# End of the World **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 27, 2009, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208 "2009-01-27T10:20:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/21 "2009-01-27T22:23:57Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Physical world? As has been mentioned, the sun is gonna go bats and freeze/fry the planet within the next couple of hundred million years. > . The next couple of hundred million years? Certainly not. It will take much longer than that. ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/22 "2009-01-28T00:00:10Z")
Actually, the Sun will explode 1,000,000 years from now after someone opens a jumppoint inside it. But the last descendant of Homo sapiens will make sure that all surviving records regarding Babylon 5 are transmitted to New Earth. ---
**Author:** ![flex727](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@flex727](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flex727)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/23 "2009-01-28T01:40:46Z")
> [@Zelzellie](#): > > I would like to know if the end of the world can really be predicted. I’m not sure, but I’ve heard the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, & 42 may have something to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/24 "2009-01-28T02:27:01Z")
> [@Chase\_Ransom](#): > > The one thing I have been thinking about recently is that extinction of humans on the planet cannot/will not happen, without a purposeful desire to exterminate us. Not global warming, not an ice age, not even the almighty asteroid floating around somewhere or a world wide nuclear war, would wipe us out entirely. Of course one or several of these could derail our current civilization and put us in a much more modest profile on the planet, but wipe us out completely - I doubt it. > > Only a force intent on wiping us out (say, alien invasion, a super mutating virus that spreads like butter), could have a chance at that. We complain about other pests all the time and how hard they are to keep in check or eradicate; lets face it…we are just as or more difficult to contain as a species. Oh, we are hard to kill off, but there are things that could do it. A hit from a big enough comet that the Earth’s surface is rendered molten for example. Or a close enough major astronomical event could sterilize the planet. Or a passing star or rogue planet could get close enough to divert Earth close enough to the Sun to fry or far enough to freeze. > [@clairobscur](#): > > [QUOTE=Clothahump] > Physical world? As has been mentioned, the sun is gonna go bats and freeze/fry the planet within the next couple of hundred million years. The next couple of hundred million years? Certainly not. It will take much longer than that. [/QUOTE] As I recall, the estimate is about a hundred million years before the slowly warming Sun kicks off a runaway greenhouse effect and Earth turns into another Venus. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/25 "2009-01-28T02:56:48Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Absolutely true, but it might be closer to 2,000 years. I think Jesus indicated he would return within the lifetimes of his apostles, although I don’t know what they believed would happen at that time compared with current Christian end-of-the-world ideas. Individual prophecies undoubtedly date back that far. I didn’t use that span because we have very few records that show much of anything from that period let alone support a continuity of predictions. Even casting back 1000 years is problematic, but the records are much denser. ---
**Author:** ![Chase\_Ransom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de0a6/32.png) [@Chase\_Ransom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chase_Ransom)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/26 "2009-01-28T06:54:19Z")
> [@flex727](#): > > I’m not sure, but I’ve heard the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, & 42 may have something to do with it. I’ll play these numbers in the state Lotto. If I hit the jackpot, I will spend every dollar in efforts to bring the End of the World and thus, make your prophecy come true. (And I would buy something snazzy to wear so I end it all in style) ---
**Author:** ![Zelzellie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9d8465/32.png) [@Zelzellie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zelzellie)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/27 "2009-01-28T08:17:30Z")
> [@NineToTheSky](#): > > As has been said, the end of the world can be predicted by scientists as described above. But there are countless ways the world could end before then, including wars, plagues and natural disasters. These cannot be predicted. > > If there is a god who knows when the end is, he will know if it will be as predicted or by some event occurring earlier. But (and this is where I really think this thread should scoot off to Great Debates) how do you, **Zelzellie** , know what he knows? If, as you say, only he knows it, then how can you know what he knows? This, as an atheist, has always been my stumbling block with Christianity; this issue of communication between the deity and us poor mortals. I dont know what God knows, I only know and believe that His word said that He is making a place for us in Heaven and that He will be returning to Earth to come and join Him in Heaven. And for me, that means that when he comes for us, the earth will perish and will not be there anymore. And because I dont know when that will be, I just have to sit and wait for it, and if someone else knows a bit more than I do, I can just get an idea of when this will take place. But since I am a christian, I can only wait and believe what he has said and not worry about it so much, but it is difficult to follow the straight and narrow path… ---
