In the wake of the hysteria created by the 2012 myth more so by the Hollywood movie ‘2012’ that has leveraged the scientific advancement (technology) to disseminate an unscientific idea, an article on a topic as this is almost as imminent as the proclaimed 2012 catastrophe. The situation thus demands an equally inclusive and effective dissemination of the scientific perspective, at least to nullify the pernicious effect it has had on the millions of innocent minds who’re unfortunately not equipped to sift the work of pure fantasy from the mystical and ostensible ‘unraveling of the imminent future’. It is in this light that the following article has to be read and understood.
Ancient Times
Predictions of doomsday, Apocalypse, Armageddon is neither new nor restricted to any religion, region, and cult. Just that they are in the fervor of the culture and language in which it originated. This statement will be corroborated with interesting nuggets of information that supports and reinforces my above statement.
According to Isaac Asimov's Book of Facts (1979), an Assyrian clay tablet dating to approximately 2800 BC was unearthed bearing the words "Our earth is degenerate in these latter days. There are signs that the world is speedily coming to an end. Bribery and corruption are common.". This is one of the earliest examples of the perception of moral decay in society being interpreted as a sign of the imminent end.
It may be difficult to believe that people had predicted the ‘end of world’ almost 4800 years ago but the available evidence (of the clay tablet) compels any rational mind to accept it. This is not just one-of-it’s-kind. There has been incessant flow of predictions about doomsday across cultures and civilizations.
There was a myth that 12 eagles had revealed to Romulus a mystical number representing the lifetime of Rome, and some early Romans hypothesized that each eagle represented 10 years. But later, some Romans figured that the mystical number revealed to Romulus represented the number of days in a year (the Great Year concept), so they expected Rome to be destroyed around 365 AUC (389 BC). (Thompson p.19)
1st Century onwards
In the first century, Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (Matthew 16:28) This implies that the Second Coming would return within the lifetime of his contemporaries, and indeed the Apostles expected Jesus to return before the passing of their generation which never happened.
In the late 4th century, St. Martin of Tours (ca. 316-397) wrote, "There is no doubt that the Antichrist has already been born. Firmly established already in his early years, he will, after reaching maturity, achieve supreme power." (Abanes p.119). Yet another failed prophecy!
In 1005 – 06, a terrible famine throughout Europe was also seen as a sign of the nearness of the end. There are legends which say that apocalyptic paranoia had gripped people around the year 1000. However, this point seems to have been refuted by Richard Lendes of the early 20th century in his scholarly article “Giants with Feet of Clay: On the Historiography of the Year 1000”. (http://www.mille.org/scholarship/1000/AHR9.html)
Then in 13th century, Pope Innocent III expected the Second Coming to take place in 1284, 666 years after the rise of Islam. (Schwartz p.181)
There were more than 16 predicted doomsdays between 1504 – 1600.
A painting titled “The Mystical Nativity” by an Italian artist Sandro Botticelli wrote in the caption of this painting
“I Sandro painted this picture at the end of the year 1500 in the troubles of Italy in the half time after the time according to the eleventh chapter of St. John in the second woe of the Apocalypse in the loosing of the devil for three and a half years. Then he will be chained in the 12th chapter and we shall see him trodden down as in this picture.”
Modern Times
In the 18th century, Rapture Predictions became more rampant. A brief background and a selected list of famous rapture predictions are provided below.
Rapture Predictions
The rapture is a Christian belief that forms a major part of the current teaching and expectations of fundamentalist and other evangelical denominations. In its most popular current form, the doctrine involves Jesus Christ returning from Heaven towards earth. In violation of the law of gravity, saved individuals -- both dead and alive -- will rise up in the air and join Jesus in the sky.
There are several Rapture predictions since 18th century, all of which has miserably failed. Despite such consistent failures, it has undeterred many of the believers yet. Following is a list of Rapture predictions from 1700 onwards.
• 1792 - Shakers calculated this date.
• 1844 - William Miller predicted Christ would return between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844, then revised his prediction, claiming to have miscalculated Scripture, to October 22, 1844. Miller's theology gave rise to the Advent movement.
• 1977 - William M. Branham predicted in 1962 that the Rapture could take place by 1977.
• 1981 - Chuck Smith predicted that Jesus would probably return by 1981.
• 1988 - Publication of 88 Reasons why the Rapture is in 1988, by Edgar C. Whisenant.
• 1989 - Publication of The final shout: Rapture report 1989, by Edgar Whisenant. More predictions by this author appeared for 1992, 1995, and other years.
• 1992 - Korean group "Mission for the Coming Days" predicted October 28, 1992 as the date for the rapture.
