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Subscribe to RSS"Rapture bombs" reappear as another doomsday prophecy fails.
Today's countdown to the predicted end of the world was a bit like watching a rerun of reality TV … been there, done that doomsday. Nevertheless, radio preacher Harold Camping's Rapture rerun provided a good opportunity to revive the old jokes and prepare for the new doomsday hype ahead in 2012.
The hype was a lot heavier five months ago, when Camping set a high-profile date for a biblical-style ascension of the elect to heaven. Millions of dollars were spent by Camping's Family Radio International as well as followers who spent their savings to get out the word about the end of the world. During this week's spaceflight conference in New Mexico, one of my colleagues on the space beat, Jeff Foust, happened to mention that he saw a billboard that still touted Judgment Day's approach on May 21.
The hubbub sparked a backlash of black humor — ranging from animated cartoons to "Rapture bombs," which involved setting out clothes and shoes, as if the wearer had been transported (nude) to the pearly gates. The Sociolatte and Mashable websites revived some of the best of the bombs, including "Rapture Dad," a photo that shows Kyle Riesenbeck surrounded by the leavings of his luckier family members. (Kyle kept the meme going, but according to his Twitter account, Rapture Dad has "decided to take it easy on the Rapture this time around.")
That's just one of the signs that the Rapture has really run its course. Camping may well come up with yet another explanation for why prophecy failed, and yet another set of arcane calculations that reveal doomsday is just a little further down the road. But based on the weak ratings for today's Rapture rerun, the 90-year-old Camping is finished as a prophet of doom. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is even capitalizing on his past pronouncements in a new "Fool Me Once" billboard campaign.
Still more evidence of Rapture fatigue comes from a Crimson Hexagon analysis of 55,537 Twitter mentions related to Camping's October prophecy, gathered from Oct. 16 to today:
- 14 percent of the mentions expressed negativity toward Camping, many indicating they thought he was crazy or an idiot.
- 26 percent shared jokes or were sarcastic about the rapture and Camping’s predictions.
- 18 percent mentioned that Camping was at it again, and dubbed this prediction as Rapture 2.0 or Rapture2s.
- 13 percent expressed excitement for the end of the world and saw it as an excuse to throw a party.
- 14 percent shared the report that today was the predicted date of the Rapture.
- 8 percent voiced a religious response, such as saying Camping was a false prophet.
- 7 percent wondered whether the Rapture was for real this time.
For years, doomsayers have been talking about the prospects for a 2012 apocalypse foretold by the Mayan "long-count" calendar, even though there's really no scientific or even anthropological basis for the alarm. I've tried to provide some reality checks for the 2012 worries — including concerns about solar storms and the supposed return of Planet X. But today's non-Rapture may be an even more valuable lesson for anyone who's concerned about 12/21/2012: Just because someone makes a big to-do about the end of the world doesn't mean that it's coming.
So what do you think about the Rapture and other doomsdays? Heard any good end-of-the-world jokes lately? Feel free to add your comments below.
Review all of the postings from Rapture 1.0 by checking CosmicLog.com/Rapture. You can also connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the log's Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter or adding me to a circle on Google+. And for something completely different, check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.
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I say, I hope the world goes out zombie style. It will require both braun and brain to survive, and that eliminates 100% of the current republicans and democrats.
Man has predicting the end of the world since the beginning of time. So far, nobody's gotten it right, because they're just predictions; that's all. Not all predictions come true, ya know.
Shotgun + Four-wheeler + Beef jerky = Bring it on zombie apocalypse..........
Don't forget: always check the back seat and always double tap.!!!
And by "braun" he means we'll need rocket engineers so we can off the planet.
So we need von braun and von brains, and some jerky from Von's, and we're all set.
The zombie apocalypse is my favorite kind of apocalypse. Although the more likely kind is a viral pandemic.
I don't have a "kit" ready, but I do have two nice rifles, a good amount of ammunition, and knowledge of survival tactics for living in the wilderness.
I work a hell of a chainsaw. Just wanted to put that out there in case we are forming a Zombie team.
@Tony: I used to live in PA just outside Philadelphia, and I can tell you're an almost-ok guy, since you're from Jersey. Just kidding!
We love to rag on Jersey, but it's all in good fun. The seaboards will be overrun very quickly in the event of a Z-A, so you'd better be ready to run. Also, gasoline will be at a premium, so you should have a back-up to a chainsaw. I recommend a cricket bat. Hehehe...
Oh it's true, I wear T-shirts that say Almost Ok Guy.
Don't worry, when the chainsaw is out of gas, I have a couple of swords as a backup. Good for head lobbing action.
"The truth of all predictions is always in your hands"
The Brain (narf) and von Braun would make an awesome superhero duo. Someone needs to make this happen!
Top zombie killer... crossbow. Ammo is reusable, easy to aim and has the power to punch into a zombie's melon. Only problem is the slow reload and the ammo takes up a lot of room. You can always go regular bow, but you have to get the skill down for that one!
come on people. how eff-ing stupid are you, really? the rapture? really? how many blithering, doddering old fools have to cry out that the sky is falling before you people get the point? there is no rapture. it is a stupid idea cooked up by an even bigger idiot than the one's who concocted this crap in the first place. find something more productive to do with your life than hope insanely for the world to end.
