# Why do many people seem to think that the world will end on May 21, 2011? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 24, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621 "2010-05-24T21:44:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/141 "2010-05-28T23:21:18Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > God doesn’t spend to much time in the bible discussing earth science. However, when he does, it is the absolute true word of God. So why is it that the first two chapters of Genesis contain two different descriptions of the creation process, which fundamentally contradict each other about the order things happened in? Is the word of God so absolutely true that contradictory statements can both be true at the same time? ---
**Author:** ![jasourdough](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@jasourdough](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasourdough)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/142 "2010-05-28T23:26:55Z")
> [@Twoflower](#): > > So why is it that the first two chapters of Genesis contain two different descriptions of the creation process, which fundamentally contradict each other about the order things happened in? Is the word of God so absolutely true that contradictory statements can both be true at the same time? What are the specific verses you are referring to? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/143 "2010-05-29T02:42:15Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > What are the specific verses you are referring to? (1.1 to 2.3) vs (2.4 to 2.25) ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/144 "2010-05-29T02:47:33Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > Is the sky really blue? No, it’s black. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/145 "2010-05-29T03:01:21Z")
It’s because God, omnisciently aware that I expect my next birthday to be the best one yet, is, on the day before it, perfectly content to wipe out the other 6 billion people on earth just to get me. Seems like pretty typical God work to me. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/146 "2010-05-29T04:28:57Z")
Because the world, rather unfairly, failed to be destroyed at Midnight December 31st, 1999 like it should have. Tris ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/147 "2010-05-29T05:03:18Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > The holy bible is more difficult to understand then quantum physics, thermodynamics, and an arrogant scientist all rolled into one. It is a reflection of the infinite mind of God. That’s a pretty bold assertion. What evidence do you have to support it? ---
**Author:** ![jasourdough](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@jasourdough](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasourdough)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/148 "2010-05-29T14:05:16Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > That’s a pretty bold assertion. What evidence do you have to support it? In the original languages, every word in the bible is from the mouth of God: - “And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, **but by every word of God**.” Luke 4:3\* - “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, **but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.** “ Deut 8:3\* The method in which the bible was written: _“And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, **that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD** , saying,_\* Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken **unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.** Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book\*\*.” Jer 36:1-4\* With a Word, God created all things: \*“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God “ John 1:1 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” John 1:14\* We may only begin to understand God’s Word when he opens our eyes: \*“And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” Mark 4:11-12 “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” 1Cor2:10\* We compare scripture with scripture(spiritual with spiritual) to learn from God’s Word: _“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. “ 1Cor2:13_ In Matthew 18: \*21 “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? “ 22 “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” \* How do we begin to understand verse 22? Rather than opening up Mr. Websters dictionary to understand the words contained within these verses, we search the bible. God is teaching us to forgive until perfection is completed. In other words, we are to always forgive. Apparent contradictions: Think of a situation involving multiple reports from multiple sources concerning the same event. On the surface, it may sound like many different events. However, after careful study, the truth can be determined using information from all of the reports. _“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” Prov 25:2_ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/149 "2010-05-29T14:31:54Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > In the original languages, every word in the bible is from the mouth of God. The Bible CLAIMS that it’s the word of God, but how do you know that claim is true? > [@](#): > > The method in which the bible was written. Again, the Bible CLAIMS that it was written in a certain way, but how do you know that claim is true? Your argument is circular: “The Bible is the true word of God because the Bible SAYS it’s the true word of God.” But what if the men who wrote the Bible were mistaken? What if they thought what they were writing down was the word of God, but it wasn’t? After all, the Koran and the Book of Mormon also claim to be the word of God. Do you accept them as literally true? How do you distinguish between books that really are the word of God and books that merely claim to be but are mistaken? ---
