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My mother in law told me not to have any more kids because of 2012 and if it wasn't the end, that the Bible is fulfilling and kids shouldn't be brought into this world to suffer. I'm very upset now. I found this site, could you please help me. Now I'm terrified to get pregnant and worried for my other kids.
Well, I can't speak to what your mother-in-law believes.
I can tell you that most Christians are not treating "2012" as the "end times". The Biblical literalists typically dismiss any 'date setting' because of Mark 13:32-33 "But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come." The more liberal denominations typically dismiss Revelation as apocrypha, a letter written by an early Christian to the churches in Asia Minor describing the persecution of the Christians in Rome… a warning, if you will, of what might be coming their way.
There are some Christian cults (or cult-like groups) that are predicting various end-dates, some of them before 2012. Harold Camping's group claims that the Rapture will occur in October 2011. A Christian author named Thomas Horn has written a book claiming that 2012 will be the beginning of the tribulation, or something along those lines, but he goes off on various tangents such as occult Masonic conspiracies, etc., and in the instances where I have listened to interviews, he brings in all kinds of claims that we have already debunked on this site, such as the so-called Mayan Prediction
"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind
Bible says nothing about 2012 or any other specific date or year for the End Times we don't know when it is but according to people like David Pack there are signs like False Christs, Famines, Pestilinces, War, Earthquakes, ETC some of which are apparently not even here yet. The Bible does not support the 2012 theory.
What do you think of this site?
http://www.escapeallthesethings.com/2012.htm
Do you believe that the Bible has predicted the End and that we are either in or entering into the end of times? Even though I believe in the Bible, this stuff had never crossed my mind. So now all i can think about is the fact that I have a 22 month old and a 7 month old who are going to die in the end of the world. And I'm scared sleepless because of this thought.
Well, my gut reaction to reading that page is threefold:
1) I find it highly distasteful to be prompted to purchase something via pop-ups from someone who claims to be a Christian. As I recall Jesus had some very severe opinions about money-changers in the temple.
2) Having said that, he is fairly straightforward with his opinion lower in the page:
Therefore, based on the information we have now, it is a safe bet that 2012 will be another non-event just like 2000 and 2003.
(emphasis in original)
And I agree with that, but for entirely different reasons than he uses. I happen to find a literal interpretation of the Bible as a whole, and of Revelation in particular to be a mind-numbingly stupid thing to do. Excuse me for being blunt.
3) My third gut reaction came just under that quote, when I saw him quote Mark Hazelwood, because once he did that, he lost all credibility with me.
"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind
Seems like another who thinks he can interpit the Bible. The Bible is not something to interpited it is something to be understood and very few of us understand it. Also Harlod Camping seems crazy and the other guy that Astro mentioned seems a bit crazy as well.
So its safe to say my kids and theirs will be long gone before this world ends?
I would answer this simply "Yes".
I have four kids myself. Obviously the people here on this website have researched the "2012 doomsday" claims in depth. Many of them could be dismissed outright (Nibiru, galactic alignments, etc.) because they fell within the sphere of interest and education of many of the site founders, which is astronomy.
The non-astronomy claims had to be researched. So, we're now up to speed on various doomsday claims. I know more than I ever wanted to about the practices of the Maya. Men, can I have a <cringe> here for the practice of nobility piercing their genitals for blood sacrifice?
The 2012 junk is just junk. The Maya didn't predict it, some new-age woo-woos did. It is interesting that some Christian groups (to whom "New Age" is frequently synonymous with "Satanic") are following along.
"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind
Why do you think Revelations was written? To be taken literally or figuratively? I mean, do you think the earth was flooded and next time will be by fire? I mean, the thought of all of this has really rattled me. Both of my in-laws are firm believers that the things that are supposed to happen before Jesus comes back are happening now. Such as the earthquakes and volacanoes and the oil spill and the wars…they say all of this is in the bible…There was a show on HInt night before last about the 7 Signs of The Apocolypse. They constantly talk about it. Their family church is non-denominational. Their preacher says he has throughly studied the Maya and they were not very trust worthy people….they practiced scarifices and stuff. I'm sorry to keep rambling, but I really want a little boy, or atleast to try for onr and now she has made me feel guilty about the first 2….Please don't get aggitated with me!!!
JustThinking
Yes things are supposed to happen before Jesus comes back but some of those things haven't happened yet and i don't think the Oil Spill has nothing to do with anything. The Third Anitchrist is supposedly supposed to come back at some point before Christ's return which hasn't happened yet. Also the things you've mentioned Earthquakes, Volcanic Activity, and Wars have been going on forever. But the point is if you believe in God and the Bible 2012 is not the end of the world and also as has been pointed out by many people here The History Channel is not the source you want to go with when it comes to the End of the World stuff.
