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My inlaws seem to belive the book of revalation says that a black muslem man will take control of a super power and become the Anti christ thus ending the world. I've informed them that Islam wasn't founded till hundreds of years after the bible had been written, and that the book of revalations makes no mention of black man, muslim or even has the term anti- christ in it. What really depresses me is that non of them are religous in the least and didn't bother to fact check or even question anything. Obama may end up a crappy prez, but saying he's going to end the world based on lies is offensive. Ripping his policies apart is one thing, slandering him, and the bible is something else. I don't know what to do, please help!

Sadly, you likely can't save these people from their willful ignorance. "Don't confuse me with the facts" would be their motto.

In my experience the best solution is simply to ask questions. Why do you believe that? Why is that belief valid? Why are you more correct than I am? They may treat this as annoying, or they may treat it as illuminating. Either way, you will have served your own interests while accommodating theirs.

Alternatively a policy of "Let Well Alone" may preserve domestic harmony though not still your inner turmoil.

You could always point out Obama is not in fact a Muslim. Being a Christian kind of puts a damper on the whole theory.

Besides, I prefer Nostradamus for predictions, as he reckons old Blighty has another couple of Empires in her future. Score!

Either leave well enough alone or post the results of your conversation.

Egg them on and see if you can convince them to sign their house over to you. Or failing that just do as others say and leave alone, it would be like bashing your head into the wall. If you really want to help, then destroy their TV (signal jammer, cut the cable, reangle the satellite dish, etc)

sexiest_hero wrote:My inlaws seem to belive the book of revalation says that a black muslem man will take control of a super power and become the Anti christ thus ending the world. I've informed them that Islam wasn't founded till hundreds of years after the bible had been written, and that the book of revalations makes no mention of black man, muslim or even has the term anti- christ in it. What really depresses me is that non of them are religous in the least and didn't bother to fact check or even question anything. Obama may end up a crappy prez, but saying he's going to end the world based on lies is offensive. Ripping his policies apart is one thing, slandering him, and the bible is something else. I don't know what to do, please help!

Is it possible that they're kidding? I don't understand why anyone who isn't religious would turn to the book of revelation as prophecy. Even assuming they were faithful, like you said, the bible never mentions Islam and I'm not even sure someone of biblical times or even much later would understand the words "black man" the same way we do.
This is a new one on me, never heard this one before, and it is sort of bizzare. I know plenty of people who didn't care for Obama, but none, that I knew of, believed a black Muslim antichrist would end the world and Obama may be it. Incidentally, you did not mention that your inlaws believed Obama was that, you said they just believed Revelation said a black Muslim antichrist would end the world. I'm assuming they brought that up apropos the next president, but did they say that? I'd just change the subject. Where I come from, you don't talk politics anyhow at family gatherings, particularly at the table. Its like talking about your bowel habits or something.

You know what they're doing wrong, you just need the guns to change their minds. Start your own country, develop into a superpower, encourage a propogandist media, and then stir in a bit of home-bake religion. They're still broken, but at least they're crazies on YOUR side.

Tell us, sexiest hero, on what grounds do you say claim 'non of them are religious in the least'? They sound pretty bloody religious to me.

Beware of your significant other, too. She's probably infected as well.

You could always just wear a Turban and Sari to confuse and befuddle them next time you pop round.

£10 they don't spot they are in fact Sikh and Hindu garb, and start panicking that you've converted to Islam.

Belive it or not they are unually very nice loving folks.

Here is a like featering where some of these roumers started

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQoV_Ngl-G8

I think it's my brother in laws father leading them to these web sites.

I've tried to make in roads with him by naming republicans I admire like Sen. Hagel and Huckabby.

And I try to be as central as possible. I can deal with it but it's taking a toll on my wife. and i hate to see her so down.

My mother is the same way. Wonderful lady, hangs out with my friends and I occasionally. We go to movies have nice times. She doesn't go to church but is a faithful person and does community service work and stuff. Thinks Obama is the anti-christ. Didn't vote for him. I always tell her that in revelation the horseman representing the anti-christ is a representation of a politician. It is also said that he will be very well connected and well loved by all. Come from a politically powerful family and be rich as hell to start with. She always shrugs me off and still insists he is the anti-christ. It's not like she goes and shouts it from roof tops but if you approached her on the street and asked if she thought Obama was the anti-christ she'd say yes. Doesn't really bother me, some people just don't have a lot of confidence in the American government not to screw them over again so they need an excuse as to why things might get worse. The president elect being the anti-christ is a very good excuse. It's not that he is bad he is just destined to be bad.

