The End:May 21, 2011?? - Great Disappointments Pt. 3

That there promises to be an end or transition of some kind especially accompanied by rewards or sanctions, does not seem to be the greatest debate or dispute these days though. Indeed, our fellow human beings have long been consumed with ‘the end’; either of ‘time’, an ‘age’ or ‘the world’ as we know it. Many have dedicated their lives preparing for it; since ancient Egypt, the Sumerians, Muslims, Christians, and Scientists even, and most intriguing – the Mayans have spoken of an end – of time or period. Do your research – I will not use this medium to elaborate on the Mayan Calendar vis a vis the expected end in December 2012. 

Hence, yes, many feel that an end is imminent. But the great debate and concern seems to be, whether anyone can tell when it will occur and what exactly will happen – obviously this extends to the pressing issue – will this event or series of events occur in our lifetime? Often, this obsession is harbored at the peril of making best use of life; of valuing what we have; of being responsible citizens and good stewards of our various talents and gifts. I have already spoken briefly of this in Part 1 of this topic... http://frith02.blogspot.com/search?q=great+disappointments.

While I do not invest energy into being concerned about the prediction about ‘the end’ on May 21, my eyebrows are raised at some of the responses I have heard from people in Christendom, ordinary and ordained alike. I am somehow seeing a contradiction in responses that are quick at definitively dismissing this controversial claim, with certainty of its impossibility. I have heard persons making statements suggesting that they are certain of a life on earth beyond May 21. Here is my simple issue with this attitude. Mainstream Christianity holds the view that, ‘…of that hour, no man knoweth the hour… ‘ Matthew 24:36 (The Bible). If this is so, then Christians logically should hold the view that 'the hour' could be this very hour, the next hour, next week, next month, next year or perhaps next never in our lifetime. Given this unknown variable of 'any minute or hour', one has no guarantee of tomorrow. Therefore, while I, myself have no interest in, neither hold any anxieties about May 21, I wish to remind both Christian Church leaders and followers that no matter how versed you think you are in matters of prophecy and exegesis; no matter how much political clout you have in the hierarchy of Christendom, you are no more or less certain than Camping and his camp about this matter. You have no certainty that he is either wrong or right. 

Whether or not Camping had made a declaration, is it not part of your beliefs and teaching that, 'the coming' is imminent? Hence, you have no guarantees that you will be around post May 21 the next minute. A less pompous response to Camping is wise.

The nature of religious movements historically have been characterized by diverse interpretations and proclamations – many that have proven to be wrong and destructive while some have been very useful and empowering. The best and most dignified response I would recommend is, ‘If that is the case, then it will be – if it is not so, then we shall see’.

For me though, the biggest and most relevant issue is not whether this or other predictions of an end are true or false; not who has better exegesis; not simply who is or not a false prophet – but rather, do people (especially professed Christians and other religious adherents) who believe that the end is imminent, really living their lives daily, being honest, just, charitable and sincere, with that expectation, of that the end could come any minute?

The End:May 21, 2011?? - Great Disappointments Pt. 2

Where will you be on Saturday May 21 when ‘the end’ comes? What will you be doing? Will you be musing over monotonous tasks at your desk, or at home, only to be jolted from your slumber, as windows, walls and roof rattle at the force of a 10.0 quake? Or will you be driving somewhere, perhaps on a highway -say, Highway 2000 – Portmore leg? Then to have your journey transformed into the car chase of the century – except that this chase will look like a scene from the movie, 2012. So, you floor the accelerator desperately speeding to outrun the disintegrating asphalt, collapsing inches behind the rear tires of your sedan, for which you just made your last monthly payment; the pavement behind you disappears - swallowed by cracks and craters in the after-shock of that 10.0. 

Will you be glancing in the rear view mirror while deceptively assuring your six year old daughter that everything is going to be OK - as you frantically negotiate the causeway into Kingston, watching Portmore disappearing into the Kingston Harbour, like Port Royal in 1692? Or, would you by then, have sold your car, cattle and clothes and are earnestly praying with great anticipation – or much consternation like the panic stricken, seeking emergency baptism? Or will you, like me, on Saturday May 21, be giving thanks, as usual for another day – the only day and moment that we know about, without fear or anxiety whether it will be the last? I have no guarantees that there will be a tomorrow – neither do I entertain fear of its uncertainty.

Indeed, for sure, May 21 will be the end, or the beginning of the end of something – one way or another. Yes, it will either be the end according to Harold Camping and his followers, or on the other hand, it will be the end of that speculation, for now - perhaps to be revisited or revised for an amended time in the future, or to be later resurrected by some other proponent of doomsday date forecasting. Be advised, that Camping previously predicted September 6, 1994 as that expected doomsday.

I am reminded of a line from Samuel Beckett’s first mime, "Act without words 1", (You will also remember his text ‘Waiting for Godot’) that reads, 'They give birth astride of a grave.' This not only speaks to what can be interpreted as the futility or brevity of life, but poignantly points to the certainty of death. Whether death is the end, a transition or a new beginning, I do not know. At a previous period of my life, faith would, as a matter of course, have me embrace hopes of a blissful ever after or seek to avoid an unpleasant eternity – but I have never met, neither interviewed a soul that have traveled the yonder dimensions of death and has returned hither with tidings to bear. Therefore, that realm is not my obsession. But I know that I have a duty and responsibility to be the best human being I can be; to be better today than I was yesterday; to be a responsible and responsive citizen in this manifestation; to be my brother’s keeper everyday - come what may.

To be continued.... read Part 3