why believers are too fascinated with end of world theme?

1. 62

   pisean282311posted 13 years ago

   what is thought process behind it?

   replyreport
   1. 81

      earnestshubposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I believe it is martyrdom, self hate, and loathing of others myself.
      Their subconscious knows the real truth, and they sort of know that enough for it to hit the lizard brain with a nasty fight or flight reaction, so they buy into religion for support. No problem with that so much as their subconscious still won't buy the religious story, which is so ridiculous that the only way it can happen is through indoctrination. I have seen religionists who swear they were never indoctrinated, but half a dozen questions later..... so every time they feel insecure, they have to ram it down everyone else's throat. That is why the end of time thing works for them. They are on a path of destruction in the only life they will ever have. The trend to "end of times" type thinking is more a fundy thing that stems from the bible.
      
      This life is heaven when it is going well, and hell when it aint!

      replyreport
   2. 0

      Onusonusposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I believe that the origional intention for these passages of scripture was to instill the principle of being ever vigilant and prepared for the arrival of Christ. There are some however that like to speculate over the unimportant aspects such as chronology, or to ascertain exactly which parts have already happened and which are yet to be fufilled.
      The parable of the ten virgins explicitly shows that what truly matters is to simply be prepared to meet him upon his arrival.

      replyreport
   3. 58

      Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      This is when us unbelievers get pay back for not believing. We get to grovel on bended knee before the Lord.
      
      Of course they are preying for this. Not so much they will give you the keys to their Mustang, mind you.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         just_curiousposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         And I could imagine you asking for them. That's too funny. I'm going to have to remember that one.

         replyreport
      2. 81

         earnestshubposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I gotta remember that as well!

         replyreport
      3. 62

         luvpassionposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         This is when us unbelievers get pay back for not believing. We get to grovel on bended knee before the Lord.
         
         So religion is more about punishing the unbelievers then?
         
         Change happens...even scientist say the sun will burn itself out eventually. Mother earth is constently being bombarded with man's willingness to exploit nature.

         replyreport
         1. 58

            Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Nothing about every knee shall bend then?
            
            But - yes. Religion is divisive. You are either with us, or against us. Mother earth is being bombarded. Not for one second do I think we will bring about the end of the world. We may wipe ourselves out - sure.
            
            What does that have to do with the religious "end times" when Jesus returns exactly?

            replyreport
      4. 58

         Beelzedadposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Don't forget about grovelling before Allah, and Zeus, and Thor, and Odin, and ...

         replyreport
   4. 64

      ceciliabeltranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      they dream about it and they take it literally.
      
      But the end of the world is always about a shift in consciousness. The psyche senses it, the human dreams it and having no capacity to understand what the vision means interprets it as a literal end of the world.
      
      I once lectured on symbolic language and this woman who had a bout of insanity said that when she was insane, her mind told her that she was the leader of the world and she could spend all her money on herself. She did and was committed to a mental institution.
      
      This woman was then better but needed to understand the root of her insanity. She was taught to give give give. She was a social worker. She was like a drone to her family. Naturally, you cannot exhaust yourself that way, so her psyche snapped.
      
      I told her that the her insanity was her subconscious speaking in symbolic language that she can command her own life and she can use her resources to sustain herself. Her mind was telling her to love herself and take care of her own body. To the mind the "world" is the reality of the body, not the actual world.
      
      So the "end of the world" is just symbolic of the end of old ways.

      replyreport
   5. 0

      AKA Winstonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Why are believers preoccupied with the end of the world?
      
      Because they have not yet figured out that a second coming would mean an end to Nascar.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Motown2Chitownposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         THAT is funny stuff!!!!!

         replyreport
   6. 0

      Motown2Chitownposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Personally, I think too many believers (believers in Bible based religions that is) miss the very important statement that Jesus makes that none of us will know the hour or the day of the "end times."  Same with an unbelieving conspiracy theorists - they point to absolutely EVERYTHING as being a part of something bigger.  Fact is, the world will end when it will end.  Or, it will not.  Either way, some of us will be long in the grave before that ever happens.  Or, it may happen in our lifetime.  But, since no one knows the hour or the day, I think a lot more concentration should be given to THIS hour and THIS day.  The future will or won't be.  I have only the guarantee of right now.  In my personal opinion, which is worth little, obsession with either the past or the future is unhealthy.  You can't change the past and may not be here to affect the future.  Do what you can when you can.  Neat question.
      
      

      replyreport
   7. 0

      CollBposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The 'end of the world' idea really infiltrates into your mind especially when told as a child that the Second Coming is near.  At one stage I wondered what the point was, of doing anything really if the world was going to end with the good people the victors and Christ coming to save his people by descending from a chariot.
      
      The armeggedan theory was difficult to grasp but overwhelming nonetheless.
      
