Review: Have A Nice Doomsday
Reviews September 8th, 2007I read “Have A Nice Doomsday” by Nicholas Guyatt while on holiday. It sets about explaining the origins and implications of the 50 million Americans who believe the world is likely to end within their life time with the return of Jesus (or the Rapture) – this view is called Apocalyptic Christianity. The popularity of this view has been increased by the establishment of Israel in 1948.
Until recently, these believers have been distrustful of political involvement and particularly of the UN. The UN is viewed as a likely origin for the Anti-Christ. There seems to have been a shift towards unwavering Zionism because of its role in biblical prophesy. (Even though they also believe that the Jews will have to eventually convert to Christianity or be condemned by God). Their second objective is evangelicalism – save as many souls as possible from the Tribulation; this is meant to occur just before Jesus’s return.
The book is written from what I would call a neutral point of view but I realize neutrality is a myth in this case. The book slightly implies that they might be mistaken as it describes other historic movements that have set dates for the apocalypse and been disappointed. Why are they any more correct this time? And if you want to dive into the Bible: “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” (Mat 24:11)
Philosophically, I regard this attitude as world denying – they are unwilling to engage with the world as it actually is (and will be). This vaguely ties in to the discussion on anti-realism and on the point about predictive world views. Apocalyptic Christians appear to be “delayed anti-realists”.
Also I am strongly reminded of that X-Files quote about millennium apocalypse cults:
SCULLY: Mulder, those people, even when they were alive, mangled biblical prophecy to the extent that it’s unrecognizable. The year 2000 is just their artificial deadline and besides, 2001 is actually the start of the new millennium.
MULDER: Nobody likes a math geek, Scully.
I think I’ll not hold my breath while waiting for the apocalypse.
Anti Citizen One
September 8th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Sounds like an interesting book. I read some US political books about the Bush era recently and naturally they gave attention to the Christian-Right who are generally synonymous with these Apocalytpic Christian.
I’m a little uncomfortable as an anti-realist to be pigeonholed with this lot. But I’m assuming a different definition to be in use here.
I think the bizarre thing about this group is their support for ‘militant’ Zionism. In the hope of sparking off a real battle of armageddon and thus forcing a ‘second-coming.’
I’m not sure they are world denying (as the world is). And I think they are too prepared to engage in the world as it is (think the export of arms to Israel, and the support for Israel over Palestine). I’ll agree that they are world deniers with regards how the world will be… but then again in the absence of a functioning crystal ball predictions of the future are pretty unreliable.
To this extent I agree they have a connection to my form of anti-realism, but very loosely. I don’t hear them advocating either the presence of a rhinoceros in the room (when there would appear not to be) nor do they deny inductive reasoning that would hold that just as it has done for aeons so too tommorow will see the sun rise.
Still (apart from picky opinions) this book sounds interesting and I will have to give it a go.
It is worth noting that some apocalyptic suicide cults are self-fulfilling prophecies.
September 9th, 2007 at 10:35 am
Yes I agree with your point. I was using anti-realism in a very broad sense; as more of a world view rather than a philosophical view.
AC1