-Caveat Lector-
from: AMERICAN ATHEISTS
subject: AANEWS for September 13, 1999
A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S
#638 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9/13/99
http://www.atheists.org
ftp.atheists.org/pub/atheists/
http://www.americanatheist.org
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A Service of AMERICAN ATHEISTS
"Leading The Way For Atheist Civil Rights
And The Separation Of State and Church"
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In This Issue...
* From martyrs to prayer wars -- counting down to the millennium
* Michigan Atheists to celebrate Equinox on Sunday
* Web photos of California AA-PK demo
* Union County Atheists meeting
* Southern Regional Atheist Meet on Sunday, September 26
* Resources
* About this list...
ON THE CUSP OF THE MILLENNIUM -- MARTYRS, PRAYER WARS
AND UFO VISITATIONS
Has it begun?
One thousand years ago, claimed a Burgundian monk Ralph Glaber,
inhabitants throughout Europe packed churches in terror, stopped
planting their crops, and prepared for the end of the world. Groups
of pilgrims roamed the countryside warning of impending Armageddon.
Apocalyptic movements arose, some even taking up arms to establish a
"New Jerusalem," a paradise on Earth to pave the way for the Second
Coming of Jesus. It was all a manifestation of the fervent religious
belief -- and social hysteria -- linked to the calendric roll-over
which brought on a new millennium. It had been one thousand years
since the birth of Jesus Christ, and for many, the Messiah was about
to return and fulfill the prophecies of Daniel, Revelation and the
other apocalyptic texts of the Bible.
But did all of this really happen? Can we expect something like this
as we linger at the end of our century, on the cusp of a new
millennium?
Mainstream historians say that the accounts of a terrorized Europe
anxiously waiting for the sands of the hourglass to run out on New
Year's Eve, 1,000 A.D. ignore both the complexities of the western
calendar, and the evidence of written record. Glaber's five-volume
"Histories," on which this apocalyptic portrayal of early Medieval
Europe is based, is considered unreliable in this respect, although
there was indeed a pervasive sense of gloom, foreboding and
anticipation at this time, much of it centered on the fulfillment of
prophecy. Glaber provided a template for future apocalyptic writers,
warning: "Satan will soon be unleashed because the thousand years have
been completed..." His volumes, penned in the 1030s, describe "the
story of the events and prodigies which happened around and after the
millennial year of the Incarnation of the Savior." He wrote of
natural disasters, including the violent conflagrations which swept
cities in Italy and Gaul, and the deaths of prominent men. Even the
comet of 1003 is mentioned as evidence to suggest that Europe was
undergoing profound apocalyptic turmoil.
Today, there is a pattern which emerges as we approach the year 2000.
Unlike the peasants of the first millennium, western moderns have more
of an awareness of time based on a uniform calendar. Contrary to the
beliefs of many, though, it is not 2,000 years since the birth of one
Jesus Christ; historians debate whether or not Jesus even existed as a
historical figure, but if he did it is likely that he -- or the
person(s) upon which the legend of Jesus is constructed -- was not
born on December 25 two millennia ago. Some early Christians, in
fact, celebrated the birth of their messiah in the spring.
The belief, in a historic millennium, and a convenient date
commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ is a strong artifact in the
public imagination. A full page ad in the August 27, 1999 issue of
USA TODAY invites people to a "2000th Birthday Celebration!" for the
Christian messiah at Michigan Bible college. "Does Jesus' birthday
mark the beginning of a new era?" asks the colorful broadside.
"Clearly all the signs are there. Earthquakes in China, Turkey and
Japan; famine in Africa, Asia and Russia; pestilences in the form of
AIDS are now worldwide; fearful sights all over the world brought into
our living rooms every night via TV; and continuous signs from heaven
in the form of eclipses, constellation alignments, meteorites and
comets..."
