Comments on: More on the Rapture http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:09:52 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Rob http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46691 Rob Sun, 03 May 2009 19:00:53 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46691 For the real skinny on the long-covered-up history of the 179-year-old, fringe-British-invented, American-merchandised-as-long-as-there-are-suckers pretribulation rapture fantasy, visit the "Powered by Christ Ministries" site and read "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty." Yes, Virginia, pretrib rapture traffickers really ARE criminals - and everyone should be warned! Rob For the real skinny on the long-covered-up history of the 179-year-old, fringe-British-invented, American-merchandised-as-long-as-there-are-suckers pretribulation rapture fantasy, visit the "Powered by Christ Ministries" site and read "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty." Yes, Virginia, pretrib rapture traffickers really ARE criminals - and everyone should be warned! Rob

]]> By: xJane http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46459 xJane Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:57:56 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46459 This is going to sound like an annoying plug for my own website, so feel free to ignore the link which follows, but this quote jumped out at me:<blockquote>[Living in religion is] an awful and extraordinarily stressful way to live.</blockquote>I have only recently realized that, 13 years after admitting to myself that I was not religious, 10 years after admitting to my <i>family</i> that I was not religious, 6 years after living my life for me instead of for my family's expectations and for some religion (and all that that implies), <a href="http://www.mindonfire.com/2009/04/21/happy/" rel="nofollow">I'm <i>happy</i></a>. And this came as such a shock to me because it meant that before now, I was not only unhappy for my entire life, but <i>I had no idea that I was unhappy</i>. This above all I want to share with the world: that each of us should live for ourselves and create lives of contentment. This is going to sound like an annoying plug for my own website, so feel free to ignore the link which follows, but this quote jumped out at me:
[Living in religion is] an awful and extraordinarily stressful way to live.

I have only recently realized that, 13 years after admitting to myself that I was not religious, 10 years after admitting to my family that I was not religious, 6 years after living my life for me instead of for my family's expectations and for some religion (and all that that implies), I'm happy. And this came as such a shock to me because it meant that before now, I was not only unhappy for my entire life, but I had no idea that I was unhappy. This above all I want to share with the world: that each of us should live for ourselves and create lives of contentment.

]]> By: Meretrix http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46218 Meretrix Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:58:50 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46218 I haven't hear of RR, but as a former fundamental Christian, his ideas sound very familiar. Since I used to believe in a rapture scenario very like the LaHaye/Jenkins version, and not so long ago at that, I have (since I quit god) thought that if the rapture did happen, I'd reconvert immediately. Being rather a recent atheist convert, the idea that it might happen still kinda scares me. But at least I think I have now realised that reconverting wouldn't be the course of action most in line with my beliefs about morality, I guess, what with the christian god being a sadistic bastard. I haven't hear of RR, but as a former fundamental Christian, his ideas sound very familiar. Since I used to believe in a rapture scenario very like the LaHaye/Jenkins version, and not so long ago at that, I have (since I quit god) thought that if the rapture did happen, I'd reconvert immediately.
Being rather a recent atheist convert, the idea that it might happen still kinda scares me. But at least I think I have now realised that reconverting wouldn't be the course of action most in line with my beliefs about morality, I guess, what with the christian god being a sadistic bastard.

]]> By: Eric http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46157 Eric Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:21:16 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46157 Ah, but Ebonmuse, how do we know there will be no good guys during the Tribulation. All this could be God's prophetic propaganda. Maybe the Antichrist isn't so bad. I'll check him out first. Ah, but Ebonmuse, how do we know there will be no good guys during the Tribulation. All this could be God's prophetic propaganda. Maybe the Antichrist isn't so bad. I'll check him out first.

]]> By: Leum http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46155 Leum Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:38:34 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46155 I do. In the face of Hell, I will always side with the entity that will get me out of it. Likewise, I would commit any action necessary to avoid Hell, no matter how morally repugnant. Which is why I reject the idea that Hell scares people into doing good. It scares them into obeying church or priest, regardless of good and evil. I do. In the face of Hell, I will always side with the entity that will get me out of it. Likewise, I would commit any action necessary to avoid Hell, no matter how morally repugnant. Which is why I reject the idea that Hell scares people into doing good. It scares them into obeying church or priest, regardless of good and evil.

]]> By: Ebonmuse http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46152 Ebonmuse Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:52:49 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46152 For Pratchett fans, I highly recommend one of his latest books, <i>Nation</i>. It's not a Discworld novel, but it treats religion even more frankly than <i>Small Gods</i>, and expresses his humanist views even more strongly. Eric: <blockquote>While I would no longer be an atheist, I can't say I'd become a tribulation saint convert. Any god who set things up like this is an untrustworthy asshole. I would explore alternatives. </blockquote> The most morally wrenching aspect of the rapture scenario, I've thought, is that it puts you in a situation where there are no good guys. True enough, the god of the LaHaye-Jenkins scenario is a sadistic evil tyrant, deliberately tormenting humankind with plagues and massacres; but at least if we go by the Christian conception, the Antichrist is no better, demanding that people worship him and torturing and murdering those who won't. The two are basically mirror images of each other. I have no idea what I would do in a horrible dilemma like that, and I find considerable solace in my knowledge that it's a choice I'll never have to make. For Pratchett fans, I highly recommend one of his latest books, Nation. It's not a Discworld novel, but it treats religion even more frankly than Small Gods, and expresses his humanist views even more strongly.

