2013: Or, What to Do When the Apocalypse Doesn’t Arrive

[Matariki]

Great read on 'end times' history and psychology

http://www.enlightennext.org/magazine/j44/lachman.asp?page=1

As the historian Norman Cohn argues in The Pursuit of the Millennium, millenarian scenarios share some basic ideas. Salvation is collective, involving everyone, although not everyone will be saved; it is to be experienced here on Earth, not in some afterlife; it is on its way and will arrive suddenly; it will be total, effecting a complete transformation of life as we know it; and it is to be achieved through supernatural forces. As Cohn argues, by the Middle Ages, grassroots expectation of the millennium was rampant. With a corrupt Church, the common folk sought salvation through a cleansing apocalypse.

[Matariki]

1. Another quote

(bold text is my doing. I think that hits the point nicely)

<quote>

Much has been written about 2012, pointing out both the value and the flaws in Argüelles’s and McKenna’s interpretations. I don’t intend to repeat those here. The strangeness of the ideas did not repel me. At the time that I came across them, I was reading Rudolf Steiner, who had his own prophecies concerning the third millennium, which, to be honest, were rather vague. I had also already spent some years in the Gurdjieff “work,” so odd ideas were not a threat. What troubled me then and today is what I call the “apocalyptic gesture,” a point I raised recently on the Reality Sandwich website, much of which is dedicated to the 2012 scenario. The desire for some once-and-for-all break with the given conditions of life seems, to me at least, to be embedded in our psyche and is a form of historical or evolutionary impatience. Social, political, or cultural conditions may trigger it, but in essence it’s the same reaction as losing patience with some annoying, mundane business and, in frustration, knocking it aside with the intent to make a “clean start.” While in our personal lives this may result in nothing more than a string of false beginnings and a lack of staying power, on the broader social and political scale it can mean something far more serious.

[Delphinus]

2. Thanks!

Seems like it's going to be good.

[BlueIris]

3. Kick. nt

[Matariki]

12. Wow. A kick after three months!

that gave me a giggle, Blue Iris. Thanks. ;-)

[MorningGlow]

4. Not to mention we hoomins are drama addicts

We always want our lives to be like the movies, with a big kablammy event. Personally, I say "ick". ;)

[davsand]

5. "It is what it is" kinda sums it up for me.

I dunno, I have never been too good with all the gloom and doom stuff. If there is gonna be some sudden huge world ending catastrophe (I'm not talking about global warming or some other long term thing...) I doubt there's too much I can do about it on a personal level. It is gonna be whatever it is, and the only thing I can control is how I deal with it.

My personal philosophy is pretty much to live every day the best you can and never wait to tell somebody how much you love them because you just never know if you will get that opportunity again.



Laura

[WhiteTara]

6. do you think the millenialists will have to do

something because it isn't happening and they have put their whole identity into that?

[Shallah Kali]

7. some will find another catastrophe to prepare for

example those who hoarded to ready for global collapse for y2k who then turned to peak oil or monetary collapse or glenn beck's hocking of freeze dried food, survival seed kits and gold...

others leave their former belief systems and try or create something new like the various end timer sects that were around in 1800s and when Jesus didn't come, set another date, then set yet another date and finally one preacher dude had no followers at all.

i figure some will just move the date forward again figuring someone must have miscalculated and keep on doing their thing for a time at least like some of the Christian fundamentalists who are waiting for the end times, it's gonna hit any second now so you best be ready and maybe hire an atheist to take care of the pets once you are sucked up into the rapture. Some of the leaders have been predicting disasters from San Francisco to the entire state of CA quaking into the sea for decades now with no end in sight in spite of it not happening and still have followers...

[OneGrassRoot]

8. It really is an addiction for some -- of all stripes...

we see that so clearly here on DU. An addiction to disaster. Ick.

Hi, Shallah. I'm always so happy to see you. :) :hug: :hug: :hug:

[kimmerspixelated]

9. Athiests/Pets! Perfect!

Agreed! The catastrophes are for the drama lovers, no doubt! Predictions and money making all rolled into one!

[Shallah Kali]

10. article: Caring for Pets Left Behind by the Rapture Fo

Caring for Pets Left Behind by the Rapture
For a fee, this service will place your dog or cat in the home of a caring atheist on Judgment Day
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_08/b4167070046047.htm

[Matariki]

13. That is pure genius.

I can imagine what the evening was like when the folks who started that came up with the idea.

[Kookaburra]

14. Yep, and I'd be willing to bet

Tequila was involved.

[AC_Mem]

11. My dear 10 year old grandson said

"Grandma, why would anyone want the world to end in 2012? - That would mean I had only one year left to live and I'm not done yet!"

I told him that it may well be the end of an "age" and not the actual end of the world. I didn't realize how much the talk on televisions or in churches can affect a child that is listening.

So.... it looks like this has presented itself as a "teachable moment" that I need to take advantage of :)

Peace,
Annette