Page 19 - 201002 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - February 2010

February 2010_june_july_2009.qxd 18/02/2010 9:04 AM Page 19 Waiting for apocalypse 19 Waiting for apocalypse When I asked Carrigan his age, he about to fall on Earth via the Y2K bug. Biblical teachings about the apocalypse, just around the corner wouldn't answer, saying, 'I'm timeless. often called Armageddon, the Last Judgment or Ageless." He acknowledged, nevertheless, he Many New Age thinkers are moved to Vancouver at age 19 and ever since the Rapture, are held today by many conservative religious denominations, including seeking higher ground — has found the city "delightful." It is where he the Church of Latter Day Saints, the Seventh literally. They believe oceans will continues to raise two teenagers as a single Day Adventists and many evangelical rise and tsunamis will hit on Dec. parent. However, in December 2012, Carrigan denominations. A Biblical apocalypse, based on will be driving far out of Vancouver. He'll be the Book of Revelation, has been popularized 21, 2012 heading to a mountain top. through the best-selling Left Behind novel Carrigan and many others are convinced series. Canwest News Service that on Dec. 21, 2012, Vancouver and much of U.S. president Ronald Reagan believed the planet will be virtually destroyed. Armageddon could happen in his lifetime. Havoc will come through a combination And an apocalyptic scenario involving Brad Carrigan "presents well," as they say in psychological circles. The Vancouver of earthquakes, tsunamis and oceans rising the second coming of Christ is part of the doctrine formally taught by the Christian and hundreds of metres. Those who might hope to resident dresses smartly, has an athletic survive will be on higher ground. Missionary Alliance Church, the evangelical physique, neatly cropped hair and a friendly, "Forget Haiti. Forget Katrina," Carrigan denomination to which Canadian Prime well-spoken demeanour. He looks like many happy, healthy West Coast middle-aged guys. said, calmly. Minister Stephen Harper belongs. The end of Vancouver and the rest of the So-called "secular" people are not Carrigan earned a solid living for 12 world as we know it is described in vivid detail, immune to apocalyptic scenarios either, as years as a financial consultant, has played with with video, on Carrigan's sophisticated-looking portrayed in movies such as Terminator 2 and some of the country's top musicians, wrote a website, www.2012enlightened.com. Avatar. Apocalyptic beliefs often emerge from sacred music concert performed at the Queen The imminent destruction of Earth Elizabeth theatre, hosts a program called The hinges on a planet called Nibiru, which people anxious about atomic warfare, population explosion, economic collapse, Eternal Wellness Show and runs Blue World Carrigan and many New Age adherents believe uncontrollable viruses and environmental Lifestyle Multimedia Corporation, which has a will pass close to our solar system in 2012. devastation. stylish website. They firmly expect Nibiru to create a What is at the root of apocalyptic Like millions in B.C. and elsewhere, Carrigan is also a fan of a recent Vancouver- gravitational effect that will cause the Earth to thinking? It is based on a belief the world is stop revolving on its axis for several disastrous filmed blockbuster movie that has so far earned months. engaged in an all-out struggle between good and $800 million, made by big-name director A spiritual golden age will follow for evil, which could end in the triumph of one side. Roland Emmerich (creator of Independence survivors. Carrigan and many others predict the The dominant form of apocalyptic Day) and actor John Cusack. The movie is titled 2012. new dawn on Earth will begin on March 28, thinking today grows out of a despairing 2013. It's not possible here to explain the conviction that most people and institutions are It's a special-effects-filled disaster convoluted logic that goes into the 2012 irredeemably corrupt, fit only for destruction. movie. Its plot revolves around a cataclysm that phenomenon as expressed by Carrigan and Personally, however, even though I wipes out most of the Earth's almost seven many authors. worry people in power are leading the planet in billion population in the year 2012. Highly presentable Carrigan only begins Suffice to say Carrigan's version many dangerous directions, I don't find myself to take on the persona of a "character" when he involves planetary science, quantum mechanics, switching into apocalyptic mode. Call me hopeful. Nostradamus, Hopi Indians, aliens, Bible says he believes the movie is more than a revelations, Edgar Cayce, the Vatican, crop Carrigan resides in another category fiction. circles, Atlantis, Moses, kundalini yoga, Hindu entirely regarding 2012. Following the lead of the marketers of "It's not a question of 'if' I'm right about 2012, Carrigan says the disaster film is pointing gods and goddesses, Akashic teachings, the what's going to happen. I know I'm right," he anti-Christ, the swastika, the Age of Aquarius to something that is soon to become terribly and much more. said. real. Why has the general public not heard of His demeanour remained placid His book on the subject is called 2012 Enlightened. It is one of about 20 titles on the this looming disaster? throughout our conversation, even though the Carrigan said the official silence is a plot "2012 phenomenon." Countless spiritual orchestrated by NASA, the White House, the tempo of his speech rapidly rose as he described his data for destruction. seekers are convinced 2012 will usher in both Illuminati, the Freemasons and the world's "What I'm saying is not doom and global cataclysm and a new spiritual era. multinational corporations and mass media, all gloom," he said. "It's just what's going to Based on a prophecy embedded in the ancient Mayan calendar, the 2012 phenomenon of which he said, have a vested interest in not happen." As strange as it may seem to many of us, is an apocalyptic scenario of the most horrifying distressing the population. This economic elite it is quite possible millions of New Age people has already, he said, built underground cities in order. the U.S. and Scandinavia as its safe havens. share Carrigan's views about a 2012 cataclysm, You could call it a New Age version of If readers are wondering whether I'm the Biblical apocalyptic beliefs widely held by drawn to or convinced of this 2012 apocalyptic while tens of millions more North Americans hold to a Biblical version of apocalypse. many evangelical Christians and others. I talked to Carrigan about 2012 this scenario, I will have to disappoint many and say If being part of a large movement makes week at a busy Vancouver coffee shop, where he … no. I bring it to wider attention only because one "normal," perhaps it wasn't incorrect for Carrigan to quietly declare: is a fondly welcomed regular. it is a general New Age belief apparently held "I'm not a radical." [] The coffee shop displayed Carrigan's book, as well as leaflets for his often well- by tens of thousands of people, possibly attended multimedia lectures, one of which will millions. Apocalyptic thinking is not at all rare. take place this Saturday at 1 p.m. at the An Angus Reid poll found 46 per cent of Hollywood Theatre on West Broadway. The Americans and 20 per cent of Canadians jacket of Carrigan's book describes him as an believed the world would end in their lifetimes Ottawa-born "spiritual visionary and teacher, author, recording artist and playwright" versed in some sort of divine catastrophe. Remember the global outpouring of in meditation, Indian spirituality, yoga and apocalyptic fear that rose up over the year devotional music. The book jacket adds that he 2000? That's when computer specialists and frequently experiences powerful visions and evangelists such as Jerry Falwell and Canada's dreams. Grant Jeffrey proclaimed God's judgment was