I have incredible respect for a great many Christians

[Tom Rinaldo]

There is no "but..." to that sentance. It stands alone as a true statement. For example I once met an El Salvardoran priest who was largely responsible for opening the eyes of Archbishop Romero to the plight of the poor there. He had been tortured because of his role defending the poor of El Salvador. And it isn't just high profile Christian human rights defenders. I have a friend who lost her home on the gulf coast because of Hurrican Katrina, and her town was totally demolished also. For the most part is was Christian volunteers coming from other parts of the country donating months of their lives to personal service who helped all those people begin to rebuild their lives.

Christianity has some profound beliefs that move some people to do heroic things on behalf of others less well off than themselves. I am often in awe of them. In a world in which most people adhere to some belief system, I will never make a broad brush attack on Christians or Christianity.

But I also fully get how nearly impossible it is for those who do not believe that the rapture will happen today to have some fun over this. It's just too big and bright a target for humor to ignore. I really do feel badly though for the children of Rapture Now parents who have sold off or given away all of their worldly assets. Monday they will wake to a harsh reality.

[starroute]

1. No, it's not that it's too funny not to mock

Think about those Christians you mentioned who spent months on the Gulf Coast helping the victims of Katrina to rebuild.

If any of those people had believed the world was about to come to an end, do you think they would have been there? If they had seen Katrina as a welcome sign of the end-times, would they have showed up to help out?

The problem with the Rapture freaks is not that their belief system is ludicrous. It's that their belief system encourages callousness and indifference to suffering.

And that is inexcusable.

[Tom Rinaldo]

3. 100% agree with you

And don't get me started on the Church of Prosperity types. If the intent is there, anything can be twisted in any way wanted.

[hfojvt]

5. not necessarily

almost every Christian denomination teaches and/or believes in the 2nd coming of Jesus. It's right there in the book of Acts 1: 10 and probably elsewhere in the writings of Paul. Especially Catholics say at every Mass "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." It is the 7th line of the Apostle's Creed "7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead." (which yes, I had to look up on Wikipedia)

However, about 99% are in disagreement with this silly guy who thinks he can predict the exact day. However, thanks to Hal Lindsey's book in the 1970s "The Late Great Planet Earth" and many other preachers, particularly on TV said in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s that it was gonna happen "soon". Like within 20 or 30 years. When I heard that as a 12 year old kid some 37 years ago, it seemed obvious that it would definitely happen in my lifetime (if I lived to be over 70 like all four of my grandparents at the time were already in their 70s). Probably a lot of people my age and younger have heard since their childhood that it was gonna happen "soon".

I took some comfort in that. Because that would mean that I would not have to face death, but I don't believe that any more. After 37 or 40 years, the people who said "soon" no longer have any credibility to me.

[gejohnston]

6. what really would suck

The real followers of Christ goes and the Pat Robertson types will be left behind disillusioned. Being a Deist, I'll be stuck here with Pat.

[a la izquierda]

7. If you're a good person...

and there is such a thing as rapture (which I doubt), I'm sure you'll go on to some reward. My husband is an avowed agnostic, but he lives a better life than many Christians I've ever met, and I always joke that he'd go to heaven before most "Christians" ever would.

[blondeatlast]

2. This self-described Xtian could not agree with you more. I ask only that the practical jokers

please pick up their litter of clothing piles and shoes on Monday; it's just plain good citizenship and saves our underfunded municipalities a little money!

:hi:

[Tom Rinaldo]

4. I think you miss their point I'm afraid

Once they leave the rest of us behind this joint's going to hell anyway. The way they describe it, lots of folks will probably be shedding their clothes on the street after the rapture, we'll probably not even notice theirs.

[Ohio Joe]

8. I really don't

I do not respect anyone for having a belief in any god. I may respect them for many other reasons but... not that one.

[GeorgeGist]

9. Christians have no monopoly on profundity ...

or stupidity.