JustThinking, earthquakes and volcanoes are no more common now that at any time since we've kept somewhat accurate records (about 100 years or so). Humans have fought in wars since the first one learned he could whack the other one with a club and take his dinner. I really don't know what to say about your in-laws invoking the oil spill, except that it sounds like they're just making things up to fit into their religious beliefs. The Bible certainly doesn't say anything about an oil spill.
Revelations was NEVER meant to be taken literally. In fact, even the Bible was never meant to be taken literally.
In fact, Revelations and it's meanings are generally disputed. While some would like you to believe it is a way to find out when "The End Times" have come, keep in mind that it would then be contradicting itself and going against what Jesus said. You know, "no man knows" etc etc.
How can no man know if we're getting hit with clear signs?
CONTRADICTION.
Additionally, as I've said before on this site, I'm an atheist. I'm an atheist due to the image that the revisions of the Bible, Revelations, and the majority of religions paint of God and Jesus.
They paint God and Jesus as vindictive heads out to kill everyone who doesn't get on their knees and stroke the 'ego' of their respective church. If you aren't lining the pockets of their preachers, you're a sinner and will burn. And burn soon, because Rapture is always around the corner, so if you want to save yourself, enslave yourself.
Sorry if it offends some people, but a lot of religious schemes are in effect slavery these days. The sad part is, some of these preachers and religious folk are just misguided. They took the Biblical Canon scripts just too seriously.
In my opinion, the Bible was always meant just to be a story. A story to help guide people on a path that could lead to a better, more substantial life. As a result, I believe Jesus was just a philosopher. Sadly killed for promoting things that may or may not have angered whoever was "King" or whatever back then, but you get what I mean.
Ultimately? I believe Jesus was not the Son of God, I believe "God" is not whom the Bible or any other text describes him (hopefully her, giggity!) as, and whatever it really is is just leaving us to our own devices, better or for worse.
I do NOT believe in this vindictive, contradictory, angry God and Jesus BS that are used to strong-arm people into religion. God won't kill us for using what he's given us, unless he's a petty ***hole who's jealous of his creations.
Jesus won't be coming back because 1) He's dead and 2) Why sacrifice yourself just to come back and go nuts? Oh and 3) Not the Son of God.
Heck, you wanna get technical? We're all the Children of God. Where's my ability to walk on water? :|
In Conclusion: Revelations is taken too seriously, and in my opinion was one of the earliest examples of strong-arm tactics to convert or otherwise force people to accept Christianity.
The Bible has a hard enough time trying to figure out what it's trying to say, let alone having the ability to suddenly project the future.
PS: That's still against what Jesus said, btw.
JustThinking did your In Laws also somehow try to link 2012 and the Bible End Time to the Economy Problems I.E the problems in the stock market in late 08 because if so maybe they've read Ronald Weinland's 2008 God's Last Warning.
Don't worry about rambling, and please, don't worry about people being agitated. The posters here have treated people asking sincere questions very kindly. It has only been the obvious trolls that we get agitated with.
As for the rest of your question, it appears that you have already received some good responses that I can't really add to.
"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind
Actually her exact words were "I love all of my grandchildren but I deff would not bring another one into this world with the way things are. The signs are all around." I said "You mean the economy?" And she said "Yeah and the Bible just fulfilling itself." They always talk about the end though. Especially my father in law. He loves to watch Jack Van Impe. He links everything to the end. They really believe that no man knows, but think it's gonna be very soon. So they say 2012 won't be it because of the Bible verse. I just can't fathom why she'd say such a thing to me. My husband and I are still really young, early and mid-20's. They said the Chilean eartquake was a sure sign. Something about the Bible saying war, famine, earthquakes, floods, and brother rising against brother…..
Yes, because Earthquakes in Chile are rare! Oh wait they aren't.
Yes, yes, it was a damn strong quake. Was it totally unexpected? Not really. Chile's known for quakes, and good sized one.
Sorry, but earthquakes are not a sign of The End Times =/ They're just a sign of crustal movement or otherwise fault lines going "ohai".
Sorry but your in-laws are kinda nutty. But if they're significantly aged, why would they care about talking about The End Times? Geeze. Old people these days. Should just suck down some prunes and shut up :|
(I'm joking, but your in-laws are not helping people, you know, relax. What they're doing is uncool.)