Like a temporal odometer, though, the transition from 1999 to 2000
possesses a compelling quality, as Stephen J. Gould noted in his
book, "Questioning The Millennium: A Rationalist's Guide To A
Precisely Arbitrary Countdown," (1997, Harmony Book, N.Y.) The next
few flips of the calendar will mark not only the end of our century --
a poignant enough event which 100 years ago stimulated considerable
commentary and speculation on the human condition -- but the advent of
a new epoch of 1000 years as well. There is, of course, the perennial
debate; does this new millennium commence on January 1, 2000 (as
popular culture would dictate), or one year later?
Those considerations are mere minutia, though, to a growing and
diverse community of apocalyptics who believe that humanity has
entered the End Times. As many as 40 million Americans express the
sentiment that "ours is the final generation," and that events
foretold in the Book of Revelation will take place in their lifetime.
Many Christians point excitedly to the reconstitution of the State of
Israel half-a century ago, a sort of eschatological ignition to
kickoff an arcane sequence of prophesied apocalyptic events.
It's only fitting that in the postmodernist age, orthodox Biblical
writings concerning the apocalypse merge with Eastern and new age
beliefs creating a veritable apocalyptic marketplace. Salvation may
come in the form of Jesus or benevolent aliens from outer space.
Humanity will suffer the wrath of the Tribulation, or following a
series of catastrophic events, emerge into utopia. The predictions
are endless, the offerings of apocalyptic belief multitudinous.
Choose your doomsday...
The signs are ubiquitous, say observers who monitor this feverish
climb toward apocalyptic panic. The Center for Millennial Study
(www.mille.org) in Boston serves as an academic clearinghouse for
information about millenarian beliefs and sects; the current issue of
its quarterly newsletter, "Millennial Stew," for instance, discusses
the Israelites of the New Covenant movement in Peru, which has
attracted over 200,000 followers with its message that the world will
end in the year 2000. "Stew" also informs us that the Aum Shinryikyo
cult in Japan, the group linked to the 1995 Sarin gas attacks in the
Tokyo subway, is still thriving despite a police investigation. Aum's
guru, Shoko Asahara, has provided several dates for the end of the world
ranging from 1999 to 2003. Observers speculate that the Sarin
incident was a dry-run for a series of attacks which Aum hoped
would precipitate a worldwide apocalypse. "Besides Aum Shinrikyo,"
notes the newsletter, "Japan is witnesses the proliferation of
numerous 'new age religions' (e.g. the Order of Peace, the Institute
for Research into Human Happiness, and various UFO religions), some of
which base their teachings, at least in part, on seers such as
Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce..."
There are disturbing events closer to home, though, that suggest that
forms of millennialist fever are beginning to exhibit themselves as we
approach the new millennium.
* Martyrs and persecution of believers are seminal components of
apocalyptic theory; indeed, believers in the Tribulation -- a period
of time when Satan will supposedly rule the earth as the Antichrist
and his sidekick, the False Prophet -- see such animosity as "proof"
of apocalyptic prophecy, when good is defiled by evil, and the forces
of darkness run rampant. Rarely is the label of martyr invoked, and
the designation arose at a time of intense persecution of the early
Christian church by the Roman Empire.
But themes involving martyrdom and persecution now resonated
throughout many corners of America's religious subcultures. The story
of Cassie Bernall, one of the students killed in the April 20, 1999
shootings at a Littleton, Colorado high school has taken on mythic
dimensions. Accounts shortly after the murders report that Bernall
was allegedly approached by one of the gunmen who asked her if she
believed in god. When she answered in the affirmative, she was shot.
Questions may linger about whether or not this event actually took
place as described; indeed, the story has been embellished with
successive retellings. But there seems to be an insatiable appetite
to believe in the account, and embrace Cassie Bernall as a modern-day
martyr for Christianity. Bernall's heroics have been eulogized in
sermons, political speeches, world wide web sites, and news reports.
On Sunday, the ABC program "20/20" featured a segment with Bernall's
mother, Misty, who has now penned a book, "She Said Yes: The Unlikely
Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall," just released from Plough publishing.
