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Comment by LiquidPolymer | Hacker News Reader

There is a dark strand in many fundamentalist Christian and Islamic beliefs that portend a judgement day brought on by world destroying calamity. There are evangelical Christian’s who cheer on for a nuclear conflict between Israel and their Muslim neighbors because it will bring about this prophesy.

I think this can explain a portion of people who want escalate our current situation. I’m terrified by these people and their motives.

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There is no 'destruction of the world' in Muslim eschatology related to the return of Jesus and Mahdi. That has to wait for "the Hour" which is an entirely a different matter and related to 'Resurrection' and the actual Judgement Day (you know, in 'here-after' when the entire material universe is "folded").

As for the Christians, in the Gospel Jesus very clearly commands to "ignore" wars and rumors of wars.

"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come." [Matt 24:6]

> I think this can explain a portion of people who want escalate our current situation. I’m terrified by these people and their motives.

What "terrifies" me are people who form strong opinions and speak from ignorance, and, try to pin great power politics, and geopolitical adjustments on people who believe in God.

I grew up in and around Christian fundamentalists who believe precisely what the parent was referring to.

If you want to “not all Christians,” that’s fine - but Armageddon fetishists absolutely do exist in fundamentalist Christianity. Start with the “Left Behind” book series if you want an introduction to the way that group thinks.

On the other hand, don't underestimate what little regard Russia and China both have for human life. Russia lost 27 million in WWII[1], many times the numbers lost by the West, combined. China's record on human rights also speaks for itself. Xi and Putin both see themselves as messianic, and both have grand visions for their countries gaining power. They want to act, and it has begun. They're thinking in terms of the next century, and great losses of people will just be part of a great reset (as a broken egg is to an omelette). It's what follows in centuries to come that matters to them.

I wouldn't put it past them, and that thinking is of course not mutually exclusive from those who are seeking Armageddon as you note. That both kinds of minds are in charge of each side is downright terrifying, indeed.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties_of_the...

Sure, pure eugenics by genocide might be a quick fix. But how long does that last? You think radiation only affects those who fit your stereotyped profile?

What about all the opportunity to forgoe scorched Earth policies and work through compromise. You would think ending up with more supporters would be more self serving than making glass and gambling you can intimidate the left overs into ideological submission.

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