      However with the natural earthquakes and disasters, it's easy to see this theory as being 'fulfilled' and 'what next?' springs to mind.

      replyreport
      1. 81

         earnestshubposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yes I noticed the joy on my christian neighbors face as she told me her 6 week old understanding of the Japanese tsunami. This is the third time she has told me this story, and she lights up like an ornament when she relishes the end of time. I would like to see the poor thing certified insane and kept away from other peoples children myself.

         replyreport
   8. 0

      Baileybearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      fear - especially when trying to convert people
      fantasy about escape - from an 'imperfect' polluted world and from unfairness and mean people

      replyreport
   9. 61

      yolanda yvetteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I guess it's kind of like non-believers being too fascinated with the theme of Christ-bashing, huh?
      
      We just don't know why.

      replyreport
      1. 58

         Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Of course we do. We are sick of all the conflicts and hatred you spread.
         
         Keep your nonsensical beliefs to yourself and no one will say a word.
         
         Deal?

         replyreport
         1. 61

            yolanda yvetteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            You are a hypocrite.  For what you accuse others of doing, you yourself do.

            replyreport
            1. 58

               Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               No. Please stop lying about me. Keep your beliefs to yourself an I will not tell you how silly they are.
               
               Deal?

               replyreport
               1. 61

                  yolanda yvetteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  No deal.

                  replyreport
                  1. 58

                     Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     Yeah - pretty sure you would want to keep sticking it to us.
                     
                     This is why your religion causes so many conflicts.

                     replyreport
                     1. 59

                        Jeramiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                        It seems as though YOU are causing a quite  bit of conflict in the worl!!!!    But I am trying to ignore that and love Ya any way!

                        replyreport
   10. 60

       mathsciguyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I'm sure the reason is different for different people. 
       
       But what I find the most ironic is how there is always the implied (and sometimes explicit) threat of believers being subjugated and tormented by the heathen non-believers, a la the Left Behind series and other post-rapture fiction.  I personally believe that non-believers have much more reason to fear a ruling power of persons of faith than vice versa.

       replyreport
   11. 57

       lawyer2posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Mayan, Egyption civilizations both have a calendar that has end date 21 December 2012 .Mayan calender even till date has been spot on for every Solar Eclipse. Mayan or Eygptions calender don't say end of the world but end of a cycle that can lead to catastrophic things on Earth. 2012 December will see biggest Solar activity in 8000 year as per scientist and its the same time when Earth's magnetism will be lowest in 2500 years as per scientists..

       replyreport
   12. 70

       Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       They love to live in fear. Not to mention that they have nothing better to do with their lives.

       replyreport
2. 78

   kirstenblogposted 13 years ago

   I suspect the alternative is far scarier then believing in end times stuff?

   replyreport
   1. 0

      just_curiousposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I think you're right. It's always seemed to me they figured problems can't be fixed and it's inevitable that they get worse. You can't have a conversation on the world because every answer is 'god wil set it straight. It was meant to be this way.' It used to be you could throw your hands up in frustration and change the subject to the weather. Now even that's a loaded topic.

      replyreport
   2. 62

      pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      ?

      replyreport
      1. 78

         kirstenblogposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         The alternative is that there is no God coming to sort us evil sinners out and we have to do the work of creating the world we want to live in ourselves. Religion creates a really great way out of taking responsibility, God will just sort it all out so we don't have to.
         
         I also think the very idea of religion is how it gets started, with this idea of an afterlife that reflects the life you lived. The alternative there is most easily to realize that the world ends every day, every time someone dies. When a person dies, if there is no afterlife and God to make it all mean something, the world for them has most certainly ended, more like it never even was in the first place. That is in my opinion a very sad thought. I don't think as a species we get on very well with the idea that we are not inherently important, not a part of some grand plan but more like celestial farts that fade all to fast. Religion and the end of times stuff sounds easier to believe in to me, still don't tho cause I lived in the show me state for too long!

         replyreport
         1. 62

            pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            deep thoughts...

            replyreport
   3. 64

      ceciliabeltranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      yes the eternity of loser-ness. lol

      replyreport
   4. 0

      AKA Winstonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      (I suspect the alternative is far scarier then believing in end times stuff?)
      
      Personally, I cannot imagine anything more terrifying than to be surrounded by a heavently host of evangelical Christians all saying, I told you so, over and over for eternity.

      replyreport
      1. 81

         earnestshubposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Now that is a fear I can relate to!

         replyreport
         1. 62

            pisean282311posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            

            replyreport
3. 81

   skyfireposted 13 years ago

   If (end_of_word==1)
   {
   easy_conversion();
   easy_exploitation();
   followers++;
   belief_subscription++;
   more_monies();
   kick_atheists();
   }
   if (end_of_world==0)
   {
   get_life();
   get_wife();
   get_job();
   buck_priest_who_claimed_eow();
   }
   else
   {
   end_of_thread();
   }

   replyreport
   1. 60

      wizbitzposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      is that C++?
      
      cool

      replyreport
4. 64

   ceciliabeltranposted 13 years ago

   The End of the World, is just a way we communicate the changing of the human consciousness when old paradigms become worn. Some "cells" start walking around with placards saying the end is near. It usually just signals change.

   replyreport
5. 59

   Pierre Savoieposted 13 years ago

   Religions are often super-plastic about the time-frame involved.  Jesus said (referring to his contemporaries) THIS generation won't die before seeing the Kingdom of Heaven.  Then all the wishy-washy religious arguments and theorizing begin.  Was he looking at an olive-tree that symbolizes the nation of Israel?  Or at a brick wall that symbolizes when we will start living in inflatable houses?  Maybe he was staring at some birds whose egg-shells will store too much strontium-90 and they will all die off.  Who knows?
   
