FacebookTwitter
Hatrack River Forum   
my profile login | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Hatrack River Forum » Active Forums » Books, Films, Food and Culture » Is it the End of Days? (Page 1)

  This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2   
Author Topic: Is it the End of Days?
Chris Bridges
Member
Member # 1138

 - posted      Profile for Chris Bridges   Email Chris Bridges         Edit/Delete Post 
We post polls on our front page, some silly, some serious, most having to do with current events.

The one from Monday read like this:

Tsunamis, hurricanes, fires and earthquakes have struck one after another this year. What's going on?

It's just a coincidence
It's global warming
It's all Bush's fault
It's the End of Days
Heck if I know

Currently the results (in an admittedly very unscientific poll) are looking like this:

It's just a coincidence 365 (29.41%)
It's global warming 230 (18.53%)
It's all Bush's fault 225 (18.13%)
It's the End of Days 254 (20.47%)
Heck if I know 167 (13.46%)

I gotta wonder... how many people believe we're in the End Times? What about you folks?

Posts: 7790 | Registered: Aug 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Belle
Member
Member # 2314

 - posted      Profile for Belle   Email Belle         Edit/Delete Post 
Put me down for "It's just a coincidence."
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Beren One Hand
Member
Member # 3403

 - posted      Profile for Beren One Hand           Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
It's all Bush's fault 225 (18.13%)
Huh? Are these people insane?

I vote for coincidence.

I do have one question. Are we experiencing an unusual increase in tectonic plate shifts in the recent years? Or am I just paranoid because I live in California?

Posts: 4116 | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
twinky
Member
Member # 693

 - posted      Profile for twinky   Email twinky         Edit/Delete Post 
I'm sure a lot of the people are responding in jest. The poll choices are pretty amusing... I mean, "It's all Bush's fault!" *laugh*
Posts: 10886 | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Chris Bridges
Member
Member # 1138

 - posted      Profile for Chris Bridges   Email Chris Bridges         Edit/Delete Post 
Don't laugh. It was added in jest, but we've received complaints about the poll's "Bush-bashing."
Posts: 7790 | Registered: Aug 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Teshi
Member
Member # 5024

 - posted      Profile for Teshi   Email Teshi         Edit/Delete Post 
I certainly think there's a irrational desire to believe that the recent rash of disasters, the war, the weather etc., mark a kind of beginning of the end. I mean I've certainly stepped out of my front door into pinky-grey cloud cover and muffled sounds and thought "well, this would be a good day for the world to end."

I think this poll is totally unindicative rationally, but does reflect a kind of worry among the general populace that things aren't going in the right direction. The reasons for this are varied but I think the feeling, although people recognise it as irrational is definately there.

Posts: 8473 | Registered: Apr 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
DarkKnight
Member
Member # 7536

 - posted      Profile for DarkKnight   Email DarkKnight         Edit/Delete Post 
I'm sure they are some people responding to the poll who truly believe it is Bush's fault
Posts: 1918 | Registered: Mar 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Lisa
Member
Member # 8384

 - posted      Profile for Lisa   Email Lisa         Edit/Delete Post 
I checked my calendar, and I'm pretty sure we have days going at least until the end of the year.
Posts: 12266 | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Crotalus
Member
Member # 7339

 - posted      Profile for Crotalus   Email Crotalus         Edit/Delete Post 
It's the end of the world as we know it.

And I feel fiiinne.

Posts: 232 | Registered: Jan 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
ifmyheartcouldbeat
Member
Member # 8692

 - posted      Profile for ifmyheartcouldbeat   Email ifmyheartcouldbeat         Edit/Delete Post 
Its the apocolypse people. Clearly. ;-)
Posts: 82 | Registered: Oct 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
KPhysicsGeek
Member
Member # 8655

 - posted      Profile for KPhysicsGeek   Email KPhysicsGeek         Edit/Delete Post 
It's the End of Days!!! [Cry]


but that is still Bush's fault [Wink]

Posts: 68 | Registered: Sep 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
littlemissattitude
Member
Member # 4514

 - posted      Profile for littlemissattitude   Email littlemissattitude         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by Chris Bridges:
Tsunamis, hurricanes, fires and earthquakes have struck one after another this year. What's going on?

