Apocalypticism

/əˌpɒkəˈlɪptɪˌsɪzəm/ noun

Definition

A belief system or worldview centered on the imminent end of the world or the coming of a divine judgment or revelation.

Etymology

From Greek 'apokalyptein' (to reveal) + '-icism' (ideology). The term developed in religious studies to describe eschatological belief systems across Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and other traditions.

Kelly Says

Apocalypticism has driven history constantly—millennialism, Millerite movements, Y2K predictions—humans keep feeling the end is nigh, which psychologists think reveals something about how we process existential anxiety.

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