The Xing
by
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Jay: It’s a messed-up world out there. It's a wonder how civilization continues without collapsing in on itself. The fact that all this evil is happening on a reoccurring procession, and that we do not drive ourselves into extinction, is beyond me.
Liam: You know, that I don’t have all the answers for why all this evil is happening. I only know we all see it… some must deal with it.
Jay: But you would think that in a world, in which there is good in everyone, that the evils would be mitigated. But I'm seeing quite the opposite. The problems of war, disease and famine are more than enough to handle. We’re only adding to the problem, with our greed and animus towards our neighbors.
Liam: Comes to show, sir, that whatever good we have is limited.
Jay: Yes, we are limited. But we do have potential in becoming better. We've yet to arrive at that climax.
Liam: (Staring down on the red oak finish on the desk with squinted eyes) There’s a word they use to describe a perfect nation and system….
Jay: You mean 'utopia'?
Liam: (Silently point his index on the table) That's it! Because this world is so messed-up, I don't think there is any hope for repair. People talk about all that hype. But that what it is..., only hype. Can we become better ourselves? I think that’s possible. You know, with all the greed and anger, as you said… I can't see our world ever becoming better.
Jay: Your sentiments may be true, given the course which we are on. But those words may just be another clear indicator of the despondency of those, who think we're beyond repair. Can we achieve the utopian deal? I know there will be the subversive group, who will diverge from the direction of the populace. With the right governance in place, maybe, just maybe the evils will be mitigated. Now, it’s a question of whether there is such an order.
Liam: Isn't this where the government dictates, and forces their will on the American people? Wherever there has been a government with that kind of leverage, there has always been trouble. No telling how that leader might be. He may just be that bad guy wreaking havoc for everyone.
Jay: I’ll be realistic... there has never been a perfect president, governor or congressman. Well…, some are better than others. But, in a common drive towards solidarity, we can become better.
Liam: I guess that can happen. From what I’ve seen with the increased violence, it doesn’t look like it’ll ever get any better.
Jay: (With a gleeful look, and raising an eyebrow) You're not the optimistic type..., are you?
Liam: It's not that I'm not optimistic. I'm realistic.
Jay: It's just like those right wingers, who are often the bearers of gloom and hopelessness. They feel that an all-powerful God, has ability to prevent the evil from happening. But in His infinite love and wisdom, as they say, chose not to prevent the evil from happening.
Liam: I personally share that conviction, sir… I am a believer in Jesus. You don’t believe in God, do you…?
Jay: To be frank, I don’t share your convictions. I do not believe that there is a God.
Liam: Now, help me here… You don’t believe…, meaning that you are sure that He does not exist, or you have no reason to believe that He exists…?
Jay: I feel the latter. Now, don’t get me wrong… I’m not the hard-core atheist who is on a mission to de-convert every religious person towards unbelief. I personally feel that everyone has a right to their own opinion. But if you ask me, I see no verifiable evidence to substantiate a personal belief in God.
Liam: What kind of evidence or evidences are you looking for?
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About the Book
The fiction narratives in 'The Xing' creates for readers different scenarios in different worlds. In The Xing (the Crossing), Ted Johnson is a teacher in philosophy, whom on his way to campus, experiences car problems. Ted meets a mechanic who explains to him why his car broke down, and more. In another scene, Liam Wallace is caught in the middle of a car chase. Without knowing what he'd just got into, Liam is then pulled further into this saga between the pursuers and the one being pursued. It is at this point where questions begin to surface; questions he had answers to the whole time. In another scene, Jeff, a neurosurgeon, had just successfully removed a tumor from Neville Brown's brain. He does this with the technical assistance of Zack Howard. Zack is no brain surgeon; yet brings an insight to Neville's brain that goes deeper than the world of neurobiology. At the NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Eugene Ellis is surveying nearby and distant stars and galaxies in search for that which is explainable. He comes face to face with sworn enemies at the space flight center, and a new friend with answers for the unexplainable. In Al Paso, Texas, billionaire Fredrick J Seaver garners the successes that most could only dream of. His ambitions for further success and expansion is stymied by what he sees at home. Fred meets Lena, whose lifestyle, and personal history is a stark contrast to his. This unusual encounter would become Fred's turning point. In Saint John, Nova Scotia, a beloved mayor dies of a mysterious cause. Lacy Pendleton, a reporter, investigates the cause of death, only to stumble across an unlikely source who has answers for the mayor's death.
About the Author
Gary, after his days at a Theological Seminary in Toronto has since continued his passion for writing. He has written several articles on current topics. Only recently, a childhood passion for creative writing has re-emerged; which is an element he wants to add to his work. He currently lives in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.