Do raptures and "end of times" stories hurt religions?

[lilboo]

Don't worry, I know most of even the hardcore believers in certain religions don't buy into this rapture shit.. or in general "END OF TIMES COMING SOON" nonsense that we always seem to hear every so many years.

To those who are religious and don't believe that man can figure out when "the end is near", do you think that these loons who preach and are able to convince the masses hurt your --or the concept of-- religion??

As someone who considers themselves as an Atheist, I'm already skeptical about religion. I do find almost all stories involving all religions to just be a knee slap and a hearty laugh. When I do hear things like these prophecies, it makes me feel like I am even more secure in my thoughts about Religion. I am one person, though, so I could be way off with this.

 

[dmaul1114]

I doubt it. I've been an atheist pretty much my whole life and the whack jobs didn't really have any impact on that. Always being pretty much a "man of science" I just could never stomach the notion of gods or afterlives etc.

The "end of the world" types I never paid much attention too as everyone knows they're just loonies and not representative of the majority of any religious group.

 

[unluckynumber11]

I think those who think the rapture today are all clueless. If they read scripture and ironically they haven't, they would know that when it comes to when the end will be, it is a mystery as to the date and hour. It is said very specifically that no one knows when it will happen, and the person that says he knows it a liar.

 

[hostyl1]

Most atheists I've run across wouldn't think any more of religion if there was never a prophecy about the end of the world. So no, I dont think that they have much of an impact. At best, it makes atheists feel better about themselves.

As for siphoning off believers, at least when it comes to Christians, the Bible teaches that you should test prophecy against scripture. If something doesnt jibe, you should reject it. The scripture is explict in saying no one will know the time. So a "good Bible believing Christian" should reject end of the world predictions out of hand.

 

[bvharris]

Mainstream religion = Ridiculous shit no sane person would believe + Time.

The only difference in my opinion between things like the alleged Rapture and "events" Creation, the Great Flood and so on is that I'm personally here to witness it not happening. The idea of a rapture (and specifically one occurring today) is no more or less ridiculous than many of the other things many Christians take to be gospel, it just happens to be easier to prove false.

 

[Trancendental]

[quote name='hostyl1']Most atheists I've run across wouldn't think any more of religion if there was never a prophecy about the end of the world.[/QUOTE]

Of course they would.

Some religious teachings (like altruism) can actually benefit society. But teachings such as 'the world is destined to come to an end as soon as this afternoon' can be dangerous and incendiary in the wrong hands.

At a basic level, some religions are more harmonious with modern science then others. Surely these religions deserve more respect from the rational man.

 

[Jabrim]

[quote name='lilboo']
Don't worry, I know most of even the hardcore believers in certain religions don't buy into this rapture shit.. or in general "END OF TIMES COMING SOON" nonsense that we always seem to hear every so many years.

To those who are religious and don't believe that man can figure out when "the end is near", do you think that these loons who preach and are able to convince the masses hurt your --or the concept of-- religion??

As someone who considers themselves as an Atheist, I'm already skeptical about religion. I do find almost all stories involving all religions to just be a knee slap and a hearty laugh. When I do hear things like these prophecies, it makes me feel like I am even more secure in my thoughts about Religion. I am one person, though, so I could be way off with this.[/QUOTE]

I think it has the opposite effect, I think when people are confronted with theorys on the end of the world and things like that it either makes them cling to their perspective religion or at least consider it for a moment.

 

[Clak]

[quote name='camoor']Of course they would.

Some religious teachings (like altruism) can actually benefit society. But teachings such as 'the world is destined to come to an end as soon as this afternoon' can be dangerous and incendiary in the wrong hands.

At a basic level, some religions are more harmonious with modern science then others. Surely these religions deserve more respect from the rational man.[/QUOTE]
You're honestly talking more about the philosophy of a religion than the religion itself. Which despite being atheistic, I can appreciate and respect some religious philosophies, much like Jefferson*.

edit- *That's Thomas, not George.