Did the Maya really predict that the world would end in December of 2012? If not, how and why has 2012 millenarianism gained such popular appeal? In this deeply knowledgeable book, two leading historians of the Maya answer these questions in a succinct, readable, and accessible style. Matthew Restall and Amara Solari introduce, explain, and ultimately demystify the 2012 phenomenon. They begin by briefly examining the evidence for the prediction of the world's end in ancient Maya texts and images, analyzing precisely what Maya priests did and did not prophesize. The authors then convincingly show how 2012 millenarianism has roots far in time and place from Maya cultural traditions, but in those of medieval and Early Modern Western Europe. Revelatory any myth-busting, while remaining firmly grounded in historical fact, this fascinating book will be essential reading as the countdown to December 21, 2012, begins.

Will life on earth really come crashing to a halt on December 21, 2012? Will solar storms trigger devastating earthquakes and volcanoes that obliterate humankind? Will a large-scale science experiment go awry, destroying our civilization? Is Earth on a collision course with an obscure planet? Will any of these events herald the end of the world? Dr. Raymond C. Hundley analyzes the predictions of the ten most prominent apocalyptic theories in the 2012 doomsday movement. He investigates the claims of scientists, theologians, mathematicians, technologists, and ancient prophets along with the credibility and probability of each theory. The 2012 predictions of the Mayan calendar are considered alongside the parallel calculations of 16th century astrologer Nostradamus. Dr. Hundley takes a close look at the speculation originating everywhere, from evangelical Christianity to secular academia. Will the World End in 2012? Dr. Hundley’s conclusion may be what you least expect. He challenges Christians to respond to these predictions not with fear, but with hope and joy. For believers and nonbelievers alike, Hundley’s logical evaluation of Earth’s potential demise provides a fascinating road map of where our civilization could be heading and how we can prepare our hearts and minds for what lies ahead.

In 2012, the Bible, and the End of the World, bestselling prophecy expert Mark Hitchcock explores a fascinating last-days controversy that is gaining the attention of millions all over the globe. What should Christians make of the rapidly spreading speculations that the world will end on December 21, 2012? The ancient Mayans were expert astronomers and their advanced calendar cycles predict 12/21/2012 as a catastrophic day of apocalypse. This prophecy has spawned a growing number of fringe-element books, Web sites, and even a major movie—complete with all-star cast—scheduled to release in July 2009. Missing in the furor is a biblical perspective. Bible teacher Mark Hitchcock—whose books have sold more than 300,000 copies—examines the following questions: Why December 21, 2012? Can we trust the Mayan alarm clock? Does the Bible say anything about 2012? What signs will tell us that Armageddon is near? This book provides a fascinating survey of both the historical past and the prophetic future. Readers will discover how to effectively counter baseless speculation with biblical fact.

This book cuts through rampant misinformation circulating about 2012 to present a coherent understanding of the Mayan calendar and the significance of the date. As an anthropologist and journalist, Will Black has conducted research into 2012 millenarianism for several years. He consequently offers a much broader and clearer picture than other books on the subject. In their haste to jump onto the 2012 bandwagon, most authors seem to have forgotten that the Maya are a real people, often living in as violently precarious circumstances as their ancestors. Will Black demolishes fantasies about crumbling calendar stones before examining the brutal cocaine wars blighting Central America. The hedonistic world of many westerners who have become interested in 2012 is contrasted sharply with the lives of ancient and modern Maya. The extraordinary world of shamans is contrasted with that of New Age seekers. Information about key visionary substances is offered.

“Updated to include dramatic new evidence from NASA and the National Academy of Sciences pointing to a knockout of the electrical power grid by solar systems expected to climax in 2012-2013.” Don’t look up! It won’t help. You can’t get out of the way, you can’t dig a hole deep enough to hide. The end is coming, and there’s nothing you can do about it. So why read this book? Because you can’t look away when not just the religious fanatics are saying we’re all going to be destroyed but the scientists are in on the act too. Here’s what they’re saying: We’re a million years over due for a mass extinction. The sun at radiation minimum is acting much worse than at solar maximum, and one misdirected spewing of plasma could fry us in an instant. The magnetic field—which shields us from harmful radiation—is developing a mysterious crack. Our solar system is entering an energetically hostile part of the galaxy. The Yellowstone supervolcano is getting ready to blow, and if it does, we can look forward to nuclear winter and 90 percent annihilation. The Maya, the world’s greatest timekeepers ever, say it’s all going to stop on December 21, 2012. So, see? There’s nothing you can do, but you might as well sit back and enjoy the show. You’ll get a good chuckle. That’s why you should read this book.

2012 ~ The Mystery, The Prophecy, The Predictions ~ They are all based upon real-time SCIENCE...not Superstition! AND...You won't believe what you don't know! 2012 APOCALYPSE RISING presents of all of the NEWLY RELEASED, UP-TO-THE-MINUTE FACTS disclosed in 2010 by top scientists from around the world. When all of the facts from the world's most brilliant minds is FINALLY put together a new and startling picture emerges...rivaling even the best of any of Stephen King's novels. It is a picture that is both intriguing and startling, but one that you need to know ...because KNOWLEDGE is your only POWER...the POWER you need to make CLAIM to YOUR Rights to SURVIVAL...not only for yourself, but for those you love. So, put on your seatbelt and buckle up for the ride of your life! Whatever you conclude from the facts presented in 2012 Apocalypse Rising, one thing is for certain ...you will never look at the world around you in the same way again...and this is one book you will NEVER leave HOME without! YOU have been CHOSEN...and YOU CAN SURVIVE! GET the KNOWLEDGE and the POWER you need to CLAIM your RIGHTS to SURVIVAL, NOW!

This volume gives a concise but comprehensive overview of the rich diversity of prophecy, its role in major world religions as well as in new religions and alternative spiritualties, its social dynamics and its impact on individuals' lives. Academic analyses are complemented with contextualized primary source testimonies of those who live and have lived within a prophetic framework.

Essay from the year 2010 in the subject Sociology - Media, Art, Music, grade: A, University of Derby, course: BA in Sociology and Film and Television Studies, language: English, abstract: The definition of apocalypse described by Burgess and Nur (2008) is “The battle at the end of the world, as described in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Sometimes also used to describe any religiously charged major societal upheaval” (Burgess and Nur, 2008). This essay will investigate this definition and see if it fits contemporary beliefs. Ideas of the apocalypse have fascinated the public throughout history. Every society has different ideas or predictions about a global cataclysm that will end the world. The end was once interpreted as a supernatural event in which the Earth would be purified by a Deity or divine God. Scientific beliefs about a natural cataclysmic event that will end the world compete with religious theories. During the investigation of Roland Emmerich’s film of 2009, 2012, Solar flares, pole shifts, Earth crust displacement, the Rapture, the Mayan Calendar, the Hopis all give detailed accounts of how the Earth will be destroyed. 2012 shows the conflicting ideas of contemporary society; and this essay will show the various theories and how they act as a guide for surviving the end of the world. The theme of conspiracy theory is also extremely evident throughout society today and these theories are exposed in 2012.

The International Handbook of Political Ecology features chapters by leading scholars from around the world in a unique collection exploring the multi-disciplinary field of political ecology. This landmark volume canvasses key developments, topics, iss

This book is about human beings and their lives after death. It also talks about how to meditate simply. Zohreh wrote this book based on her own meditation, and opinion. If you want to see The truth for yourself the best thing is to meditate on each subject until you get the result. Because what is truth for you, it may not be true for somebody else. Even Zohreh's children and family did not agree with some of her points of view here.