Letters: Jul. 22, 2002

The Bible and the Apocalypse

"The belief that our destiny is set and we have no power to settle our differences is ridiculous, an idea out of the Dark Ages." VINCE WHITMER Leesburg, Va.

You've taken great pains to present all points of view in your report on the Apocalypse and best-selling books about the end of the world [SOCIETY, July 1]. I think we are indeed heading for something that will ultimately be wonderful. And we true believers should not be looking for signs of the future as much as fighting for truth and justice in our own little corner of the world. MIKE CUNNINGHAM Rochester, N.Y.

The apocalyptic preaching of certain Christians is beginning to jeopardize a sensible foreign policy and foster unhealthy public panic. Religious views that tolerate violence and see destruction as hastening a meeting with God are extremely harmful. How far are such beliefs from those of suicide bombers, who kill innocent citizens in cafes and streets around the world? The distance, I think, is frighteningly small. APRIL R. THOMPSON Williamsburg, Va.

Our problems will never be solved by looking to the heavens, waiting for angels to save the world for us--the righteous--alone. Global warming, terrorism, hatred, political unrest and economic instability are man's problems, caused by man. With hard work and understanding, they can be solved by man. DECLAN MORAN Los Angeles

Other countries have suffered terrorist attacks and catastrophic natural disasters. But now that it is America that is suffering, it means the end of the world? How self-centered can we be? MICHAEL SHOUSE Omaha, Neb.

The premillennium rapture teachings remind me of '60s guru Timothy Leary's aphorism, "Tune in, turn on, drop out." Only now the opiate of bad theology has replaced drugs. Why work to redeem the culture for Christ if you believe it is only going to get worse and that will hasten the Rapture? Wake up! We do not know when Christ will return, so let's get back to the work at hand. ERIC LAHR Atlanta

--Some readers were saddened but not surprised by the best-selling popularity of the Left Behind series of books, which is based on the Book of Revelation. "It just proves the old saying that there's a sucker born every minute," declared a Tennessean. A fellow Volunteer Stater paraphrased H.L. Mencken: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people." But spying a ray of sunshine in the rumors of impending doom, a sports-minded Californian quipped, "The world is coming to an end? The Chicago Cubs must have won the World Series!"

Time for New Tactics