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Is December 21, 2012 the End of the World? Scholars, NASA Say No

Find out what the experts are saying about the Dec. 21, 2012, Doomsday prophesies, the end of the Mayan calendar and their potential impact on Bolingbrook.

Don’t make any rash decisions: Experts say 12/21/12 is going to be just another typical winter solstice.

Killer solar flares aren’t expected. Another planet isn’t on a collision course with ours. And the Mayan “long count calendar” ending on this date has no real significance – they had to end it somewhere!

What is All the Fuss About?

There are a number of theories and predictions that call for earth’s demise on Dec. 21, 2012. They include:

  • The ending of the Mayan calendar – The Mayans, according to a Sarasota Patch article, kept three separate calendars. The “long calendar” ends on Dec. 21. Some say this constitutes a Doomsday prediction; many do not.
  • Nostradamus – That famed French seer from the 1500s has been credited with predicting several end-of-the-world scenarios that some believe will take place in 2012. The website December212012.com points to the potential sparking of World War III on this date.
  • The collision of Earth and the supposed planet Nibiru – This supposed space catastrophe was initially predicted to strike in 2003. The planet in question was supposedly discovered by the Sumerians, according to NASA. When the world didn’t end in 2003, the date was moved to December 2012 for the deadly collision with earth.

What are the Experts Saying?

The intrigue created by multiple end-of-the-world predictions has made many scholars and even NASA stand up to make statements debunking the claims. From professors at Tampa Bay’s own New College to the scientific minds at NASA, they’re all saying the same thing: Go ahead and pay that mortgage bill and wrap those holiday presents.

In regard to the ending of the Mayan calendar, New College’s Gabrielle Vail says this, according to Sarasota Patch:

There are many misconceptions about the Mayans. If you look at their calendar alone, the Mayans kept three calendars. The one that has prompted the end of the world predictions was their "long count calendar" — a 5,125 year calendar. The calendar began August 11, 3114 B.C. and ends Dec. 21, 2012.

She said the Mayans wrote about dates beyond Dec. 21, 2012 "well, well into the future, trillions of years." They also wrote about dates before the 5,125 year calendar began.

Here’s what NASA has to say about all of the collective Doomsday prophesies:

The world will not end in 2012. Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012.

