# Left Behind- the travesy continues... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 2, 2003, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063 "2003-04-02T22:12:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/21 "2003-04-03T06:31:37Z")
**lel** , yes, some Catholics were raptured, including the “reformist” Pope, but the premise is that there are some Catholics who coincidentally are also Christians. Or, possibly, they were only nominal Catholics who showed up for Mass every week out of habit or familiarity, but didn’t really believe the teachings of the Church. Also, I do think Chang and his family are token Asians- characters of various ethnic groups seem to be introduced as the authors realize that “hey, we don’t have any \_\_\_\_\_ in the story, and we don’t want to be accused of being racist”. That’s my theory, anyway. Black characters seem to be introduced in one book, make their contribution, then die a book or two later. Blatant tokenism. Oh, and **Shirley** , [if you really want to thank me, you can read this little thing I wrote and express your appreciation of it. [sub] I am such a whore…[/sub]](http://www.geocities.com/saffire457/lamb) ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/22 "2003-04-03T13:07:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Thea Logica \* > \*\*I’m thinkin’ frisbee. \*\* I’m thinking clay pigeon. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/23 "2003-04-03T13:39:11Z")
I’ve also read all of them so far, but it’s become much more of a chore. The first book, _Left Behind_ was decent, though not wonderful. The latter ones become increasingly poorly written and a continuous restating of things that have happened before. Book 11(?) _Armeggedon_ is due out within the next week - I certainly am not going to purchase it, and reading it is only a possibility if it’s either available in my local library within a short period of time or if I can find an hour to skim it at Barnes & Noble. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/24 "2003-04-03T15:24:04Z")
Just out of curiosity, what does the book say is the “Mark of the Beast”? ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/25 "2003-04-03T18:31:15Z")
Computer chips is evil! ---
**Author:** ![Maci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Maci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maci)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/26 "2003-04-03T19:15:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ResIpsaLoquitor \* > \*\*Computer chips is evil! \*\* \Mmmm . . . computer chips.\ ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/27 "2003-04-03T21:50:46Z")
Catholics aren’t Christian? I just love those fundie jokesters! Gah. How can you guys do this to yourselves? I want to wash after only reading the thread, let alone the actual thing. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/28 "2003-04-03T21:54:11Z")
\*\*El Elvis Rojo[/]- the Mark of the Beast is a subcutaneous computer chip along with a tattoo indentifying what region of the world you’re from. **Lsura** , you’re right about the constant rehashing. Instead of briefly alluding to past events, they are described in detail, sometimes taking up a couple of paragraphs. Apparently the authors realize that the intelligence level of people who actually think that the LB series is a bunch of good books is such that they wouldn’t actually be able to remember what happened in the last book. Either that or it’s padding so they can stretch out a trilogy into a twelve book series without actually having to create actual plot and story ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Super\_Gnat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Super\_Gnat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Super_Gnat)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/29 "2003-04-03T21:56:46Z")
Well, at least they aren’t anti-semitic. Everyone who was reading them in my (admittedly fundie) church pretty much gave up around 5-6, they were getting so bad. I remember reading the one the OP satirizes, but I’m pretty sure that was the last one I read. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2003, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/30 "2003-04-03T21:58:35Z")
> [@](#): > > Just out of curiosity, what does the book say is the “Mark of the Beast”? A tattoo, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![lel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8797f3/32.png) [@lel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lel)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/31 "2003-04-04T01:31:25Z")
Then again, Chang and his family seem to be in a more major role as the series goes on – weren’t they a big part of _Desecration_? (My memory of these books is really failing me badly, sorry.) As for the Catholics, I suppose they could be raptured if despite (insert irony here) the Catholic church, they truly accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. I just didn’t recall any of this happening in the LB books. I must go back and reread them – no, better not waste my time yet again. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/32 "2003-04-04T03:03:13Z")