The book is profiled in the current issue of USA TODAY newspaper.
"Bernall writes that in ninth grade Cassie was an angry, unhappy girl
enmeshed in a group of hostile teen friends fascinated with Satanism
and drugs," notes reporter Deirdre Donahue. The mother ostensibly
found a cache of threatening letters, then "confronted Cassie, called
the sheriff's office, enrolled her daughter in a Christian school and
stayed home to monitor her enraged daughter's activities." Misty
Bernall says that the effort to control her contumacious offspring was
"the forces of good and evil... We feel that there is a spiritual
battle, and it is a battle for our kid's souls."
Persecution is another theme which, increasingly, resonates throughout
America's religious community, especially in fundamentalist and
evangelical churches. The sense that religion is "under attack" is a
persistent message from radio preachers and Pat Robertson's "700 Club"
program. Along with the claim that "America has kicked god out of our
public schools," Robertson and guests warn the country that a variety
of tough legislative measures are needed to preserve religious freedom
and stem a rising tide of atheism and secularism.
Not even all religionists agree, though, that these shrill beliefs in
new, persecuted martyrs are a healthy development. A recent A&E
channel program, "The Road To Rapture" explored the burgeoning
apocalyptic jitters with emphasis on the Christian belief in bodily
resurrection and ascent to heaven when the apocalypse arrives. The
narration explored the origins of belief in this event, commonly known
as the Rapture, and how this ancient teaching has been embraced by
modern day apocalyptic groups ranging from energized evangelicals to
doomsday Christian Identity adherents.
But a staid Lutheran minister in Idaho, home to the Christian Identity
cult, rejects the notion that religious believers are under attack.
"You couldn't make a good case for persecution of religion in this
country if you tried," he admonished. He cited apocalyptic belief as
an obstacle to knowing the "real" message of Christian love and
tolerance.
* Rapture, martyrs and persecution, though, are mainstay themes in a
popular series of novels flying off the shelves in Christian
bookstores and even major retail outlets like Borders. The "Left
Behind" books include titles such as "Tribulation Force," Nicolae,"
"Soul Harvest," "Assassins" and other of this doomsday genre which
tell of a modern-day apocalypse. Co-author Tim LaHaye says that the
series "is the first fictional portrayal of events that are true to a
literal interpretation of Bible prophecy." A Baptist, LaHaye was one
of the original founder with Jerry Falwell of the Moral Majority
movement; wife Beverly LaHaye serves as president of Concerned Women
for America.
The series has now sold nearly 10 million copies, and made it to the
top of the Publishers Weekly and Christian Booksellers Association
bestsellers list.
* The call to "win souls for Christ" in time for his expected arrival
is causing excitement and confusion within some quarters of the
evangelical movement. Last month in Argyle, Texas, for instance, a
number of missionary groups huddled to devise new strategies for
"harvesting" believers in the Third World. "Evangelicals believe
their primary goal is to convert the world to Christianity," noted the
Dallas Morning News. "And for the last decade, they've worked
doggedly to get the job done -- by the end of 2000." While not all of
the groups believe that Jesus will be arriving next year, most predict
an apocalypse in our lifetime or "soon." The groups included the
World Evangelical fellowship, the Lausanne Committee for World
Evangelism (founded by Billy Graham), and the AD 2000 Movement.
In addition, there is added enthusiasm, and a tone of urgency, with
groups organizing other activities such as the annual "See You At The
Pole" event slated for this Wednesday, September 15. Some groups
advocate carrying the fight for Christianity into the public schools;
youngsters are urged to proselytize their fellow students, form Bible
study clubs, pray openly in the school lobby or cafeteria, and wear
religion-themed clothing, jewelry and other accessories.
