World to end on August 22

Guardian ^ | 08/09/06 | Brian Whitaker

[presidio9]

Better cancel those holidays. We now have a date for Armageddon, and it's a week on Tuesday - August 22.

This information comes from no lesser source than the Wall Street Journal, where Bernard Lewis, President Bush's favourite historian, provides the details.

"In Islam, as in Judaism and Christianity," the professor writes, "there are certain beliefs concerning the cosmic struggle at the end of time - Gog and Magog, anti-Christ, Armageddon, and for Shiite Muslims, the long-awaited return of the Hidden Imam, ending in the final victory of the forces of good over evil, however these may be defined.

"Mr Ahmadinejad [the Iranian president] and his followers clearly believe that this time is now, and that the terminal struggle has already begun and is indeed well advanced. It may even have a date, indicated by several references by the Iranian president to giving his final answer to the US about nuclear development by August 22. This was at first reported as 'by the end of August', but Mr Ahmadinejad's statement was more precise."

Lewis continues: "What is the significance of August 22? This year, August 22 corresponds, in the Islamic calendar, to the 27th day of the month of Rajab of the year 1427. This, by tradition, is the night when many Muslims commemorate the night flight of the prophet Muhammad on the winged horse Buraq, first to 'the farthest mosque', usually identified with Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back (cf, Koran XVII.1). This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and, if necessary, of the world."

This sort of quasi-religious scaremongering always finds a receptive audience in the United States, especially among Christians of the jihadist

[Billthedrill]

This sort of quasi-religious scaremongering always finds a receptive audience in the United States, especially among Christians of the jihadist persuasion. At 90 years old, Professor Lewis may have completely lost his marbles, but he is still feted by the White House (vice-president Dick Cheney was guest of honour at his birthday party in April), and the Wall Street Journal describes him as "a sage". He is credited with coining the phrase "clash of civilisations" back in 1990 and now seems intent on making it a reality.

That was Samuel Huntington, not Bernard Lewis. And I believe Professor Lewis's marbles are quite intact, which is more than I can say for the author.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Atleast I check out early with a steel boomerang in my head.

[Abathar]

"Time for a B double E double R - U - N"

Thanks a lot, now I'll have that tune running through my head all d@mn day now....

[mewzilla]

LOL. And I don't leave home without it! :)

[P.O.E.]

[Realism]

Nobody has the end of the world on a Teeewsday.

Yeah.....who does that? It's just wrong.

[mad puppy]

Crap. I have unused vacation time.

On a slightly more serious note, I think it would do the world an enormous amount of good to have the US deliberately pick that date to launch a major offensive and kill those that believe Aug 22 is some positive date for the crazies.

[beachn4fun]

LOL

Me too

[processing please hold]

Even unnecessary minutes or seconds are too long to put it off.

You're right, I know, and I even have cousins who are preachers. I say my prayers and read my Bible, but...

[Ol' Sox]

August 22nd, huh? Excellent. I'll be nice and relaxed after being on vacation next week. My son will be happy to hear it too. It will cut Hell Week (football conditioning week) at high school short by a few days.

[Lucky9teen]

www.snopes.com

Just kidding....

1 Thessalonians 5

1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

[Richard Kimball]

I'll bet when the author rides in a helicopter, it goes "twit twit twit twit". If your opponent uses the Koran to plan his attacks, it's good to study the Koran. If they schedule attacks on religiously significant days, it's a good idea to study the significance. And, as Joe Frazier said, when asked why he never predicted in which round he would knock someone out, "If you tell me you're going to push me out the window at midnight, I'm gonna be watching you around 11:59."

[Iscool]

Some however, will survive...

http://www.mk-magazine.com/news/9-25-03/Mad%20Max.jpg

[beachn4fun]

Great! This means Christmas is cancelled. Don't have to worry about any shopping for that. Gotta find something to spend all my money on before then.

[NeoCaveman]

I know, but I have nothing to wear.

You have credit cards, and you'll never have to pay them back

Unless the world doesn't end, which is a risk.

[MikefromOhio]

Crap....

but I have money on the Buckeyes to win the NC in JANUARY.

Can't it wait??


;-)

[dfwgator]

And I feel fine.

[Sisku Hanne]

This sort of quasi-religious scaremongering always finds a receptive audience in the United States, especially among Christians of the jihadist persuasion.

I see the lefty crapweasels are making progress. At least they're willing to use the word "jihadist". Just not for the mobs carrying "Death to all infidels" signs.

[Tax-chick]

Coloring books. And toilet paper.

[fortunecookie]

Well at least we have a date to plan for.

I know, but I have nothing to wear.

There are some great summer sales at the malls, and new fall items are starting to arrive, some at a discount to encourage early fall shoppers. You still have time to find something suitable! ;-)