The “baby” of our five cats has a micro-chip. We got her at the Humane Society and they do that to all the animals there. Does that mean she has the Mark? Poor little Piper Grace! 😛 I think Kirk Cameron was in the movies. He’s a HUGE fundy, and from I understand, he’s the reason the one actress had to leave the show (she had posed in _Playboy_ and he made a huge fit about it.) ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/33 "2003-04-04T04:09:42Z")
Remember the original pastor that was named Lenny Bruce? What was up with that? ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/34 "2003-04-04T04:49:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > \*\*The “baby” of our five cats has a micro-chip. We got her at the Humane Society and they do that to all the animals there. Does that mean she has the Mark? > \*\* Yes. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but your little kitten is going to slowly burn in hell for all eternity. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/35 "2003-04-04T13:11:34Z")
The Chip was not (far as we know) administered under command of the AntiChrist, nor did her kitty (far as we know) pledge loyalty to the AntiChrist in exchange for the Chip. I think LB has a scene, as do many EndTimes novels, of a Christian who has the Mark forced upon him/her & the shame & struggle to trust their salvation is secure. All such scenes guarantee that any who has the Mark forced on them are safe as long as they then don’t worship the Beast. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/36 "2003-04-04T13:18:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FriarTed \* > \*\*The Chip was not (far as we know) administered under command of the AntiChrist, nor did her kitty (far as we know) pledge loyalty to the AntiChrist in exchange for the Chip. \*\* You’d be surprised at what goes on at those animal shelters… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/37 "2003-04-09T07:03:55Z")
Well, I’ve finished reading “The Remnant”. Yeesh. The world’s lakes and rivers have been turned to blood, but the oceans have been turned back to salt water. Of course, if you’re a believer, if you get a bucket of blood out of the river, it will turn to nice, fresh water. The Antichrist has imbued a bunch of false Messiahs with his power to “convert” the undecided, and succeeds, but since the deadline for taking the mark has long since expired, they are simply executed after deciding to follow the Antichrist. One of them lures a bunch of the undecided out of their protected place in Petra- the first bunch to leave the city are swallowed up by the earth, but the rest go out to see this guy anyway. Some decide to take the mark, which magically appears on their foreheads, but then the false Messiah dude conjures up a bunch of poisonous snakes to kill the lot of them. There are three supernatural witness types also appearing to various groups, including a group of devout Muslims who have been captured by the GC forces, and persuade them to become believers just before they are executed. Steve Plank, a believer who has been editor of the Antichrist’s global magazine and using the position to feed info to the Trib Force, is finally told he has to take the mark, and openly opts for the guillotine instead. The sun goes all hotter than hell, and most wood buildings burst into flame. The Antichrist and the believers are the only ones who can go out in the daytime. Anyone else is cooked to death instantly. Then a plague of darkness falls upon the whole world, which brings with it excruciating pain for the unbelievers, but the believers can see in sepia tones. Yep, it’s all pretty lame. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/38 "2003-04-09T13:39:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by toadspittle \* > \*\*A tattoo, IIRC. \*\* Its Really the UPC (universal product code). is it on the book you bought! **Throw it away!!!** ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/39 "2003-04-09T15:25:59Z")
So what’s the AntiChrist’s motivation? I know he’s evil and a servant of Satan or whatever, but is “making the world evil for my master, Satan” his motivation, or does he have other ones? ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2003, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063/40 "2003-04-09T15:48:38Z")
Captain– Evil is as evil does. Seriously? I don’t know if LaHaye and Jenkins have done a full theological analysis of Satan’s motivations. Traditionally, the idea is that Satan is striking indirectly at God through his creation, us. There’s an old saying: a bad man will lie, cheat, steal and murder, but not necessarily be evil. An evil man will try to separate others from God. It’s like knocking down a little kid’s sandcastle. The goal is to piss off the kid. Mankind is the sandcastle. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-behind-the-travesy-continues/166063.md?page=3)