Hello Richard,

Thank you for putting the record straight on Evangelicals. It's good to know only a small number hold this strange lemming-like compulsion towards Jews, the end of the world, the final termination of all things. Perhaps, as a Catholic, I can safely say not all us christians have this curious affinity with the Day of Judgement. Indeed, I strongly suspect most of us would be prepared put the occasion off for as long as possible, avoiding it altogether if we could. Had we the choice, our diaries on that particular day would indicate our presence very much elsewhere.

It occurred to me this morning, after I'd read your article, that, maybe, we're not seeing this in its proper context. The majority view is that Armageddon is some future battle, foretold and depicted, between the forces of Good and Evil; the expectation here being that Good will eventually triumph and Evil will be utterly routed. Apparently, the good guys do get to win this one. But, maybe, Armageddon is already upon us and has been for quite some time. Battle has been joined but we just don't see it as such.

Time is a relative concept. Who is to say what is the future and when it will end? Armageddon is depicted as a titanic clash of armies and interests totally inimicable to one another. To me, as an engineer, that's always seemed a very haphazard way of deciding the issue. Where is the symmetry, the elegance, the subtle touches that might enhance, even make attractive, this somewhat forbidding closure to the human experience. Perhaps the whole thing is symbolic, a wake-up call to every succeeding generation.

I see it more as a battle of ideas, concepts of good and evil which must be contested not so much on some physical platform but also within the mind and soul of each individual and, by extension, among whatever larger groups might then have their business in such matters.

Perhaps, by implication, Armageddon is actually being fought all around us - and all the time. If it is, then indications are that the good guys aren't winning. And that can't be right, can it?

Well, Richard, I've frightened myself enough for one day. You know my feelings on the subject. http://yorketowers.blogspot.com

Have a good one.

John Yorke.