Christians Say the World is Ending in May 2011

[undertakerlives]

Christians are at it again - proclaiming the world is going to end in 2011. I give my response to the "proof" that these nutjobs have for the existence of our nearing demise.

http://thesop.org/story/20110104/christians-say-the-world-is-ending-in-may-2011.html

[liberal N proud]

1. Here is my idea for May 21st

We get a bunch of inflatable dolls and helium. Gather across from churches and as people are leaving the building, we let the dolls go. The church goers will think they were left behind.


Anyone care to join me?

:rofl:

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Ahhhhhh...The ol' SFU move

loved that moment on Six Feet Under :rofl:

[Ozymanithrax]

3. That would be "Some Christians..."

Not all of them are crazy in that particular way.

[dmallind]

12. Which, strangely, is rarely pointed out for other groups

And of course this phrasing is perfectly accurate as is. The groups and individuals making this claim are universally Christian and in fact basing this claim on their faith.

When papers say "vandals destroy church sign" do you get huffy because not every single vandal destroyed that one sign?
"Local police officers receive medals" is to be speedily corrected lest people think every single one did? These are exactly analogous headlines to the OP, and I guarantee would have passed without any quick cries of "that would be SOME...!!"

When you correct claims on DU that "Blue Dogs are/do X" or "gun owners think Y" or even "atheists come up with Z" when it's a minority of these groups then it would make more sense to insist on it here. For now jumping in with this unnecessary "correction" seems a mite sensitive and a small step from the inevitable No True Scotsman that features in every single case where theistic idiocy is pointed out.

[Ozymanithrax]

14. I prefer accuracy...Not all Christians believe the world will end in May...

So, to be accurate, "Some Christians..." Some Christians believe they should wear white masks, burn crosses, and lynch black people. The Klu Klux KLan is universally Christian. It would be grotessquly wrong to say "Christians believe they should wear white masks, burn crosses, and lynch black people." A "Christian Group" or "Christian Sect" would also be more accurate.

[dmallind]

15. In all cases? Why or why not? You would correct the other examples I gave?

Is it really concern for accuracy or special pleading? Just a handful of cites to EARLIER corrections for other groups would cause a quick apology and plaudits for your sincere concern for linguistic precision I assure you.

[Ozymanithrax]

34. People write what they mean.

If one qualifier will makes things more accurate, then the qualifier should be used. If someone wrote, Muslims attack America on 9/11, or some equally inaccurate drivel, I would ask them to place a qualifier on that ridiculous statement. Using general terms to refer to a small group is fostering inaccuracy.

[dmallind]

17. Incidentally, the claim of all is neither explicit or even necessarily implicit in the OP. NT

[Ozymanithrax]

35. One qualifying modifier would have made it accurate.

As it is, it is a general statement and inaccurate statement requiring someone to read the OP.

[jwirr]

26. That is what I thought. But that is par for the course - always lump them

together.

[onpatrol98]

29. Good Luck!

There is a deeply entrenched hatred of Christians among some on DU. If a Christian ever does anything wrong anywhere in the world, this group of individuals will post the offense as proof that all Christians are horrible. It borders on being irrational considering one of the things this group despises most about some Christians is a perceived penchant to be judgmental and prone to stereotyping. The irony makes it an interesting thing to watch. I'm learning that the best approach in handling individuals like these is to recognize that they find some personal sense of satisfaction in what they do.

Perhaps they need to gain some sense of affirmation and consensus from other like minded people and they know they can find willing participants on DU. Thankfully, I believe this attitude is in the minority on DU. Liberals tend to be very sensitive about becoming judgmental and are very cautious about stereotyping groups of people. In addition, many people who choose not to follow any faith are often brave proponents of helping ensure others can exercise their beliefs and live their lifestyles in peace.

But, in every large group of people, there will always be a smaller batch willing to do exactly the thing they excoriate others for doing. Not surprisingly, it's usually the same group who will approve of a democratic politician doing something they ranted about in a republican politician. Essentially, there's not a lot of depth to some of these personality types. Again, I think this is a small percentage of DUers and thankfully the a small percentage of the American population.

For Christian DUers and Christian democrats, I assume we'll have to get a tougher skin if this becomes more of the norm within our party. Most of this behavior is inconsequential and can be ignored. If they were forced to recognize that they were behaving like the individuals they portend to distrust and dislike so intensely, it may be too much for them. So, it may be better to allow to allow that cognitive dissonance to remain. A few may pick up on it and reform.

For misbehaving Christians, it's a lesson for us, as well. If you want to be a Christian, you've signed yourself up for a different kind of lifestyle. We probably shouldn't be surprised when people expect us to live by the principals that we say we believe in.

As for whether or not the world will end in 2011, I believe most mainstream Christians believe that it is unscriptural to attempt to attach a certain date to when the world may end. But, I may be wrong. On a side note, I was surprised to find that many individuals (Christians, Athiests, Scientists, Average Joes, Moms, Dads, Cousins) are speculating on 2012 as the year it all ends according to the Mayan calendar. It's an interesting conversation. Me personally, I wouldn't want to know the date and I don't think we'll ever find out the date. I'm hoping for later than 2011, though.

[Ozymanithrax]

36. I've not noticed an entrenched hatred of Christians at DU.

Some people don't like them. But to say feelings of entrenched are common, I just don't see it.