Eric:

While I would no longer be an atheist, I can't say I'd become a tribulation saint convert. Any god who set things up like this is an untrustworthy asshole. I would explore alternatives.

The most morally wrenching aspect of the rapture scenario, I've thought, is that it puts you in a situation where there are no good guys. True enough, the god of the LaHaye-Jenkins scenario is a sadistic evil tyrant, deliberately tormenting humankind with plagues and massacres; but at least if we go by the Christian conception, the Antichrist is no better, demanding that people worship him and torturing and murdering those who won't. The two are basically mirror images of each other. I have no idea what I would do in a horrible dilemma like that, and I find considerable solace in my knowledge that it's a choice I'll never have to make.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46141 Andrew Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:46:37 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46141 I was actually talking about its literary content. A lot of Pratchett's religious commentary misses the mark, but can still be good for a laugh. However Good Omens lacked in the all important laughter department, imo anyway. I was actually talking about its literary content. A lot of Pratchett's religious commentary misses the mark, but can still be good for a laugh.

However Good Omens lacked in the all important laughter department, imo anyway.

]]> By: Leum http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46133 Leum Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:52:42 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46133 I'm also not a <i>Good Omens</i> fan. I think Pterry's religious writing is at it's most superb in <i>Carpe Jugulum</i>, although <i>Small Gods</i> is almost as good (and more religion focused, so there's more of it). I'm also not a Good Omens fan. I think Pterry's religious writing is at it's most superb in Carpe Jugulum, although Small Gods is almost as good (and more religion focused, so there's more of it).

]]> By: Andrew http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46132 Andrew Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:38:08 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46132 My advice: dont go to Rapture Ready to learn about eschetology. As a matter of fact avoid Rapture Ready for anything except maybe a good laugh. And speaking of laughs: I didnt like Good Omens. I LOVE Pratchett's Discworld novels, and most of Gaimen's books have been pretty good, but Good Omens was just...not funny. Oh and the ending sucked. hard. My advice: dont go to Rapture Ready to learn about eschetology. As a matter of fact avoid Rapture Ready for anything except maybe a good laugh.

And speaking of laughs: I didnt like Good Omens. I LOVE Pratchett's Discworld novels, and most of Gaimen's books have been pretty good, but Good Omens was just...not funny. Oh and the ending sucked. hard.

]]> By: Scotlyn http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46123 Scotlyn Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:10:33 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46123 Thanks for the correction, Christine, you're right! "Good Omens" - just reread it last month - can't imagine how I got it wrong! I also found interesting commentary on religion and its peculiarities in Pratchett's "Small Gods" and the wonderful conversation between Mightily Oats and Granny Weatherwax, on their journey to Uberwald, in "Carpe Jugulum". I have decided Terry Pratchett is my all-time favourite religious writer...(ie the subject, not the author). Thanks for the correction, Christine, you're right! "Good Omens" - just reread it last month - can't imagine how I got it wrong! I also found interesting commentary on religion and its peculiarities in Pratchett's "Small Gods" and the wonderful conversation between Mightily Oats and Granny Weatherwax, on their journey to Uberwald, in "Carpe Jugulum". I have decided Terry Pratchett is my all-time favourite religious writer...(ie the subject, not the author).

]]> By: Modusoperandi http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46121 Modusoperandi Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:50:55 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46121 Ah, but Velkyn, a thousand years is also like a day. This means that He came back sometime <i>before</i> He left, which lead to an unfortunate conflict over His parking space (it's covered in the Parable of the Purloined Parking Space. In Luke, I believe. Spoiler Alert: Each cursed the other's Hyundai Excel, causing them to burn oil and have questionable build quality). Ah, but Velkyn, a thousand years is also like a day. This means that He came back sometime before He left, which lead to an unfortunate conflict over His parking space (it's covered in the Parable of the Purloined Parking Space. In Luke, I believe. Spoiler Alert: Each cursed the other's Hyundai Excel, causing them to burn oil and have questionable build quality).

]]> By: velkyn http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/04/more-on-the-rapture.html#comment-46109 velkyn Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:36:25 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1008#comment-46109 Indeed, my calculations say that Jesus will come back in about 7 million years since so many Christians claim that a day is like a thousand years for God. If Jesus is coming back within a "generation" that's about what it works out to. Poor theists who die wondering why Jesus didn't think that they were as special as they thought they were and didnt' come back on command. I agree with Eric, I wouldn't belief from fear. Sorry, Christians, but your God is a sadistic moron. Oh, and rick? If you said something like this "I wonder, since I am an "arrogant atheist", what they would reply if I said "I don't plan ahead because I never know when the Rapture is going to happen". I'd just laugh at you and your pitiful ignorance. Indeed, my calculations say that Jesus will come back in about 7 million years since so many Christians claim that a day is like a thousand years for God. If Jesus is coming back within a "generation" that's about what it works out to. Poor theists who die wondering why Jesus didn't think that they were as special as they thought they were and didnt' come back on command.

I agree with Eric, I wouldn't belief from fear. Sorry, Christians, but your God is a sadistic moron.

Oh, and rick? If you said something like this "I wonder, since I am an "arrogant atheist", what they would reply if I said "I don't plan ahead because I never know when the Rapture is going to happen". I'd just laugh at you and your pitiful ignorance.

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