BTW: You were sort of quoting the Book of Revelations at the end there. Yeah, uh… all that? Generic Christian Strong-Arm tactics. I said previously that I felt the Book of Revelations is just historical prove that fanatical Christians wanted to strong-arm people to either join their religion or don't even THINK about opposing it.
Yeah.
Cause if you did, those really nasty things would happen!
But if you didn't, all these nice things would happen! :D!!!
:|
Economically, we are in the best times ever. Compared to the past 2,000 years,we have more food in quantity and quality, better healthcare, better everything (except maybe stress levels).
Keep in mind that most biblical scholars now believe that Jesus thought he and his followers were living at the end of times. Given the political and cultural strife and the eroding of traditional Judaism in the face of the Roman Empire, I can understand why they thought that was true.
Remember, so-called holy men and women have been predicting certain dates for End Times prophecy for centuries. Have they been right yet?
Base you life decisions (kids, finances, etc.) on reason not the half guesses of religious people.
I feel like I'm the one who has jumped on the 2012 bandwagon. I'm now afraid in 2012 I'm gonna be watching tv and they are gonna say something like the world really is going to end. I'm scared to death now
That my family has less than 2 years together,alive and enjoying life together.
You've got a little more then 2 years but i don't think there's anything to worry about in 2012 Bible doesn't say the world is going to end in 2012 or any other year it's just predictions thrown out by so called Bible experts.
I agree, I have recently started going to a Presbyterian church (and I'm not Presbyterian) and every service is based on the Bible and the lessons we are supposed to learn from the stories..and I happened to ask the preacher (because of my own anxiety of 2012) about 2012 being the end of the world, and he really didn't have much to say about it..in relation to what the Bible says! Along with this website, that also helps to put my fears to rest!
And JustThinking, I know exactly what you are feeling..I'm due with our second child in October and that very thought of only have about 2 years left with my family had consumed me..to an unhealthy point. You are not alone. Take time to read all of what's on this site and I know it will make you feel so much better! It seems that everyone who has had fear, anxiety and overall hopelessness with trying to 'accept' 2012/doomsday has taken refuge in the information this site offers. These guys, and gals, have truly helped me with laying about 2-3 (escalating) years worth of fear and terror over 2012 to rest!
Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
- Shakespeare
Your family will have many years together and many years to enjoy their life. Astro, to my surprise (no offense) suggested a very good idea and I think that you should try this, really, you have to focus on other things.
The end of the world or, the end of our species has long-been predicted throughout history, Cavemen were probably passing around stories such as this as well, as were the people before, during and after Jesus' time on Earth.
It's common for people to ponder our global demise, but sadly it's also common for people such as yourself to hear of these people tossing around theories of our demise and you, like many before you, get worried and you become terrified over something that, in this case, isn't even possible.
Our time will come, there's no escaping that fact, but our time will not come in 2012, not in any form or, way that the 2012 doomsayers are speculating and theorizing. The fact is that our time could come today or, tomorrow, a hundred years, a thousand years, maybe even a million years from now.
This is something that no one can predict, not even Einstein himself could ever predict such an event, not even Nostradamus.
There are well-over a hundred predictions and prophecies that have come and gone. Now, either we're currently dead or, those predictions and prophecies never came true. You be the judge, because I honestly don't think that God, allows computers where we're going when we die.
Personally, I think that you need to set some goals and focus on those goals and forget about 2012.
We will have our time, one day, but why anyone would want to rush it, is beyond comprehension.
As Mike Poulin said:
Bible doesn't say the world is going to end in 2012 or any other year it's just predictions thrown out by so called Bible experts.
The Bible, no matter its significance to religion, has been passed down through generations and throughout generations, stories become intertwined and completely changed from their original format.
Live your life like every day is your last, love your family, even when they get on your nerves, grow old and see your grandchildren and, maybe even your great grandchildren. These are the only things that you should worry about.
Wie Sie säen, so sollst du ernten.
Start planning your 'post-end-of-the-world' party.
Seriously. Plan a party for Christmas Eve 2012 or New Years Eve. Make it a good one. Invite all of your friends, and family, and everyone on the street where you live.
This will help you to focus your time and energy on a date beyond these horrible predictions, and it will give you a way to demonstrate that you have something to look forward to.
Recognize that this fear you are having is an emotional response, and that it will take time to get beyond it. Right now you are reacting to how you feel about 2012. You're afraid of what you might see on TV in 2012. This is a downward spiral.
Disengage from the 2012 fear, plan something positive for a date beyond the December solstice 2012. Don't read the fearmongers, and don't pay attention to what your in-laws are saying (that might be the hardest part of this). Read up on the reasons why we say these fears are unfounded.