• 1993 - Seven years before the year 2000. The rapture would have to start to allow for seven years of the Tribulation before the Return in 2000. Multiple predictions.
• 1994 - Pastor John Hinkle of Christ Church in Los Angeles predicted June 9, 1994. Radio evangelist Harold Camping predicted September 27, 1994.
• 2011 - Harold Camping's revised prediction has May 21, 2011 as the date of the rapture.
• 2060 - Sir Isaac Newton proposed, based upon his calculations using figures from the book of Daniel that the Apocalypse could happen no earlier than 2060.
Nostradamus Predictions on End of World
Nostradamus was a popular seer (also a French physician) of 16th Century whose first almanac for the year 1550 became so famous that he began writing one or more of them annually. Later, he began writing a book of one thousand French Quatrains “Les Propheties”, which constitute the largely undated prophesies for which he is most famous today. There seems to be NO particular quatrain which predicts the end of the world. However, he mentions that his predictions will go on till the year 3797 AD which is wrongly interpreted as to mean the doomsday. He uses a mix of languages and rhetoric thus obfuscating his quatrains making it extremely porous allowing for varied interpretations.
It must be noted that the veracity of all prophesies mentioned above may not be established here. However, it should be seen in the light that if at all such prophesies did exist albeit with a different date, it has all so horribly failed without exception.
Prophesies vs Scientific Predictions
As illustrated above, mankind has had a rich history of prophesies and eschatological expositions that gained acceptance by a large majority from the early times to this day. Present day prophesies that use pseudoscientific reasoning is proving to be more perilous and its effect more pernicious.
It therefore becomes an imperative of every rational mind to fight against obdurate malevolent forces and thus save the innocent minds of needless misery. In order to do this, one must be equipped with the subtleties of pure science so as to defend the scientific predictions which stands on a firm ground of logic and reasoning held by objectivity against a loose soil of mystical obscurantism.
Such prophesies tend to give false hope to the oppressed and the deprived for at least one reason - the impending catastrophe (apocalypse) supposedly does not discriminate based on the social stratum but on the firmness of belief, thus allowing an equal playing ground.
We can probably find relief in Winston Churchill’s words – “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
Sources of Information
http://www.abhota.info/end1.htm
http://the2012facts.com/1944/2012/assyrian-clay-tablet-from-2800-bc-predicts-end-of-world/
http://www.mixx.com/stories/4555774/nasa_are_we_all_going_to_die_when_nibiru_planet_x_flies_by_the_earth_hello_anybody_there
http://www.religioustolerance.org/end_wrl2.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture
http://www.religioustolerance.org/rapture.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/millenni.htm
http://www.2think.org/hundredsheep/skeptic/predictions.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostradamus
http://www.allaboutpopularissues.org/did-nostradamus-predict-the-end-of-the-world-faq.htm
http://breakthrough-india.org/archives/year2012.pdf
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Inundated with filth of selfishness
in this amoral world, while I crave
for a life-giving bath of virtues and morals;
a thought creeps in my mind - am I worthy ?
Even a tear drop that swelled in my eyes, refused
to atone my sinner face, ebbed inside.
It's not prescience, but I smell the pungent smell
of imminent moral decay; makes me nauseate,
but is it only me? I pray not.
If my vocation is a testament against implored emancipation,
whom shall I seek to abrogate?
in this amoral world, while I crave
for a life-giving bath of virtues and morals;
a thought creeps in my mind - am I worthy ?
Even a tear drop that swelled in my eyes, refused
to atone my sinner face, ebbed inside.
It's not prescience, but I smell the pungent smell
of imminent moral decay; makes me nauseate,
but is it only me? I pray not.
If my vocation is a testament against implored emancipation,
whom shall I seek to abrogate?
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Friend – A harbor of love and affection
Who is a friend?
Every man has his own way of thinking, his own interests, likes and dislikes, definitions for pleasure, pain (besides the physical afflictions), and so on. It is not very often does such a man with such a unique set of attributes finds another of his species who has but similar or complementary attributes. When 2 such personas come in contact with each other, within the first few seconds they feel an urge inside them suggesting that the fellow in his/her company is someone who'll last. Most of the time this happens unknowingly or rather unconsciously. Face, they say is the index of mind. The man who said this really evokes awe and admiration in me. It seems to me as the perennial truth. Malcolm Gladwell in his 'Blink' has almost conclusively proved it with empirical evidence.
