enraptured

[oblivietto]

Well, I guess today wasn't the day for the Rapture of the Church after all. I think it was irresponsible in the extreme for Harold Camping to forecast the Rapture to the world. Apparently quite a few people sold their homes and all their assets because they believed they would no longer need them. I imagine there will be lawsuits, although I don't believe one should be able to sue for one's own stupidity. The thing is, I feel sort of sad for Camping. I don't think he was a fraud. I think he really, truly believed that he was going to meet his Lord and Savior today. Besides the stomach-churning stress he must be feeling at having to explain his mistake to the entire planet and his complete and utter loss of credibility, he must be feeling real personal disappointment and facing a serious crisis of faith. I just can't shake this feeling of sadness, thinking about Camping sitting behind closed doors, thinking, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?" Everyone I've talked to about it is scolding me for being "too soft" or "too kind", but is there really such a thing as too much kindness? Are we meant to ration mercy? Hmmmm.

Enough of that. I'll leave you with two things: an appeal to not be too hard on the true believers who are now left feeling empty and foolish, and, because I'm only human, this awesome comic. *grins*
peace,
~O~

Comments

[sylvanwitch]

First of all: Only Windows could fuck over God.

Second: Yes, a hearty yes, to more compassion for Camping, et al. I reminded some of my students on Friday that their derision and "wit" was ironic, given that there are many people in the world who feel that my students' belief that a guy died and rose from the dead is pretty ridiculous, never mind the whole eating his body and drinking his blood thing. ;-)

[oblivietto.livejournal.com]

Faith, by nature, requires the believer to go out on a limb. Anyone who says that faith is easy hasn't stepped out there yet, IMO.
One of my high school friends is a EMT in Minnesota. He lives in an area that is mostly rural, dotted with small towns with lots and lots of churches. He says that they've gotten six times more calls than usual tonight. Several people had heart attacks when 6:00 came and went and they hadn't been taken up into the heavens. There were two ODs and a suicide as well, all related to spiritual issues. He said he's never seen anything like it.
People are so desperately searching for a Truth. I feel so incredibly lucky to be spiritually secure. I can hardly bear to think about the pain and confusion that so many people must be feeling tonight, having had their hope smashed to pieces and their belief crushed. *sighs* It hurts to think of it.

[yummykit.livejournal.com]

didn't this dude predict a rapture back in 1994 also? i thought i read that somewhere...and that he wrote a book after that prediction was incorrect. maybe he'll make a movie this time!

i keeeeeed, i keeeeed.