It's just a coincidence
It's global warming
It's all Bush's fault
It's the End of Days
Heck if I know

Okay, let's look at the alternatives.

It's all Bush's fault - Look, I don't like Bush much, but I just can't figure out how Bush could make a hurricane or an earthquake.

It's the End of Days - I don't believe in an "End of Days", so I wouldn't choose this alternative.

It's global warming - Okay, I can see how this could influence hurricane formation. But earthquakes? Can't see that at all.

It's just a coincidence - I'd be more apt to choose this alternative. Except that I'm not all that sure I believe in coincidence.

So, I think I'm stuck with Heck if I know. Although I think I might add another alternative, sort of between the "coincidence" alternative and this one. I'd call that alternative Crap happens.

Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
JannieJ
Member
Member # 8683

 - posted      Profile for JannieJ   Email JannieJ         Edit/Delete Post 
End of Days was an awful movie.
Posts: 74 | Registered: Oct 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
El JT de Spang
Member
Member # 7742

 - posted      Profile for El JT de Spang   Email El JT de Spang         Edit/Delete Post 
For those that don't believe in the End Of Days, consider this: Rick Moranis just released a country music CD.

Yes, you heard right. The guy from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, My Blue Heaven, and Ghostbusters just came out with a record.

Posts: 5462 | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
KPhysicsGeek
Member
Member # 8655

 - posted      Profile for KPhysicsGeek   Email KPhysicsGeek         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by El JT de Spang:
For those that don't believe in the End Of Days, consider this: Rick Moranis just released a country music CD.

Yes, you heard right. The guy from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, My Blue Heaven, and Ghostbusters just came out with a record.

I thought for sure it was the End of Days when the Red Sox won the series last year. After that, nothing is really a shock.
Posts: 68 | Registered: Sep 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Askew
Member
Member # 8438

 - posted      Profile for Askew   Email Askew         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by Adam613:

I don't think it's the end of days, but I do think we're entering a modern Dark Ages.

I agree with Adam. Human history is full of examples of civilizations being cyclic. Rome in recent history. The legends of Atlantis, Babylon etc. The archeological ruins of civilizations that have passed through the cycle.
Many of the older eastern religions have cycles in them where things come crashing down and begin again.
Most things grow old and pass on into history. If you think of our society as an organism, we advance as long as more effort is put into advancing the whole, than for individual satisfaction. If all the cells in your body wanted more, what would happen? Iā€™m not going to carry this oxygen to the liver. It would break down and fall apart. We are reaching that point. Itā€™s very similar to what John Forbes Nash Jr. came up with (the guy in ā€˜A beautiful mindā€™). We work together till it is no longer in our perceived self-interest.

As for a reason for the weather, there are shifts. Was the last ice age the ā€œend of the worldā€? I wouldnā€™t say so.

Did you ever hear "old yellow eyes" by Data from Star Trek?

Posts: 22 | Registered: Aug 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Enigmatic
Member
Member # 7785

 - posted      Profile for Enigmatic   Email Enigmatic         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by JannieJ:
End of Days was an awful movie.

But Strange Days was pretty good.
Posts: 2715 | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
ricree101
Member
Member # 7749

 - posted      Profile for ricree101   Email ricree101         Edit/Delete Post 
Sorry Chris, but your poll is fundementally flawed. It is common knowledge that the Yakuza are to blame. And the Russians. Always the Russians.
Posts: 2437 | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
KarlEd
Member
Member # 571

 - posted      Profile for KarlEd   Email KarlEd         Edit/Delete Post 
I thought we were supposed to . . .

Blame Canada!

Posts: 6394 | Registered: Dec 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
ketchupqueen
Member
Member # 6877

 - posted      Profile for ketchupqueen   Email ketchupqueen         Edit/Delete Post 
I don't know.