" HAY! you old fools,....read my comment!!
Obama believes this crap and loves Jesus too...how many idiots reading this voted for him?
Is hek short for heckler?
Hek, please cite your source for Obama believing in this.
Hey! I was raptured the first time around and I went and got myself raptured this time too.
In other news, Camping is the oldest man with a stroke in tow to be given so much attention from the media in recent memory. He's 90! My question is how many blithering, doddering old fools do you have to bash before you feel like a real man? Let him say what he wants and get on with your small life. Yeesh.
JasonWason, we aren't criticizing Camping for being an old man or having a stroke. We're criticizing him for his egotism in pretending to be a prophet, and repeatedly making false prophecies.
BTW, I predicted that both of Camping's prophecies would fail, and I was right!
I think it has all been because in the past several thousand years, life was miserable, short, filled with health problems, bad water, little food, etc. and the rapture was taken as a wonderful time with no pain, misery, "manna" is all we need, never die, never sick, etc. So back in the past, lots of people dreamed and hoped for it. As human life in industrial areas improved, people living longer, better lives, they began to fear leaving their good life right now. so the rapture became a big fear in a lot of people's lives.
In reality, the Mayans merely ran out of room, one is supposed to turn it over and start again. lol. and Camping is probably trying to come to terms with his own mortality, so he's going to bring all of us along with him.
Hek, Obama belongs to the United Church of Christ. I seriously doubt any of them spend any time on the rapture.
coldcrankcase= without sarcasm = In actuality you are correct: It is a concocted convoluted heresey. Every Bible that I have ever read says that the Christ is coming back ONE more time, not TWO (rapture and judgement)..... so the rapture theory as begun @ 1840 is a modern day heresey for the Christian religion. The Bible says that "the end cannot come until there be a falling away first"..... ya can't fall if ya never was. So who's falling away.... heretical christians. Goggle rapture theory origin and see who thought this up. Not Jesus.
At least hek isn't another one of those idiots that insist that Obama is a muslim, or wasn't born in America, without ANY supporting evidence.
I think his basis for saying that Obama believes in the Rapture is that Obama is a Protestant Christian, and Protestant Christians are the ones who came up with the rapture to begin with.
Hek - you've confused President Obama with Michelle Bachmann. She was all packed and ready to go with the end of the world. And ManFrom - I think the only one who came up with this was Campbell - he's a nutcase!
For the record, a bunch of brain dead hicks known as the 'Martinites' for the old fool that brainwashed them in the 1840s are the ones who came up with this rapture lunacy. ALL of their doomsday pontifications failed to come to fruition, just as the modern old fool's have, and will continue to not happen. And the rest of us, as a society, must never allow such lunatics to feel comfortable. We need to tell these fruitcakes that while they are free to believe any idiotic thing they wish, they are not free to attempt to foist it on the rest of us.
Hey Eltex....you won't survive. It's not braun....it's brawn. Sheesh.
Ynotsamsam: You underestimate the utility of a good wet/dry shaver during a zombie apocalypse, friend.
And correct spelling will be important in an Apocalypse.
That kind of shoots down his brains part of surviving.
Just wait until the new and improved rapture comes out soon:
.
iRapture!
Randoo, try to keep up this is iRapture3.... 2 came out in June, and the original was out in 1998-ish.
iRapture is going to beat Duke Nukem 3D for the vaporware title!
along with the iSuppository for the nervous bowel syndrome brought on by iRapture Angst.
Geowil:
iRapture3s?
The old man's time is near.
Not the human race.
Yet.
anyone can make up stats, 14% of all people know that.
Are you 100% sure?
"There are liars, damn liars and statistics."
" HAY! LISTEN, you all, people!..Why don't you guys find out from the bible! Especially, from the matthew 24 : 36-44 !" AND DO NOT SHOCK !!!" Because JESUS, SAID SO!!...LISTEN!..HE SAID; " However," NO ONE KNOW" the day or hour, When these things happen, not even the angels in heaven, Or the son himself, Only the father knows. When the son of man returns, It well be like, It was in Noah's day! In those days before the flood!,The people didn't realize, What was going to happen, Untill the flood came, And swept them all away!..[ look at Japan & Indonesia!!!!] AND THAT IS THE WAY, & IT WILL BE!...WHEN THE SON OF MAN COME!
Yep and since the son died for our sins, we will all go to heaven.
Even Hitler must be there.
Hey haknee, I must offer an ancient thought for the possible consequences of a rapture to you low IQ headcases. And that ancient thought is this: Be careful what you ask for, for you might get it. Think(if possible)about that for awhile, then refill your meds prescriptions.
Alan,
Sigh, You know there are honest people out there who believed this crook. I don't think its fair to make fun of them. You know there are better ways of convincing them that the Rapture was not going to happen Friday, than to make fun of them.
