16 Questions
What was the supposed consequence of the eclipse according to some people on the internet?
A shift back into a parallel-universe timeline that humanity allegedly abandoned in 2012.
What biblical passage is referenced in the text to illustrate the long history of apocalyptic thinking?
The Book of Revelation: 'And, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.'
What is the date of the oldest known depiction of an eclipse, carved into stone in Ireland?
3300 B.C.E.
In what year did the eclipse take place that Homer describes in The Odyssey?
1178 B.C.E.
Which ancient figure wrote about the dangers of eclipses?
Confucius.
What is the term used to describe the enduring human obsession with the end of the world?
Apocalypticism.
What is the name of the Georgia Republican who linked the eclipse to the need for America to repent?
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene.
What is the significance of the solar eclipse in terms of human psychology and cultural heritage?
It generates collective foreboding and apocalyptic thinking due to thousands of years of religious and cultural prophecies.
What was the significance of the total solar eclipse over England on August 2, 1133?
It was believed to be an omen of King Henry's death
What is the name of the character in King Lear who warns about the omens of eclipses?
Gloucester
What is the term used to describe the apocalyptic thinkers who believe in conspiracy theories related to eclipses?
Apocalyptic thinkers
Who was the Baptist preacher in rural New York who predicted the Second Coming of Jesus in 1844?
William Miller
What is the name of the group that emerged from William Miller's followers?
The Millerites
What is the term used to describe the event when Christ did not return on October 22, 1844?
The Great Disappointment
What is the current membership of the Seventh-day Adventists?
More than 21 million
What is the connection between the Millerites and the conspiracy theory QAnon?
Both have a strong eschatological focus
Study Notes
Apocalyptic Predictions and Solar Eclipses
- In 2012, people believed a parallel-universe timeline would be triggered, and a similar phenomenon was predicted for the solar eclipse in 2020.
- Some predicted the solar eclipse would lead to a second civil war in America or the Second Coming of Christ.
- TikTok users warned of an impending apocalypse, with some quoting apocalyptic biblical verses.
Historical Context of Eclipses and Apocalyptic Thinking
- The human tradition of treating an eclipse as an occasion for apocalyptic doomsaying is ancient.
- The oldest known depiction of an eclipse, carved into stone in Ireland, dates to 3300 B.C.E.
- Eclipses have been mentioned in ancient literature, including Homer's The Odyssey (1178 B.C.E.) and Confucius' writings.
- Hindu legends and Christian and Jewish literature also feature eclipses as omens.
The Resilience of Apocalyptic Theories
- Apocalyptic theories are like "dandelions of the internet" - they persist despite being repeatedly disproven.
- The concept of apocalyptic thinking has been observed in various forms, such as the Millerites, who predicted the Second Coming of Jesus in 1844, but were disappointed when it didn't occur.
- The Millerites eventually became the Seventh-day Adventists, who now have a worldwide membership of over 21 million.
Modern Expressions of Apocalyptic Thinking
- Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted that the eclipse was a sign from God for America to repent.
- Similar sentiments emerged on the internet, with warnings of an impending apocalypse.
Explore the history of apocalyptic predictions surrounding solar eclipses, from 2012 to 2020, and how they were linked to catastrophic events and biblical prophecies.
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