But civil libertarians and others are concerned about this heightened
aggressiveness on behalf of sectarian proselytizing. A spokesman for
the Council on American-Islamic Relations, for instance, warns that
the evangelical campaign to saturate the Middle East with Bibles,
videos and other Christian materials "demonizes Islam" in the eyes of
many westerners. Ibrahim Hooper of CAIR told the Morning News, "We
don't care if somebody comes to the Islamic world and says they
believe their faith is better. What we object to is deceit and
deception." He cites cases where Christian missionary groups offer
medicine, food and other humanitarian aid, but at the price of
listening to a sectarian message.
In the nation's public schools, aggressive and inappropriate Christian
proselytizing may be even more tendentious as the nation becomes more
pluralistic. With an influx of immigrants, including Hindus from
India, Moslems from the Middle East and Buddhists from Asia, demands
for Christian prayer or other sectarian rituals like SYATP may be
perceived as exclusionary and even insulting. Atheists are also
speaking out against on-campus religious recruiting when it involves
support or endorsement from school officials, or overly zealous
tactics by spiritually intoxicated "prayer warriors."
* Fundamentalist Christians are not the only ones preparing for some
kind of apocalyptic convulsion in the near future. Many new age
movements -- some of whom blend traditional Christian teachings with
esoteric Eastern occultism -- are also professing a message of
impending Armageddon often linked to cataclysmic natural disasters, or
the arrival of space aliens. Elizabeth Clair Prophet of the Church
Universal And Triumphant has dusted off the predictions of St.
Germane and updated them and other prophecies in time for the new
millennium. So have followers of Edgar Cayce despite a
less-than-impressive list of predictions about the coastal U.S.
sinking into the ocean.
In Eatonton, Ga., the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors is hunkering
down while it builds the "Egypt of the West." Literature from the
sect teaches that its founder, Dwight York, came from a distant galaxy
called Illyuwn who will return to earth with a fleet of spaceships in
2003 to save a chosen group of 144,000 followers. This outer space
mythos resonates in the writings of other groups too, from the Nation
of Islam to the Cosmic Awareness organizations who predict the
immanent arrival of a planet called "Nemesis" with a 40 million-strong
army of reptilian invaders.
While the teachings of apocalyptic groups frequently strike us as
foolish and bizarre, many millenarians feel a heightened need to
assert to beliefs or prepare for struggle with the larger society.
The Branch Davidians embraced David Koresh as a modern-day successor
to Jesus, and saw their confrontation with federal authorities in 1993
as a prophetic clash between good and evil. Christian Identity is
causing concern, as its teachings of racial annihilation -- RAHOWAH,
or Racial Holy War -- are linked to the violence of lone terrorists
who attacks synagogues, schools or other targets. In Georgia, the
Nuwaubians are locked in a disagreement with local authorities over
zoning issues; the group has built enormous pyramids, obelisks and
other Egyptian-style buildings in its 400-acre compound which it has
declared a sovereign nation. Local zoning inspectors have been turned
away at gunpoint, and the Community Dispute Resolution Unit of the
U.S. Department of Justice has been called in to negotiate a possible
settlement. Many of those living in nearby Eatonton, Ga. fear cult
violence, and a possible replay of the tragedy at Waco, Texas.
Many observers say that as we approach the year 2000 and beyond,
apocalyptic groups are likely to become more active and even
militantly confrontational. While phobia about the Y2K computer bug
seems to be ebbing, according to "Millennium Stew," there is still a
deep reservoir of apocalyptic beliefs that continues to find a
credulous and receptive audience. Some millenarians may be
predisposed to using violence to usher in their New Jerusalem, or
confront what they consider to be the forces of evil. Others may
hunker down to survive a period of Tribulation, as they await rapture
or the Mother Ship. Still others find a new, emotionally charged
sense of urgency in converting more followers to their brand of
Christianity.
For all, the time is coming. Soon.
**
MICHIGAN ATHEISTS TO CELEBRATE EQUINOX ON SUNDAY...