And thats my Opinion.
PS. By the way, I think this crook should be forced to use his millions to buy back the homes of these honest people who believed this crook to the point they sold their homes.
Pics or it didn't happen. =:P
1. The word "Rapture" appears no where in the Bible.
2. I don't believe in your religion, therefore I am not subject to it or it's book.
3. Assuming that everyone must believe in your religion is a bit overbearing.
4. Almost all "Christians" I've met are extremely hypocritical, holier-than-thou, and/or outright jerks. I won't mention the liars, thieves and murderers who also embrace the religion.
5. When people say Christians are to be as Christ-like as possible, I can't help but think that their Jesus would be terribly embarrassed by being represented in such a dastardly light. (I know I would be.)
I'm very upset that the "Rapture" didn't take place. It would have taken up (away) all these annoying people (it would be nice if it was inclusive and took up all the zealots from all religions), and those of us left here might actually have a hope of peace on earth.
And since anyone can be a prophet and make predictions, I vote for 11-11-11 for the next rapture cycle. It makes about as much sense as anyone elses. I like the all the ones in a row. :-)
Magnum, dear, I'm inclined to believe that a good number of these people involved in this rapture scheme were out-n-out crooks, not just this old geezer, and found yet another way to make money off gullible (stupid?) people. Now sit tight for 12-21-2012--the Mayans said so--and see another bunch of the not-so-mentally-gifted buy into this nonsense.
And it will happen at precisely 11am, 11 minutes and 11 seconds in each time zone zapper...
I wonder if gawd pays attention to daylight savings time?
@Zapper
1) the word "Rapture" is not in the bible, Correct however the latin word for
the event is "Rapturus" which is why it's referred to as such.
2) If you don't believe why post?
3) almost as overbearing as those who place their faith in other belief
systems such as agnosticism/atheism that constantly call you "stupid"
or "ignorant" for believing in Christ.
4) There are jerks everywhere, But i wonder if that's all you saw because
that's all you wanted to find?
5) see 4, and by the way if you don't believe how can you make a
reference?
If the rapture did happen, I hope you know what happens to those who aren't
called home. It sounds like you believe (or once did) in the back of your
mind. You can either resist the call or not. But as a former agnostic that
finally took the time to do my own research instead of clinging to other's
arguments without daring to look at the counter argument, I can tell you that I
am now a firm believer. But please, do the research yourself and stop trolling
flawed arguments, either way I hope you find happiness.
Thank you BrewGeekNC. I was also going to say that I don't think there is much that would embarass Christ :)
He hung out with and many of His most adoring followers were thieves, prostitutes, "jerks", even hypocrites. Then, when they got to know Him and understand what He was about, their lives, attitudes, and viewpoints (by all accounts) changed dramatically. Please forgive any of us who have offended you in His name. I'm sure most Christians have good intentions, but we are all learning to follow Him too and are still fallible most times.
Zapper 7.5 = You are exactly correct. 99% of born again christians today are sorry excuses for being like Jesus the Christ.
(anybody can make up figures..)
In Matthew 24 Jesus clearly states that the "world" will be taken away and Noe and his family stayed during the tribulation/flood of world destruction. How do people twist around the "red letters" to say the opposite?
MRRinSterlingVA
What if my clock is running slow?
Religion or a sharp rap to the head with a ball peen hammer?
Decisions. Decisions.
The hammer has less chance of inflicting permanent damage.
I think I'll vote for the hammer. Religion is so very stupid. When will people realize that the purpose of religion is to control people, which it does. God how I hate this kind of crap. How much money has Camping made from all of this. I would have to say probably in the millions.
Slamming religion, then in the same breath saying "God how I hate.." Isn't that being a bit hypocritical?
Not hypocritical, just showing that the word is pretty useless no matter how it's used.
"god" and "religion" are not synonymous, nor is one necessary to have the other. both are equally ridiculous, however.
WildBill 8.2= The purpose of the Judaio/Christian religion is to give moral and ethical absolutes and guidance to humanity. Without such absolutes, all actions are just opinions. So if someone wanted to murder, it would be ok? One of the most poyniant verses in the Bible is, "does not your own heart tell you your actions are wrong?" As for situational judgement, how about, "God is the descerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart". You might con man, but you can't con God.
Why is it that people who adopt religion seem to think we are all so incredibly stupid and selfish that we would be unable to figure out that murder might be a bad thing all on our own? Or rape? Or stealing? Or any form of harming one another? Basic common sense and common decency is all that's needed....not some magical message from invisible friends to tell us what is so ridiculously brain dead obvious.
One knows murder and rape is wrong because God's laws are written on the heart. "...which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness..."
morality predates religion. Religion just tries to enforce it.
That's complete nonsense. Every society on the planet used common sense to decide that murder and rape were wrong long before your god was even invented. Don't forget the thousands of instances of murder and rape (not to mention adultery, pedophilia, incest, lying, etc.) in the bible...all ordered, sanctioned or ignored by your immoral god.
