well, thank you, Bobby!

Can men have sex with men?

Happens all the time.

What makes a happily married woman cheat on her husband?

First, she is not happily married, or she wouldn’t be cheating. If there is a change, I’d say the husband cheated first. 

What funny situation did you experience as a tourist?

I was new to Sicily. I went to the outside market and thought I’d buy a few olives. You really need to get a good lock on the language. I didn’t. I left the market with 5 pounds of olives. Sharing was one of my shining attributes.

I'm going to America. What should I do?

Dumb down.

“In short, some of the least qualified students, taught by the least qualified professors in the lowest quality courses supply most American public school teachers.”

-- Thomas Sowell

Why do non-religious people often ask atheists about religion?

They want both sides of opinion. They can ask theists about religion, and they can ask atheists about why they don’t buy into religion. It is always good to get both sides of the story before you jump.

How the hell did half our nation's kids get so "effen" stupid?

Look to the schools and the “education” they are getting.

Why does my younger brother always tell me to die?

I’d sleep with one eye opened, or lock your door at night. You might treat your younger brother with more respect and understanding, and take him places with you. Bonding is what older brothers should do with younger siblings. If he always tells you to die, there is not much bonding going on, and you're, probably, treating him badly.

Why do most women blame men for their actions?

Most men may never admit it, but most men are to blame.

Terry and Alice went out last night. Alice is single and Terry is married. Terry decides to have drunken sex with Alice. Is it cheating? If so, when did the "cheating" actually begin? Was it when Terry decided it would be a good idea to go out?

None of this matters except the “drunken sex” he had with Alice. It is cheating, whether he is drunk or not, and it started when he brought the subject up. Two friends can go out. What happens while they are out might be something Terry should consider about the marriage not being that strong. A mistake? Bullshit.

Why is she always smiling and blushing?

Where are your hands? 

“...we find only one tool, neither created nor invented, but perfect: the hand of man.”

-- Julio Ramón Ribeyro

How do I deal with a strict wife?

You can try being submissive. Does she want to spank you? Pant down, and stinging?

Why do women want men to be honest when they're master manipulators themselves?

Uh… this is part of their manipulation. Making men to be honest whether the women are being honest, or not. The men “think” they are in charge, while the women are out-manipulating them.

Is it easy for a woman to manipulate a man?

Unless the man thinks he's not going to get laid. It depends on how good her manipulation is.

Can you explain the concept of falsification in scientific theories? How can a theory with a significant amount of evidence be proven false?

The question answers itself. When the “significant amount of evidence” is proven to be false. Everything revolved around the earth until we caught a clue and learned everything revolved around the sun.

As a senior citizen, what would you tell people in their 30s/40s who think they’re old?

As I approach 71, I’d say to wait about 30 years, then you are approaching old.

Is it bad to be overly reliant on your emotions to make decisions? If so, how do you stop doing it as much?

Decisions made from an emotional state rarely work out. It is much better to think for a moment and take a walk. Think about what you’re about to do and consider the consequences. Sometimes, taking a moment to consider all the options can leave you with a better outcome. Or, you can continue shooting yourself in the foot. It is a choice.

"The worst thing you can do, is to make life decisions while you are emotional, while your heart and mind are in disagreement."

-- Leon Brown 

Why do idiots of [this site] love to pretend they are smarter than others when they likely didn't even graduate from highschool while people like me finished college with high honors?

Why do “idiots of Quora” listen to “idiots of Quora” while pretending they need an answer? You can finish college with “high honors” and still be a dweeb. If you don’t like the company maybe you have to change sites. I’m just pretending to have a thought. Oh, by the way, “high school” is still two words. High honors?

Why do people think that I am a really nice guy?

People are gullible. 

How can you get away from a toxic home if you are 14?

You have four more years to plan how you’re going to support yourself. You might think about working now. “Working” might clue you into why you feel your home is toxic. Understanding can be a bitch to the label of “toxic,” though. Just saying.

I seldom smile, how can I be humble and welcoming?

Smile more. There is nothing more “humble and welcoming” than a smile. Work on it. 

What is the brutal truth about after-marriage life?

You continue to live. You find someone better than the “loss” you loved before. If you truly loved them, the love doesn’t stop with divorce, you just can’t be around them anymore. I have been divorced from my wife of 25 years. It has been over 23 years, and I still love her for the two children she gave me. It is something I will continue to feel for her, I just can’t be around her. She goes out of her way to piss me off. I found a woman I have been with for 20 years, and we are fine. The brutal truth for me is that I can’t just "turn off" the love I feel for someone. I just can’t be around them anymore.

If the purpose of life is solely to reproduce, where would we fit into that as queer folk?

The purpose of life is to learn. Reproducing replenishes the number of learners when several learners have died. You can feel free to continue learning, without contributing to the core number of learners. It is a choice you have made.

