Judgment Day

So, here we are. It's the Day of Atonement, here at last, here at last.

I don't mind so much, except I was hoping it would be more...probative. Which of the following pertains?

• It's Judgment Day. If you're still here when it's over, that means God spared you, i.e., he likes you.

• It's the Rapture. That means that all the good Christians get whisked up, and all the people remaining on Earth have been left behind. I.e., if you're still here on Sunday it means God doesn't like you.

I wish this were more clear. I have a feeling I'm still going to be confused when this is all over.

And if, on Sunday, I'm still here and all the Christians are still here, what does that mean? I think it will mean the Rapture happened and He didn't take any of our raggedy sinning behinds off to heaven.

Possibly that's the wrong conclusion, but it seems logical.

Mike

P.S. Don't forget Ctein's Webinar is this afternoon at 4:00 (CDT). I can't watch it because it conflicts with the Preakness. Assuming, naturally, that 4:00 CDT is still pre-Armageddon.

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Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Comment by Chuck Albertson: "I'm packing a couple extra rolls of film in my bag today, just in case."

Featured Comment by Ben: "Of course it's the end of days...my brother-in-law is getting married!!!"

Featured Comment by Geoff Wittig: "This all happened before, in the 1840s to be specific, when a charismatic lay preacher, William Miller, began spreading the word that the Second Coming was to be October 22, 1844. One can only imagine his followers' disappointment when the world did not, in fact, end. Miller kept moving the goalposts further down the field with new predicted Raptures, until he and his followers became the object of widespread derision. There's a great Simpsons episode that mercilessly mocks the entire event.

"Miller came from the 'burned over district,' the area of rural central/western New York State that was repeatedly swept by religious fervor from the mid 1700s through the end of the 19th century. This area gave birth to Mormonism, to John Humphrey Noyes' bizarre utopian cult (utopian for him at least; he pushed polygamy and had scores of 'wives') and all kinds of squirrely religious movements. I've lived here all my life, and there's still an undercurrent of religious mania through the local culture. This new version of 'Rapturemania' is just the latest in a long line of holy hucksterism."

Featured Comment by Robert P: "Apparently Camping is my sister's landlord. She didn't even ask him for a cheap deal on rent for after today—I reckon she missed a trick there...."

Comments

[Stan Greenberg]

Don't worry about not being able to see the
Webinar: RetouchPro has reruns - usually
about 2 weeks (sometimes months, and often
more than once) later.

Also, a lot, if not all of the RetouchPro
shows can be rented from YouTube, whenever
it is convenient.

So even if aren't among the Saved, you still
can hear Ctein's pearls of wisdom.

[MJFerron]

Judgment day huh? If there is a heaven and one was lucky enough to be on the guest list what would you do once you got there? Are we going to stand around and smile at each other for eternity?

Also did you ever notice that folks are always saying there's a better place to be after death and yet no one is in a hurry to go there? They all scream "it's not my time". :)

[max]

Yes, that's why I stopped being a catholic too, it was far too complicated!

[swr]

And if, on Sunday, I'm still here and all the Christians are still here, what does that mean?

It will mean exactly what Obama's birth certificate meant to faithful teabaggers, absolutely nothing.

When have facts ever influenced what religious fundamentalists think? Global warming? Evolution? The efficacy of sex education in preventing unwanted pregnancies? WMDs in Iraq?

The goal posts will simply be moved.

Early Christians actually dealt with a similar problem.

Jesus said in Luke 21 that:

Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

Didn't happen. But Christianity as a religion kept growing. Any number of excuses were given. The goal posts were moved. Metaphorical explanations were offered.

I'm guessing that a lot of Christian fundamentalists will point to the media hyped pseudo disagreement between Obama and Netanyahu and argue that it marked the beginning of the end times.

What's the reason scientific facts don't influence religious fundamentalists?

Economic and social facts do. Early Christianity, Islamic fundamentalism, Roman Catholicism all met the societal needs of certain groups.

Contemporary Christian Dominionism has grown over the past few decades because it meets two needs simultaneously.

1.) Angry white working class Americans who don't want to confront their class oppression.

2.) The corporate elite who wants to make sure they don't think critically

A similar process is going on in the Muslim world.

[phil]

Damn, I can't keep up with all these end-of-the-world scenarios. I'd be happy if ALL religious fundamentalists were taken and leave the rest of us to live in peace.

Can't Camping be sued for something? I'm sure he'll still have plenty of gullibles' money come tomorrow.

On a plus note; this has reminded me to charge my camera battery for a trip out tomorrow.

all the best phil

[Mike Johnston]

"Can't Camping be sued for something?"

