Fire and brimstone raining down upon Earth, a massive flood or alien invaders—however they believe it will happen, numerous people believe the world is coming to an end.
As the supposed apocalypse nears, many have taken vastly different opinions on whether it is actually going to happen or how it might occur.
Taking their beliefs seriously, some people have taken the apocalypse to heart and have been preparing for the disaster that they believe may come.
Living emerged in a mass of disbelief, these “preppers” as they are called, stay firm in their ways and deem it really is the end times. They believe it is not a joke.
Senior Cassy Johnson’s father has been stocking up for the end of the world for about three years and takes it very seriously.
“When he first started [preparing] he was talking about it and I was like, ‘what do you think is going to happen, a zombie apocalypse?’ And he said, ‘no but if something does happen, I’m ready for it,’” Johnson said. “And as it’s gotten closer to [Dec. 21] he’s really adamant that some natural disaster is going to happen.”
Many people, such as senior Jordan Mangus, do not take the apocalypse seriously at all and believe it is not going to happen this year
“Even If I knew for sure there would be an apocalypse, I’d just throw a party [instead of preparing],” Mangus said. “I would call up my buddies and party, go out with a bang.”
Johnson’s dad has been prepping for quite a while and not only for the 2012 apocalypse.
“I’d say it’s been about three years,” Johnson said. “He’s not really into the normal type of situations, when we had the big power outage last year with the ice storm, he was really ready for it; we had power; we had food we could eat that was actually good, we had money to buy food and stuff and chains on all the cars so we could get around. I think that was really helpful.”
Mangus is skeptical about the apocalypse, however respects people who are preparing.
“I think of it the same way I think about people who are religious, they can choose to believe if they want,” Mangus said. “But for me I have no belief of this apocalypse stuff.”
Johnson herself also doesn’t think the apocalypse will happen but compliments her dad’s lifestyle.
“I don’t think it’s going to happen, if it does, whatever; if it doesn’t, whatever. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,” Johnson said. “There is nothing we can do to stop it and if it does happen, I’ll be glad he has been prepared for it.”
Drama teacher PJ Sirl wishes that if the “preppers” believed it was the end, they would donate possessions to less fortunate individuals.
“If they are really concerned the world was going to end I wish they would give their worldly possessions to those in need,” Sirl said.
Johnson says that even without doomsday, she is glad the family is prepared for disaster.
“[If the apocalypse doesn’t happen] we will probably be the same, I think he’s really prepared for the things that could happen,” Johnson said. “If nothing big does happen I don’t think it would affect him negatively.”
Sirl doesn’t believe the end is near but respects the opinions of those who do.
“Every year there is some group thinking something is going to happen,” Sirl said. “I think everybody is entitled to live their life the way they want.”