When we meet such a person, we tend to be bubbling with energy and positive thoughts will be on a high, and comfort level at its zenith. We try to spend as much time as possible in their company. This is because, we share either common interest so that we get a topic to discuss in depth and with passion or he/she has the capability to appreciate the other's interests that is complementary to the person. The ability to complement the other person's achievement is the single big factor that acts as a rope binding the two in the harmony of a relationship that claims to have no such obligations as other relationships. This is one single relationship, which binds two strangers by an unknown force, so strong as not to weaken a wee bit until and unless either of the entities chooses to disentangle from it consciously.
C. S. Lewis, in his The Four Loves, expresses lucidly when he writes, To the Ancients, Friendship seemed the happiest and most fully human of all loves; the crown of life and the school of virtue.
Significance
What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies. – Aristotle
As I have afore mentioned, it is not so often that we find a friend. But when we find one, it’s a treasure worth preserving till the end. Let us find out why.
Man, by nature is a social animal. At the same time, there are no 2 beings who think alike. Ability to think is the single most distinguishing factor between man and other species. Being a social animal, he cannot live a solitary life. Now, given these facts, consider this. A social thinking animal that cannot live alone, and doesn’t have a single soul who thinks alike has to live in a society uncontrollable by any individual; yet find happiness in these differences. How does it sound to you? It sounds ridiculous to me!
Friendship is one such vent for all of us to rid ourselves from such hard realities and the detestable social obligations.
Pleasure and pain are the basic emotions of man. Both are very weird in nature. Pleasure cannot be experienced in solitude. Pain and misery has to be compulsorily born by the sufferer. The significance of having a friend is emblematic in this case. He is there to share the joy at the same time he’ll also aide in providing a temporary relief to the sufferer by giving his time and moral support. It is not without any reason that a proverb ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’ took birth.
Commitment is like a serpent entangled to our body threatening to incapacitate at the drop of a hat. No doubt, this fear itself incapacitates us by half, thus reducing the chance of even making an attempt to emancipate from its clutches. But, friendship is a noble gift of God that doesn’t come with this commitment tag. This is yet another important aspect.
Affection and love are the only features that bind the 2 personas in this haven of friendship. Interestingly, friendship does not culminate in the carnal union; yet have the same intimacy expressed in an abstract and a more powerful means, which gives a lot of comfort when felt, but seems to be very mystic on contemplation.
Yet another merit of this special relationship is that, it happens between two equals with comparable intellects and similar interests, on mutual consent. The last is the kernel that decides the life span of this noble relationship. Because, this is the major drawback in case of blood relationships, which is why most of the blood relationships doesn’t last long unless deliberately clasped fearing censure from society.
In the company of a friend, we are assured freedom of thoughts and the freedom to express regardless of its nature. Fear of censure and rebuke is never present in the company of a true friend. It is this freedom that makes all of us crave for a good friend.
It is for this reason that I feel friendship is above any other relationship between personas.
But the bitter irony is that we tend to ignore such a valuable asset amidst the mundane activities of our life. It is heartening to see people willingly disconnect their friendship at the cost of their pursuit of artificial and materialistic pleasure. We may not feel the value of friendship in their presence, but the void created by their absence is lamentable.
Despite my conscious attempt, I could not find any unfavorable aspects about friendship. Prejudice cannot be ruled out, but it is my gut feeling that there cannot be contrary points that overweighs the positive ones I have discussed above.
In this light, I sincerely appeal to the denizens of Mother Earth ‘Do not let the materialistic pursuits obliterate the pleasure of friendship’.
Feelings, if rightly and beautifully expressed in the form of words, become a song. And this song has the mystic ability to retain the intensity of the feelings filled by the poet for aeons to come. Fortunate are we, such poets existed and such works are still alive carrying with it, the same zeal and depth, as it had at the time of its creation.
One such exemplary evidence is Walter Rinder’s poem ‘A Friend…’ . This probably reflects my viewpoint in a way that can be no better.
A Friend…
Strengthens the heart;
Repairs the hurt;
Encourages the discovery;
Enlightens the mind;
Dissolves the pain;
Banishes the loneliness;
Understands the anxieties;
Increases the joy;
Deepens the spirit;
Frees the soul.
Every man has his own way of thinking, his own interests, likes and dislikes, definitions for pleasure, pain (besides the physical afflictions), and so on. It is not very often does such a man with such a unique set of attributes finds another of his species who has but similar or complementary attributes. When 2 such personas come in contact with each other, within the first few seconds they feel an urge inside them suggesting that the fellow in his/her company is someone who'll last. Most of the time this happens unknowingly or rather unconsciously. Face, they say is the index of mind. The man who said this really evokes awe and admiration in me. It seems to me as the perennial truth. Malcolm Gladwell in his 'Blink' has almost conclusively proved it with empirical evidence.
