The End is Near!... NOT!

Well, either we were all left behind, or there was no "Rapture." I think it was the latter.

Let's celebrate with a tune from 90s alternative rock band REM.




I remember watching an “End is Near” gag on a tv variety show many years ago.

One person walked across the scene carrying a sign that read The End Is Near. Four or five other people followed, with the last person carrying a sign that read The End.

That’s about how seriously I take the “Rapture” prediction.

For those who may not have heard, the world ends today (Saturday 21 May) at 6:00 pm Pacific Time.

It’s not that I don’t believe in the Rapture, although to tell the truth I’m not convinced. But I do not believe the date can be determined from the text of the Bible, mathematically or otherwise.

And, since I believe all religions are equally valid, I don’t see how we can insist that one religion’s version – or more accurately, one fanatic’s personal interpretation – is the final word on the matter.

Of course, it doesn’t help that Harold Camping, founder of the Family Radio Worldwide ministry has cried “Wolf!” before.

Camping had predicted the end of the world back in 1994.

There are a couple of points about this issue that do bother me, however.

First of all, the Bible states categorically that “…No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father...” Matthew 24:36.

Camping claims that the Bible reveals the date of the rapture to “true believers” (that’s believers – with a “v,” not “beliebers”), which is contrary to the Bible itself.

Even for Christians who believe in the Rapture, there is no reason to do anything other than to live our lives until it happens. The only “preparation” one can do is to live according to the tenets of their Faith. If you’re a “true believer” then when the Rapture comes, you’ll be heading in the right direction.

Secondly, a “church” (even a radio ministry) should have far better things to do with the money it collects from its followers than paint-up cars and buses and install billboards across the country proclaiming the end of the world.

Yes, although I disagree with the theology of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons, I do give them credit for not only living their faith, but for how they “go forth and spread the good news!”

But spreading the good news and proclaiming the end of the world are two entirely different matters.

It would be better for them, in my opinion, to feed the hungry and help the poor – much as Jesus instructed his followers to do – than to launch a fear-based advertising campaign.

Finally, it just seems to me that “believers” should be a happy lot. If they follow the beliefs of their Faith community they will accept that, even though they may have personal struggles from time to time, they are in God’s favour. When their time comes, they will gain the reward of eternal life.

Meanwhile, life goes on here on earth.

“Religion” has an image problem these days. Even countries such as Canada that were “founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law” have become far more secular, and attendance at religious services has waned dramatically.

Scandals involving physical and sexual abuse certainly haven’t helped matters.

Likewise, groups like Family Radio Worldwide who preach fear and damnation in an attempt to cajole people into joining their ranks only bolster the arguments of the atheists and others who criticize “the Church.”

It shouldn’t be like this, but it is.

Churches – Religions, if you will – shouldn’t be subject to the same sort of political machinations as political parties and governments, but they are.

We just came through an election where we witnessed a multiplicity of divergent opinions expressed; a political party states its platform, but some individual candidates make claims that do not coincide with the party line.

Similarly there are fringe elements within the “religious” community.

Religion is not a single, cohesive entity. There is no one “Church,” but rather many communities of believers; some share a number of beliefs, but they also have their differences.

Just as we would not (or should not) judge all Liberals or Conservatives or NDPers by the words or actions of a single follower, neither should we judge all “Believers.”

If there is one good thing to come out of this “End of the World” hubbub, it is that people are talking about religion.

True, some are taking a negative view, but people are talking about it.

Even the atheists – especially the atheists – are joining in the discussion.

As an aside – what I’ve always found interesting about the atheist position is how adamantly, even vehemently, they argue against religion. If there is “no such thing as God,” and religion is just a “mass delusion,” then why make a big fuss about it?

When someone starts talking about aliens and UFOs, or an invasion of Zombies, I may offer my opinion – I may even scoff at the notion – but I quickly dismiss the notion and ignore the topic as irrelevant.

Not so with atheists.

Don’t get me wrong; they are just as entitled to their beliefs as anyone else. But they hold so strongly to those beliefs as to make it almost a religion in and of itself.

And if one truly believes something doesn’t exist, why would there be a need to argue so strenuously against it?

A few years back atheist groups were running advertising on buses that read, “There Probably Is No God.”

That got people talking, too.

The ads begged the question, though: if atheists are convinced there is no God, why insert the word “probably” into their statement?

But I digress.

For those of us who do believe, the bus ads and the “Rapture” predictions provide us with an opportunity to articulate our beliefs. These conversations will reveal much to us; our differences and our similarities.

I dare say that we will find more similarities.

While these fringe groups do cast believers in an awkward light, the resulting increased attention given to all religions can be helpful.

Perhaps, if nothing else, it will foster greater tolerance.

But… that’s just my opinion.