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever."

-- Mahatma Gandhi 

Whose death has completely altered your life?

My mother.

What do you do if you're scared of yourself?

I deal with it. I know what I’m capable of and I keep it in check. What I’m capable of scares the crap out of me. But, knowing that helps me keep it in check.

Do you believe that hurt egos have destroyed countries before?

Absolutely!

What is the connection between morals and communication?

As a briefer for 23 years, there is none. You can communicate “immoral” information as easily as “moral” information. It is all communicated information.

Would you hate me if I was you?

I love me.

If you killed everyone what would it mean?

To kill everybody would make me a god. It would be an arduous task. It would make me the last man standing… alone. I’m not sure I could handle living on the surface of a world with no people. No companionship. I would go nuts.

“Maybe they died of disease or lived on this island into old age, but no matter which, someone was the last man standing.”

-- Jennifer Arnett

If you ask someone a question and they refuse to answer, more likely than not their answer is probably the one they know you don’t want to hear, right?

More than likely, or not. And, then, they might not want to get involved.

What do you do if life isn't enough?

Life is always enough. Without life, you couldn’t have anything else. Once you have life, it is up to you to get everything else you want. It takes perseverance because everything you want isn’t coming to you without some work. You will have to go get what you want. 

If you could have everything you want, what would you want?

Eternal happiness. Oh… I already have that. Never mind.

What should I do if I suddenly want to give up?

Die. If you want to give up, it means you have no reason to live. If you have no reason to live, make room for those who want to be here to do something. The only way this will work is if you die. But, in reality, this is not what you meant. People who say this, given life or death, almost always choose life. If they choose life, they don’t really want to give up. It is a figure of speech that is better not used.

Can motivation be considered a feeling?

Yes. Haven’t you ever "felt" motivated to do something?

How can one respond to the statement, "You're wrong because you don't believe in God"?

That is up in the air. Theists and atheists suffer from the same malady - no proof. Both have faith they are right, but “faith” is a belief in something for which there is little or no proof. Neither side can provide incontrovertible proof that they are right. The answer for one side will come after death. Atheists will die and, expecting nothing, will experience nothing. The theist will be expecting something, if there is nothing, then death is all there is. But, if the theist is right, there will be some life after death to celebrate. Unfortunately, death is the only way we can prove this out.

“In life, we must first see to believe. In death, we must first believe, and then we will see.”

-- Angie Corbett-Kuiper

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 Sluts, Agreeing, Heaven, Loyalty, and Retaliation

 

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

-- Paulo Coelho

How did you find out that your wife is a slut?

All I needed to do was pay attention to the little things. If you pay attention to the crumbs, they will lead you to the infidelity. It isn’t as hard as the wife thinks it is.

How would you characterize someone afraid to fail and gives up easily?

They don’t understand that failure is the best way we learn. The fact that they give up easily shows that they won’t try to persevere in the face of failure. I characterize them as a person I wouldn’t hire for my company.

Is having an open mind correlated with being more or less biased?

Less. An open mind means you are willing to “consider” other opinions.

I think I have "atychiphobia" and it's getting worse every day. What should I do?

Understand failure. Failure is the best way we learn, provided you don’t give up. You must persevere in the face of failure, for failure to teach you.

My stepmom told me to take off my pants. What should I do?

She is your “stepmom.” Take off your pants. What follows is more important.

How would society change if everyone suddenly became rich and poverty was eliminated? Would people still work or would their motivations change?

There will always be poverty. You can eliminate it, but people will bring it back. It is the universe demanding balance… and people being lazy, regardless of their wealth.

“I've been making a list of the things they don't teach you at school. They don't teach you how to love somebody. They don't teach you how to be famous. They don't teach you how to be rich or how to be poor. They don't teach you how to walk away from someone you don't love any longer. They don't teach you how to know what's going on in someone else's mind. They don't teach you what to say to someone who's dying. They don't teach you anything worth knowing.”

-- Neil Gaiman

How do I agree to a marriage with me?

Saying “yes” would be the thing to do.

Do all monkeys dislike people?

I’ve been around “monkeys” all my life, and I can tell you, they can like or dislike you. The ones that like you can be your friends. The ones who don’t, you can try to ignore.

What should I do if I want a serious girlfriend in a relationship?

Dating would be the first step. If she is serious, you’ll find out in short order.

What prevents you from being nice?

Absolutely nothing. Being nice to an asshole simply pisses them off. Assholes are great targets for me to practice being nice to. It is hard, but that makes it all the more fun.

How come women are so spiteful?

You mean, compared to spiteful men?

How do I convince my wife I am the man and she should respect my authority?

Ha, ha, ha… it is to laugh! If I were you I would bring that up across the room from her. It is less likely you will be hit by whatever she throws at you. Respect your authority… you are a hoot. A marriage is a partnership, not a slave and a master.