When we meet such a person, we tend to be bubbling with energy and positive thoughts will be on a high, and comfort level at its zenith. We try to spend as much time as possible in their company. This is because, we share either common interest so that we get a topic to discuss in depth and with passion or he/she has the capability to appreciate the other's interests that is complementary to the person. The ability to complement the other person's achievement is the single big factor that acts as a rope binding the two in the harmony of a relationship that claims to have no such obligations as other relationships. This is one single relationship, which binds two strangers by an unknown force, so strong as not to weaken a wee bit until and unless either of the entities chooses to disentangle from it consciously.
C. S. Lewis, in his The Four Loves, expresses lucidly when he writes, To the Ancients, Friendship seemed the happiest and most fully human of all loves; the crown of life and the school of virtue.
Significance
What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies. – Aristotle
As I have afore mentioned, it is not so often that we find a friend. But when we find one, it’s a treasure worth preserving till the end. Let us find out why.
Man, by nature is a social animal. At the same time, there are no 2 beings who think alike. Ability to think is the single most distinguishing factor between man and other species. Being a social animal, he cannot live a solitary life. Now, given these facts, consider this. A social thinking animal that cannot live alone, and doesn’t have a single soul who thinks alike has to live in a society uncontrollable by any individual; yet find happiness in these differences. How does it sound to you? It sounds ridiculous to me!
Friendship is one such vent for all of us to rid ourselves from such hard realities and the detestable social obligations.
Pleasure and pain are the basic emotions of man. Both are very weird in nature. Pleasure cannot be experienced in solitude. Pain and misery has to be compulsorily born by the sufferer. The significance of having a friend is emblematic in this case. He is there to share the joy at the same time he’ll also aide in providing a temporary relief to the sufferer by giving his time and moral support. It is not without any reason that a proverb ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed’ took birth.
Commitment is like a serpent entangled to our body threatening to incapacitate at the drop of a hat. No doubt, this fear itself incapacitates us by half, thus reducing the chance of even making an attempt to emancipate from its clutches. But, friendship is a noble gift of God that doesn’t come with this commitment tag. This is yet another important aspect.
Affection and love are the only features that bind the 2 personas in this haven of friendship. Interestingly, friendship does not culminate in the carnal union; yet have the same intimacy expressed in an abstract and a more powerful means, which gives a lot of comfort when felt, but seems to be very mystic on contemplation.
Yet another merit of this special relationship is that, it happens between two equals with comparable intellects and similar interests, on mutual consent. The last is the kernel that decides the life span of this noble relationship. Because, this is the major drawback in case of blood relationships, which is why most of the blood relationships doesn’t last long unless deliberately clasped fearing censure from society.
In the company of a friend, we are assured freedom of thoughts and the freedom to express regardless of its nature. Fear of censure and rebuke is never present in the company of a true friend. It is this freedom that makes all of us crave for a good friend.
It is for this reason that I feel friendship is above any other relationship between personas.
But the bitter irony is that we tend to ignore such a valuable asset amidst the mundane activities of our life. It is heartening to see people willingly disconnect their friendship at the cost of their pursuit of artificial and materialistic pleasure. We may not feel the value of friendship in their presence, but the void created by their absence is lamentable.
Despite my conscious attempt, I could not find any unfavorable aspects about friendship. Prejudice cannot be ruled out, but it is my gut feeling that there cannot be contrary points that overweighs the positive ones I have discussed above.
In this light, I sincerely appeal to the denizens of Mother Earth ‘Do not let the materialistic pursuits obliterate the pleasure of friendship’.
Feelings, if rightly and beautifully expressed in the form of words, become a song. And this song has the mystic ability to retain the intensity of the feelings filled by the poet for aeons to come. Fortunate are we, such poets existed and such works are still alive carrying with it, the same zeal and depth, as it had at the time of its creation.
One such exemplary evidence is Walter Rinder’s poem ‘A Friend…’ . This probably reflects my viewpoint in a way that can be no better.
A Friend…
Strengthens the heart;
Repairs the hurt;
Encourages the discovery;
Enlightens the mind;
Dissolves the pain;
Banishes the loneliness;
Understands the anxieties;
Increases the joy;
Deepens the spirit;
Frees the soul.
Friday, September 18, 2009
My Pen
You scribe whatever I mumble,
never showing any sign of grumble.
Like a good artisan, you build a fortress,
giving shape to my fuzzy thoughts.
