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Post by darklight on Nov 28, 2006 16:52:50 GMT -5
Forty-four percent of the American population is convinced that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead sometime in the next fifty years. According to the most common interpretation of biblical prophecy, Jesus will return only after things have gone horribly awry here on earth. It is, therefore, not an exaggeration to say that if the city of New York were suddenly replaced by a ball of fire, some significant percentage of the American population would see a silver lining in the subsequent mushroom cloud, as it would suggest to them that the best thing that is ever going to happen was about to happen—the return of Christ. It should be blindingly obvious that beliefs of this sort will do little to help us create a durable future for ourselves—socially, economically, environmentally, or geopolitically. Imagine the consequences if any significant component of the U.S. government actually believed that the world was about to end and that its ending would be glorious. The fact that nearly half of the American population apparently believes this, purely on the basis of religious dogma, should be considered a moral and intellectual emergency.
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Post by relay on Nov 28, 2006 18:23:27 GMT -5
Except that the people who really believe that are the same people who believe we are to make this world a better place as a part of our faith. Try again.
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~Z~
Full Member
Posts: 139
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Post by ~Z~ on Nov 28, 2006 20:24:34 GMT -5
darklight - I really hope you are not trying to be serious.
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Post by jesusfreak on Nov 29, 2006 12:54:03 GMT -5
The funny thing is, just about every generation of Christians believed that they were the generation that would see the second coming. I don't so much believe that he will come during my life as I desire him to come. Maybe my desire to see him may lead me to read into things that they are signs of his coming. Now if I wish, pray, hope and long for his return there is no harm. If I plan my life that he will be here in a couple of years then I am acting not only in a dangerous way but foolish way that is contrary to his teachings.
JMO
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Post by relay on Nov 29, 2006 16:37:06 GMT -5
Good point. I didn't even think about the whole point that Jesus said that not even He knew when He'd return. Anyone who believes Jesus is returning one day, most likely knows that know one really knows when it will happen. And in the mean time, Jesus told us to take care of orphans and widows, so that takes care of the social breakdown idea.
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Post by mobyrox on Dec 8, 2006 16:00:24 GMT -5
yeah, you guys, that seems reasonable that if the end-timers are expecting Christ's return, they would be trying to make this world a better place but many are influenced by the Left Behind novels and prophecy which says God will rapture the believers and he won't do that until things get really bad here, like people getting imprinted w/ the number of the beast and for there to be utter chaos in the middle east and for all the Jews to get Israel back in tact what it was in Biblical times. End timers who believe these things are exacerbating the situation to bring about the end times. For further proof of this, you all shoul check out "With God On Our Side" by Esther Kaplan (may be Their side...don't recall right now) or "The Rapture Exposed" by Barbra Rossing (I think I have the name right). End Times beliefs can by very dangerous indeed.
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