**Author:** ![Zelzellie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9d8465/32.png) [@Zelzellie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zelzellie)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/28 "2009-01-28T08:21:41Z")
> [@John\_W.Kennedy](#): > > Phil Plait, [The Bad Astronomer](http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/), has written a book, _Death from the Skies!_ that goes into a lengthy list of ways that the world could end, astronomically speaking. Some are preventable. > > Speaking as a Christian, the answer’s simple. We don’t know, and we can’t know. > > And, on the other hand: > > …we defie Augury; there’s a speciall Prouidence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come: if it bee not to come, it will bee now: if it be not now; yet it will come; the readinesse is all, since no man ha’s ought of what he leaues. What is’t to leaue betimes? > > and > > Of all the Wonders that I yet haue heard, > It seemes to me most strange that men should feare, > Seeing that death, a necessary end > Will come, when it will come. Thank you.. I think it is best that we don’t know and try to live our lives the best we can. ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/29 "2009-01-28T09:49:39Z")
> [@Zelzellie](#): > > I dont know what God knows, I only know and believe that His word said that He is making a place for us in Heaven and that He will be returning to Earth to come and join Him in Heaven. As I said before this confuses me. On the one hand you say ‘I dont know what God knows’; on the other, you say ‘I only know and believe that His word said…’ To me, this seems like a condradiction. What actually does ‘His word said’ mean? Is this something that has been directly communicated to you, or has some other person told you this? I understand that beliefs effectively cannot be argued with (belief is or can be above reason), but you also say you _know_. How come? I’m not trying to be snarky; I’m just curious. ---
**Author:** ![Zelzellie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9d8465/32.png) [@Zelzellie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zelzellie)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/30 "2009-01-28T10:38:08Z")
> [@NineToTheSky](#): > > As I said before this confuses me. On the one hand you say ‘I dont know what God knows’; on the other, you say ‘I only know and believe that His word said…’ To me, this seems like a condradiction. What actually does ‘His word said’ mean? Is this something that has been directly communicated to you, or has some other person told you this? I understand that beliefs effectively cannot be argued with (belief is or can be above reason), but you also say you _know_. How come? > > I’m not trying to be snarky; I’m just curious. What I meant was that I read his word (the bible) and that is what His (the Lord) word tells me, and because it is my religion, I have to believe what his word says. The question is not whether I know, but whether I BELIEVE. And that is why I asked this question in the first place. I dont know what to believe anymore, and I dont KNOW if what he said is TRUE. So therefore I dont really know and if someone else knows, they can tell me! ---
**Author:** ![Zelzellie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9d8465/32.png) [@Zelzellie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zelzellie)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/31 "2009-01-28T10:39:53Z")
> [@Zelzellie](#): > > What I meant was that I read his word (the bible) and that is what His (the Lord) word tells me, and because it is my religion, I have to believe what his word says. The question is not whether I know, but whether I BELIEVE. And that is why I asked this question in the first place. I dont know what to believe anymore, and I dont KNOW if what he said is TRUE. So therefore I dont really know and if someone else knows, they can tell me! Oh and the person who told me is the pastor of course.. the intermediate between me and God.. and God’s Word… ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/32 "2009-01-28T11:27:07Z")
> [@Zelzellie](#): > > What I meant was that I read his word (the bible) and that is what His (the Lord) word tells me, and because it is my religion, I have to believe what his word says. The question is not whether I know, but whether I BELIEVE. And that is why I asked this question in the first place. I dont know what to believe anymore, and I dont KNOW if what he said is TRUE. So therefore I dont really know and if someone else knows, they can tell me! > [@Zelzellie](#): > > Oh and the person who told me is the pastor of course.. the intermediate between me and God.. and God’s Word… It may not be what you want to hear, but there is absolutely no agreement about which God exists (if any), nor what He has predicted for the End of the World. As others have said, religions have predicted the End of the World many times. Always wrong. Religions contradict each other (especially Christianity and Judaism). Even with Christianity, there are two major divisions (Protestant / Catholic) and hundreds of sects within those divisions. What makes your particular pastor an expert? Undoubtedly he has a different view of the Bible and God from other pastors within the same town, let alone world-wide. DOes God speak directly to him, or does he rely on his interpretation of the Bible? You may like to ask yourself why you have the particular religion and pastor that you do. Is it not simply because of where you live? If you lived in a different town, State, or even a different country, would you have exactly the same beliefs? How likely is it that your local church and pastor have exactly the right answers, even though they disagree with almost everyone else? If God exists, I’m confident He wants us to think for ourselves, not rely on our local pastor. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/33 "2009-01-28T11:54:53Z")
