Divine Misconceptions • הַגֹּרֶן: Still waiting for the end of the World

Jewish date: 8 Ṭeveth 5773 (Parashath Wayyiggash).

Today’s holidays: Feast Day of Peter Canisius (Roman Catholicism), the end of the World (predicted by New Agers), Winter Solstice (Neopaganism, Thelema), Divalia (Roman religion)

Greetings.

I did post yesterday on the predicted end of the World which is supposed to be happening today. However, I have been deluged with a large number of relevant articles on the “Mayan apocalypse”, with reactions ranging from paranoia to commercialism.

“Newtown, Mayan end-of-world rumors prompt Michigan officials to close 33 schools”. (Some side-effects of the phenomenon are not so amusing or harmless.)
“Maya "end of days" fever reaches climax in Mexico”
“Mexico's ethnic Maya unmoved by 2012 "Armageddon" hysteria”. (It is the New Agers promoting this idea that today is supposed to be the end of the World, not the actual Mayans, and, yes, they are still around.)
“More Iowans prepare for Maya doomsday, other disaster by stockpiling food, supplies”. (I suppose a little disaster preparedness cannot hurt.)
“New Agers, partiers fill Riviera Maya region for Dec. 21, 2012”
“Germans get ready for Mayan apocalypse”. (Some people are using the alleged end of the World as an excuse to party.)
“In Mexico, New Agers hope Dec. 21 brings new era”
“Italian village aims to survive Maya prophecy”
“Mayan apocalypse mania grips Russia”
“Mayan apocalypse: believers flock to Serbia's pyramid mountain”
“Russia Doomsday Party At Soviet Bunker Costs $1,000 Per Person”
“Mayan calendar aside, end times theology has meaning for many Americans”
“Mexico seeks 'end of world' Maya tourism boost”
“Almost 1,000 doomsday cult members arrested in China”
“Argentina, fearing Maya-linked suicides, closes mountaintop”
“Brands Capitalize on the 'Impending Apocalypse'”
“December 21 Mayan Apocalypse Observances Fueled By Mysticism And Internet”
“French village prepares 'to be spared the 21-12-2012 Maya apocalypse'”

Finally, I would like to round things out with a bit of relevant religious humor. A while back there was a cartoon from Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal: