Certain individuals have begun spreading internet rumors about an impending apocalypse to visit the earth on December 21, 2012. The rumors have caught on like wild fire prompting many people to wonder if they and their family are in any danger. Here are some keys facts to consider if you are worried about the end of the world in 2012.
The claim that apocalypse will occur in 2012 is based on the calendar of the Mayans. The Mayans, whose civilization disappeared centuries ago, were renown for the precision of their astronomy and, especially, their calendar. This calender will run out on December 21, 2012 leading some to postulate that a disaster will happen on this day.
Fortunately, there is not a lot of evidence to support this theory. It is clear that the Mayan calendar runs on a 5000 year cycle meaning that the calendar has already "ended" once before and the world did not end then.
Other 2012 prophets are suggesting that medieval astrologer Nostradamus predicted the end of the world in the year 2012. This is a myth. No where in any of Nostradamus works does he specifically predict anything for the year 2012. He never mentions 2012.
But, you may be wondering, what do the 2012 experts believe will happen in that year. There is no consensus on what exactly will cause the end of the world in 2012. Some believe that there will be a cosmic collision between bodies in outer space that will destroy the earth.
So, again let's look at the facts. Is it possible that there will be a collision in space in 2012 that will destroy humanity? Yes it is possible. It is unlikely however. There is no evidence of any planetary bodies on a collision course with earth.
What then is the motivation for these people to predict the end of the world for 2012? The best guess is that the motivation is financial.
The television specials that have aired on the History Channel discussing the 2012 apocalypse theories make money for the network. And many books have been published by many publishers on this topic. Those books make money for their authors and printers.
Therefore, when thinking about the 2012 predictions and controversy consider the motivating factors that are driving people to write about it. The conclusion that I have drawn is that there is very little evidence that the world will end in 2012.
The claim that apocalypse will occur in 2012 is based on the calendar of the Mayans. The Mayans, whose civilization disappeared centuries ago, were renown for the precision of their astronomy and, especially, their calendar. This calender will run out on December 21, 2012 leading some to postulate that a disaster will happen on this day.
Fortunately, there is not a lot of evidence to support this theory. It is clear that the Mayan calendar runs on a 5000 year cycle meaning that the calendar has already "ended" once before and the world did not end then.
Other 2012 prophets are suggesting that medieval astrologer Nostradamus predicted the end of the world in the year 2012. This is a myth. No where in any of Nostradamus works does he specifically predict anything for the year 2012. He never mentions 2012.
But, you may be wondering, what do the 2012 experts believe will happen in that year. There is no consensus on what exactly will cause the end of the world in 2012. Some believe that there will be a cosmic collision between bodies in outer space that will destroy the earth.
So, again let's look at the facts. Is it possible that there will be a collision in space in 2012 that will destroy humanity? Yes it is possible. It is unlikely however. There is no evidence of any planetary bodies on a collision course with earth.
What then is the motivation for these people to predict the end of the world for 2012? The best guess is that the motivation is financial.
The television specials that have aired on the History Channel discussing the 2012 apocalypse theories make money for the network. And many books have been published by many publishers on this topic. Those books make money for their authors and printers.
Therefore, when thinking about the 2012 predictions and controversy consider the motivating factors that are driving people to write about it. The conclusion that I have drawn is that there is very little evidence that the world will end in 2012.
About the Author:
Bryan has spent many months exploring the 2012 predictions. On his blog we writes about some of the issues involving the mayan calendar 2012 as well as other factors at play in the current controversy.