Anyway, as I read this, I found myself drawing comparisons in my mind between people looking for the salvation of the world through an end-times event and people looking for what I call a “get well quick” solution to their problems and/or to the problems they see in the world.

Personally, I don’t believe that there is a quick solution to most problems — whether those problems are with society or with oneself.

“Change is slow and incremental,” author Julia Cameron says. I would add to that — from my own experience — that change — especially healing change — can be difficult and painful. But ultimately — in my view — well worth the effort.

But in the face of the pain and difficulty of healing change, it can be incredibly tempting to grab a “get well quick” solution. Or an end-times prophecy. Something fast and easy, something that requires little or no effort. Just “bam,” and everything’s fixed; everything’s great.

When I see someone grasping for a “get well quick” scheme or an end-times prophecy, I want to ask, “What is it about this that appeals to you? What is it about a slower process — that might be more difficult, more painful in the short term — that scares you? Are you willing to put in the time and effort to effect change in your own life? Are you willing to make an effort to be a positive influence in your little corner of the world — even if you don’t see any positive results right away? Or is it simply easier to grab onto what looks good — even when it’s not a viable answer or solution?”

Nothing that Camping’s followers did is outside the realm of meaningful and valid human behaviors. To think otherwise is to miss important learning and important intellectual, moral, and practical growth.

I’m noticing some other Christians feeling sorry for Camping’s followers because they obviously don’t have the right version of Christianity to fall back on; while some unchurched people laugh about the followers’ supposed gullibility and completely miss their own; and while my new age pals silently wait for the real prophecy that will occur in 2012. Bless our hearts.

Bless all of our hearts, I tell you.

Thanks also for your point about spirituality and theories about the rapture being healthier when they can be approached as individual rather than corporate or global endeavors.

When you mentioned the 20th century, you also reminded me of the Y2K end-times prophecy for computers worldwide, which also didn’t come true. Remember that, with the bottled water and emergency food rations? Bless our hearts; we humans are adorably susceptible to end-times prophecies.

I was actually a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. No, not during 1975 (and I have to correct you that it was not an official proclamation that 1975 would see Armaggedon – it was just strongly hinted at and many believed it). But I did feel that this world could not possibly last beyond the end of the 20th century. We were taught that the end is just around the corner. Well, the transition from that viewpoint to the viewpoint that there is not going to be an Armaggedon as the Witnesses believe was gradual but difficult. The main focus is in changing the view of your own future. Instead of counting on God or Jehovah to ensure your future, you need to count on yourself and take action to create the future you want. Spirituality is still important to me, but I believe that the scriptural references to Christ’s coming apply on an individual level and not a global one.