The Autumn Equinox is as good an excuse as any to hold a good party
... so, gather this Sunday, September 19 in Westland, Michigan
(outside Detroit). The action will take place from 1:00p.m. to 6:00
p.m. at Henry Morgan's house. Hot dogs, beans, condiments, paper and
plastic utensils will be provided. Bring any other food or drink you
want for yourself or to share with others. Henry adds, come for good
food, company and the camaraderie of fellow atheists -- and bring a
lawn chair, too.
Call Henry at 1-734-326-5794 or e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for further
information and directions.
**
CALIFORNIA PROMISE KEEPERS PROTEST PHOTOS ON THE WEB!
Check out the photos from the American Atheists demonstration this
past Saturday in California against the Promise Keepers gathering.
Point your browser to http://www.americanatheist.org -- there will be
a text report on the protest posted soon. And thanks to Ray, Jim,
Dave, Ed and everyone else who made this demonstration such a great
success!
**
SOUTHERN REGIONAL ATHEIST MEET (RAM) SCHEDULED FOR
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 IN CHATTANOOGA, TN.
Mark your calendar, and plan to get there -- by car, plane, or even
the famous choo-choo. American Atheists will host the Southern
Regional Atheist Meet (RAM) on Sunday, September 26 in Chattanooga,
Tennessee at the beautiful Radisson Read House at 827 Broad Street.
The Regional Atheist Meet (RAM) is a one-day conference organized by
American Atheists which features lectures, panels and social events.
Speakers for the Southern RAM include:
* Ellen Johnson, President of American Atheists speaking on "The Need
for Atheist Activism."
* Frank Zindler, biologist and expert on the creationism-evolution
debate. Mr. Zindler will speak on: "Scopes Retried: Where's Darrow
When We Need Him?"
* Carletta Sims, Tennessee State Director, American Atheists. Ms.
Sims will discuss her role as an activist defending the wall of
separation between church and state in the Bible belt.
* Allen Snyder, Department of Philosophy at West Virginia University
will discuss his intellectual journey toward Atheism.
* Michael Chandler, Assistant Vice Principle will discuss his fight to
preserve the First Amendment in DeKalb County, Alabama schools.
* Conrad Goeringer, Contributing Editor and Staff Writer for American
Atheist Magazine will speak on "Apocalypse Now? Date-Setting, 'Signs
& Wonders,' the Antichrist and Other Artifacts of the Millenarian
Imagination."
And... * A special guest appearance by a leading constitutional
attorney who will address the problems encountered with state and
countries infringing on the Bill of Rights!.
Check your membership newsletter or the American Atheists web site at
http://www.atheists.org/tn/ for more details -- but mark your calendar
now, and plan on joining us at the Southern RAM!
**
UNION COUNTY, N.J. ATHEISTS ORGANIZING
Atheists in the Newark, N.J. and Union County area are invited to
gatherings hosted by the new UNION COUNTY ATHEISTS group. Gather at
the new meeting place, University Diner which is right next to Kean
University at 580 Elmora Avenue, Elizabeth, N.J. , every Sunday at
11:00 a.m. Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] or visit
http://www.angelfire.com/nj2/atheists for further information.
**
RESOURCES FROM AMERICAN ATHEISTS...
* For information about American Atheists, send mail to
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Please include your name and postal mailing
address.
* For a free catalogue of American Atheist Press books, videos and
other products, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Kindly include
your postal mailing address.
* The American Atheist Magazine is now on the web! Check out select
articles from the current or back issues, as well as special web-only
features. Visit us at http://www.americanatheist.org
* If you are a current member of American Atheists, sign up for our
e-mail discussion group, aachat. We have over 120 participants who
discuss topics such as Atheism, religion, First Amendment issues and
lots more! Contact Margie Wait, the Moderator, through
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ABOUT THIS LIST...
AANEWS is a free service from American Atheists, a nationwide movement
founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair for the advancement of Atheism, and
the total, absolute separation of government and religion.
You may forward, post or quote from this dispatch, provided that
appropriate credit is given to AANEWS and American Atheists. Edited
by Conrad Goeringer, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Internet Representative for
American Atheists is Margie Wait, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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