Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Apocalypse soon

Eschatological beliefs may not be universal to all humans, but at the very least they are widespread. And they are also to a certain extend influential. It might be an absurd idea to assume, for example, that recent events in the middle east are signs of a prophecy. However there exist a sufficient number of people who subscribe to this view. It is said that about 30% of all American believe that we are living in the end times. But even if only 5% view turmoil in Babylon as part of a greater divine plan, it may make a difference, at least at he polls.

Americans are not alone. Just like George W. Bush is believed to cater to the religious right, Ahmadinejad is believed to cater to groups who believe that the coming of the Mahdi is nearby. And the idea of the rise of the last Caliphate is also present in the teachings of many militant Islamic groups.

If we step back from questions about the influence of end-time-prophecies in the political realm, one has to wonder why they seem to strike a chord with many individuals. While the impending end of the their own life seems to be highly undesirable, they have no problems imagining that the entire world will cease to exist in the near future. People enjoy the prospect of an eternal life for themselves, and embrace at the same time the view that the world has to end soon.

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