Well, in fairness to him, he's more or less right. The world IS coming to an end for him--he's 89. Just maybe not today, precisely.

Mike

[Paul Van]

Don't feel bad - there's always next year.

Go Mayans!!

[Bill Corbett]

For once, I would like to be perfectly serious with my comment. I realize you may of course choose not to allow it, and that anyone may of course disagree: I would be as concerned as anyone about 6pm today, were it not for the fact that the Bible itself states simply that no man (meaning no person) knows when that day will be, not even the Son of God, only the Father knows. I accept what the Bible says on this. If one believes this, one should not be any more concerned about today than any other. But the fact also is that we should be concerned...

[phil]

One of my favourite astronomy bloggers has a post here;
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/05/20/unraptured/#comments

my favourite comment being "I just don’t see how one RAPTOR can destroy the whole world…"

phil

[max]

I read about him, now (I had no clue about all this an hour ago). It seems he already wrongly predicted the end once before. But this time he says he's certain.

[Joe Jarosak]

Armageddon?! I thought Judgement Day is when we fninally find out which is best Canon or Nikon. :)

[swr]

ne may of course disagree: I would be as concerned as anyone about 6pm today, were it not for the fact that the Bible itself states simply that no man (meaning no person) knows when that day will be

The Bible says EXACTLY when the world was supposed to have come to an end in Luke 21 within the lifetime of the 12 apostles.

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away,

No amount of goal post moving will change this.

There are two choices:

1.) The Bible is a contradictory document patched together from any number of Greek and Palestinian sources in the first and second centuries and often contradicts itself.

2.) Christianity was proven wrong when the last of Jesus' apostles died.

[John Ashbourne]

If there is a God wouldn't it be good if s/he were very broad based ecumenical and called unto her/himself ALL the seriously religious folk whatever their creed .... just think of the instant reduction in world tension and conflict !!
Just sayin' ......not meaning to insult ....but perhaps give pause for introspection ??

[Ed Hawco]

No, you got it all wrong. It's not "The Rapture" that's coming today. It's The Raptor:

[David H.]

I guess the date was adjusted to North American time? It is now 1214 AM Sunday morning in Tokyo and Sunday or soon to be in much of East Asia. Have heard no reports of mass disappearances of people in the region. I know a few Christians in my neighborhood. They were still around earlier this evening.

Do we now have to worry until it is Sunday in the last place on earth to turn Sunday?

Geez...I used to have to worry about the end of the world when I was a kid in the Bible Belt. Must say, that's all changed, and frankly I ain't interested in flying off to meet the loving being that allowed the recent earthquake/tsunami among other things. I wish those who are more forgiving a pleasant trip.

[Walt Cleveland]

The trouble with predictions like this is that it's already tomorrow in Australia... and it's still there.

[Nico Burns]

I'm not sure which of those is supposed to happen either, but either way I hope that I do not end up in heaven - I'd hate to be concious for ever!

[MichaelS]

Cold Mike, very cold.

"Well, in fairness to him, he's more or less right. The world IS coming to an end for him--he's 89. Just maybe not today, precisely." MJ

I think he's a bit of a kook but harmless unless one likes to give away ones money.

And, he's the type of guy that will see 100, you watch.

MS

[David Dyer-Bennet]

This is the day to take spare old clothes and shoes, and arrange them artfully on sidewalks and lawns around your neighborhood.

Some dry ice pellets in the shoes, so they emit a small amount of mist, would be a nice touch.

And then...the post-rapture looting!

[Rob Atkins]

Judgement Day will be Sunday, when the Vancouver Canucks meet the San Jose Sharks for game 4 in the Western Conference finals for the Stanley Cup.

No way, Jose!

[richard]

But seriously, when those four horsemen come galloping along, you better make sure you're comfortable with the AI servo mode on whatever it is you're toting - you might not get a second chance

[James]

Mike,

all of this Rapture stuff is a bit disconcerting for us non-Americans. Part of my puzzlement stems from wondering why God chooses to repeatedly reveal his hidden intentions only to cranky old white mid-westerners who run vanishingly small churches, who must represent about 0.00002% of the world's population. I note that the RC, Anglican, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Sikh faiths are repeatedly ignored when it comes to these revelations.

As these prophecies are revealed only to Americans, could I ask you to please limit their effects to your own country? I've got a busy week coming up, and extinction would be more than a minor inconvenience.

[Barb Smith]

I think this is more about the fear a group of people feel about the world they live in today. They long for an escape from a place they can no longer comprehend. It is more sad than anything. As a Christian, I don't think it will ever be that easy to escape trials and difficult times - something about being the 'salt of the earth' and 'living in the world, yet not be of it'. I signed up for Ctein's class.

