Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: dmcclelland@hmcvax.claremont.edu Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: 666's and Beasties everywhere. Message-ID: Date: 28 Apr 91 22:28:25 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Harvey Mudd College Lines: 29 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu The problem with this "method" and, for that matter, all "methods" of identifying the anti-Christ before he (she?) comes is that often its all too easy to pick out a large number of people who are innocent and possibly Christian. It's easy to assign numbers to letters and then multiply that sum to a "magic number" and find the taboo number of 666. It reminds me of the math trick where you learn the name of your future wife through a few simple calculations involving the use of your last name. The "answer" turns out to be Mrs. [Whatever-your- last-name-is]. Real enlighting. Another end result to finding the "Beastie" is that one develops the paranoia/conspiracy syndrome where anyone and everyone could truely be the anti-Christ and soon we're [as Christians] are branded with a new name that only gives us and, more importantly, God a bad name. Let's not fall into the trap that many other groups have done like predicting the end of the world or the return of Christ or even the new and improved way to find your own personal anti-Christ. I believe that the anti-Christ will come, and I believe that, in the end, Jesus will triumph over Satan. But I don't need to waste my time spewing rumors of who the anti-Christ will/was/could be. Is it really that important to us? ------------------------------------------------ Daniel McClelland With much wisdom comes dmcclelland@hmcvax.claremont.edu much sorrow, the more --The Harvey Mudd College knowledge the more grief. Teacher ---------------------------