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Today is "Great Disappointment Day"
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:58 am
by earendel
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.
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:10 am
by TheCalvinator24
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.
Re: Today is "Great Disappointment Day"
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:23 am
by BackInTex
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?
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:34 am
by TheCalvinator24
TOGA! TOGA! TOGA!!!
Re: Today is "Great Disappointment Day"
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:12 am
by earendel
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.
Re: Today is "Great Disappointment Day"
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:20 am
by BackInTex
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.

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:40 am
by Ritterskoop
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.
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 1:45 pm
by peacock2121
I heard today is Sweetest Day.
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 3:49 pm
by cindy.wellman
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!
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:16 pm
by Snaxx
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.