I found this I thought was funny about the doom surrounding Halley's comet in 1910
Quote:
Comet Apocalypse
Artwork courtesy Library of Congress
The appearance of Halley's comet—seen from Earth every 76 years—has been seen as an omen of the end of the world throughout history.
The comet's impending arrival in 1910, for instance, stirred apocalyptic hysteria among Europeans and Americans (pictured, a French cartoon ridiculing the doomsayers). Some believed that the comet's tail contained a gas "that would impregnate the atmosphere and possibly snuff out all life on the planet," according to French astronomer Camille Flammarion, as quoted in the book Apocalypses.
Some profited from the panic: Sales of masks and "comet pills" skyrocketed, as did oxygen supplies, especially in Rome, where people hoped to keep themselves alive on bottled air until Earth passed through the comet's tail, the book said.
Published May 20, 2011
Why does it have to end today? I dont want to go to heaven and have everyone say it was my fault and that my birthday party caused the end of the world.
At least give me a couple of days to play with my toys.
Anyone know what time tomorrow this is gonna happen ....
Flash.
18:00 (6:00 pm) New York time...but I am unsure if Daylight Savings was accounted for in the calculations. You lot in Australia get a few extra hours...but you live closer to heaven anyway!
That was a good idea about Pet Care in the hereafter, but what about Telescope Care?
I'm not going to get swept away for Judgement Day, as I haven't been good enough in this life, of that I'm sure. (It's only the top 3% isn't it?)
So, if all those in the top 3% would like to PM me with your home address and type of scope, I'll do what I can to attone for my waywardness in this life, and I'll go and collect your scope, and I'll really look after it, promise!
Oh, and by-the-way, don't forget that the Queensland Astrofest in July will quite obviously be the last ever, and you can book now, save yourself cash, and have one last good time. Early Bird bookings close Sunday Night.
As i understand it the Rapture is meant to start at 6 pm on Saturday the 21st of May. Does that mean it will be like a giant Mexican Wave at the international date line moving around the world as each timezone reaches 6 pm?
Sorry to arrive late to this thread but I spent all last night practicing getting my head between my legs and kissing my butt. Please, can we delay this end of the world thing until I've had a chance to diet? Otherwise there will be no proper farewell.
In the meantime I think you should follow this link. Keep pushing 'Next' until you get to the end of the series.
The rapture is 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.
A very brief description of the rapture is found in the Bible -- 1 Thessalonians 4 -- and is supported in other passages. Unfortunately, the Bible is ambiguous about exactly when the rapture will occur. Most believers in the rapture suggest that it will happen just before the expected seven-year Tribulation -- a time of great suffering, instability, the devastating War of Armageddon, and the largest genocide that the world has ever seen. Some suggest that it will happen just after the Tribulation when Jesus finally returns to Earth.
The doctrine of the "post-tribulation rapture" was taught by Christianity starting in the first century CE and was popular until the 19th century. It is still held by some Christians. It teaches that when Jesus Christ returns to earth after the tribulation, believers who are alive at the time will be changed into immortal glorified bodies.
A relatively new competing belief promoting a "pre-tribulation rapture" was developed during the 19th century and has become a near universal belief among fundamentalist and other evangelical Christians. This belief has Jesus returning towards the Earth before the tribulation. Christian believers -- both dead and alive -- will rise in the air to meet him in the sky. It will occur without warning. Believers in the pre-tribulation rapture have eagerly anticipated the event since the 1840s and have never given up the hope that it will occur in their very near future.
To make the date correct for everywhere it would have to happen when the time is midnight Saturday Night at the international date line, which will make it:
NSW/Vic/QLD/Tas: 10:00 PM
S.A/N.T: 9:30 PM
W.A.: 8:00 PM
This is the ONLY time it can be Saturday everywhere on Earth at the same time
Not true Ken. There are a few places in the Pacific between 165E and 165W deg that operate at UTC+12:45 - Chatham Island, UTC+13 - Phoenix Island, and UTC+14 - Kiritimati
Also there are places operating at UTC-11 - Niue, Pago Pago, Samoa.
So at 10pm AEST Saturday it is already Sunday in some places.
Hence, as it can not be Saturday everywhere at once, another nutcase has reared it head.
UTC offsets were taken from the Olsen timezone database, as used by all good operating systems.
Please lets keep away from this side of the topic or I will ask for closure. It is a good topic but I dont think it belongs here as it invites too much bad feeling.
Quote:
The rapture is Christian belief
Jen you still have time to be taken as it hasn't happened yet but I will still be here for you.
Please lets keep away from this side of the topic or I will ask for closure. It is a good topic but I dont think it belongs here as it invites too much bad feeling.
Jen you still have time to be taken as it hasn't happened yet but I will still be here for you.
That won't happen, Warren. The whole subject matter is intimately tied in with Judeo-Christian/Muslim beliefs and mythology. It's bound to be raised.
In any case, I'm not worried. This is pretty much an "Only in America" phenomenon and if many there feel the need to act like a lot of lunatics, that's their prerogative. When nothing happens, they'll have all the excuses in the world why nothing did happen, but the simple fact that they won't admit to their delusions is the saddest part of all this. Just shows you what people will believe in when their desperate for meaning in their lives.
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