[Gary]

Isn't this a milder form of shouting "fire" in a crowded theatre, in other words something that tests the margins of free speech? My ten year old daughter was alarmed when she first encountered this silliness. Hopefully a tongue in cheek 6.01pm celebration will help inoculate her against attention seeking cranks!

[Steve Jacob]

I think it means you can probably pick up a really good deal on a used car in some parts of the US.

[Mike Johnston]

"all of this Rapture stuff is a bit disconcerting for us non-Americans."

James,
No Americans believe it either, to speak of. It's one old ex-engineer-turned-preacher who has millions of donated dollars burning a hole in his pocket. He sprinkled billboards all over the country announcing today as the end of the world. If as many as one one-hundredth of one percent of Americans actually believe that, I'd be amazed.

Mike

[Bruce Stinshoff]

Hey Chuck, can I still get film processed in Heaven? Just to be on the safe side, I should probably also ask about what emulsion can best tolerate the heat of that other place.

[Walter Glover]

Well, 6pm passed without incident here in Sydney last night — and this is where it was all supposedly going to kick off.

Phew, what a sigh of relief.

W

[Robert Roaldi]

The end ain't so nigh after all.

[Paul De Zan]

Sunday morning, you will find me in front of one of Camping's billboards with a copy of the Sunday Times and two raised middle fingers, having my picture taken.

At least, that was the plan. But most if not all of the Judgement Day billboards around the Bay Area seem to have been taken down well in advance of The Day. Economy measure, no doubt.

[Bob Dales]

I propose ROLL CALL tomorrow AM.
bd

[Antony Shepherd]

Is it terribly wrong of me to hope that the nutjobs who believed this kind of rubbish would go do a Jonestown/Heaven's Gate kind of deal, and thus reduce the amount of average stupidity in the world.

I know, I know, we shouldn't mock the afflicted, but sometimes it's just too good to resist. Maybe tomorrow Camping will announce a new date and go "Third time lucky!", and there will STILL be people pathologically stupid enough to believe the lunatic.

The best 'rapture hack' I heard of wasn't the one about leaving old clothes laid out, but the one involving inflatable 'dolls' and helium.

And yes, Bill Corbett is right. It's odd that so many alleged 'Christians' out there seem to focus on a few small things the Bible says, while ignoring lots of other things that don't suit their own prejudices.

[mike plews]

http://eternal-earthbound-pets.com/FAQ_s.html

Why didn't I think of this?

[steveH]

Regarding the Millerites, just a minor nit:

Miller apparently never claimed any specific date, just some roughly bounded period between April 1843 and April 1844. After the latter, there was some scrambling by various adherents, mostly adjustments between the Julian calendar and Jewish calendars. After October 1844, the consensus was that the prophecy pointed to something different, not the second Advent at all, and the position mentioned by Bill above was generally accepted.

[Thor F]

But wait, wasn't Judgement Day supposed to be April 21?
And here I was thinking we were safe from terminators...

[Kurt Shoens]

I live in the same metropolitan area as Harold Camping and heard the run-up to the 1994 prediction on his radio program (I had a long commute; it was the best thing on then).

It seemed like nobody knew about the 1994 prediction at the time. Incidentally, the 1994 prediction contained a 17 year discount, which explains the 2011 prediction.

The reason everyone knows about the 2011 prediction is that he spent $100 million advertising it. Why, you could buy 25 record price photographs for that sum!

I'm not a believer in these end of days predictions, but I feel a certain sadness for the fellow going so far out on a limb.

[shibu lekshman]

I think we are saved this time.....phew........ Just kidding never believed in it.

[MBS]

Several people were found wandering naked in town this morning. They all say they were wearing clothes when they left the house. Taken up, they think. Apparently they were nice outfits.

[Jim McDermott]

Oh God. Paradise is precisely as boring as the vale of humdrum I've just been plucked from. On the other hand, no Southern Baptists made it here.

[Hugh Jarse]

Bit of an anticlimax but hey, it's not the end of the world.

[Bob Dales]

Rapture + 1.

Present.

bd

[Rory O'Toole]

oops forgot about it. is this a parallel universe?

[Paris]

"I think he's a bit of a kook but harmless ...'

No, he's not the least bit harmless. He collected millions, maybe tens of millions of dollars from people, many of whom could probably ill afford it, on the basis of a lie.

If his scam were based on anything other than religious quackery, he would be in jail.

He should be in jail anyway.