But I'm still trying to work a little harder on the things I know I haven't got right yet.

It's kinda scary.

Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Father Time
Member
Member # 7985

 - posted      Profile for Father Time   Email Father Time         Edit/Delete Post 
The increase in catastrophic disasters is real. It is documented and analyzed. The data supporting a trend towards super disasters has been available for over a decade.

Here are a few statistics:

-The number of natural disasters has more than tripled since those experienced in the 1970ā€™s.

-More than 3 3/4 million people were killed by all disasters in past 25 years.

-Since the 1950ā€™s, costs associated with natural disasters have rocketed 14-fold. The year 2004 is the most catastrophic year in insurance history. The total world losses (insured and uninsured) rose to an unprecedented total of more than U.S. $150 billion.

-Toward the end of the 1990ā€™s, the world counted some 25,000,000 ā€œenvironmental refugees.ā€ For the first time in recorded history, more people had fled natural hazards than conflict.

-Another humanitarian disaster could be found in sub-Saharan Africa last year, where 2.2 million people died from the HIV/AIDS epidemic, while 24 million currently live with the infection.

-In 2004, Florida was hit by four hurricanes in the space of only a few weeks, making it one of the most costly hurricane seasons ever for insurers. At the same time, Japan was hit by a record number of ten tropical cyclones.

-ā€œKiller earthquakesā€ (with scale ratings of 6.0 or above) have jumped from a cumulative total of 9 in the 1950ā€™s, to 51 in the 1970's, to 285 in the 1990's, and already 190+ in the 2000ā€™s.

-The 1980's and 1990's were the most violent years on record for the actual number of and resulting damage from armed conflicts (including acts of terrorism, insurrection, and war).

Part of the increase can be traced to the improvements in technology and our ability to "see" disasters in remote areas of the world.

Is it the end of days? I don't think so, but we do need to be aware of these trends and the need for coordinated information to help people world wide.

Posts: 56 | Registered: May 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Ophelia
Member
Member # 653

 - posted      Profile for Ophelia   Email Ophelia         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
For those that don't believe in the End Of Days, consider this: Rick Moranis just released a country music CD.

Yes, you heard right. The guy from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, My Blue Heaven, and Ghostbusters just came out with a record.

Well, it's not like he's never sung before. Little Shop of Horrors has a great soundtrack. Not that I'd call his singing wonderful, but certainly not too bad for a country album.

But then again, I guess these days singing ability has absolutely nothing to do with someone's music career.

Posts: 3801 | Registered: Jan 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
rivka
Member
Member # 4859

 - posted      Profile for rivka   Email rivka         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by starLisa:
I checked my calendar, and I'm pretty sure we have days going at least until the end of the year.

And I still have checks in my checkbook. So?

As far as the original question, I don't know. I hope it is (keeping in mind that what that means to me is somewhat different than the Christian notion), but I know that I'm not ready yet. So I also hope it isn't.

Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Brinestone
Member
Member # 5755

 - posted      Profile for Brinestone   Email Brinestone         Edit/Delete Post 
What does it mean to you, rivka? Now you've made me curious. [Smile]
Posts: 1903 | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Chris Bridges
Member
Member # 1138

 - posted      Profile for Chris Bridges   Email Chris Bridges         Edit/Delete Post 
Not sure the numbers on the disaster trends is entirely relevant. For one thing Florida had such horrendous hurricane periods before, apparently on a roughly 25-year cycle. And we have far more people living in the state than we did then, meaning repair costs and evacuation numbers would be correspondingly higher. If 30 people lived in an area that was evacuated in 1965 and 3,000 people live in the same area now, the disaster has not gotten worse.

Adjust the numbers for population growth and building development and let's see if it's an increase or not.