"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind
Who's Jack Van Impe. Also Preechers have been saying we're living in the end time for decades and guess what WE'RE STILL HERE obviously that means that the End is no closer now then it was 10, 20,30, 40. maybe even 50 years ago.
Preachers have been, well, preaching the end of times for centuries, dating back to the first rise of Christianity and probably before then as well.
Wie Sie säen, so sollst du ernten.
Forgot to mention..
I believe that Jack Van Impe is a Television preacher, he goes on television with his.. wife? I believe? and preaches about the Bible, God, Christ, sins, etc.
Wie Sie säen, so sollst du ernten.
Jack Van Impe mainly preaches the end times if I'm not mistaken. I think he's one of those hell-fire and brimstone types. I also believe that the end times has been preached for a long time, but there are so many older people in my family and community that say things happen everyday that is just fulfilling the bible. But didn't it also say that there'd be 7 years of harmony or something before it ended?
Those who preach about the end times are not devout to the works of Christ and the Bible. In fact, those who praise it believe that they are ready to be "saved".
In truth, those that preach it are the ones closest to damnation… if you're into this whole religious stuff, anyway.
The fact is, those who preach of Biblical Doomsday are not devout, and only do so because they feel they are ready for it. Funny because it's quite the opposite since they're spitting on the words of Jesus as a result of saying they knew when the End Times are.
Hilarity.
Do not believe in anyone claiming such things :|
Van Impe is a rather peculiar televangelist. He takes flack from a lot of the American protestants because he embraces Catholics, and tells his viewers that they should basically play nice with them. A lot of American protestants think that the Catholic church is either the 'antichrist' or is the 'whore of babylon'.
My problem with both of these is, again, that they are based on a literal interpretation of the book of Revelation, as is the "7 years of harmony" that you mention above. I reject a literal interpretation of any part of the Bible, as do most Jews, by the way.
The writings of the era are full of numerology, and 7 is one of those 'magic' numbers with special meaning.
Anyway, Van Impe has a unique talent of finding whatever he is looking for in the Bible, and once (fairly famously) found a reference to the Neutron Bomb. <boggle>
"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind
Jack Van Impe mainly preaches the end times if I'm not mistaken.
He's a loud-mouthed doomsayer who bases his entire business — yes, business — on desperately relating current events in any way he can to biblical "prophecy." It keeps viewers who are predisposed to believe him glued to the televisions, and they in turn parrot his every word, no matter how silly.
…but there are so many older people in my family and community that say things happen everyday that is just fulfilling the bible.
People have been saying that for some 2,000 years. Beyond Christianity, doomsday predictions go back as far as human civilization itself.
Edit by Astrogeek to remove extra '/' in URL
There is a story on Yahoo news about the coal reefs in Indonesia dying at an alarming rate, and you wouldn't(or maybe you would) believe how many of the comments are saying that it's due to 2012 and some saying that in the bible it says everything in the oceans will die….Some were even counting down the months. I really wish this 2012 stuff would blow over now. I don't think my nerves can take much more.
There is a story on Yahoo news about the coal reefs in Indonesia dying at an alarming rate, and you wouldn't(or maybe you would) believe how many of the comments are saying that it's due to 2012 and some saying that in the bible it says everything in the oceans will die….
These days, doomsayers flood any such news story with idiotic comments. The article states that, per as-of-yet unpublished research, this die-off of coral is thought to relate to warming oceans, not 2012. There's no evidence that 2012 will be anything but another year. Also, coral dying due to warming oceans is hardly in accordance with any so-called "prophecy" from the Bible.
Some were even counting down the months.
Please check the link I posted in my last message.
I really wish this 2012 stuff would blow over now.
It will, just in time for all the doomsayers who were wrong to make up their next doomsday fantasy.
I don't think my nerves can take much more.
I understand, but you really have nothing to worry about, at least nothing in regard to 2012.
Have yall seen all the 2012 apps for smartphones? One says dowload now we can't ignore the doomsday forecast from scientists, astronomers and astrologers. The End is near. I'm getting scared that it is going to end in 2012. I'm feeling like each day we get closer to dying on 12/21/2012
They are running a scam.
They are pumping up the fear factor so that people will buy their books and videos.
"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind
No scientists or astronomers have issued any type of "doomsday forecast." That's a blatant lie. I can't speak for astrologers, but then I can't even imagine why any thinking person would take an astrologer seriously anyway.
As I posted above, "There's no evidence that 2012 will be anything but another year." And Astrogeek is right: the 2012 phone and iPod apps are scams to make you afraid, so you'll spend money on so-called "survival guides" and other such crap.
