I'm reminded of that Mickey Mantle quote:
If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.If I'd know the world was going to end, I might have ... well, I don't know what I would do differently.
That's the great thing about atheist philosophy. We only have one life, so we know it counts. You have to live a good life, one that matters and is moral and productive. The only thing you get to leave behind is whether you made the world a better place or a worse place. There is no forgiveness, no second chance, no "Oops, sorry about that, can you forgive me God?"
Harold Camping and his followers are running around telling everyone it's time to repent, that there is very little time left to get it right. A better philosophy is to get it right in the first place. Have good morals and you'll never have to ask for forgiveness. Live this life as though it matters, because it does.
Actually, even sadder than all that "repent" business is that some of Camping's followers are throwing away their lives. The news article tells of a few people who are making foolish plans that will cause them to be destitute when May 21st arrives. On May 22nd, what are they going to do with their lives? Maybe Mr. Camping will admit his own culpability in this sorry affair and compensate his victims. Because that's what they are: victims. Mr. Camping is enjoying his day of fame, and perhaps fortune, by making these silly predictions, but his foolishness is going to cause real damage to real people.
I'll predict right now that on May 22nd, Mr. Camping will have some sort of good excuse for his error, and will deny all responsibility for the problems he caused his victims.
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I would like to see Camping and his followers put their money where their mouths are.
ReplyDeleteDonate all their material wealth and possessions to good causes (sadly, their idea of such withh probably be the church), leaving the minimum necessary to survive until the apocalypse.
Sorry, I fat fingered my keyboard.
ReplyDelete"their idea of such WOULD probably be the church"
Nothing happens and it still won't affect their faith. Heck they'll probably make up another date.
ReplyDeleteStamping Out Harold Camping
ReplyDeleteIs Second Coming date-setter Harold Camping worthy of death? He already has a zero batting average after his September 1994 prediction fizzle and, according to the Bible, is a false prophet.
Nevertheless that California shaman, who should be ashamed, claims he's found out that Christ's return will be on May 21, 2011 even though Matt. 24:36 says that no one knows the "day" or "hour" of it!
A Google article ("Obama Fulfilling the Bible") points out that "Deut. 18:20-22 in the Old Testament requires the death penalty for false prophets."
The same article reveals that "Christians are commanded to ask God to send severe judgment on persons who commit and support the worst forms of evil (see I Cor. 5 and note 'taken away')."
Theologically radioactive Harold Camping and his ga-ga groupies (with their billboards featuring "May 21, 2011") should worry about being "stamped out" if many persons decide to follow the I Cor. 5 command.
The above article concludes: "False prophets in the OT were stoned to death. Today they are just stoned!"
[I'm Joe, saw the above on the internet!]
It's sad to see that people fall for this. Isn't it bad enoguh they fall for mythology as adefining lifestyle? Tacking on apocalyptic theories that fly in the face of said religion is really something else.
ReplyDeleteThey will inform us that they were nto good enough to be saved as part of Christianity's (not unique) self-flagellation and lack of individual worth. They're just not righteous enough for God to save them when he comes. Better pray harder!
While individual false prophets like Harold Camping have come and gone, the Jehovah's Witnesses are the only existing worldwide religious organization formed (in the 1880s) for the sole purpose of preaching that Jesus Christ had already returned in 1874 -- invisibly and secretly to everyone except followers of the WatchTower Society.
ReplyDeleteHere is the internet's BEST and most brief historical summary of the Jehovah's Witnesses -- who are an offshoot of the Adventists:
http://jwemployees.bravehost.com/JWInfo/1001.html
The following webpage explains how the Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide preaching work fulfills Jesus Christ's warning to his followers -- as recorded in Matthew 24 -- that while some false prophets would predict the time of His Second Advent, that a certain False Prophet also would proclaim that He had already returned, and only that False Prophet knew when and where:
http://jwbookstore.bravehost.com/books/signtimes.html