Literally, the end of time - a favorite subject of doomsday prophets and their cults (e.g. Aum Shinrikyo), but also of some Christians who are so focused on the end time events described in the Bible that they lose all sight of present-day reality (example: the initial over-reaction to the Y2K computer problem).
Some people see "spiritual" or political significance in certain dates, such as recent turn of the century (end of the current millennium - which, technically, started on Jan. 1st, 2001).
Doomsday is sometimes referred to as "Armageddon." In theology, the study of the end time is called "eschatology."
Articles
 Millennial Madness by Ron Rhodes
 Project Megiddo An "FBI strategic assessment of the potential for domestic terrorism in the United States undertaken in anticipation of or response to the arrival of the new millennium"
Trends in Terrorism This report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service includes a look at Doomsday Religious Movements
Y2K Paranoia: Extremists Confront the Millennium Report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Books
In this look at doomsday madness--its history, leaders, followers, and dogma--Abanes cites historical antecedents from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and discusses in detail the myriad of popular doomsday prophets, including Japan's Aum Shinrikyo, and other international movements.
"Stephen King doesn't frighten me. Richard Abanes does. Here, we are presented with a ragged parade of cults, sects, prophets, miracle mongers, scripture-thumpers, and other assorted nutcakes, both past and present, who have led followers willy-nilly into diverse avenues of madness..."
James Randi, author of "An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural"
News
» Google News Predefined Search. If current news is available on this topic, you will find it here.
» Religion News Blog RNB logs current and archived news about religious cults, sects, alternative religions and related issues.
News Archive
Database of archived news items
(Includes items added between Oct. 25, 1999 and Jan. 31, 2002. See about this database)
» For newer items, see Religion News Blog
Older Items:
(Sep 6, 1999) Perspective on the year 2000
(Sep 1, 1999) U.S. Prepares For Possible Y2k Violence
(Jul 18, 1999) Jack Kelly: Wackos and terrorists - The other Y2K problem
(May 29, 1999) Author disputes end-of-the-world theology
(May 25, 1999) New Zealand police checking millennium suicide rumors
(May 24, 1999) For Some, Doom Is in the Digits, in the Web
(May 24, 1999) Former televangelist calls Y2K a picnic compared to coming apocalypse
(May 24, 1999) Millennial cult misery 'will fill therapy clinics'
(May 22, 1999) Y2K refugees are heading for the hills of Floyd County
(May 21, 1999) Millennialism thrives at the end of the millennium
(May 15, 1999) Profits of doom
(May 11, 1999) Japanese reading, heeding Nostradamus as millennium closes
(Apr. 24, 1999) Millennium madness comes to UK
(Mar. 31, 1999) The Year of Believing in Prophecies
(Mar. 3, 1999) FBI plans to leave 'doomsday' cults alone
(Feb. 27, 1999) 'Left Behind' installment breaks onto secular lists
(Mar. 1, 1999) Some Christians fear Y2K signals the end
(Feb. 22, 1999) "The Christian Solution to Y2K"
(Feb. 21, 1999) Bug creates schism in religious circles
(Feb. 1999) Apocalypse Soon
(Jan. 4, 1999) Millennialists prepare for Armageddon
(Jan. 4, 1999) Preparing for the false prophets
(Jan. 3, 1999) Why is 2000 a big deal for end-timers?
(Jan. 2, 1999) Waiting for Armageddon
(Jan. 2, 1999) Computer Bug Is Stuff of Prophecy to Fundamentalist Faithful
(Jan. 2, 1999) Y2K woman
(Jan. 2, 1999) Millennium is actually old news
(Jan. 2, 1999) Millennium fever is spawning apocalypse cults even among formerly rational people, says Damian Thompson
(Oct. 5, 1998) Christians prepare for millenium
(Oct. 4, 1998) Some see opportunity in Y2K fears
(Oct. 3, 1998) 2000 Computer Bug Has Apocalyptic Overtones
(Oct. 2, 1998) Computer Worries Spawn New Breed of Survivalists
(Sep. 9, 1998) Y2K scare spurs surge in food sales
(Sep. 5, 1998) The end is nigh, says cult leader
(Aug. 23, 1998) World's end not far away, doomsday author Lindsey says
See Also
Sites
The aim of this page is to debunk end-time prophecy by listing hundreds of failed doomsday predictions, allay the fears spread by end-time preachers, and demonstrate that doomcrying is nothing new. I also hope you will derive amusement from some of the more bizarre prophecies.
Center for Millennial Studies Extensive site with a large collection of resources, including articles, position papers, a journal, etc. Also: A Y2K page:
"My search for a clear signal amid all the Y2K noise on the Web finally led me to mille.org, the sole site where the bug is placed in its proper context."
Site owner Richard Landes is a professor of medieval history at Boston University. The site is not affiliated with - and does not promote - any religious movement, but does include information on religious viewpoints. It provides links to Christian and secular sites representing various viewpoints.
Y2K For Women Honest, I wouldn't make this up... When I first saw a link to this site I thought, "What's next? Y2K for Poodles?" But this turned out to be a very pleasant site for "women who have no, or very limited, computer knowledge," and who want to know "how it impacts women personally, what women can do..." Lots of common sense advice. Men: go ahead an take a peek. Can't hurt (it's not like asking for directions), and you may very well learn something... (Several years later: the site is still up, for the following reason: "Y2K Women wasn't just about preparing for possible consequences associated with the century date change problem - it was about being prepared for any emergency that might put you and your family at risk."
|
