Today is "Great Disappointment Day"

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earendel · #1 Post by **earendel** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:58 am

On this date in 1844 Jesus Christ did not return to the earth, as predicted by Rev. William Miller, a Baptist minister from New York. Using calculations based on dates in the Bible and the chronology of Bishop Ussher Miller came to believe that October 22, 1844, was the date that Jesus would return. An estimated 100,000 of his adherents sold their property and made their final arrangements in the anticipation of the coming of Jesus.

TheCalvinator24 · #2 Post by **TheCalvinator24** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:10 am

I had always associated Miller in my head with the Seventh Day Adventists. Turns out he was a Baptist, but the Adventist church grew out of his followers.

BackInTex · #3 Post by **BackInTex** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:23 am

earendel wrote:An estimated 100,000 of his adherents sold their property

I wonder what their thought process for this was. Why sell? What was better about having cash laying on the ground with no owner rather than a homestead and mule?

TheCalvinator24 · #4 Post by **TheCalvinator24** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:34 am

TOGA! TOGA! TOGA!!!

earendel · #5 Post by **earendel** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:12 am

BackInTex wrote:I wonder what their thought process for this was. Why sell? What was better about having cash laying on the ground with no owner rather than a homestead and mule?

I don't know - maybe they wanted to be sure they were debt-free or unencumbered with worldly possessions.

BackInTex · #6 Post by **BackInTex** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:20 am

earendel wrote:
BackInTex wrote:I wonder what their thought process for this was. Why sell? What was better about having cash laying on the ground with no owner rather than a homestead and mule?
I don't know - maybe they wanted to be sure they were debt-free or unencumbered with worldly possessions.

Religious idiots make us religious nuts look bad.

Ritterskoop · #7 Post by **Ritterskoop** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:40 am

I think it was about faith. They believed Jesus would return, so they acted on their belief. It was not rational, and that's what makes it admirable. They harmed no one. I like faith.

I grew up an Adventist, so I read a bit about it as a kid.

For those who wonder, Seventh-day Adventists are basically Methodists who go to church on Saturday. Most are vegetarian, and they don't believe in everlasting hell, which strikes me as more merciful than many systems.

peacock2121 · #8 Post by **peacock2121** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:45 pm

I heard today is Sweetest Day.

cindy.wellman · #9 Post by **cindy.wellman** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:49 pm

Many moons ago, Snaxx made his first appearance in this world.

Happy Birthday!

Edited to add:

Though this event was definitely NOT a great disappointment!

Snaxx · #10 Post by **Snaxx** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:16 pm

Today is "Great Disappointment Day"

My birthday is that? Bummer!

I heard today is Sweetest Day.

Sounds a lot better! I'll take that, whatever it is.

WWTBAM Bored

Today is "Great Disappointment Day"

Today is "Great Disappointment Day"

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