I just found out about 2012 and now I can't sleep at night because I feel like I've set my little girl up to never see adulthood. It seems like everywhere you look on HInt and NatGeo and such channels they are running something about 2012 or the bibles predictions. Im scared to the point of not being able to eat or sleep. Like the person above, my family also says that everyday something from the bible is coming true. I'm so sick of being scared by this. I've read thru your pages and I'm trying to find comfort, but my fear has taken over me. I feel like my precious little girl only has 2 years left and I feel so guilty. I want to protect he from everything, and I can see in my mind her screaming for her mommy and me not being able to help her……………
Oi, relax mother-lady. Let's begin with National Failgraphic and Hysteria Channel.
1) What would drag viewers in more, talking about WWI, WWII, and other major events in History, or making up bull End of the World information to scare people into watching to find out the truth.
The winner is lying. Because reality is boring in comparison to us all being hit by an imaginary planet. Or alignments ripping us to part. Or the black hole in the middle of the galaxy suddenly eating us. Or… whatever BS people are saying these days.
Next is the Bible.
2) Let me ask you all a flat question here. Let's swap out The Bible with, say, the entire story of Star Trek. If we did so, people RIGHT NOW would be praising the Klingons and reading about how you will destroyed by Khan if you did not praise the Enterprise every Sunday. Or whatever day Star Trek majored on.
I'm dead serious here. The reason why the Bible is a Holy Text is because of it's build up. (Please keep in mind I'm an atheist). In fact, we don't even have the ORIGINAL Biblical Text, so what you're reading these days is something formed from countless rewrites.
Please keep in mind people who rewrote the Bible could have very well changed elements of it they didn't like, or added things they felt were needed to spread "The Word of God".
Yes, I 100% believe the Bible is not a magical book and has been immune to people changing it as they see fit over the ages.
Biblical Prophecy is a load of bull. Every last bit of it. Be the Salvation or the End Times, all of it is a load of crap. No one can see the future, no one can tell you what's going to happen.
This also means scientists can't confirm or deny some crazy NATURAL (Emphasis on Natural) event can't suddenly happen in 2012, but keep in mind these are such extremely low chances that you're more likely to give birth with out being impregnated.
Yeah, I took a cheap shot at God. Sue me.
Look, I'm going to be brutally honest here. Are you seriously going to believe people who have been brainwashed by a storybook, or are you going to believe the people who have devoted their lives to discovering the truth about life?
Yes, I took another cheap shot at the Bible, but honestly, for all the good that book has done, it has done countless evils as well. Religious cults, spreading this Doomsday BS, wars in the name of religion, all this crap.
It is a book. It can not tell the future, nor could the random people who wrote it and rewrote it could have. No one can. No one ever will. Anyone claiming to be able to is a liar. And, why are all these future-seeing individuals only spreading the word of Doomsday?
Do you want to know why?
Because why would you buy a survival kit for something that isn't going to happen.
It's all a scam. Religious Apocalypse is a scam. 2012 Doomsday is a scam. 2011 (Yes, this year too) Religious and Ancient Doomsday is a scam. It's all scams.
Religions want you to be convinced you have lead a life of sin and devote yourself to God. This also means emptying your pockets for them. (Note: Not all religions are bad, but every religion has it's corruption.)
On the flipside, religious nuts and fanatics are convinced that they, as individuals, will be blessed and brought to the Kingdom of God when the rapture happens and Jesus lays the smack down on all the sinners. These thoughts are the sort of thoughts that would have you burn for eternity. These people are not as prepared as they'd like you to believe. They want to believe Christ will return because they are convinced they are ready for it.
To them, everyone else can burn. THEY are one of Christ's chosen. This is Hitler-styled logic. Superiority over all, damnation to those beneath your shoe.
I really shouldn't even have to explain about the idiots (who sell books) using pseudoscience (Read: Fake Science) to try to support Doomsday. It's insanity.
Again, who do you believe? The person with college-level studies of their field, or the person living in a tiny apartment smashing balls together?
The people who try to tie in ancient civilizations to knowing when Doomsday would occur… bull. I'm sorry, but as awesome as it would be to fire off Hadokens, this "Spiritual Foresight" and otherwise magical malarky is just a load. These ancient civilizations did not have voodoo, they were just convinced they did.
No, this doesn't mean I don't believe some ancient civilizations didn't have knowledge of astronomy and other such things. That would be foolish. The fact is, NO ancient texts even BEGIN to suggest anything like doomsday, that aren't also filled with insane ramblings. Like, you know, the world being carried on the back of a frog or something.
