There are other doomsday scenarios out there, but the story is always the same. A lot of media hype, catalyzed by people’s irrational fear of the unknown. The notion of celestial apocalypse is very old indeed, and will probably stay with us for a while. We see a transposition of language, from the skies falling on our heads to more precise, science-inspired scenarios. Those who believe this kind of apocalyptic hype are simply refusing to learn from 400 years of modern science, preferring to live their lives with their eyes wide shut.
But I don’t want to end on a bad note. There is some good to this movement, in particular when it asks for a new “global spiritual awakening,” a move toward the betterment of humanity. How could anyone not want this? What saddens me is that it seems that only fear can mobilize people to make a change, be it for the worse or for the better.
The world will not end though we will get a new one at some point. Perhaps we can pray that our Lord will come back by 2012.