“A relationship is like a bird: If you set it free, it will thrive. If you put it in a cage it will struggle to survive.”

-- Mouloud Benzadi

Can you still get into heaven if you kill yourself?

Nope. You will have to live your life again, and again, until you make better choices.

Will you go to hell if you self-harm?

Your hell will be you being born back where you are, to learn the lesson you should have learned. If you don’t learn the lesson again, you will be born right back here, again, and so on, until you cop a clue. You will make your own hell on earth. Not a good thing to repeat.

Do people with low self-esteem have an ego?

Of course. It is almost non-existent, but they do have an ego.

My wife threatens me with divorce if I don't continue letting her cheat on me. What should I do?

Divorce her cheating ass. Let her make her own way in the world. If being a slut suits her, so be it. You, on the other hand, will be free to find someone who loves you. I speak from 25 years of experience. Don’t let it take you that long to get a clue.

How can one handle individuals who are resistant to change or self-improvement?

Don’t choose them to be on your “team” at work.

What's something that sucks about being American?

When the wrong President gets into office. Inflation can skyrocket, borders can be taken down, crime is rampant due to liberal judges, the price of a house is beyond the working stiff, and the price of gasoline goes through the roof as does food. Other than having an idiot for a President, being an American is pretty nice.

“If the agenda in a country is constantly changing, sometimes even hourly, you must know that you are governed by ignorant and incompetent! And perhaps worse, you are run by traitors who only serve foreign country interests!”

-- Mehmet Murat ildan

Why would a hot wife dress like a slut?

This kind of answers itself, though, she might not be aware of it.

Can I have a hot girl’s number?

You need to find a hot girl and ask her for her number. If she gives it to you, you can have it. If she says no, then you can’t. This is pretty simple.

Why would a guy wake up and say “I need more attention”?

He wakes up and feels ignored.

I dated a retarded man once. Am I a good woman?

If you went on this date with the retarded man “selflessly,” then, I’d say yes. If you went on the date, to take advantage of him, then, not so much. Always be selfless in what you do, and you will, usually, be good.

Should I touch my friend's penis?

That would be up to your friend. I hope you're a woman. Just saying.

I caught my boyfriend with a girl in his house. What can I do to the girl?

Nothing. She might not know he has a girlfriend. However, your boyfriend knows the rules. You can cut him loose and find someone better, who won’t continue this lifestyle.

“When people cheat in any arena, they diminish themselves-they threaten their own self-esteem and their relationships with others by undermining the trust they have in their ability to succeed and in their ability to be true.”

-- Cheryl Hughes

How should you handle a situation where your boyfriend is angry with your child?

Who is your loyalty to? The boyfriend has crossed a bold line.

 What do I do if my son is an idiot?

There’s not much you can do about it. He might grow out of it, he might revel in the idiocy of it, or, heaven forbid, he could turn out to be the anchor you will have to deal with for the long haul. The military might be able to straighten him out.

I heard my parents call me stupid behind my back and that I would fail in life. What do I do?

Prove them wrong.

What is the meaning behind the statement, "I would rather be rich than smart"?

It means they would rather be rich for as long as their ignorance will allow them to be. Being smart is one way to hold onto your wealth. 

What's the most important lesson you ever learned?

It is what it is until you change it.

Why do I think everyone just wants me to fail in life?

Is it their life? It isn’t, so why are you concerned that everybody wants you to fail? It is your life, so ignore what you think everybody wants, and go about being successful at everything you do. If nothing else, it will piss off the naysayers you think are out there.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”

-- Winston S. Churchill

What’s a good verbal retaliation to my son who refuses to take the blame for being fat and ugly because “I gave him the genes, so it’s my fault”?

“It’s your life, not mine. I gave you a chance to excel, and you squandered it.”

Can regular practice help us read novels faster?

If you read the novel faster, you might miss the nuances the author intends you to catch. I can read Air Force regulations at a feverish pace, but with a novel I like to savor the author’s creativity and style. 

Should you spend your entire life learning?

You do. It is why we are here.

Why does my old next-door neighbor wake up so early, and why does he hate me so much?

He wakes up early because that’s what we “old people” do. Does he really hate you, or is he just a curmudgeon? I was able to sidestep being a curmudgeon, but I have no filter and say whatever I think. I try not to hate people, and I think he really doesn’t hate you. He is just old. Be overly nice to him and he might round off the sharp corners.

Why do I allow stupid people into my life? They say one thing and do another.

What does this say about you? 

Who is responsible when parents get angry with their children?

The parents should be able to “parent” without getting angry. We fail at this, miserably. We allow the children to push our buttons. Not very mature of us.

“Angry people are not always wise.”

-- Jane Austen

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