To sum all this up, ma'am, stop worrying over what the insane people spout off. These are people who have one of the following problems.
1) Take the Bible too seriously.
2) Think the Bible actually has legitimate evidence of The End Times.
3) Religious Fanatics convinced Jesus will save them.
4) Fake Scientists who have lost their minds.
5) Sheep who believe anything, having long lost the ability to think for themselves.
You have a mind, use it. Who are you honestly going to believe? There is no evidence, proof, or otherwise fact that our world is about to end. The LEGITIMATE problems do exist, though. War, Global Warming, and such. These are problems we can rectify, but the Doomsday Sayers would rather distract you from legitimate concerns and destroy you life as theirs have been.
They can't accept the possibility the world won't end in 2012 or whatever the current "We all dead!" date is. They've already given up on life, so why should they care?
Open your eyes, ma'am. Don't be afraid of the crazies. Your daughter is going to live a long, happy life, unless you lose yourself to this madness. The moment you do, you've not only destroyed your life, but hers as well.
Look to the left. Look at all the articles. Read. Just. Read.
And please, stop listening to Biblical Fanatics. I don't wish to insult our down-to-earth religious people here… but why the hell do people take a storybook so seriously? That would be like me taking the Lord of the Rings at face value.
It's a book. A book of stories. People have twisted it to strong-arm you into their 'faith'. Yes, it has legitimate lessons in it that we should all be aware of… but at the end of the day, it's just a book of philosophy. And nothing more.
(Again, I stress that I'm not trying to insult our religious individuals here… but the Bible is causing so many issues involving 2012, as well as the nutjobs, that… I just can't help but point out that it's just a book that's been rewritten time and time again. Who knows how much of what we were reading was in Jesus' original philosophy, you know?)
Go out and live your life. Plan your daughters birthday party three years for now.
And for your own sanity SEE THROUGH THE LIES.
<—— READ THOSE.
First let me just say that the 2012 "prophecies" are just bunk. They have no basis in science or history, nor do they have any basis in Christianity or any other major religion. Not even the Maya people or their descendants who still live in central America believe in them. I have even seen an astrologer on the net saying they are rubbish!
Various people who often don't have huge qualifications in theology have been predicting the "end times" for centuries. They base these predictions on their own peculiar interpretations of the Bible. It often comes down to them picking up on some number mentioned somewhere in the Bible then adding 1000, or 2000, or maybe 3000. But their predictions are based on guesswork, or even self deception. There are plenty of numbers in the Bible here and there and if you add 2000, guess what, you get some year in the near future or the recent past. 1000 years ago they were adding 1000 and getting the same sort of result, leading to panics in the year 1000 and soon after. That's an historical fact.
Back in 1999 - 2000 we had the Y2K flap. Yes, there was a real problem with some computers, but it was mostly fixed by 1998 and virtually nothing happened. But we also had a supposed prophecy from Nostradamus (who is about as reliable as a 20 cent watch) plus we had the Bible "students" who added 2000 years since the time of Jesus and got the end of the world. Yet again, for perhaps the 250th time.
At the same time this was going on there were Christian leaders who were saying that there was nothing in it. Their message was that the second coming of Jesus could be in five minutes or after another million years, nobody knows. This is actually what the Bible says.
The end times prophets often talk about increasing crime. Well it isn't quite true. Crime rates rise and fall, but over the last 150 - 200 years they have fallen on a global scale. Then we have the stories about a failing economy. I'm Australian and the economy here has slowed, but it is far better than in the USA. The Indians and Chinese don't seem to be having a lot of grief and between them they make up a pretty sizable proportion of the world's population. Wars? The Second World War was the most destructive in history and it ended just 65 years ago. The Taiping rebellion, China, 1850 - 1864 killed 20 million and that was 146 years ago. You can go back to Genghis Khan, one of history's major killers and that was hundreds of years ago. In proportion to the world's population he was probably far worse than Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini and Tojo all combined. So the evidence that these people use is pretty shaky. Earthquakes? Big ones happen every five or six years somewhere in the world. Hurricanes? The south eastern USA, the Caribbean, north eastern Australia, Japan and China get whacked by them every dozen years or so and have since time out of mind.
Belief in these prophecies is dangerous. I personally knew one young man who was convinced by his pastor that the apocalypse would come before he finished medical studies. That was about 1983. So he abandoned a life long ambition to be a doctor. One of the reasons this site exists is because of the suicide of a young woman in India over false reports about the Large Hadron Collider ending the world when it started up a couple of years ago. People using another internet site realised that the false 2012 stuff was just as dangerous to young people and started to do something about it. This site is one of the results of the hard work of Astrogeek and some others in trying to counter this dangerous nonsense. I salute them.
