The End of the World As We Know It : Faith, Fatalism, and Apocalypse in America

Examines contemporary apocalyptic beliefs and their origins From religious tomes to current folk prophesies, recorded history reveals a plethora of narratives predicting or showcasing the end of the world. The incident at Waco, the subway bombing by the Japanese cult Aum Supreme Truth, and the tragedy at Jonestown are just a few examples of such apocalyptic scenarios. And these are not isolated incidents; millions of Americans today believe the end of the world is inevitable, either by a divinely ordained plan, nuclear catastrophe, extraterrestrial invasion, or gradual environmental decay. Examining the doomsday scenarios and apocalyptic predictions of visionaries, televangelists, survivalists, and various other endtimes enthusiasts, as well as popular culture, film, music, fashion, and humor, Daniel Wojcik sheds new light on America's fascination with worldly destruction and transformation. He explores the origins of contemporary apocalyptic beliefs and compares religious and secular apocalyptic speculation, showing us the routes our belief systems have traveled over the centuries to arrive at the dawn of a new millennium. Included in his sweeping examination are premillennial prophecy traditions, prophecies associated with visions of the Virgin Mary, secular ideas about nuclear apocalypse, the transformation of apocalyptic prophecy in the post-Cold War era, and emerging apocalyptic ideas associated with UFOs and extraterrestrials. Timely, yet of lasting importance, The End of the World as We Know It is a comprehensive cultural and historical portrait of an age-old phenomenon and a fascinating guide to contemporary apocalyptic fever.

from Religious Tomes To Current Folk Prophesies, Recorded History Reveals A Plethora Of Narratives Predicting Or Showcasing The End Of The World. The Incident At Waco, The Subway Bombing By The Japanese Cult Aum Supreme Truth, And The Tragedy At Jonestown Are Just A Few Examples Of Such Apocalyptic Scenarios. And These Are Not Isolated Incidents; Millions Of Americans Today Believe The End Of The World Is Inevitable, Either By A Divinely Ordained Plan, Nuclear Catastrophe, Extraterrestrial Invasion, Or Gradual Environmental Decay.

Examining The Doomsday Scenarios And Apocalyptic Predictions Of Visionaries, Televangelists, Survivalists, And Various Other Endtimes Enthusiasts, As Well As Popular Culture, Film, Music, Fashion, And Humor, Daniel Wojcik Sheds New Light On America's Fascination With Worldly Destruction And Transformation. He Explores The Origins Of Contemporary Apocalyptic Beliefs And Compares Religious And Secular Apocalyptic Speculation, Showing Us The Routes Our Belief Systems Have Traveled Over The Centuries To Arrive At The Dawn Of A New Millennium. Included In His Sweeping Examination Are Premillennial Prophecy Traditions, Prophecies Associated With Visions Of The Virgin Mary, Secular Ideas About Nuclear Apocalypse, The Transformation Of Apocalyptic Prophecy In The Post-cold War Era, And Emerging Apocalyptic Ideas Associated With Ufos And Extraterrestrials.

Timely, Yet Of Lasting Importance, The End Of The World As We Know It Is A Comprehensive Cultural And Historical Portrait Of An Age-old Phenomenon And A Fascinating Guide To Contemporary Apocalyptic Fever.

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wojcik (english, Folklore, U. Of Oregon) Sheds New Light On America's Fascination With Worldly Destruction And Transformation, Exploring The Origins Of Contemporary Apocalyptic Beliefs And Comparing Religious And Secular Apocalyptic Speculation. He Examines Vision Of The Virgin Mary, The Transformation Of Apocalyptic Prophecy In The Post-cold War Era, And Apocalyptic Ideas Associated With Ufos And Extraterrestrials. Includes B&w Illustrations And Photos. Educational And Creepy For General Readers. Annotation C. By Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Approaching Doomsday : The Contours Of American Apocalyptic Belief -- The American Apocalyptic Legacy -- Signs Of The Endtimes : Hal Lindsey And Dispensationalist Prophecy Beliefs -- Apocalyptic Apparitions Of The Virgin Mary In New York City -- Secular Apocalyptic Themes In The Nuclear Era -- Fatalism And Apocalyptic Beliefs -- The Transformation Of Apocalyptic Traditions In The Post-cold War Era -- Emergent Apocalyptic Beliefs About Ufos And Extraterrestrial Beings -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index. Daniel Wojcik. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 233-255) And Index. Suitable both for scholars and for general readers, this is an analysis of doomsday cults and apocalyptic anxiety in American culture.