> [@flex727](#): > > I’m not sure, but I’ve heard the numbers 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, & 42 may have something to do with it. Nahh, they just make the sky turn purple. ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/34 "2009-01-28T12:10:50Z")
> [@glee](#): > > If God exists, I’m confident He wants us to think for ourselves, not rely on our local pastor. Again, the Great Conumdrum. I thought that that wasn’t what Christianity proscribed. Shouldn’t Christians live their lives by the word of God as written down in the Bible and passed on by priests?\* Isn’t it atheists that should think for themselves? \*Whichever priests and preachings you follow. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/35 "2009-01-28T16:05:49Z")
> [@Zelzellie](#): > > And because I dont know when that will be, I just have to sit and wait for it, and if someone else knows a bit more than I do, I can just get an idea of when this will take place. Tuesday. ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/36 "2009-01-28T21:29:09Z")
> [@NineToTheSky](#): > > Again, the Great Conumdrum. I thought that that wasn’t what Christianity proscribed. Shouldn’t Christians live their lives by the word of God as written down in the Bible and passed on by priests? Isn’t it atheists that should think for themselves? Suppose someone walked up to you and said, “Shouldn’t believers in Evolution live their lives by the word of Darwin as written down in _The Origin of Species_ and passed on by scientists? Isn’t it Creationists that should think for themselves?” Or “Shouldn’t believers in William Shakespeare of Stratford-on-Avon live their lives by the word of Ben Jonson as written down in his preface to the First Folio and passed on by literary historians? Isn’t it Baconians and Oxfordians and Marlovians that should think for themselves?” Or “Shouldn’t believers in evidence-based medicine live their lives by the word of Jenner and Pasteur as written down in their several works and passed on by medical schools? Isn’t it homeopaths that should think for themselves?” Plug in any set of nouns you like, it’s still a bum argument. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/37 "2009-01-28T21:54:36Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Tuesday. No, no, no. If there’s anything I _know_, it’s that the world will end on a Thursday. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2009, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/38 "2009-01-28T21:59:48Z")
Shit, that’s tomorrow! Better get cracking. On, uh, whatever needs to be cracked. ---
**Author:** ![Zelzellie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9d8465/32.png) [@Zelzellie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zelzellie)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/39 "2009-01-29T07:56:50Z")
I agree with John W Kennedy, everyone should think for themselves and believe in what they want, not just Atheist. Every religion is different and therefore every person will have a different opinion on when the world will come to and end and all of humanity. I now know that NO Human on this planet has a definite answer on this question so I’ve come to the conlusion that this question will and cannot be answered. I do appreciate all of your opinions and it has brought alot of insight to this subject/question and different viewpoints. I would have liked to see what Cecil said but hey… guess he doesnt know either? ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208/40 "2009-01-29T08:10:18Z")
> [@John\_W.Kennedy](#): > > Suppose someone walked up to you and said, “Shouldn’t believers in Evolution live their lives by the word of Darwin as written down in _The Origin of Species_ and passed on by scientists? Isn’t it Creationists that should think for themselves?” > > Or “Shouldn’t believers in William Shakespeare of Stratford-on-Avon live their lives by the word of Ben Jonson as written down in his preface to the First Folio and passed on by literary historians? Isn’t it Baconians and Oxfordians and Marlovians that should think for themselves?” > > Or “Shouldn’t believers in evidence-based medicine live their lives by the word of Jenner and Pasteur as written down in their several works and passed on by medical schools? Isn’t it homeopaths that should think for themselves?” > > Plug in any set of nouns you like, it’s still a bum argument. It isn’t an argument - it’s a question; to which I still don’t know the answer. I agree that everyone should think for themselves, but I thought that followers of Christianity should perhaps \*both \* think for themselves \*and \* live by their religion’s guidelines? I don’t understand your examples. I don’t think anyone thinks that people should live their lives by anything Johnson or Pasteur et al have said. None of them have set down life style guidelines. Whereas religions do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-the-world/483208.md?page=3)