What do you think? Is the world ending in a few days or are you making sure those bill payments go out on time? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Mantis December 19, 2012 at 07:38 am
You are partially correct, Latief Ahmad.
Much of my current life really started after I died. Just for the record, I'm one of those rare people who have been dead and come back from the grave again after no heartbeat, no brain activity, deader than dead so you could say in a certain way I'm living on "borrowed time". In my case unfortunately I have died more than once on different occasions and some of those where in ways I would not wish upon my worst enemy. It does change one's perspective and I agree with your statement to "do good deeds in every walk of life" as there are no guarantees in life that when your time comes, you'll be able to do what I have done and keep coming back again. .... and again. .... and again. Long story, don't ask :)
Mantis December 19, 2012 at 07:40 am
Can you be so very certain a time machine doesn't exist today? ;-)
Mantis December 19, 2012 at 07:47 am
Prem, you trying to create a nice little pattern there? 12-21-21 *LOL*
Just for the record, our calendar system was established long after and apart and the people who created the early Mayan calendar had no concept or knowledge of the current Julian calendar in use today so 2012 would be meaningless to them. It's based upon specific motions of the galaxy, planets, celestial bodies moving in space, and upon extended activity cycles of the sun --- IE: astronomical sciences. We have a bit of a rare situation happening now not just within our solar system but across the galaxy itself and that is the larger part of what the Mayan calendar cycle change is about and converted to our calendar would be 12/21/2012.
Mantis December 19, 2012 at 07:55 am
The Mayans clearly understood mathematics, physics, and astronomy.
Exactly what from these educated sciences would tell them that the Spaniards were coming? They could tell you exactly when the moon and stars would be in a certain position and when the sun and gravitational forces might have the greatest impact on tides and maybe even perhaps possibly earth tectonic stress which all is an amazing feat itself but even the most advanced skills and knowledge has it's limits. However, to discount them on the basis of "oh they didn't predict the Spanish coming" shows you yourself have very little understanding of the Mayan people.
Mantis December 19, 2012 at 08:07 am
So, "no man knows the day or hour" ey? :)
The Bible and the Qur'an both have their own take on this concept but it actually doesn't mean what most of the people and also religious leaders think it means. I spent many, many years researching this very topic and that research led me literally across the world delving into all sorts of topics ranging from ancient early texts, etymology, archeology, history, and anthropology and after all of that I discovered what was really being discussed in those passages and more than that more importantly, the reason why it was actually said! That whole concept where only God knows the time of the end events very much has been sorely misunderstood for thousands of years but it unfortunately also forms one of the core belief basis points of prophesy in many religions. Ironically, the statements of those religious texts do not mean what people think!
Mantis December 19, 2012 at 08:18 am
December 22nd? Better make that "see you mid-year 2016" in that case!
Part of the different sized interconnected overlapping cycles in the Mayan calendar has to do with larger astronomical alignments that already began several years ago back in 2008 and won't actually end until 2016. December 21, 2012 could be considered a strong key point date as the peak of those alignments and the centerpiece where the larger long count cycle also rolls over but it's only one specific point in a much larger astronomical alignment picture and it will take several years before we are entirely out of those alignments.
James fyle December 19, 2012 at 08:56 am
Why do you think it's takes a so called "god" to create life?
Don't belittle people because you believe in some bullshit god in a fairytale book. The only reason anyone believes its dumb stories is because it's old. If anything your "god" is an alien who descended from the stars and gave us the use of vocabulary and common sense.
Mantis December 19, 2012 at 08:56 am
Tim, you clearly failed to read the entire chapter of the passage you quoted so that comment you made about "picking and choosing" verses applies to yourself. Had you actually read the full passage, you might of re-considered using this in example to the larger point you were trying to make.
Second, the assumption made as you quoted inferring that the Bible's statements are false because it has been "thousands of years" is a very bad assumption. I would take guess you posted this because of the phrase "some who are standing here will not taste death" though the complete irony is that statement is indeed correct and was what was written was written precisely as it was meant to say even to the bewilderment of many Christians who also like yourself can't comprehend that passage really meaning exactly as it was said. The irony is someone in the conversation being described in that passage is actually still alive after very nearly 2,000 years and believe it or not, yes we do have a real life 'Highlander' type situation going on in the world today at least with regard to one specific person and no that person is not "Jesus". It took me 27 years of research to track this person down but I actually found them, they should of left a more inconspicuous trail than they did --- they do now though. You are a skeptic, I appreciate that. Some of the biggest discoveries I've uncovered in my lifetime have been researching things I myself didn't believe!
James fyle December 19, 2012 at 09:00 am
Your all brainwashed.
Mantis December 19, 2012 at 09:00 am
That's debatable ... especially where it comes to government and public interests.
Mantis December 19, 2012 at 09:04 am
The 2012 calendar is going to end on December 31st !!!!
