It’s the end of the world as we know it

So, if certain sources are to be believed, it is the end of the world this weekend. In fact, it is tomorrow. The end of the world! And not some meteor based nonsense, this is supposedly a god based one. The Rapture is coming, the event so brilliantly demonstrated by the above image.

Apparently, man has regressed morally, and now the rain will be blood. All those who believe in Christ as their saviour will rise up and join him in the kingdom of heaven. This includes the bodies of the dead, who will rip themselves from the ground like an army of religious zombies and fly up. All of the unbelievers (and there are a lot of those, over generations and generations) will be damned for all eternity. They will be poked and prodded and then just generally tormented.

Now I take umbrage with this. Not just because it is taking place at the weekend, thus ruining barbecues, and trips to Rochester Castle, but mainly because how simplistic a view on good and bad it has. Time for a crap example:

Child A: Massive wrong un, goes around embezzling funds, stealing, being a general sinner. But when it boils down to it, was Christened and wants forgiveness at the end. This kid is saved.

Child B: A lovely kid. Doesn’t harm another living soul, including animals, and is generally good. Doesn’t believe in God, doesn’t need some idea of a reward at the end, and so is damned.

How is that fair? I don’t care what argument a religious person makes, that is ridiculous. And if their God does have an ego that necessitates deference to it , well I don’t want to be in his amazing kingdom, even if it does have Xbox 720, mojitos, joints rolled by Bob Marley and all the dead Beatles.

Then you have the argument of a benevolent God, a father. Someone asked me why people thought God was a man, and in my opinion it is obvious God is a man. How? He lets us suffer (no mother could abide that), he teaches us cruel lessons, and he is fully content to stand by and watch us be violent to one another. I just can’t see a mother allowing that to happen. My mum never let me watch boxing or play with guns, my dad bought me fireworks. There in lies the difference.

So here is REM’s classic song to get you through our final judgement. I am hoping I will pass, not looking for a 1^st. But I fear I won’t, but it isn’t the end of the world…oh hang on! Remember be good, and in the end, that is all you can be.

- Anand