Meditations on the Abyss

"For the most part, I'm an atheist. I'm actually a pagan, but see the deities as archetypes rather than actual literal beings."

Meditations on the Abyss is Becke Boyer's outpouring of emotion, detailing a troubled and turbulent life. Meditations, while not confined to an examination of divinity or dogma, still does examine religion, and its effect on people. Especially its effect on Becke.

Meditations details Becke's life, family, and even Jesus and brackwurst. One of the more touching entries, Becke's recounting of her grandmother's passing, gives us an insight into the very reason that online journalists write: "That night was the hardest of my life....I think the only reason I made it through the whole ordeal was by writing..."

In addition, Becke also talks about atheism in her online forum, "Screaming from the Chasm."

"I get into the subject of atheism fairly regularly in my journal, and participate regularly in a Fido echo called Holysmoke (religious debate)."

Scribblings

Wing Sze (first name; pronounced "Wing See") is 19, and was born on April 27th, 1979, in Canton, China. Presently, Wing Sze is an Arts & Sciences student at the University of Toronto, as well as a part-time research assistant.

Why does Wing Sze maintain an online journal? "It is a time capsule of my thoughts, an intimate snap shot, that I can always re-read later during my mid-life crisis."

Wing Sze also states, early in her journal, that "I'm an atheist. And I hold an almost entirely negative view of religious institutions / organized religion."

Wing Sze recounts her conversation with a pamphleteer:

...she proceeded to sit down next to me.

"No, thank you." Very politely, I declined her offer.

"Are you a Buddhist?" Inquisitive look.

"No, I'm an atheist."

"Oh." She paused, perhaps disappointed or silently praying for my damned soul. "But... Surely there must be something. Don't you ever wonder just a little?"

"Maybe you'd like this," she dug a small piece of paper out of her bag, "it has a number on it."

the nerve that people have trying to convert me [implying that my current beliefs are inferior, misguided, ignorant] -- but it would've been pointless. I kept thinking, It would be like yelling at my grandmother. Can't do it. Politeness aside, I still threw out that piece of paper as soon as I got off the streetcar.

However, Wing Sze's topic matter is not constrained to atheism. Wing Sze also talks about the day to day's of her life; job hunting, school, etc. Each of Wing Sze's journal entries contain information about the weather, the time, what she's listening to, and her mood. This information is relegated to the marginalia, and doesn't distract the reader from exploring the matter of Wing Sze's day. For those so inclined, there is also an email update list located on Wing Sze's front page.

My Finite Game

"There are no needs. In this I refute Maslow. There is no need for the body to eat. Only the want. If one wishes to override the wants, than by the exercise of will shall they be able to. Very simplified and crude I realize."

My Finite Game is a clever amalgamation of diverse subjects; the exploration of the human psyche, dramatic brooding poetry, and... soccer?

The title of Tad Keelson's journal comes from the book Finite and Infinite Games by James P. Carse. Tad quotes--"If a finite game is to be won by someone, it must come to a definite end." However, we'll hope that Tad's effort is not relegated to the same end.

There are over a year's worth of entries within Finite, spanning from September 1997 to July 1998. The front page details Tad's current email activities, journals which he reads, etc. There's so much to say about this site. However, it's better read from the source. Turn on to Finite, and have a good read.

neural noise

If a 21-year-old male falls down in the forest, does he make a sound? Neural Noise's author is an agnostic/athiest whose site is populated with sparse and nihilistic snippets of thought. Neural Noise, like many other journals, is also a source of poetry and other work.

OnCommon asked Neural Noise's author about their 'religious belief,' and got this response:

"I am comfortable with my agnostic stance, only because of the amount of thought that went into reaching my decision. Declaring myself an agnostic was not a spur of the moment decision... I spent the greater part of my youth as a very active member of the Episcopal church, as an altar boy and a church youth leader. By being so close to the words and ideas that the religion held so dear, I was able to get a high degree of understanding and active thought about what exactly what was being taught to me. And, through this, I was able to come up with my own concerns and ideas about religion and the world around me... and I came to the decision that it just wasn't for me. I found that my faith in humanity was far greater than my belief in a system of myths and stories. And, once this decision was made, it was without a doubt a permanent change."

If you're interested in this week's topic--atheism, please check out this journal. It's a nice note to conclude on.

Next...

What about the other side of the coin? What about the balance created by opposites, and the theory of yin and yang. Is there a divine deity or entity overseeing the sometimes meaningless meanderings of the universe? If you have an online journal, and subscribe to the view of a definite divinity, please click the submit link at the top of the page.

Thanks, and happy reading.

Until next week...