Posts: 7790 | Registered: Aug 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
rivka
Member
Member # 4859

 - posted      Profile for rivka   Email rivka         Edit/Delete Post 
When Jewish sources refer to Achris haYamim, the End of Days, it means the time period directly leading up to the time of Moshiach.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Brinestone
Member
Member # 5755

 - posted      Profile for Brinestone   Email Brinestone         Edit/Delete Post 
I knew that the coming of the Moshiach was anticipated at the end of days, but I would like to know why you don't feel ready and what you expect to lead up to that time.
Posts: 1903 | Registered: Sep 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
rivka
Member
Member # 4859

 - posted      Profile for rivka   Email rivka         Edit/Delete Post 
Because in a way similar to death bringing me to a better world, but one where I no longer have the opportunity to DO anything (including become a better person), Moshiach will bring us to a better world, but one where many of the challenges are removed.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
TomDavidson
Member
Member # 124

 - posted      Profile for TomDavidson   Email TomDavidson         Edit/Delete Post 
As I can't think of any major religion who believes that the unbelievers will get the best end of the apocalypse, I'd like to throw my vote in for "not ready yet," too. [Smile]
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
aspectre
Member
Member # 2222

 - posted      Profile for aspectre           Edit/Delete Post 
Why the economic damage in Florida has gotten worse
Posts: 8501 | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
littlemissattitude
Member
Member # 4514

 - posted      Profile for littlemissattitude   Email littlemissattitude         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by El JT de Spang:
For those that don't believe in the End Of Days, consider this: Rick Moranis just released a country music CD.

[Big Grin] Well, while it is true that I don't believe in the End of Days, I actually considered that it might be true a few weeks ago when William Shatner won an Emmy for his acting. [Eek!]
Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Parsimony
Member
Member # 8140

 - posted      Profile for Parsimony           Edit/Delete Post 
Hey come on now. No Rick Moranis bashing! Didn't you see him in "Little Shop of Horrors"? He is actually a fine singer. I don't know how well his voice translates to country style, since I haven't heard the cd. But let's give the poor guy a little credit.

We have to stick up for the dorky looking guys who manage to make it in this shallow world!

--ApostleRadio

Posts: 367 | Registered: May 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
imogen
Member
Member # 5485

 - posted      Profile for imogen   Email imogen         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by TomDavidson:
As I can't think of any major religion who believes that the unbelievers will get the best end of the apocalypse, I'd like to throw my vote in for "not ready yet," too. [Smile]

I'm with Tom.
Posts: 4393 | Registered: Aug 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Joldo
Member
Member # 6991

 - posted      Profile for Joldo   Email Joldo         Edit/Delete Post 
Well, according to Fred Phelps, the fault belongs to the perverts out there. And yes, it is the end of days.
Posts: 1735 | Registered: Oct 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Cactus Jack
Member
Member # 2671

 - posted      Profile for Cactus Jack           Edit/Delete Post 
Actually, Mormon leaders have said that "millions" of good people of all creeds (including athiests) will survive the apocalypse and live during the millenium. Granted, that's in a world of billions, but at least it gives it odds, right?
Posts: 241 | Registered: Nov 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
mr_porteiro_head
Member
Member # 4644

 - posted      Profile for mr_porteiro_head   Email mr_porteiro_head         Edit/Delete Post 
I do believe that it is the End of Days.

How close we are to the end of the End of Days, I don't know.

I do not think that only believers will survive the end (or the beginning) of the apocalypse.

Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
beverly
Member
Member # 6246

 - posted      Profile for beverly   Email beverly         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:

We have to stick up for the dorky looking guys who manage to make it in this shallow world!

It's all good and fine to stand up for the dorky guys, but what about the dorky girls who make it in this shallow world?

Oh, wait. There aren't any. [Razz]

Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Boothby171
Member
Member # 807

 - posted      Profile for Boothby171   Email Boothby171         Edit/Delete Post 
My son and I were watching that pseudo-news anchor on the local TPN station, who was proudly proclaiming, "See! I was right! It is the End Of Days!"

I told my son, "If Jesus doesn't come by June, 2006, we're going to find this guy, hold him down, and just slap him silly."

Seems like a fair deal.

