You know, I've always thought, even before I was a Catholic, that if you want to find out what Christians believe and why, you ought to ask Christians before you take too much to heart what is said about their beliefs by critics or cranks or even professors.
I have come to apply that same approach to the beliefs of other groups, as well. So, for instance, if I want to know what Buddhists believe, I favor asking Buddhists, rather than some expert in comparative religions who studies Buddhists like insects pinned to a card.
The same courtesy ought to be extended to the modern descendants of the Maya, who would like to make it very clear that they - none of them - are lying awake nights wondering if the world will end in 2012. Not according to this AP article from Yahoo News, anyway.
The purveyors of this cash-conjuring nonsense, such as the folks at the History Channel, are doing to the Maya what Dan Brown did for the Catholic Church in his ham-fisted conspiracy fiction... spinning tales out of whole cloth and embroidering them with totally unrelated bits of archeological and historical "evidence" which is only evidence of their colossal ignorance.
There's nothing wrong with ignorance, per se. Ignorance with humility is harmless and curable, but ignorance combined with pride blossoms into arrogance, and is most often incurable, the patient being highly resistant to the only antidote.
The Maya would like to invite us all to shut up about the "mysteries" of the calendar of their ancestors, and take a moment to consider that no contemporary Mayan has ever considered that the calendar predicts anything like the end of the world in 2012.
I do predict, however, that the loopy 2012 theories will generate a lot of book and DVD sales. If you could pile all that bullsh*t into one place, it might really shift the poles enough to usher in a new ice age. The real disaster may be the denuding of forests to print all the books, or the food shortages caused by hoarders who foolishly threw out their stockpiles of supplies from the Y2K scare. Should have held onto those powdered eggs...
"I have come to apply that same approach to the beliefs of other groups, as well"
Why is this so difficult for some people (read, mainly, some media types) to figure this out?
Oh wait, I suppose it's on account of their unbiased bias, figuring someone outside of the actual belief system will be more unbiased.
Of course, seems sadly there are a number of brothers and sisters in Christ who might not rep the faith very well too . . .
Posted by: pcNielsen | October 12, 2009 at 02:15 PM
I find all this 2012 doom-and-gloom funny.
For more than 30 years now, my friend and I have been planning a party for December 21, 2012. We had heard about the "doomsday prophecy" years ago. We decided that the best response was a big wingding wherever we were. Our "Apocalypse Party." It gave us something to look forward to and to plan for. A 30-year running joke.
If nothing happens, it's still a great excuse for a party.
If the world ends, then we will meet it with all the folks we love best.
How can you lose?
The oddest part of the whole thing was that for years now, folks have been laughing at me for having this party noted in my day planner. I mean, who keeps track of a date more than 25 years away? But now, so close to the event, it's so strange to see everybody jumping. It's going to be another Y2K -- a non-event.
It seems such a shame. I guess we will just have to start planning for our "Welcome Back Halley's Comet" party now.
Doomsdays are such great excuses to celebrate.
Posted by: Celeste | October 14, 2009 at 02:33 PM
"We decided that the best response was a big wingding wherever we were. Our 'Apocalypse Party'."
In other words, you and your friend will end up like those folks in the movie, Independence Day, who likewise held a party in order to welcome the invading aliens -- and we all know what happened to them!
Posted by: e. | October 14, 2009 at 05:28 PM
LOL. Nope, e. It's just an excuse to celebrate a bit more elaborately than usual. It could just have easily been, "It's Tuesday. Let's throw a party."
Besides, we are believers. It doesn't matter if Armageddon comes or not. We walk with Christ. If God wants us here, we will be here despite any oncoming disaster. If he doesn't, we won't be. It could be the most pleasant day on record. It doesn't matter. If God calls us, it's time to leave the building.
The bottom line is that God is bigger than any natural or supernatural disaster. So, we prepare sensibly for whatever may be coming, refuse to worry about it, and party anyway.
So, my next memorable excuse for a big wingding will be the return of Halley's comet in 2061. If at Halley's return you're still walking the earth in your skin, meet me at my friend's place in Fairbanks.
Posted by: Celeste | October 15, 2009 at 12:43 AM
"God is bigger than any natural or supernatural disaster. So, we prepare sensibly for whatever may be coming, refuse to worry about it, and *party anyway*."
I have got to put that on a bumper sticker!
"If at Halley's return you're still walking the earth in your skin, meet me at my friend's place in Fairbanks."
Do we really have to wait 'till then! ;^)
Like Bill & Ted said, "Party on!"
Posted by: e. | October 16, 2009 at 02:15 PM
Hah! Of course not! You don't have to wait for the comet to come back. (At my age, it's more than likely that the only way I will get to the party is if God lets me visit in spirit...but hope springs eternal...)
Like I said, Tuesday's coming. Have a party.
By the way, thanks, e. I feel like I've finally arrived. I've said something witty enough to put on my bumper.
Let my 15 minutes of fame commence!!
Posted by: Celeste | October 17, 2009 at 12:45 AM