Unfortunately there is a mountain of biochemical, physiological, and neurological evidence to suggest that the mind is generated by the body and therefore when the body dies the mind will cease to exist. If the mind does continue to exist separate from the body then how come the mind is directly affected by physical molecules called hormones? If the mind can exist separate from the body then how is it that a lobotomy or brain injury can impair cognitive function? How is it that the people who have near death experiences are the ones that have an elevated level of carbon dioxide in the blood, and those who don't have near death experiences don't have elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the blood?
The list is depressingly long, and it scares the crap out of me. I like existing. I like thinking, feeling, observing, having memories, experiences, making decisions, and so on. I think that most of the rest of the human race does too. That's why every civilization on Earth made up their own religion and why all religions have an afterlife in their mythology. Religion is mankind's adaptation to the fear of death. People all over the world also made up religion to explain reality, because human beings have a notoriously bad habit of using our imaginations and making up answers when we can't get any.
Maybe there is an "afterlife", but I would have to see evidence of it first. After all if it is real, then it can be observed, if it can be observed then it can be studied, and if it can be studied then it can be scientifically codified. Even then it is entirely possible that all religions are wrong about the afterlife and that it is a natural energetic process that can be explained via quantum physics (the above questions would still have to be answered though). I'm not going to simply trust what religious people tell me because I know that religions are a product of human imagination. The book of Leviticus alone should be proof enough that the Bible was written by fallible human beings and not imparted to us by a divine higher being.
I will admit that paranormal research has attempted to provide us with scientific evidence of an afterlife (when that research is not being hijacked by crystal-waving fluff bunnies). However, most of it has been thoroughly debunked. The best paranormal studies seem to be able to do is present the scientific community with a zinger that science doesn't know how to explain yet. The operative word is yet. This reminds me of those folks that argue for a symbiosis of (their) religion and science. A lot of people who argue for the symbiosis of religion and science seem to hang on the lynch pin argument of "if science can't explain something then we have to rely on a religious explanation". They never consider that just because science doesn't have an explanation for something now doesn't mean that it won't in the future.
But I digress. Paranormal research has yet to present us with a workable, testable hypothesis that provides a mechanistic explanation of how the afterlife is possible, which has not been disproved. They have barely even provided us with enough evidence to suggest that there even is an afterlife.
However, I will concede that it is because of the bits of evidence dug up by paranormal research, which have not been debunked, that suggest a direct link between deceased persons and the paranormal activity in question that I still hold out hope for the existence of an afterlife.
Ultimately, I'm going to trust what I observe in reality because the ultimate authority on reality is not a holy book of any kind. The ultimate authority on reality is reality itself.
Rightee-o Nantucket! Life is short and then you die, so make the best of it while you can. Live to the fullest, express your love to your friends and family, if you don't like your job find a better one, enjoy a hobby, take a class, donate time to a charity of some sort, sing, dance, create art, write a book, invent something, have an extra glass of cabernet with dinner if you want to. Hopefully at the end, if it doesn't come too quick and unexpectedly, you'll be able to look back and say, "That was fun. I hope I did more good than harm."
you should hope for rapture......at this rate.
something's coming, that's for sure. the world is collapsing under the weight of its own crap. Either we clear it out or someone else is going to do it for us...hopefully, a cooperative solution can be found.
I know there is a God and He/She/It is not pleased with what we've done. A huge reset is in order. It won't be as the religious dogmas preach and it's not an alien invasion/colonialization.
but humanity is going to have to want to be in a better, higher place of love and light, peace and abundant supply, to lessen the pain that will have to come if we don't want it badly enough.
We're going to get there, one way or the other. Better to work with the Divine than to resist or ignore it. It does have final say, after all. Get rid of these people that are intent on wiping the majority of us out and having the remnants as their servants. Corporate and central banking, bought and paid for politicians, media, medical, agriculture, military...it's all part of the process. We should have seen how much we were being lied to years ago.
Are we ever going wake up and realize the source of all this crap and do something about it? I hope so. I have hope for the OWS movement, but without allowing for the movement to also have a spiritual base, as well, they'll just run when the cold weather and the big guns come for them....and they will come.
Libya has lost its sovereign freedom and Iran is coming next and people are cheering about it like it's not coming for them....you want heaven on Earth? Get rid of the demons that plague us! OCCUPY EARTH!
GOD WANTS TO OCCUPY EARTH, TOO!
Who's up for giving It a chance?
I find your ideas intriguing and would like to subscribe to your newsletter...
no newsletter
lol
maybe i should start a blog...
still
you can find what work i've done at:
www.abundanthope.net
under Kibo
you might appreciate the writings from the others even more
[and if you haven't read him already...look up dogpoet...you should love him! Les Visible...you can find his work at www.thetruthseeker.co.uk and in other places...enjoy!!]
just sayin'
GOD Bless You Always!
