According to an article on the science section of Fox News’ website, “Christian numerologists” — plural! — think something huge is going to happen on September 23.

According to Christian numerologist David Meade, verses in Luke 21:25 to 26 are the sign that recent events, such as the recent solar eclipse and Hurricane Harvey, are signs of the apocalypse. … Meade has built his theory on the so-called Planet X, which is also known as Nibiru, which he believes will pass Earth on Sept. 23, causing volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and earthquakes…

There is no Planet X. Volcanoes erupt, tsunamis strike, and earthquakes occur frequently enough that it’s not exactly news that those things will happen in the future. We can even predict some of that (thanks, science!), but there’s no indication that those apocalyptic disasters are taking place all at once anytime soon.

Meade isn’t alone, though. “Missionary Evangelist” Robert Breaker has scored millions of YouTube views with a video he put out last year pointing to the same date for when something “big” will happen.

This prediction has gotten so much traction that Christianity Today published an essay explaining how “Christian Numerology” isn’t even a thing — even though it’s kind of a thing — and arguing that no one should take any of this seriously.

… Stories like these are an embarrassment to Christians and the faith convictions we take so seriously. Moreover, they are a distortion of God’s word and deserve to be exposed for the fabrications that they are. … It’s simply fake news that a lot of Christians believe the world will end on September 23. Yet, it is still a reminder that we need to think critically about all news.

But the fact that anyone believes Christians buy into this stuff is a damning indictment of the entire faith. So many people say idiotic things in the name of Jesus that Meade and others promoting this supposed Rapture date aren’t automatically considered anomalies, but just a couple more gullible rubes to add to the collection.

If Christians are embarrassed by all this — and they should be — then maybe they should look in a mirror. Warning people about the impending apocalypse next week is no more illogical than Creationism or God answering your prayers or Jesus walking on water. But when you accept and promote certain myths as facts, you’re really in no position to tell the rest of us not to believe the obvious lies of those other guys.

(via Joe. My. God. Image via Shutterstock. Thanks to Mike for the link)