OMG! People must run and tell everyone the world is coming to an end on December 31st because 2012 ends on that date and therefore must be the end of the world! Ok, so that was a little sarcastic but I'm illustrating a much larger point. The idiots who keep saying the world is going to the end and pointing to the Mayan calendar clearly have no idea how the calendar really works and seem to be pretty good at drawing illogical huge jump conclusions from what they don't know. The only thing more frightening is this mass stupidity seems to be contagious.
Mantis December 19, 2012 at 09:07 am
Nice try .... I saw that movie too! :)
John Roberts December 19, 2012 at 02:25 pm
This kind of stuff can cause havoc on people.I know someone that went into St.charles phyc ward because of Dec21st..a prime example of how people can get screwed up and want to cause havoc...How many people are going to be looting?how many people are going to be saying screw it if the world is going to end I am going to do what I want?....all the better reason to be prepared for "Human Stupidity" which is what has caused all of the restrictions,regulations,and laws to be put into place...and we wonder how China got to be like it is...Human stupidity is what it boils down to..The more chaos,the more criminal actions,the more restrictions are put into place for "good of the community" ...or as our government likes to say it "National Security"
shabnum December 19, 2012 at 04:57 pm
Absolutly right i agree with u,,,,,
80% December 20, 2012 at 07:27 am
Haha John pretty sure Allah and God stem from the same guy. Allah (Joke intended) the stupidity in these forums is great to read. It comes to no surprise that the false facts about 2012 are flying around the internet. I am that much more confident that 80% of people truly have an IQ lower than 100. See you all on the 22nd! Especially you Tim! That's right! I am talking to you! Tim this forum is rotting your brain. (I hope someone named Tim reads this!)
LinaveachiePark December 20, 2012 at 01:25 pm
Just keep the faith and drop the fear!
There's a future! Don't give up. Just pray and you'll be fine. :) God is always with us. No one knows what tomorrow brings except our Almight God. TRUST AND PRAY TO HIM! And we all be fine.. JUST DO CHERISH THE MOMENTS WITH YOUR LOVED ONES BECAUSE TIME IS LIFE! GODSPEED.
deenadayalan December 20, 2012 at 04:11 pm
God help
deenadayalan December 20, 2012 at 04:13 pm
World end yes or no?
deenadayalan December 20, 2012 at 04:14 pm
Iam Chennai tamil
Jonathan King December 20, 2012 at 04:38 pm
It is a load of shit about the world ending. I would not belive what you read in the newspaper. it said in the paper a few year that the world was ending but never happened.We would hear from NASA if the world was going to an end ages ago that what i think what do you think. just pray incase it does happen
Jonathan King December 20, 2012 at 04:43 pm
Are you o.k. in the head there is a god you have no common sence who do think created the world an alien i do not think so god create everthing so there you have it
Child of god December 20, 2012 at 05:00 pm
Waheguru Ji peace with all god bless everyone happy holidays to all of you!!!!
Enjoy life!!!!
santhoshi December 20, 2012 at 06:35 pm
is so its very foolishness the world near end trust to the god your heart and soul guys nd grils so what one we have to die right so why cannot now come on lets enjoy the day
christine December 21, 2012 at 03:49 am
I am so sick and tired of all hype on December 21st 2012. I don't understand it. I
know that the Myan calendar cycle ends, but that isn't the end of anything. Get real! Nibiru is not real, it's a fictional planet that people started to talk about, there is no planet colliding with the planet, there is no signs of an appocolypse anywhere in the world right now I also know that some parts of the world have seen Friday Dec 21st, and guess what. The world hasen't ended. Friday the 21st is not far away for some of us, and for parts of the world may be heading into Saturday. I can tell you, no matter what time of day it is, if the world was truly to end, it would have by now. Friday the 21st has arrived and even passed, and what a surprise, not even a one sign that we are doomed. I can't beliee people. I'm going Christmas Shopping on Saturday the 22nd. I'm looking forward to it, and to many happy years on mother Earth.
SonofJohn December 22, 2012 at 12:46 am
People are WEAK MINDED our school system is turning out children that cannot think abstractly and that are very gullible. Just look at the voting records. They love the rise of socialism in America. The school system keeps lowering the test scores for the masses. people who voted for Obama didn't know who his running mate was. What a shame. Now wheres my Obama money If the world is ending I wanna party LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLO Hic!
Nicole Murphy December 22, 2012 at 12:55 am
Well.... Today is December, the 25th, of 2012. Guess what?
We are all still here. Grant it, There is still 3 hours left where I live before we reach midnight. So... I guess there is still a chance, and If something happens, in the next 3 hours, then... Sorry my bad. But, I doubt it. I can't wait to tell my Son how many times I survived the end of the world when he gets older! :P
LeeAnn Lawson December 23, 2012 at 09:55 am
i survived it.
myia walker December 25, 2012 at 10:45 am
everyone need t shut up yall dont no when it is ging 2 end only god so shut the heck up
myia walker December 25, 2012 at 10:46 am
thank u
myia walker December 25, 2012 at 10:47 am
hey
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Fix My House Inc. Handyman & Remodeling June 10, 2013 at 07:06 am
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Olddeegee May 16, 2013 at 01:45 pm
I'm pretty sure that prison is more detrimental to your health than smoking pot. That's the pointRead More here. Does Ernie have a financial stake in keeping pot illegal? The liquor industry, drug testing industry, and several police organizations (due to zero tolerance seizure laws) are lobbying as hard as they can to maintain the status quo. Many people will be affected in a shift to legalization. Maybe he has a profit motive?
Ernie Knight May 17, 2013 at 09:47 pm
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Vicky Kujawa May 28, 2013 at 06:10 pm
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