(-K-)
Hey kibodabi
No, they just gained their sovereign freedom. after 42 years of living under dictatorship. They got rid of the demon that was plaguing them, and have a chance at creating something better for themselves. Whether they do it or not will depend on how much individual desire for power, greed or ego gets in the way.
check your facts
women had equal rights
gas was 14 cents
housing was subsidzes
healthcare was free
the country didn't have any debt because they kicked out the central banks
[hint, hint]
education was free
they had just finished a pipeline marvel
called the man-made river
that was claimed to be the breadbasket of Africa
all of the people shared in the oil profits
and rule was by council
NOT by Ghaddafi
they were pushing to take oil off of the dollar and gaining acceptance for the Gold Dinar
they had a revolution because they were sick of being treated like chattel by the Italian colonial occupation
all that's over
think
what hated dictator hands out guns to his people and tells them to fight for their freedom? what revolutionaries open a central bank and go into the oil business before the revolution is won?
They/we froze 100 billion of Libya's money that can't be cashed in until he's declared dead.
funny
the stock market just had a field day
guess where that money went?
to the banks that are screwing you over!
did you get any?
looks like the revenge of the banks, U.S. oil interests and European hedgemony is complete
you just believe any old thing the media tells you?
oh yeah.....
no intereest bank loans
no usury
think you can get that here?
try this if you doubt
if he was so hated
could he do this?
The US demonized Ghaddafi just as they have Fidel Castro. Cuba - longer life expectancy, more doctors per capita than anywhere in the world, no illiteracy, guaranteed food for all children, guaranteed healthcare for all, no military....the people are the military, district councils and free elections....
Kibodabi - we will be collapsed by the community
Black Kettle & Sand Creek...lest we forget
I noticed your name right off. When my mother was taking an anthropology course in the 70's as part of her ongoing education as a school teacher, she gave me one of her course books to read, "I Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee". I was a teenager and ignorant of this book about the fates of the American Indians and asked her if it was a good book, to which she replied, "it will make you cry". It did, and opened my eyes to things I'd not known about. My mother had been raised in Northern Alberta, and so had known many natives of the area, and many of those people became lifelong friends, both of hers and our family. Because of who my mother and father were, and where they raised their children, we were well informed of injustices meted out to native people, at least in Canada. My parents chose to not close their eyes and remain ignorant. When that book came out it told a story that a lot of people didn't want to hear. It's very important that it did. For those interested in Black Kettle's story, you might look here:
A film that you will want to see as well, if you've not seen it, is one of the best portrayals you can find: "Little Big Man". Chief Dan George and Dustin Hoffman at their very best.
Another book well worth looking for and reading is "1491" by Charles C. Mann. An excellent historical account of the Americas both before and after Columbus's (sp?) arrival.
Lest We Forget? Indeed.
Sorry there kibodoobie dude. The solution for the world's problems about which you babble isn't a rapture. The only solution that will provide is getting all the religious headcases beamed up to the mothership to become the new buffet for the hungry aliens. Meanwhile, down here on the real earth mother, the true solution to these global issues will finally be able to present itself. Bring on a working world government.
If there is a god...and this god is omnipotent and omniscient...then it knew in advance the way things would go...and it did nothing to stop it. So if a "reset" is in order...it means that god wants to destroy most of humanity....knew before it created humanity that it would destroy it....and has been planning to all along....without once lifting a finger to achieve a different result. Not such a useful god.
Most of us live our lives with loving families, in peace, with all our creature comforts around us....just as humanity always has, despite the conflicts that get the attention.
Final say...on a "final solution"...but no desire or ability to simply intervene...or change the insane "rules" it put into place to begin with?
You can't have it both ways. If the majority is fed, safe, given their comforts and their families...they have no need or desire to look deeper or rock the boat.
You mean the banks? Corporations?
I support the OWS movement as well...but I don't support religion. So if you want to make it just another religious party (ala the TP'ers) and are looking at it as a vehicle to try and institute and enforce religious laws...then count me...and millions more...out. Economic freedom is pretty useless under a theocracy.
Sovereign "freedom" that came at some high costs...like death for political dissent. Public mutilations and executions. Assinations of any who opposed him. Up to three years in prison just for talking politics with foreigners. Most of the country's wealth was held and controlled by Gaddafi and his family. In 2010, Libya's press was rated as 160th out of 178 nations in the Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. It's not quite the utopia you describe....it was the essence of economic freedom...under a dictatorial theocracy.
What's stopping it? Can't god do whatever it wants? If so...then this IS what god wants....and if not....then it's not a god.
Not me. I think an omniscient god who wants the opposite of human nature and creates humans knowing it won't happen is ridiculous....and an omnipotent god who does nothing to change that situation, is the definition of sadistic.
If god is in control of everything, and not even one little bird falls without his OK, then I wonder wouldn't it be wrong to oppose god's will of allowing this world to evolve at its own pace and demise? Who are we to oppose the will of god? Did Jesus the Christ organize revolution and war against the powers that ruled? Since the muslims are, should we Americans/christians (small c) do so against our own political system? Just thinking.
All religino, ALL religion, is nonsense.