**Author:** ![jasourdough](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@jasourdough](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasourdough)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/150 "2010-05-29T15:43:51Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > The Bible CLAIMS that it’s the word of God, but how do you know that claim is true? > > Again, the Bible CLAIMS that it was written in a certain way, but how do you know that claim is true? > > Your argument is circular: “The Bible is the true word of God because the Bible SAYS it’s the true word of God.” > > But what if the men who wrote the Bible were mistaken? What if they thought what they were writing down was the word of God, but it wasn’t? What type of man ~ 3,000 years ago undertood 6th grade science(as a previous post indicated)? > [@](#): > > After all, the Koran and the Book of Mormon also claim to be the word of God. Do you accept them as literally true? How do you distinguish between books that really are the word of God and books that merely claim to be but are mistaken? These books are based on an interpretation of the holy bible. Any individual may cite verses from the bible and write a book and call their book the inspired Word of God. In many cases, if it’s easier to understand then it is more widely accepted. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/151 "2010-05-29T17:25:28Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > What type of man ~ 3,000 years ago undertood 6th grade science(as a previous post indicated)? Couldn’t God have revealed the biblical text in a way that would not eventually (and inevitably) contradict 6th grade science? Describe Genesis as being a great flash of light and then a very long, eternity-seeming period where starts and planets formed, then life over a very long period of slow struggling growth, molded by harshness and competition until man emerged as the first creature that was aware of itself, at which point God touched him? It’s not difficult at all to express basic cosmology, abiogenesis and evolution in vague mystical terms. If your God is real, he’s a liar. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/152 "2010-05-29T17:46:15Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > Simple common sense will tell us there must be a creator. No it doesn’t. You just made that up! ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/153 "2010-05-29T17:52:38Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > What type of man ~ 3,000 years ago undertood 6th grade science(as a previous post indicated)? What type of god sends himself made flesh to teach the world valuable lessons, and cannot even give himself the ability to write down his own accounts of being god in a human body? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/154 "2010-05-29T19:00:36Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > What type of man ~ 3,000 years ago undertood 6th grade science(as a previous post indicated)? The one where you used the word “thermodynamics” in an effort to impress people? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/155 "2010-05-29T20:45:32Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > What type of man ~ 3,000 years ago understood 6th grade science(as a previous post indicated)? You’re just liberally interpreting ambiguous language so that it agrees with modern science. You could just as easily interpret those passages in ways that contradict modern science. > [@](#): > > These books are based on an interpretation of the holy bible. Any individual may cite verses from the bible and write a book and call their book the inspired Word of God. In many cases, if it’s easier to understand then it is more widely accepted. No, both the Koran and the Book of Mormon are based on separate revelation. They are not merely interpretations of the Bible. They are new teachings direct from God (or so they claim). ---
**Author:** ![Trepa\_Mayfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/156 "2010-05-29T21:14:14Z")
There aren’t giant windows in space. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/157 "2010-05-29T22:15:13Z")
Really? Then what do Kryptonian criminals look through? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/158 "2010-05-29T22:28:12Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > These books are based on an interpretation of the holy bible. Any individual may cite verses from the bible and write a book and call their book the inspired Word of God. In many cases, if it’s easier to understand then it is more widely accepted. So THAT explains the so-called “new testament”. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/159 "2010-05-29T22:40:11Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > What type of god sends himself made flesh to teach the world valuable lessons, and cannot even give himself the ability to write down his own accounts of being god in a human body? Are you suggesting Jesus should have had a blog? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2010, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621/160 "2010-05-29T23:12:43Z")
> [@jasourdough](#): > > The method in which the bible was written: > > _“And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, **that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD** , saying,_\* Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken **unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.** Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book\*\*.” Jer 36:1-4\* I am now writing a book. In it, I will say, “This book is written by God.” Pretty much like your book says. So mine is now incontrovertibly the work of God? Is that all it takes, a written claim? Will you then believe everything else I write in this book, even if it defies common sense and historical record? Because that’s exactly what you are claiming. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-people-seem-to-think-that-the-world-will-end-on-may-21-2011/540621.md?page=9)