Yet Another Doomsday Prediction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DfggHLLjDU

I decided to tackle the Doomsday predictions that were circulating last year. Like most of the world, I wasn’t convinced by the commercials and news interviews of Harold Camping, who predicted and preached that the end of the world, and Judgment Day, would occur on May 21, 2011. Even though I, who takes every chance possible to rebel against my uber-religious upbringing, had a little “oh crap” moment when I realized that I would ironically be taking my MCAT that day, I never actually took it seriously. In contrast, there were also large groups of people who actually believed it. They didn’t just believe it enough to cash in their vacation time at work, they believed it enough to quit their jobs, sell their houses, commit murder/suicide, all without questioning whether this 80+ year old man knew what he was talking about.

There are a few things that I find interesting that relate to Robin’s article. First and foremost, I think that beliefs like this propagate so strongly because religion inspires such an integrate identity with the ideology. Many people base their identity on their religious beliefs. It defines your social circle and values; it defines what you can eat; it helps describe you on Facebook. Doomsday is the one event that would separate the Christians from the others. This single event would validate their belief system, practices, and the sacrifices they’ve made for their religion. I believe that it is this reason that the reaction is so strong and immediately creates a community like the convention seen in the youtube video.

I was also struck by the scientific references mentioned in the campaign for this Doomsday. They make us think there was valid science involved with this prediction – despite that the entire idea is based on a religious text. First is the mention that Harold Camping used to be a civil engineer. In his interview, he throws around carbon dating, mathematical formulas, saying that he looked at “all the science” and everything points to May 21^st. He and his followers are completely “certain” and think there is “no possibility that it will not happen.” Personally, he reminds me of my grandfather, sitting in his recliner with an old book – who wouldn’t want to believe him? But in all, while attractive to a certain group of people, it paints a misleading picture – given that May 21^st and the second October prediction have passed without the end of the world.