Only man is mean enough to envision a place like hell. If there is a GOD, then there is no HELL. Suffering for ETERNITY is not what most people would want for even their worst enemy. The RAPTURE is a sales pitch to separate people from their dollars and their sense. I have heard the SAVED gloating about the misery us poor saps will suffer after they are taken up to heaven. What wonderful people.
Methinks it's the SAVED who are the poor saps.
athiesm IS a religion.
softdude, as was stated up about 7.5 in #5..... Most Born Again Christians are an embarassment to Christ. The world is judging Jesus by them, and what a sad situation that is.
Jesus said in red letters that hell is aniliation, not eternal. John 3:16.... most refuse to acknowledge that.
I don't believe as the Jehovah's witnesses do, that's for sure. However, there is one thing I did take from their readings (a friend of mine was a JW). they don't believe in hell. It says somewhere in the bible that "robbers, thieves, etc. shall burn in fire and sulphur. which the JW take to mean historically, bad people were burned in potter's field in fire and sulphur. they weren't allowed to be put in the catacombs and tombs. I have sort of combined wiccan, my own version of belief system, and New Age together. And it works for me. I knew a wonderful priest once, who said, "beware of anybody who claims to know the only truth."
Smart priest, that.
This guy has been camping in the hot sun for too long. He is a false prophet giving ammo to unbelievers to attack Christianity. Jesus is coming back to judge the world, but His return is not according to any man's timetable. God alone is sovereign and will return when He chooses.
2 Peter 3:3-9 (NIV)
3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.
7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Since we know for certain that the earth was not created out of water, what does that say for the rest of the passage?
yeaaaahhh....jesus is magic booga booga booga!
I grew up as a Lutheran. "God is love. God is love. God is love." I was 12 when I went to a Baptist Church, the sermon was so scarey and everybody else said it was inspiring. When you realize that God is love, where would "if you don't love me you will go to burn in the fiery pit of hell" stand? So my belief system has moved to a, sort of, New Age spiritual belief system, as I work hospice and see unusual things all the time. There is something out there, but it isn't a gray bearded man on a throne.
starsector 11.1 = unfortunately interpretation has little to do with the oldest text available, and translation into modern is lost. Earth means life of mankind on the planet, water means that before Noah's flood there had never been rain, as all was nourished by the water of the heavens, which rain then fell to the ground for the first time in the universal flood. It is a long study, but check it out. It agrees more with science than religious interpretation.
Willow-
I think the same way. I believe in an afterlife but not in a god who micromanages our lives and doles out punishment.
This guy has been camping in the hot sun for too long. He is a false prophet giving ammo to unbelievers to attack Christianity. Jesus is coming back to judge the world, but His return is not according to any man's timetable. God alone is sovereign and will return when He chooses.
2 Peter 3:3-9 (NIV)
3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4 They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.
7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Harold, just because your predictions don't come true, don't be upset.. it's not the end of the world.
I don't care who you are, that's funny!
Now he's really gonna be upset.
I see what you did there.
GeorgeBurnsWasRight-
What was he right about?
If the masses would only become "educated" in the basic age-related mental cognitive degenerative changes that can start in the 70s ( or even earlier) they would never again listen to very elderly males who have been indoctrinated fully in myths their entire lives.
A small child will give you a more lucid and logical conversation,
Ask any Neurologist or Geriatric Dr. and they will confirm.
Wow...calling Jesus an idiot. Pretty ignorant, don't you think?
Both Einstein and George Washington believed in God, and they are smarter and wiser than you.
Why do the nay-sayers even make a fuss? Oh-yeah...because like anyone who says anything about anything, they are threatened by it. If it was a prediction about UFO's coming back to bring the pyramids into space, they wouldn't have said anything.
In any case, you likely have some Christian friends or family that you don't insult to their faces like you do here.
That makes you a coward.
I never check on responses to my comments because there isn't any viable response...so don't waste your time.
"No God needed to create the universe."
The genius Professor/Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, this year.
So now we have Einstein at the end of his life, and Stephen Hawking with his new discoveries.
Have a great evening.
No comment...
You shouldn't tell people that you aren't checking back for responses, even if you aren't. Keep 'em guessing, I say!
How do you know you didn't just call jesus ignorant? How do you know jesus hasn't come back and is on this vine right now, appalled at what has become of his message? That's the fun part of religion....anything you imagine could be true.
Einstein did not believe in the same god you believe in.
Not true...we like to make fun of all ridiculous things.
Are you suggesting that all who disbelieve your religious fantasies should keep their opinions to themselves? That would certainly be convenient for you.
So you would prefer your family members insulted you to your face?
Now who's the coward?
washington = deist
einstein = pantheist
I highly doubt if Jesus cares one way or another if someone calls him an idiot, Logres.
Can't you pick your battles any better than that?
Einstein and George Washington believed in God, that's right. I don't know about Einstein but all of the founding fathers were Deists, not necessarily Christians. They believed in god, but that's it. Heck, most people believe iin God, but only the select few believe in christianity. I base my belief system on Wiccan, Catholic, and New Age. and yes, it does work well together.