Thank you Ken, I deeply appreciate the kind words!
This site is the result of a lot of hard work from a wide variety of people, with a diversity of beliefs. It is important (in my opinion) to recognize that people who wind up here are not looking to be hammered on their beliefs, but are rather here to seek advice and answers about the 2012 doomsday rumors.
I think that the single focus of this site is one of the reasons why it is becoming "one of the best sites for information on 2012" (in the words of David Morrison).
"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind
Something that bothers me is all these televangilists that support 2012 or any other doomsday being biblical. People like Jack Van Impe and evne John Haggee who i remember my father watching when i was a kid and it scares me to think that guys like these guys are actually listened to in this day and age and their misintpertations of the Bible should not be followed. It's basically with these evangilists Praise God and then give me your money after you're done.
Pardon me for saying so, but it's the people like those ones who will go to Hell, long before anyone else.
Wie Sie säen, so sollst du ernten.
MommyOf1Girl, I know EXACTLY how you feel. I also have a little girl, and have been paralyzed by fear from the same visions in my head - imagining the end of the world in 2012, and seeing my little girl screaming for me and me not being able to help her. It has been absolutely devastating to my life. Things got so bad, that I actually was in therapy for a bit. But honestly, one of the things that helped was this website. The posters on here come from all areas of life, professions, and beliefs, and they all share a wealth of knowledge. Take some time, and read through the material and the replies to people. It will help ease your mind, and put things into a much better and knowledgeable perspective. These individuals have no reason to lie to you - they aren't making money, they aren't benefiting in any way, shape, or form. They just have a very strong desire to get the actual truth out there.
From one anxiety ridden mother to another - stay strong! You have YEARS and YEARS of happiness with your daughter, she will grow up safe and loved, and you will get to enjoy every moment!
Hey TDM,
It feels good to see another mother sharing her fears and seeking comfort from others..and this site..about 2012. The premise of us uniting sucks, but I'm gad that we can seek 'refuge' from other women who have suffered from terrorizing fears related to the end of the world scenarios! I have definitely been able to lay my fears to rest by reading every piece of information offered on this site and by speaking with other members/guests, too. They have done a great job with supplying very helpful information..with credible resources..and by being understanding and sympathetic towards out fears and that goes a really long way in helping us, too!
Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
- Shakespeare
Full-heartedly agreeing with Els.
Since this site was built with the intentions of helping people, I will step up and say that if anyone needs to just talk, feel free to message someone. Granted, some of us are hellaciously busy, but we will respond.
I'm willing to take on the role of the 2012hoax therapist!
TDM, to me, it sounds like you're gradually getting over your fears and I'm very happy for you and it also makes me happy, as Els said, to see one mother talking to, and helping another. Things like that are truly one thing that make me proud to say that I'm human. I'm very, very happy for you and I hope that MommyOf1Girl, too, overcomes her fears and I hope that she as well will help others.
Wie Sie säen, so sollst du ernten.
Thanks Bella!!! I think that you would wonders by becoming the 2012hoax therapist :) And, I have to admit, when I first came across this site, I was skeptical..I guess genuine fear can do that to someone. I saw a few different people who were claiming that this site was part of the 'cover-up' the government was trying to instill on everyone for means of keeping the peace..and as scared as I was, it made sense to me! But after a lot of reading and posting and re-reading, I grew more and more confident every day about everyone on here, as well as the information everyone was providing! I'm just glad to see that others are being guided to this site..however they may, and are beginning to fell better about everything!
Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
- Shakespeare
Thanks for the replies everyone. My fears and anxieties are certainly a challenge - and 2012 just happens to be one of them, but by far the biggest!!! It is great to know that I am not alone in my fears, but what is more fantastic is that a site like this is up for people to access for additional information and, as in my case, much needed help.
Keep on doing what you are doing - it truly is a blessing. I regularly visit back when I need to do a check-in with myself. :) I hope that MommyOf1Girl finds some relief in all the information and comments all the wonderful posters have had to offer.
Well, I have to say I can't relate. I never believed in the 2012 stuff from the moment I heard about it. Now I suppose I could be smug about that, but, really, I'm not.
What I am is angry.
I'm mad as hell that people are spewing this absolute crap and scaring people like you and like MommyOf1Girl, and elsgeorge
I have four kids, and believe me I understand the urge to protect. But in this case, there is nothing to protect them from.
