Christian apocalypticism is based upon many references in the Bible, including the Old Testament books of Ezekiel and Daniel, and the New Testament Gospel of Matthew. The main Biblical source is the Book of Revelations. This book was written around 95 C.E. Most experts suggest the author, John of Patmos, was not the same John, a disciple of Jesus, who authored the fourth Gospel. The central account of Revelations is that righteous Christians need to know they will be tricked and betrayed by trusted political and religious leaders who are conspiring with Satan (do we need the Bible to tell us that?). The End Times described within tell of a period of widespread sinfulness, moral depravity and despicable materialism. The book also describes God riding in on the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse with wars, disease, civil struggle and natural disasters.

There is no solid proof that any of this will happen, but many believe it will. Further some feel that believing in something can be much more powerful than knowing it for sure. Most people who believe in the aforementioned idea are great people. Theologians and philosophers say the problem with radically conservative, fundamentalist Christian ideas mixed with the year 2000 does not lie within Christianity itself. These problems arise from Christians who combine Biblical literalism, apocalyptic calendars, "demonization," and odious prejudices. For an example of what I mean by odious prejudices, you might want to look at this site. You ladies will just love it.

The problems that arose from this mix of ideas and Y2K were not necessarily the ones that the more secular Y2K bug posed. There are people who thought "people who were true to Christ" would disappear from Earth altogether and then reappear in Heaven. Modern-day prophets proclaimed mass traffic accidents would occur. No such thing happened. Such hysterias can cause some to question those things they hold dear, and sometimes, this can lead to depression and loneliness, among other things.

There are those who are very offended by the suggestion of something that goes against their beliefs. Nikos Kazantzakis, in his ultra-controversial 1960 novel, The Last Temptation of Christ, creates a Jesus-character that flagellates himself. This has caused outrage among those who believe Jesus was perfect in every way. The clash of ideas and the terrible things that unfortunately can result are what scare me, and this Y2K thing was a horror for many people.

Many feel the Y2K hype made a mockery out of religion, particularly Christianity. Look at this web page for an example of one of these angry people spitting on the concept of religion in connection with Y2K. Religion is such a sacred force in the lives of so many people. 96% of Americans profess that they believe in God. How they profess that belief is up to them. Religion explains the unexplainable; it is a pillow in a world of harshness.

Name: Tom Selvey
Year: Junior
Major: Media Studies
Comments:
I was one of those sick buggers who wanted to be on the roof with a lawn chair, some funky drink w/ a paper umbrella, sunglasses, and lots of sunblock waiting for the nukes to go up! As the fine people in REM said, " It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine!" Sure nothing happened, but there is this thing in your head that says everyone wanted something big to go down, some sort of massive change would get you out of what people know as living life. Just as long as the results aren't something out of Road Warrior.

Name: Michael Kortleone
Comments:
Hmmm I wasnt expecting power outages and all, but those terrorists really let me down this year. All that sweat making a bomb shelter out of my computer room went all for not. Hmmph