In January, when our youth group discussed possible topics for meetings, the end of the world was at the top of everyone's list. The media fuels my generation's doubts about the future. This summer alone, we were barraged by movies in which the earth is destroyed by asteroids and New York City by a giant lizard. The number of television shows and specials that encourage end-time panic is growing. The threats of human-caused environmental problems such as El Nino, holes in the earth's ozone layer and global warming are increasingly debated.
Biological warfare is a terrifying possibility.
The threat of nuclear warfare remains. There are biblical passages with references to end times. I tend to think not. Our society has had problems since Day 1. Humans aren't perfect and never will be.