Posts: 1862 | Registered: Mar 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Altįriėl of Dorthonion
Member
Member # 6473

 - posted      Profile for Altįriėl of Dorthonion   Email Altįriėl of Dorthonion         Edit/Delete Post 
For me its a toss between the end of days and the coincedence thing. I probably would've voted that its all Bush's fault just for the heck of it. You guys know I cannot stand Republican viewpoints or polititians.
Posts: 3389 | Registered: Apr 2004  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
0range7Penguin
Member
Member # 7337

 - posted      Profile for 0range7Penguin           Edit/Delete Post 
Not to worry anyone but the Mayan Calender predicted the end of the world to be the year 2020. The Mayan's had VERY accurate calenders...
Posts: 832 | Registered: Jan 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Enigmatic
Member
Member # 7785

 - posted      Profile for Enigmatic   Email Enigmatic         Edit/Delete Post 
Actually, it's 2012. December 21, iirc.
Also, it's arguable that the Mayan "end of the world" is more like the end of one age and the beginning of another.

Of course, as one of my secular humanist friends likes to say "I can't wait until 2012, just so everybody has to find a new magic date after nothing happens."

--Enigmatic

Posts: 2715 | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Elizabeth
Member
Member # 5218

 - posted      Profile for Elizabeth   Email Elizabeth         Edit/Delete Post 
My husband pointed out to my son that if the world ends before the World Series is finished, the Red Sox will be world champions for eternity.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
kojabu
Member
Member # 8042

 - posted      Profile for kojabu           Edit/Delete Post 
Jokingly I'd say it's all Bush's fault, but in reality I think it's global warming and coincidence.

Elizabeth: [ROFL]

Posts: 2867 | Registered: May 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Elizabeth
Member
Member # 5218

 - posted      Profile for Elizabeth   Email Elizabeth         Edit/Delete Post 
Sadly, Kojabu, many Red Sox fans would probably go for this option.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Dan_raven
Member
Member # 3383

 - posted      Profile for Dan_raven   Email Dan_raven         Edit/Delete Post 
Karl Rove called. He wants you to know its really all the Bush Haters fault. They are making the natural disasters to make him, I mean the President, look bad.
Posts: 11895 | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
littlemissattitude
Member
Member # 4514

 - posted      Profile for littlemissattitude   Email littlemissattitude         Edit/Delete Post 
Dan...When you talk to Karl, tell him he's projecting again and to cut it out and go talk to a professional. [Razz]
Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
kojabu
Member
Member # 8042

 - posted      Profile for kojabu           Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by El JT de Spang:
For those that don't believe in the End Of Days, consider this: Rick Moranis just released a country music CD.

Yes, you heard right. The guy from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, My Blue Heaven, and Ghostbusters just came out with a record.

Have you ever heard of Bob and Doug McKenzie? It's Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas being weird. Great stuff though. They do a hilarious version of the 12 Days of Christmas.
Posts: 2867 | Registered: May 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Tante Shvester
Member
Member # 8202

 - posted      Profile for Tante Shvester   Email Tante Shvester         Edit/Delete Post 
First, I believe that it is all just a coincidence.

Second, it is about 5 minutes 'til midnight, so it is certainly the end of this day.

Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Occasional
Member
Member # 5860

 - posted      Profile for Occasional   Email Occasional         Edit/Delete Post 
I believe it is the End Days and has been for almost 200 years. After all,I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Of course, that means the last period of human history and could be 100 or 1000 years from now before THE End Days. However, following LDS prophecy, I would say two thirds of major events have been fulfilled.
Posts: 2207 | Registered: Oct 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
odouls268
Member
Member # 2145

 - posted      Profile for odouls268   Email odouls268         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
but does reflect a kind of worry among the general populace that things aren't going in the right direction
What would BE the "right direction?"

I for one still follow the eternal tenants of the "Everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten" poster: The world would be a much better place if at 1 o'clock everyone, the whole world, had cookies and milk and laid down for a nap.

Posts: 2532 | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
  This topic comprises 2 pages: 1  2   

   Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | Hatrack River Home Page

Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2