   It's all too much for them to admit that religious views written on sheep-skins from sheep that shepherds killed personally are all "fail".  What really happens is humans have no guarantee of survival, the land-masses are slowly moving as the odd big earthquake moves a tiny parcel of land, and in 50 million years Africa collides into Europe and makes the Mediterranean Mountains.  Whether we are still here or not depends only on our efforts.  I tell you, folks, an hour of reading a science book achieves more than an hour of prayer.  So does an hour of spin-class, for that matter.  Or an hour of just about any work.  Maybe you can spend your hour cleaning your house more, or cooking more healthy food?  It can all mean the difference between humans enduring (hey, maybe we'll end up looking like those Gray aliens and then we'll time-travel and visit the older versions of ourselves in the past??) and humans perishing.

   replyreport
6. 71

   AEvansposted 13 years ago

   I am a believer and I am not preoccupied, I just go with the flow and focus on the here and now. If we worried about all of that in our home, nothing would ever get done.

   replyreport
7. 59

   Jeramiposted 13 years ago

   why believers are too fascinated with end of world theme?
   
      We could ask ... "why does the farmer worry about the coming winter when his crops re still in the field?"
   
     Everything on earth has it sesons; It would seem natural for the earth itself also to have its sesons.
     A NEW season began for mankind when we became dependent upon oil and coal. That season will end when we have consumed all of that which is there to be had.
      Should we worry about that?  Sure we should because we can do something about tht.
       The shifting of the earths tectonic plates must someday come to the end of that cycle; should we worry bout that? Nope, cause like grandpaw said, "If Ya cain't or won't do anything about something, why waste your time worrying about it."
   
      But on the othr hand,  Ya can get ready for winter time. 
      I'm just waiting or the apple tree to come to the end of its cycle so I can pick up some apples off of the ground.
   
      To answer the OP;    I don't know!

   replyreport
8. 59

   Pierre Savoieposted 12 years ago

   The end of the world is always a fascinating theme.  The truth is we do live on a fragile Earth with a bubble-like crust that can gush lava in many places at any time, that can shake us to death or flood us with a tsunami.  Yellowstone Park can turn into a volcanic "traps" or big lava-region at any time.  Our Sun orbits up and down the Galactic Plane and every time it crosses nearby stars it perturbs the Oort cloud to send a comet down on our planet a million years later.  Every 60 million years this happens (we're overdue!)
   
   It's bad enough without having to invent stories of vengeful sky-pappies who will even reach out into the atmosphere for carbon-dioxide gas molecules of long-dead sinners, re-stitch them into exact carbon-copies of people who looked and felt like the sinners (Hold up!  Are we SURE this fabricated human is really the original?) only to toss them into Hell.  It sure sounds like a sick hobby.  Who takes the trouble to construct a model-airplane only to re-enact some Battle of Britain flame-out or gas-tank explosion to destroy what you took such pains to make?  I guess this sick-o God can do what he wants, but any simulacrum he makes won't be me, I'm not duped, I know the science of irrecoverable entropy of carbon-dioxide molecules once you're dead, and I'm not worried, threatened or scared into obeying arbitrary sheep-skin ethical rules because of that.

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Disappearingheadposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Pierre wrote "......Hold up!  Are we SURE this fabricated human is really the original?) only to toss them into Hell.  It sure sounds like a sick hobby.  Who takes the trouble to construct a model-airplane only to re-enact some Battle of Britain flame-out or gas-tank explosion to destroy what you took such pains to make?  I guess this sick-o God can do what he wants...."
      
      The man gets to the heart of the matter here. This image god is unbiblical and thanks to the fundies, who choose to believe in pagan doctrines rather than studying the bible themselves, God's good name is slandered throughout the World.

      replyreport
9. 59

   Pierre Savoieposted 12 years ago

   I don't think the image of God is going to be improved through any kind of study.  Do you think your Christian sect has the answers to make it all better or something?

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Disappearingheadposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes because the image you have of God as revealed by your post above is derived from what you have heard the fundies have said. Whit the fundies have said about eternal torture in the flames of hell is unbiblical. If the fundies studied their bibles, they would see this.
      
      As to making it all better, what are you specifically refering to?

      replyreport