An end for comfort

The end-of-the-world is not only appealing because it explains the universe or the course of history. Unlike modern theories of the big crunch or the big chill, it offers comfort for the present.

An immanent end of the world, for example, can help to deal with the fear of death. It avoids the fear of a lonely death, because everything and everybody will go as well. There is no uncertainty about where you or your soul will go; the end of the world takes care of these questions. Even if people do believe in an eternal afterlife, they still prefer the easy way out of life, also known as rapture or judgement day, without actually dying.

An imminent end of the world does not only help with the final moments of life, but also help to make sense of grave injustices, war, famines, and disasters. They areafter all part of the (second) most significant event in history. And in addition it gives a person the opportunity to take part and play a role in this event, and can thus help to define a meaning for his life. Likewise, there are probably many other levels on which the belief in an imminent end-of-the-world gives comfort to the individual in his present day life.