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Mark Your Calendars! Or Throw Them Out.

Apparently, the rapture is happening in six days.

When I first saw on ad in the subway declaring "Judgment Day is Coming: May 21, 2011" I thought it was some sort of gimmick. Turns out, it isn't. The people at FamilyRadio.com honestly believe that Jesus is going to take them to heaven on Saturday evening.I wonder what will go through their minds on Sunday morning. How do you regroup after that? I have seen them out in Dundas Square a few times now. I shied away from them, but I kind of wish I hadn't.

But Beth, you might be saying, don't you believe in the rapture and Jesus and heaven?

Why yes, I might respond, I do. But Jesus said, quite clearly, that no one knows when He'll come back. Simple. (Ok, not fully simple. But talking about the rapture is weird, so I'm almost done.)

An imaginary conversation with a Judgment Day Dude might have gone like this:
JDD: Judgment Day is coming!
Me: It is?
JDD: Yes, on Saturday.
Me: Oh. I don't think I agree with that.
JDD: It is true. Here is a pamphlet that will convince you.
Me: No, thanks. I'd rather just talk to you. Can I ask you a question?
JDD: Of course.
Me: So, it seems to me that you are very prepared for Judgment Day to come on Saturday. Are you prepared for Judgment Day not to come on Saturday?
JDD: Pardon?
Me: I mean, I believe in Jesus and the rapture and heaven. I am guessing you do too (although I am guessing most of our other beliefs are different). I believe that I am ready for that day to come. But I also believe I am ready for it not to come - that I am ready to live another sixty years loving Jesus and loving people, and if the rapture doesn't happen before I die, my relationship with Jesus will be ok. But I am concerned for you, that if Jesus doesn't come back on Saturday, your worldview is going to take a major beating.
JDD: But he is going to come back. Here's a pamphlet that tells you why. And how you can get ready.
Me: Thanks... (takes it and walks away)
---



This afternoon, I walked past opposing protests. One group was pro-Palestine. The other, obviously, Israeli. As I approached, I had to force myself to stay calm. And not to cry.

Calm, because of the palpable tension in the air. It was peaceful, but it was tense. Many police officers were there.
Cry, because it broke my heart to see again that injustice and factions thrive both at home and abroad. I want peace. No one is blameless. But no one deserves destruction.



Ah, religion and dogmatism make me very sad today.
That is all I have to say.
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