Friday 4 April 2014

Post-Apocalyptic A to Z: Doomsday

We're going to take a religious turn with the Post-Apocalyptic A to Z and talk about Doomsday. Many religions predict the end of the world and the most influential religions in the West--Christianity, Judaism, and Islam--all teach that the world will someday be wiped clean.

Despite the rather grisly depictions of what Doomsday will be like, the faithful don't seem to worry about it overmuch. One of the points of millennial religions, of course, is to prepare oneself for the End Times. Some less mainstream religious factions predict the end coming very soon, or even try to bring it about.

Personally, I think we should just assume that the world isn't going to end anytime soon and that we should take better care of it. "God helps those who help themselves," as they say. (Actually that line isn't in the Bible or Koran, it originated in ancient Greece).

End Times literature has always been popular, and perhaps the most famous series of Doomsday books is the Left Behind series, which covers the adventures of people who didn't get taken up in the Rapture. I've never read these myself and was wondering if any readers out there could share their impression of these books?
 


Four Horsemen of Apocalypse, by Viktor Vasnetsov. Painted in 1887. Click here to see a full size as this format really doesn't do it justice.

9 comments:

Jules said...

I agree, it's not going to end some time soon and we should all take better care of it. Great post. Happy A-Z ing :)

Cifar said...

Everything comes to an end so will be the world but It's not near I am sure.
I have followed you and
I am participating in A to Z challenge at The Other Side

Cathrina Constantine said...

I like what you said about not ending any time soon and we should take care of the Earth! I've seen and read a lot about Doomsday and the Four Horsemen. Recently the tv show Sleepy Hollow is all about the four horsemen.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

We have to keep living no matter when the end is coming.
Haven't read the books.

Chrys Fey said...

Doomsday! What an excellent pick for D! I don't think we're anywhere near the end of our world, but all great things come to an end. In the meantime, we certainly do have to take better care of Earth.

Unknown said...

Yes we should take better care of it, but that doesn't mean I'm not building a bunker (kidding)

Suzanne said...

I agree :) It may well end at some point, but we should enjoy every day and take care of each other and the planet!
Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe
xx

Sunday Visitor said...

Nice word for D!!

KC Kendricks said...

I'd never thought of Doomsday for the D-day post. Very interesting theme for this year's challenge.

A to Z participant at Between the Keys

Looking for more from Sean McLachlan? He also hangs out on the Civil War Horror blog, where he focuses on Civil War and Wild West history.

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