Is there any book-based religion that includes an explicit expiry date?

[Boojatta]

The idea is that:

1. If there are few adherents as of that date, then that particular book was given a fair trial and failed to influence people.

2. If there are many adherents as of that date, then the book will have influenced people, and that influence should be enough. If people continue to defer to it, then there's a serious risk that the effect will be to impede moral progress. Prior to the expiry date, people will have to write (in clear and non-archaic language) their understanding of whatever worthwhile message it contains.

[msongs]

1. religion expires when the money runs out lol nt

[Speck Tater]

2. Christianity. The Bible said Jesus would return before the then current generation passed.

When he didn't show, they changed how they "interpreted" that prophecy.

[timeforpeace]

3. If you're referring to Islam and the 12th imam crap, they don't care. It's a moving target.

[Boojatta]

4. Kick to elicit responses from people who can give references.

[surrealAmerican]

5. Both Speck Tater and timeforpeace have made the point ...

... If the religion has influence after the "expiration date", the expiration date will be theologically justified to be recalculated or eliminated. It's either that a a Jim Jones style mass suicide, and few religious leaders would want that.

If the religion's adherents diminish enough, weather there is an expiration date or not, it will be either forgotten or regarded as mythology.

[Boojatta]

6. "theologically justified to be recalculated or eliminated"

If the expiry date is very clear and prominent and is stated and explained in every section of the book, then wouldn't there be a lot of controversy about any attempt to recalculate or eliminate it?

[surrealAmerican]

8. The problem with making the date that clear would be ...

... that it would severely limit the number of adherents you would get. It might work for a small cult (which could only last a short time), but if people cannot interpret the tenets to fit their lives, they will reject the religion.

[Boojatta]

9. Let's say the date happens to be approximately two hundred years in the future...

from when you first become acquainted with the religion. Would you conclude that the religion doesn't fit your life?

[surrealAmerican]

12. So long as it's a "not in your lifetime" date ...

... the religion would be able to sustain followers. The problem is eventually you will have a generation facing the end, and they will either end up rewriting the doctrine, or augmenting it. You only delay the problem.

[Boojatta]

7. "It's either that or a Jim Jones style mass suicide"

Why would the arrival of the date when the book is to be no longer printed and no longer directly quoted be an occasion for anyone to commit suicide, especially given the assumption that the date was known to everyone who actually read the book?

[surrealAmerican]

10. If the religion is successful, ...

... the followers are emotionally invested in it. They will not give it up so easily.

Imagine if you converted to this time-limited religion. You read the book, and it changed your life in what you think is a positive way. Would you be so willing to say, "The book is no longer relevant", when it could still be "helping" you and others?

[The Straight Story]

11. Yeah, mayans book expires in 2012

:rofl:

[dysfunctional press]

13. their calander is based on a 26,000 year cycle...

and when the new ones come out in a couple years, i want to get one with kittens.

a kitten-a-day, times 26,000 years...that's a lot of kittens.

[The Straight Story]

14. If only the mayans had spayed/neutered

They need a new god, named bob barker :)

[Boojatta]

15. Kick