The best protection you can give them is a discussion (assuming they are old enough for school) that goes like this: "You might hear some things at school that sound scary to you. I want you to know that you can always come and ask us about anything you hear at school, and that we will tell you the truth."
"Do you ever think about things you do think about?" - Henry Drummond to Matthew Harrison Brady in Inherit the Wind
You've given me an idea, Astro. I'll report back with what I've come up with.
Wie Sie säen, so sollst du ernten.
Just trying to do my part, Els.
Underneath this hard exterior, is a warm, fuzzy creature with a beating heart and, whom actually cares! But, don't tell everyone.
Oh, wait, that was public. Never mind.
Wie Sie säen, so sollst du ernten.
A volcano erupted in the ring of fire and people are saying it's due to 2012, that this is just the beginning, and that it's the bible fulfilling. Read the link below and the comments….What's gonna happen when Yellowstone finally blows????
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100829/ts_nm/us_indonesia_volcano#mwpphu-container
Again the bible says nothing about the world ending in 2012 or any other date. As for more volcanic eruption that has nothing to do really with god just nature. As for Yellowstone Park's volcano i've heard that it's quited down at this point but Volcanos are unpredictable they can go off at any time but what you also got to think about concerned is how big the eruption might be. Will it be so big that it will thrust us in to a Nuclear Winter or will it be just another volcanic eruption causing havoc for a little bit enough time for the news to catch it.
Not that it's of any importance, but I want to just throw this out there.
I have recently started attending a Presbyterian church with my husband (I am non-practicing Catholic) and after this evenings service, I waited for the reverend and had a chat with him about his and the church's view on 2012. And from both views, his personal and biblical, he simply responded to me that no one knows when this time will come; adding that no priest/clergy/bible, prophecy, astronomer, prediction, etc., etc. will ever be able to tell us when this day will come! Made me feel better about it!! And from what I have learned in my short time attending services there, the Presbyterian denomination believes the Bible is the word of God. And for the reverend himself to tell me that even the Bible doesn't give any sign as to when the end will come, I have to put my belief that in the Bible, there is/are no direct reference(s) to when the end will come!!
Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.
- Shakespeare
A volcano erupted in the ring of fire and people are saying it's due to 2012, that this is just the beginning, and that it's the bible fulfilling. Read the link below and the comments….What's gonna happen when Yellowstone finally blows????
Right there, in your first sentence, you disprove the 2012 connection without even knowing it. The Pacific Ring of Fire is the single most seismically active "region"1 and any earthquake/volcanic eruption is likelly to be located in that region. I can't really follow the reasoning when people claim natural disasters to be the Bible fullfilling, when the very same Bible clearly states that not even Jesus himself will know when the end will come. Yet we puny humans should know so long time before the actual Rapture? It just doesn't add up.
I know the Bible also says that the beginning of the end will see an significant increase in earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. And that we don't see, there is neither an increase in earthquakes nor an increase in volcanic eruptions, so that link to 2012 falls short too.
The fact of the matter is that nature seems to get wilder and wilder, but that is due to two single things; perception and human interference. First, we hear A LOT more about natural disasters then before and thus become more aware of the overall magnitude of these occurances. We're more or less flooded with information and thus become more and more aware of just how insignificant we really are (earlier generations hasn't faced the medias curse in the same way as current generations does). Secondly, our impact on the environment becomes more and more apparent and the fact is that we will see more hurricanes, the floods will get worse and there is even some research that indicates a comming increase of earthquakes/volcanic eruptions due to global warming. Some of that is speculation and some is yet to be proven, but either way, things are going to change in the future (distant, but nevertheless) and NONE of these changes are in any way linked to the 2012 scam.
As for Yellowstone, any near-future eruption is believed to be much less violent than a Global changing event (I.e. not an explosive eruption). Thus only the most close vicinity is going to be affected, and there is no sign whatsoever that indicates an imminent eruption. It is simply believed to be more an "venting" event than an explosive eruption.
Facts are stubborn things.
- Ronald Reagan
A volcano erupted in the ring of fire and people are saying it's due to 2012, that this is just the beginning, and that it's the bible fulfilling.
People have been saying that every disaster fulfills this or that biblical prophecy for two thousand years. We're still here.
Read the link below and the comments….
Yahoo! comments are not a very good source of information.
What's gonna happen when Yellowstone finally blows????
No way to know. It depends on a lot of factors. Odds are that you will not be around to see it, of course. For that matter, neither will your grandchildren or their grandchildren. Geologic time scales are hard to conceive of in human lifetimes.
Anyway, I don't have much else to add to RickardM's reply.
