Apocalypse Now: Why Believers Will Grow Stronger If the World Doesn’t End – TIME Healthland

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In case you haven't heard, the world is about to end on May 21. According to 89-year-old radio host Harold Camping and his followers, who have been placing billboards and subway ads across the country, people must repent now and "cry mightily" for God's mercy in order to be "raptured" into heaven on Saturday, or risk being left behind as the world is wracked by earthquakes, plagues and, ultimately, complete destruction.

Psychology is typically lousy at predictions. But it can predict, with the weight of some pretty strong evidence, that if the world doesn't in fact end this weekend, most true believers of the apocalypse will not lose their religion. Indeed, the failure of the apocalypse to materialize will only strengthen believers' convictions.

The psychology behind this phenomenon applies to far more than fanatical religious behavior. It also helps explain everything from cults to the insidious influence of drug company paraphernalia.

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Full article at healthland.time.com

Now, they're bein' a little unfair given that the guy predicted that May 21 would be the beginning of the end of the world, that it'll take like eight months for it to be all over. So I mean, just 'cause the Apocalypse doesn't happen Saturday doesn't mean he's wrong. :D Could be right. If your God's not the Christian God then get some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the show (or cry over it or get outraged about it or be utterly bored by it 'cause you're just so freakin' cool :D, however you usually feel about reality court TV). In that case it's not your Apocalypse anyway and the smart thing is probably to stay out of it unless you want to testify on behalf of the truly good Christians you know who want and you feel deserve to go to the Christian Heaven. But, yeah, maybe God the Father, Jesus, and the Christian Holy Spirit are ready to come get their people, and if so, all the best to all of ya. Have a great afterlife. :D If I'm able I'll root for ya when your number comes up, unless I can't, of course (like if testimony's not allowed or I can't get in to offer it). I'll visit ya if I'm allowed, or at least I'd assume that some part of the spirits of your loved ones would be allowed to remain with you, the parts you loved that made you happy, in any reasonable Heaven, or you'll forget us altogether and live in blissful unawareness of any left behind, which can't be so bad either, so hey. Should be a great time, and whether you choose to believe it or not, whether we recognize one another or not, I'm sure I'll see you again somewhere in infinite eternity, and I hope you're still in Heaven when I do. :)

Posted via email from Moments of Awareness