Wishing for the End of Times

[Steven.Davis]

The juxtoposition of those wishing to discuss the coming "End of Times" with people discussing the psychological underpinning of the discussion was getting a bit much (my fault.) So I am starting this thread. My apologies as I have undoubtedly missed some relevant posts.

Quote from Samsara:

Conspiracy theorists are addicted to feeling like victims.

They are afraid of the responsibility they have to live well in a difficult world, abdicating it for the comfort and companionship of being a slave. Always in chains, always a beating around the corner.

Quote from Samsara:

Here's a prediction for you.

There will be no Fourth Reich in the U.S. with Obama as Fuhrer. Inflation will not reach Weimar Germany levels. There will be no FEMA death camps for noble patriots and fellow slave-moralists.

But, the victims on this site will continue feeling like victims and posting their sick-minded predictions for the end of the world that they secretly wish to occur, "searching for truth".

Life will go on. Others will make money and put it to work for more fulfilling and life-affirming purposes. Will you get up on your feet and begin to live life? Or grow old yelling at your TV.

Quote from Samsara:

I certainly do.

You have a choice to be a victim and live in that sickly-sweet psychological addiction. I made the negative choice.

Quote from IanMacQuaide:

Some "shrink" posited the theory that end of the world thinking allows the frustrated and angry to engage in their most violent fantasies outloud w/out fear of societal recourse.
iow, sorta like a 5ft 5inch part-time cop who carries a 6inch barrelled .44 Magnum.

Quote from Samsara:

It's kinda like eschatology. Have you ever heard of the "Left Behind" book series that evangelical Christians go nuts over? It's about the Rapture where the saved are whisked up into Heaven and the rest of humanity is doomed to watch Hell on earth unfold. It's ostensibly about how bad other humans will suffer, which is unfortunate, but for many people the End Times are an affirmation that they are chosen. Disasters increase one's anticipation of "being right".

There's a sick kind of pleasure that comes from imagining you're one of the chosen few who sees the End of the World around the corner. People go to great lengths to dig up "evidence" of this scenario, when what they're doing is engaging in a kind of unhealthy escapism.

Quote from Steven.Davis:

+1

Your phrase "secretly wish to occur" is quite true, but not something I fully comprehend.

Quote from Samsara:

I could see that too. Obedience implying some agency to be rewarded whereas chosen is just Calvinist.

Also apologies if you're/anyone's a Christian, just in case. I'm really just drawing a distinction between those who gain pleasure in anticipating disasters and those who have a healthier philosophy of life. Healthier could be defined in many ways, of course.

 

[Steven.Davis]

Missed one of my own:

Quote from Steven.Davis:

Being among the chosen, is not really a good fit. Perhaps "among the right" or "among the good."

I think this connects to our basic revulsion at unfairness. God/Father will finally bring much delayed, just punishment. Then it shall be proven that we were right (in our obedience.)

That said. Small children have a poor sense of measurement, by nature are greedy, and have a strong reaction to unfairness. Children will fight for advantage, and be quite vicious when at a disadvantage. I think that this factors in somehow.

Another relevant concept is that self-discipline, obedience both result in a perceived deprivation. Although it is quite common to teach children that there is a reward in good behavior, I don't think that that is the whole story.

Around the world, American's are considered soft. Whether true or not, many who have never met an American are adamant in that belief. Why? Because we have it easy. Adversity is perceived to reward with strength. Like firing steel.

There are many parents who teach this idea. To a point, there may be some truth, but "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" isn't true. Learning that you have the self-discipline to march up a mountain in full battle gear does. Having the cartilage in your knees give-up doesn't.

At least I don't think that experience which break things ultimately strengthen us, but then I must not be a true Buddhist.

I think that this wishing for the end of times connects back to this in some way.