Posted on 05/08/2009 10:47:11 AM PDT by jxb7076
The Maya civilization is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Preclassic period, many of these reached their apogee of development during the Classic period (c. 250 CE to 900 CE), and continued throughout the Post classic period until the arrival of the Spanish. At its peak, it was one of the most densely populated and culturally dynamic societies in the world. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_civilization)
From this Mesoamerican civilization and its astronomical systems arose a calendar with predictions which would become a topic of end time events for the 21st century. This remarkable calendar of the Ancient Mayans predicts that an event of major proportions will take place on December 21, 2012. Unfortunately, the Mayans did not specify what the major event will be but doomsday believers hold tight to the notion that the world will end on this day. Scientists have various assumptions, theories, and philosophies as to what scientifically could happen. Their theories include major earth changing events such as Galactic alignment, Pole shift, Solar magnetic reversal, and Solar maximum. They believe these events will result from threats such as Meteorite or Comet impact, Gamma rau burst, Extraterrestrials, or nuclear explosions.
According to researchers the Mayans astronomical predictions were based on a collection of systematic calendars similar to the ones used by earlier Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Zapotec, Olmec, and Aztecs. These calendars date as far back as 6th century BCE. Among these systematic calendars were basically two main calendars. One was solar and the other was based on the movement of the planet Venus, in conjunction with other planets and stars. The two calendars overlapped each other and each was based on a five thousand year cycle. As one was ending the other was already in progress. Therefore, it’s not that the Mayans were predicting the end of the world. Based on their calculations of a five thousand year cycle they predicted that one event calendar was ending on December 21, 2012 and another one beginning on December 22, 2012. In other words, they were simply predicting the end of the five thousand year solar or planetary calendar. Although their scientists and astronomers did look for and anticipated natural disasters, they did not view them as world ending events. Modern day research suggests that the December 21, 2012 date is related to a not-so-well known phenomenon called the precession of the Equinoxes -or- a five thousand year planetary cycle.
The numeric predictions of the Mayan calendar are based on the computation of the Mayan value of pi whose value is more reliable than any European pi. This makes the Mayan calendar remarkably accurate. However, it does not predict the end of the world in 2012. In my opinion, the assumptions of world ending events is another doomsday prediction on the level of Y2K born out of the human need for a cosmic change or a solution to human suffering on this planet, and revenge against those who impose such sufferings.
So what are the Christians responses to this doomsday prediction? Christians can be classified as the group most likely to believe in such doomsday predictions based on their understandings and acceptance of end time events as described in the book of Revelation. However, most mature Christians conclude that this is just another bogus assumption born out of a lack of Biblical knowledge. They cite one text from the Bible to justify this position which is found in the book of Matthew 24:36. “But of that day and hour knows no man, neither angels of Heaven nor the Son, but my Father.”
What’s your viewpoint or predictions for December 21, 2012?
The Bible tells us that no one will ever know when Jesus Christ will come again except God the Father. This is to caution against listening to those who will claim to know the date and time. Nothing can defeat the purpose of God. Jesus Christ coming like a thief in the night and the blowing of the trumpets which declares His coming would occur simultaneously.
Not my wording but, I liked it.
“Somehow I don’t think the Mayas got more accurate results.”
Guess if they’d had computers.......and were that nerdy.
I'm going to party like it's 1999.
If the Mayan civilization hadn't cr#pped out 500 years ago they would have already extended their calculations.
Dial up FReepers are not going to be impressed with you..................
I’m on a T1 and it took almost a minute to load.
Same here.
I know, I USE to be one. Thought it was way too cool not to post.
My apologies to the dailupers.
AdminMod, could you please delete post #43?
I reckon a bunch of indians scratching marks on rocks were of course possessed of superior knowledge than we are.
Just hit the “Abuse” button and let the mods know to remove the pic.
We did that once (horrible hangover) isn’t that enough?
They must of had a lot more time on their hands.
I liked it!
I realize EVERY penny counts but............
How should I know? I can’t count that high.
Agreed, as my friends and I put it, it’s “the day the Mayans got bored of making calendar pages.”
The Mayan civilization had mastered the computational value of pi even while Europe was still in the dark ages. Also, other ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, the Chinese and territories of the Afro-Asians had discovered their own method to value of pi. The Mayan computational value however, was even greater than that of both the Egyptians and the Chinese bringing their mathematical computations of the planetary movement within five minutes intervals of a yearly cycle. Civilizations before them values were off by 11 to 20 minutes. This amazing feat was made possible by the accuracy of the computation of the value of pi. While we can credit Europe for a multitude of technological inventions we must also acknowledge the fact that other ancient civilizations had already traveled the globe and created great technological achievements before the ancient Europeans boarded the first ship that would take them beyond their shores.
I was right to call B.S.
Your source in no way backs up your claim about the Mayans and Pi. First off, the Mayans did not even come up with the Wheel. Second, your source clearly says that it is not known whether the Mayans had fractions, or even whether they considered the concept of the decimal point. Third, your statement that “other ancient civilizations had already traveled the globe and created great technological achievements before the ancient Europeans boarded the first ship” is pure speculative, undocumented poppycock. Show me proof that the Mayans went to Africa or Asia, or that the Chinese went to America or Africa. There are some speculative books, but absolutely no proof. There is clear proof, though, that ancient Europeans landed in Newfoundland in the 900s.
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