I'm not a Christian. I have even crossed swords (symbolically) with some Christians who sought to limit Christianity to only groups that agree with their interpretation. I've used the fact that the Klu Klux Klan are Christians before.

[onpatrol98]

39. Overly Sensitive

Perhaps I'm being oversensitive. It doesn't seem to be a large group at DU. But, a small, consistent, and vocal one, though. But, again, perhaps I'm just being sensitive.

[mr blur]

44. I wouldn't say "hatred" of Christians. I don't hate Christians.

I feel sorry for them that they can invest so much time and energy in superstitious drivel and expect the rest of us to respect that - but why should they care?

[polmaven]

33. The trouble with your analogy

is that the majority of Christians in this world are good, caring people, unlike the ones that spread this type of thing. I'm sure you don't believe that there are good vandals, or that vandals are not all criminals.

[thelordofhell]

37. I heard that "some Muslims" flew planes into building on Sept. 11

Not all of them are crazy in that particular way.

[Rowdyboy]

4. No, wacked out nutjobs say the world is ending....

Personally neither I, nor any other Christian I know have any idea when or if the world will end. Probably when the sun novas.

[dmallind]

13. ...and the inevitable NTS shows up as speedily as ever......nt

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. they want to do it before the Mayans can to prove the superior love of their god

assholes.

[RKP5637]

7. Yeah, getting their tickets now with an earlier departure date. n/t

[Blue Owl]

6. Is this based on data from Michelle Bachmann's Intelligence Committee?

n/t

[The Wielding Truth]

8. Reading ,spelling, and comprehension are a challenge for these nuts.

Too bad we have to bare their the consequences of their ignorance.

[no_hypocrisy]

9. If they truly believed that premise, then they'd max out their credit cards,

stop paying their mortgages, and wouldn't balance their checkbooks at the end of the month.

[undertakerlives]

10. You'd also think

Crime rates would rise - especially with the 2012 believers, they could make a defense out of "well I thought the world was gonna end!"

[Jackpine Radical]

21. Especially since many of them are restrained from crime

only by their fear of Hell.

You know-the ones who think that anyone whose faith doesn't incorporate a punitive and narrow-minded God must be a psychopath destined for hell because they have no fear of next-life retribution for their sins, and must therefore be acting out their evil urges.

[woodsprite]

11. Maybe that should read "People who call themselves Christians say..."

because my Bible says that no one knows the date and time, not even Jesus. I don't know how they can even think they rank above Jesus in the pecking order, enough that THEY'RE privy to the date and time, but he isn't.

I made up my mind that if any of those flakes try to engage me in conversation, I'm going to try to get them to sign all their worldly possessions over to me. No sense in letting it all go to waste. That one lady in the military who said she'd like to be getting married and planning a family instead of planning for the end of the world should REALLY be pissed with her religious 'leader' come May 22nd.

[whathehell]

16. Not "Christians" as a whole....evangelicals and fundies and they are NOT the majority of Christians.

[Joanne98]

18. Christians are the worse predictors. They're always wrong.

[prodigals0n]

19. But doesn't the Bible say no one can predict the end?

So how can these so-called "Christians" predict the end?

[undertakerlives]

23. Where does it say that?

[prodigals0n]

24. Matthew 24:36 nt

[undertakerlives]

25. You just made my day. nt

[prodigals0n]

32. I'm very happy to hear that. nt

[LeftishBrit]

20. Sometimes I think it may have ended in May 2010, when Dave Cameron got to be our PM!

[Bonhomme Richard]

22. Wow! What a relief. I was beginning to worry about the future. n/t

[AsahinaKimi]

27. I wonder if there will be a

Real Estate boom on or around that time. People giving up their houses? Wouldn't that just be something? Or better yet.. " Here, take my bank account, I won't need it!"

[undertakerlives]

28. That'd be just the thing.

I'll set up a trust fund for all of the people "leaving."

[Frisbee]

30. Well it's not for lack of trying on their part,

and that of their repuke pals.

[Roy Rolling]

31. well, just in case

it's true, I'm gonna file for an income tax extension on April 15.

[undertakerlives]

38. Along these lines, couldn't we do whatever we wanted?

I mean, tell the mortgage company you didn't pay because of a religious obligation?

Couldn't that hold up in bankruptcy court?

[IrishEyes]

40. I guess I don't have to worry about bathing suit season

I was exercising to get in shape for the summer. If the world is going to end in May then I might as well have another piece of cake.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

41. "When the Rapture occurs, can I have your fries?"

Did you know you can piss off a fundamentalist friend if you say that?

[GTurck]

42. There are....

christians and CHRISTIANS. The latter, of course, are the ones who make noise and sound stupid while doing it. Small "c" christians are the silent folk who do the carrying and work that helps to make a better world. These people don't tell others how to worship, behave, or follow but do try their best to live the ideas of the Sermon on the Mount.
There is nothing in christian theology that states the end of the world. Quite the contrary the idea is mainly that our chances to live better lives have no ending despite the obstacles put in our way by fools and charlatans. At its root real christianity is spiritual and shares more with all other ethics and spiritual practices than it does with CHRISTIANITY.

[Puzzler]

43. Great... maybe they'll stop f**king interferring in other people's lives