Published by Since I was a little boy, eight years old, some people in my family held a firm belief that the Rapture was just around the corner. We heard it regularly at church, and we went to church a lot. As a youngster constantly being told the world was going to end, played havoc on my mind. Frequently dates were given, then a new date, then another, and another. It left me in a constant state of paranoia. While you might think the “Rapture” is supposed to be a good thing, I was also told that I was “bad” (as were we all) simply for being born, that we all still had to be “judged” and no matter what anyone thinks, to a little child this uncertainty is frightening.
As an adult I have researched the phenomenon known as the “Rapture”, and have come to realize, that even if a person believes the Christian message, the whole doctrine of the Rapture is spotty at best. Through changes in interpretation of the Bible people have since claimed that the Bible did talk about this event… However since the Bible never used the term “Rapture”, it is very likely a second thought as people later tried to point to areas of the Bible to back up their new ideas.
In 1830, at the age of fifteen Margaret MacDonald had a vision (or a dream) of the Rapture, her family being well known for “speaking in tongues”, she gained fame through her vision, even though some thought it was demonic.
Around that time other people, whom I call Charlatans, were popularizing the idea that the Rapture could, and would occur. In time this relatively new idea was taken up by churches and used for their purposes.
This poem is my attempt to resolve my issues of fear based on what was put upon me as a youngster.
Just a stupid little girl
wanting attention.
Just a charlatan
seeking money and fame
Causing so much confusion,
wanting attention,
seeking money and fame
Creating a blasphemous game.
Just a stupid little girl
wanting attention.
Just a charlatan
seeking money and fame
Their follies fool millions
and billions are made,
spreading the lies of a stupid little girl
wanting attention,
and a charlatan,
seeking money and fame.
Wars and rumors of wars,
the same lame excuse.
Fulfill, fulfill, fulfill.
Fulfilling a warning?
Being a part of The End?
Waiting for a beast that already died.
Evangelicals fiddling like Nero,
while everything burns,
burning those who don’t
agree with your
misinterpretation of a book,
a book,
a book,
a book,
that’s all,
a book,
creating trials and tribulations
for millions who refuse to
submit to your lunacy.
Which trials?
All the witch trials you force
on the world.
There is no love in
your doctrine of hate.
Evangelicals fiddling like Nero,
while the environment burns,
burns, burns.
No worries of Global Warming,
Waiting for God to Rapture you out,
Rapture you away from the filth
you have left.
Guess what?
You have all been
left behind.
Blinded to the truth.
God left you all behind because
you decided to believe a lie.
A lie that has caused so much
grief and confusion,
war and dreadful intrusion.
A lie of a little girl
seeking attention.
A lie of a charlatan chasing money and fame.
I question any religion that instills fear to retain membership.
Thanks,
Clay
I’m glad you are able to discuss this controversal issue in an artistic way – well done!
As a child I was taught the same as you. And in my opinion it’s a sin if there is one, to torture a little child like that. I wasn’t taught about the “rapture” but “the end of the world” when water would turn to blood, the dead would rise from their graves, and the sinful would be taken to hell to burn forever.I was scared to death untill I was a little older and reasoned it out for myself.My siblings are still programed and I try my best to be patient when they or anyone presses me on this subject but it’s hard. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the subject.
Great poem! I remember as a child being scared of the Rapture from those stupid Left Behind books and movies! I will never let my children read them or see those movies!
Control with fear is not leadership – simply abuse
Wonderful article. I know that the end will come, as I believe in the Bible. However, the evangelical and a few other groups do create and promote fear to gain $ and following. They use people!
I find concepts like the Rapture deeply distrubing. I’m not Christian, but to me that sort of fire and brimstone teacing undermines the message of the New Testament. To paraphrase a song, I’ve got nothing against Christianity, it’s just some of the Christians I don’t like!
I think it was around 1978 when the Jahovah Witnesses had predicted the end of the world. My neighbor, a young woman with three children, was so terrified, that she became completely unglued. She was going to commit suicide and take her kids with her to avoid the end. I had to stay with her most of the time until the date had passed. These terror tactics are more dangerous than the possibility that it could be true. Those who preach these things have a serious problem.