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Is The End of the World a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy?

Posted by lotusb • 6/17/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: religion, religulous

I recently watched "Religulous", a doc film by Bill Mayher about taking a deeper look at the religions around the world.

He basically referred to religion as fairy tales as ridiculous as beleiving in the tooth fairy and Santa Claus (Yes, Santa Claus is made up)..

Beyond that well-supported point was the idea that this common end of times theory that every religion tells will soon come, may be a self fulfilling prophecy. Look around...many of the world's drama stems from religious beleifs and differences. His final point was that leaving our political decisions(which is ultimately the largest human power)up to men who are irrationally following religion to make their decisions WILL bring forth the end of the world, and that prevention is in thinking without religion and only with logic.

What do you think (ok I said a mouthful..)

User Comments

6/17/09

dcarroll

"The end of the world."

Most people equate the end of the world with something less--the end of humans.

When humans are gone the earth will still be spinning in the cosmos.

Dinosaurs are gone. The dodo is gone. Neanderthal man is gone. Even Cro-Magnon is gone.

Is it a self-fulfilling prophecy?

NO. It's nature. Although people forcing their views on others may speed the process (MY religion is better, more correct than your stupid beliefs, etc.)

[reply]
1. 6/17/09
  
  lotusb
  
  Well all those things died off naturally. We are living in an industrial world and a nuclear world. There has never been the ability held by man to destroy the entire world (not just it's population) until these mass destruction weapons came about. And they are controled by men who are controled by their bibles.
2. 6/17/09
  
  dcarroll
  
  Actually the accepted theory on the disappearance of Neanderthal Man was due to competition with Cro-Magnon. One "man" killing another but slightly different "man."
  
  The ability to destroy the entire world has been here for over 60 years.
  
  But, you are right. Someone will use today's weapons as "their mighty sword" to cleanse the world of non-believers of some sort.
6/17/09

davidmukonda

believe it or not the end of the world will come, just nobody knows when!

[reply]
6/17/09

nothingprofound

I think religion has become a scapegoat for the irrational behavior we're all capable of. The scientists who created nuclear weapons were all supposedly rational, logical beings. The old Soviet Union, as well as current day China, are atheistic States, and they're as much a threat to humankind as fundamentalist Muslims and Christians. I think we have to dig deeper than religion into human nature to find the source of all these dangers and conflicts.

[reply]
1. 6/17/09
  
  timethief
  
  I'm with you - very well said.
2. 6/17/09
  
  boytrotters
  
  I would agree with this assessment too. It's become far too easy and fashionable to kick the fundamentalists in this world without looking into the root cause of it all - human nature.
6/18/09

freeatlast

I believe so... I've long held the belief that end-of-the world believers won't be happy until they prove themselves right.

[reply]
6/18/09

gurushabad

Let HIM take care of these things.God bless all.

[reply]
6/19/09

jeremyjanson

What this "irrational Religion" inspires in those leaders (assuming they even have it, which my guess is they don't) is a selflessness and love of those they take care of that would otherwise be replaced with politics as usualy for their own darned self-interest.

My guess is, if we had a little more "irrational" in our politics, we wouldn't have to worry about the atom bomb because those politicians would worry about God's wrath against them and behave themselves for once.

[reply]
1. 6/19/09
  
  SweetViolet
  
  I'm not seeing those suicide bombers and their religious leaders having any kind of concern for "God's wrath." Quite the contrary, in fact...they believe God will reward them for their murderous ways. Imagine what will be in store for those who disagree with their religious views when pocket nukes finally materialize?
  
  And lest you forget, their God and your God are one and the same.
2. 6/19/09
  
  jeremyjanson
  
  @SweetViolet: They aren't politicians. Politicians are a different breed, at once more selfish, and more intelligent and studious. They would realize that the Qu'ran does not advocate that action.
  
  And as for our God's being the same, that's their claim, and mine is that their book is the product of a cheap con-man and false prophet.
3. 6/19/09
  
  SweetViolet
  
  Then you are arguing from ignorance, knowing neither your political nor religious history.
4. 6/19/09
  
  jeremyjanson
  
  Well my SweetViolet, why don't you come off your high and lofty horse to tell us little peasants where our ignorances lie, or can you only talk the talk?
  
  I've read the Qu'ran. It says very specifically to treat Jews & Christians with respect, "as their books also come from God," (this is actually part of why I believe it is a false prophecy, as their book contradicts EVERY MESSAGE of the New Testament and therefore a "book from God.") and to not harm civilians or surrendering or unarmed soldiers during a Jihad. Islam does believe in religious warfare, but it is a relatively civilized, mass army, WWII type schpeal with uniforms and battle lines, not barbaric attacks on skyscrapers.