I don't understand why it matters if Einstein or Washington believed in a god. Einstein was a brilliant physicist, not theologian; I may trust his scientific ideas but couldn't care less about his religious views.
Same goes for Washington. Great leader? Yes. Emminent theologian? No.
Besides, from what I've read about both, neither made more than vague references to the idea of a god, or as Washington almost always put it, "Providence."
excellent point hambone. excellent point. newton believed in alchemy. doesn't have anything to do with his scientific discoveries. science operates independent of the beliefs of the scientist; that's why it is so much more effective than religion at discerning truth.
You Christians call that Rapture?
I'll tell you what Rapture is: Lying on a tropical beach with a young cabana boy rubbing suntan oil on me while sipping on a frozen margarita.
THAT, my friends, is Rapture.
Tina, can I come with you, provided I'll have a cabana boy of my own?
The more the merrier, I always say!!!
Oh, if I only had a genie in a bottle.......
The end of existence as we know it will at some time end. When existence ends the oh so very human myth that there is a supreme being (god) will also end
One sure thing about it: If there isn't a god/Jesus, then the non-believers have lost nothing. If there is God, Jesus the Christ, then in the end the Christian has lost nothing, and the non-believer has lost EVERYTHING. Looks to me like a half way intelligent person would adhere to faith as best he can, just in case. Huh?
Hey I dare you to pray this daily ..... "Jesus if you are real, show me in a way that I can comprehend and believe."
What do you have to lose? Or are you just scared of what might happen.
Sort of like, "I swear there ain't no heaven, and I pray there ain't no hell." huh?
I am a hospice nurse. I have seen unbelievable things. I have heard dying people talk to their loved ones, (and no on morphine or other drugs), I have heard one woman talk to my Mom and she didn't know anything about me but she knew my Mom's name, what she died of, etc. I really believe there is something out there, but I don't think its a bearded man with a staff sitting on a throne .
As a fellow nurse, I concur.
So your god would rather me pretend to believe in it "just in case" than to be completely honest with myself and others.
Wouldn't an omniscient god see right through that ploy?
No...a halfway intelligent person would see this for the nonsense that it is and not try to be intellectualy dishonest with themselves and others "just in case" the unintelligible ravings of people dead for over 20 centuries was correct. You can't fake belief. You either believe something, or you don't....and if you don't...pretending you do is just...assinine. Somewhat like talking to your hands and expecting a magical being to answer you or grant all your wishes.
google "pascal's wager" before posting anymore arguments that have been thoroughly and completely debunked.
pathetic bet hedging nonsense.
I sure hope they don't ALL come true. I'd be dead three of four times over.
My cat has already gone through eight lives.
This isn't funny, it's just embarrassingly pathetic.
The Bible said people would scoff and not believe what was coming. The bible also says NO MAN will no the day or hour, so when someone claims they have it pegged- they are WRONG !! 100% everytime. The bible does say there will be signs for those watching. It's time for people to wake up, if the ends not coming big changes are. Jesus loves you.
Carol,
they are not wrong because the Bible says so. They are wrong become no Rapture will ever take place.
People need to drop this nihilistic Rapture BS, it is bad for you mental well-being.
the bible says a lot of absurd nonsense....what's one more log on the fire?
cold,
because it increases the size of the fire.
THE Bible doesn't say anything about a rapture event. In fact, Jesus in red letters in Matthew 24 says exactly the opposite. Read it. Who is taken/killed in the flood? Who stays during the flood/tribulation in the protective ark of god? Is Jesus a liar? You rapturists decide. You have bought into one of the modern heresey prophecized.
And after Noah found land, wasn't the rainbow up there as God's covenant with man that he will never destroy the earth?
The Bible does state one sign was Israel becoming it's own nation again and that that generation would notpass without Jesus returning to earth. Many prophesies have been fulfilled , MANy since Israel was proclaimed a nation. If you're not sure of the prophesies and the confirmation of them occuring, maybe you should check before you say the ones who do believe are ignorant. The jokes and funny nonsense really isnt funny, it;s sad so many people are dumb to the word of God. It's not a question of what will take place, the Bible tells us and it is happening around the world everyday. Check the facts ! Nostradamus dont have nothing on the Bible and it's accuracy
The bible was written by a bunch of old men hundreds of years after an event supposedly happened. It's just a collection of fairy tales. No one can prove that Jesus or God ever existed. I'm an educated person and I wonder why so many in this country live a life based on some old stories in a book that doesn't really say anything at all. God what kind of stupidity is that?
Ya it also says that the Jews and Muslims will make peace and worship together. I guess we have a few years. Try reading the whole bible yourself and not just quoting what you have been told. I will even bet that after you read the whole thing you might just give up religion.
I heard it was when there was Peace in the Middle East, that's a far cry from a state for israel.
WildBill..... sort of like the history of the US Civil War as taught by our liberal schools? Who exercised the 10th amendment due to taxation without representation? Who declared Marshall Law and suspended the Constitution? DUH.