You are the vehicle, transporting ideas
from the realm of fantasy to that of existence.
It is but for you, the sublime thoughts of one
acquires eternal life, serving mankind forever.
Like a brave soldier who serves his nation,
you serve me, till the last drop of your blood;
Yet, not an iota of gratitude have I ever shown;
while you bestow upon me, the same selfless service.
An embodiment of altruism, you are the model
I'd love the entire mankind to emulate.
But I promise,my comrade, I shall bequeath
unto you, a worthy man of letters, as my humble tribute.
never showing any sign of grumble.
Like a good artisan, you build a fortress,
giving shape to my fuzzy thoughts.
You are the vehicle, transporting ideas
from the realm of fantasy to that of existence.
It is but for you, the sublime thoughts of one
acquires eternal life, serving mankind forever.
Like a brave soldier who serves his nation,
you serve me, till the last drop of your blood;
Yet, not an iota of gratitude have I ever shown;
while you bestow upon me, the same selfless service.
An embodiment of altruism, you are the model
I'd love the entire mankind to emulate.
But I promise,my comrade, I shall bequeath
unto you, a worthy man of letters, as my humble tribute.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Poem
Phrase that resonates with emotions,
that which arouses a feeling so warm,
that which vivifies our insipid life;
Isn't this the lyric we love to hum?
Words of rhythm, plucked as strands
of different colors, arranged
as a beautiful bridal pleat;
adding to the grace of divine countenance.
Isn't this a sight we love to fix upon ?
An intrepid spirit singing
from his heart, aught but the visage
seen through his eyes of innocence;
Isn't this an elixir of joy we long to pursue?
Metre, length and form,
often imposed to conform,
is naught but a shackle
to the spirit that sees beyond.
that which arouses a feeling so warm,
that which vivifies our insipid life;
Isn't this the lyric we love to hum?
Words of rhythm, plucked as strands
of different colors, arranged
as a beautiful bridal pleat;
adding to the grace of divine countenance.
Isn't this a sight we love to fix upon ?
An intrepid spirit singing
from his heart, aught but the visage
seen through his eyes of innocence;
Isn't this an elixir of joy we long to pursue?
Metre, length and form,
often imposed to conform,
is naught but a shackle
to the spirit that sees beyond.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Rainbow
Thick and dark clouds
on this desolate earth, as a shroud;
broke open with splashes
of light and bolts of thunder!
Pitter-patter rain drops
drenched the arid land,
elixir of life now impregnated
in the fertile womb of all life.
The musk of wet earth,
dews on petals of different hues;
sky looked blue and limpid,
milieu apt to reminisce about Cupid
Red, blue, green and yellow
orange, violet and indigo;
a bridge emerged of these colors
extending from one horizon to the other.
A little bunch of angels and fairies
were crossing the bridge in blithesome mood,
It gave them joy, the sight of this bountiful garden
which was vivified for them, just then.
'Wherefore was the earth bedecked?'
tried to construe till my mind was wrecked;
Was it a forlorn attempt to remind,
paradise it is, despite our attempt to shear.
on this desolate earth, as a shroud;
broke open with splashes
of light and bolts of thunder!
Pitter-patter rain drops
drenched the arid land,
elixir of life now impregnated
in the fertile womb of all life.
The musk of wet earth,
dews on petals of different hues;
sky looked blue and limpid,
milieu apt to reminisce about Cupid
Red, blue, green and yellow
orange, violet and indigo;
a bridge emerged of these colors
extending from one horizon to the other.
A little bunch of angels and fairies
were crossing the bridge in blithesome mood,
It gave them joy, the sight of this bountiful garden
which was vivified for them, just then.
'Wherefore was the earth bedecked?'
tried to construe till my mind was wrecked;
Was it a forlorn attempt to remind,
paradise it is, despite our attempt to shear.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Toy Cartwheel
Strength, if light hearts of like minds
coalesce by emotional binds,
like thin slices of pine wood
piled one over other and glued
Burden, if shared with others
becomes light as a chick's feathers,
This governs the concept of wheel
a shape that doesn't let the load feel.
A companion in this life's sojourn
enhance joy and avoid uncalled adjourn
But to win such a heart, sacrifice seems a must,
like our wheel that dug its c
rux as a sign of trust.
coalesce by emotional binds,
like thin slices of pine wood
piled one over other and glued
Burden, if shared with others
becomes light as a chick's feathers,
This governs the concept of wheel
a shape that doesn't let the load feel.
A companion in this life's sojourn
enhance joy and avoid uncalled adjourn
But to win such a heart, sacrifice seems a must,
like our wheel that dug its c
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