Ways for the World to End: Survivalism and Imitation

Ways for the World to End: Survivalism and Imitation

By Dr. Meg

The New York Times and the Huffington Post are already calling attention to parallels between attacks on school children last Friday, December 14, in both the United States and China. Comments following these articles show that readers follow suit and agree: Parallels are too close to ignore.

Furthermore, these reports of nearly simultaneous events half a globe apart point to Apocalypse Fever, which the Chinese term “Doomsday Rumors.” In America, this frenzy takes a specific form: the Survivalist Movement, or “preppers,” as one of Nancy Lanza’s relatives called enthusiasts.

The UK Telegraph outlines this influence in this report: “Connecticut school shooting: Adam Lanza’s mother was preparing for disaster,” by Jon Swaine in Connecticut and Peter Foster in Washington, and published on December 16, 2012. Swaine and Foster summarize:

“The mother of the gunman who killed 20 children and seven adults in America’s worst school massacre, was a gun-proud ‘survivalist’ preparing for economic collapse, it has emerged. Nancy Lanza…was part of the “prepper movement, which urges readiness for social chaos by hoarding supplies and training with weapons.”

Is it too soon to request that Survivalists need to take extraordinary care with their activities around children and teenagers? The Apocalypse is a subject for study among biblical scholars who research the complex meanings of the book of Revelation. Interpretations include predicting the past, historical analysis of Roman emperors, and symbolic visions enshrined in unforgettable poetry.   

Current fury over the Mayan Calendar’s cycles needs to surrender to objective analysis. The West has seen too many Doomsdays come and go for educated readers to join the fray. Journalists also need to demonstrate responsibility by refraining from whooping up hysteria, which children and teenagers do not need. Children need stability and reassurance that love remains constant. Shakespeare said it best in Sonnet 116:

“O no, it [love] is an ever-fixed mark/That looks on tempests and is never shaken;/ It is the star to every wand’ring bark.” (lines 5-7)

Considering the meaning and wisdom of these lines provides far better entertainment than violent video games. Time spent on the masterpieces of English communication also stretches imaginations into the realms of philosophy and history, where children can become lost safely. All involved need to keep close to their hearts that ancient slogan: Monkey see, Monkey do. Evolutionists can verify that children will imitate their relatives—if we let them.