Willow = It is NOT middle east peace, it is when the middle east UNITES against the infidels, they control 70% of the oil and shut off the west's supply before they attack us. WW3 is now. Jihad. Wake up.
Carol = of course Israel has not yet regained its original land. So technically is it a "nation" again, as fulfillment of prophecy?
BlackCat-
I believe you mean "martial law".
It is working. There are tens of thousands missing in Alabama. Did they go up? Oh wait- they were hispanic and they decided to leave the state instead of getting pulled over for 'driving while brown'. And harassed for living there.
And we Alabama folks think that is Rapture! The illegals are leaving!!!
Right...and now there is no one left to pick the produce...which is rotting on the vine because Americans are too soft and too spoiled to do back-breaking labor for pennies-a-pound. The state will have to subsidize all the farmers and it will cost 10 times as much for produce in the stores. Plus the added bonus of starving out a lot of immigrant familes. Good move.
I'm sure you are first in line for being raptured.
Campbell,
You guys in Ala are going to be regretting it when the cost of your food goes up by 10% or more because the farmers all had to move to machine-picked since A lot of Americans feel they are too good for menial day laborer work like picking crops.
The ones that did show up to take the job were either fired or left after just one day because they sucked at it or complained it was too hot, too hard, etc.
Not to mention that your public schools are probably going to be losing a lot of funding. Schools are funded based on attendance. If attendance is low on specific days the district will receive less funding from the Government which means less pay, teachers are fired, classroom sizes become too big, and your education system starts to break down due to increased stress on the teachers.
I'm 59 and couldn't do that kind of day labor if I tried. Its not a matter of being too good for the job. My knees are too bad to crawl, my back is too bad to bend over for 12 hours. But they can make 2 or 3 hundred dollars a day if they do a good job. One would think any young person that is strong would jump at the chance to make three hundred dollars a day. Heck, act like you are an undocumented person, you could even do it under the table!
What is the defintion of illegal? Around here, you can't even get a job if you don't speak spanish. Browns produce low quality work, and steal jobs from citizens. Become AMERICANS or go somewhere else. Fly your flag somewhere else and honor the flag of the nation you exploit. Illegals make 5 times as much money as people working here. They pay no taxes and get welfare while we struggle to maintain a life plagued by increasing taxes and inflation. ILLEGALS GO HOME.
Geowil = Where the hell do you think the funding comes from? Oh ya, FIAT money..... it just grows on tress..... liberals, you are illogical.
Browns do crappy quality workmanship. They should go home and stick to mowing grass.
I do not pay any attention to these people who try to predict the end of the world. Yes, I believe that one day the rapture will happen and that the world as we know it will come to an end, but I do not bother with trying to predict it. The reason for this is because the good book said
"No one knows the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man comes". So with that being said, that sums up why I do not get caught up in all this hype. Only God knows when the day and the hour will be. It is not meant for us as humans to know. Perhaps that is the greatest test of faith.
What gets me is how some believers go on and on about the horrible things that are supposed to happen in the "end times", and they actually seem eager for those disasters to strike. They actually are looking forward to famine, earthquakes, wars, death and destruction!
What is wrong with those people?
Is it some sort of deep-seated sado-masochism?
Do they think it will only strike "those sinners", and they don't care?
CM,
My thoughts exactly. What the hell are these people that would be glad if the world ended today smoking? It is all because of their blind faith in their religions, they think that since Heaven has to be real it will be better then their current life on Earth and so they welcome it. It is a serious mental problem on their part, similar to suicide.
Another reason to quit worrying about it, even if you should believe such an idea is that you need to spend your life living, not dying for twenty years. Its like leaving on a plane. If you stand around in the airport, saying good bye, you are actually leaving for an hour. You aren't enjoying the time. Better to just up and go.
CM, people seem to enjoy talking about the earthquakes, fires and pestilence because they assume they will be gone. Either that, or they are Republicans, because everybody knows that the Godless are the Democrats.
CM 23.1 = their rapture theory tells them that they won't be here. wrong.
Worst apocalypse ever, but caveat emptor:
It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.
- Yogi Berra
According to my old college philosophy professor, this entire world could be a figment of MY imagination. Therefore, from my perspective, the world will come to an end when I die.
So at some point, the rest of you are basically screwed.
BUT, If any of you want to be included in the figment of my imagination 'eternal afterlife', I will post an address soon for you all to send your tithing checks to . And I'm not a fool, I'll also accept cash, VISA, MC...... (:
Maybe you are living in your Matrix.
When I was a small child, you know how egocentric kids can be, I used to think that when I walked out of a room, everything stopped until I came back. lol. My ex was born in 1960 and he believed that photos were only in color after he was born, because HE was here. haha.
It seems the people looking forward to their imaginary rapture/end times never out grew that childish egocentricity.
That...or they are just the most heartlessly cruel and pathologically sadistic scum possible....to happily fantasize about the suffering, death and destruction of the majority of the earth's population....just for not believing what they believe.
If there was a rapture of the "good"....the people who believe in it wouldn't be going.