That is freakin' mental.
Just get the bible and ask them to point out the passage that references a black muslim antichrist. When they can't do it, gracefully refuse to discuss the topic anymore.
Alternatively, point out that Obama is a Christian.
(Not that if he was a muslim it should have been anyone's business, that sort of nosyness is disgusting. How biggotted are people that they won't vote for someone based on religion?)
Belief in the antichrist is to me so completely outside of my frame of reference that I would have serious problems taking anything a believer said seriously.

Well, one thing to remember is that many Christians welcome the coming of the end times. A true believer wouldn't be wild about this prophecy, but wouldn't be upset per se. There was a rumor years back that many in the more apocalyptic Christian churches backed W because they thought he would precipitate the events that led to the end times. Of course, every generation has it's existential crisis (who at some point didn't ponder that WW2, or WW1, or the Napoleonic wars, or the 30 years war, or the Mongol invasions to be the end time).

Honestly, when dealing with folks like this my best advice would be to let sleeping dogs lie. If they are annoying about it, or bring it up a lot, then sure, refute them. But if they let it drop, I would recommend letting it drop as well.

sexiest_hero wrote:My inlaws seem to belive the book of revalation says that a black muslem man will take control of a super power and become the Anti christ thus ending the world. I've informed them that Islam wasn't founded till hundreds of years after the bible had been written, and that the book of revalations makes no mention of black man, muslim or even has the term anti- christ in it. What really depresses me is that non of them are religous in the least and didn't bother to fact check or even question anything. Obama may end up a crappy prez, but saying he's going to end the world based on lies is offensive. Ripping his policies apart is one thing, slandering him, and the bible is something else. I don't know what to do, please help!

You can't reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into in the first place. But you can ruin a lot of family get-togethers.

Let them go, there's every chance they'll come out it on their own, if they pay attention to the world around them and note that the world hasn't actually ended now that a black man is president. If they're so committed to their belief then there isn't anything you could do to change their minds anyway.

A pertinent quote from the wonderful James Randi: "Those who believe without reason cannot be convinced by reason."

dosent revelations also say there will be 7 years of peace?????

i think that Lord Obama continuing the fighting in afganastian, and mabey going into pakistan (Spelling on the 2 countrys???) dose not count as peace.

They may not be religious in the sense that they got to a church to worship, but they sound fairly faithful to their belief to me.

This is a powderkeg. Any path that addresses it will likely strike a match. Ignoring it will take a toll on your wife's mental health. Decide, with her, what is more important.

Me? I would talk to my wife privately and see what her feelings are. And then remember your vows. Stick to them, stick to her, and you should be ok, if maybe minus some asses in seats come the holidays. Good luck, and keep us posted as the train wreck continues.

This isn't unusual unfortunately. Happens with every President. Many thought Ronald Wilson Reagan was the Anti-Christ. Each name has 6 letters in it for 666.

That kind of situation can only be handle with kindness and communication.

And like Crimson Devil said, it's pretty commun.

My mother in law is pretty crazy.

As an example, she firmly believes that AIDS is an American government consipiracy (and originated in America, despite lots of evidence to the contrary) to kill off all the African Americans.

I used to argue until I discovered a very simple principle.

Smile and Nod.

It works in all kinds of crazy situations and keeps the peace.

Wow. Time for new in-laws methinks.

Back up slowly and don't make eye-contact...

Supergeek wrote:
I used to argue until I discovered a very simple principle.

Smile and Nod.

Wait a minute, you learned this AFTER you got married?

My inlaws just don't talk religion around me, because I tend to sound like Mal Reynolds if they do.

"Do you mind if we say grace?". they're a religous family, but at least they don't try to preach to me.
"Only if you say it aloud." I said once. From then on, they did it silently.

@Malfred: There are many things that it is only possible to learn AFTER one is married. Like precisely how bad the outlaws will be.

Ah yes the old Government created aids. A sad and shameful tactic employed by some to spread fear and mis-trust.

Here is how it started, scroll down to the bottom. http://www.tuskegee.edu/Global/Story.asp?s=1207586

Just another way people use fear to control.

My brother firmly believes the US government blew up the Twin Towers in order to create a climate of fear and justify the Global War on Terror.

I believe all conspiracy theories are manufactured by the CIA to stop amateur investigators looking into what's really going on....

Chimera_Calvin wrote:I believe all conspiracy theories are manufactured by the CIA to stop amateur investigators looking into what's really going on....

That's exactly what they want you to think.

We have crazy conspiracy nuts serving us in Congress, too.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27655039/

Best quote of the article -- "I'm not comparing him (Obama) to Adolf Hitler. What I'm saying is there is the potential of going down that road."

More than a little nutty ,considering the proposal sounds like something more akin to the WPA or CCC than the KGB.