societySep 26, 202518:10pending
The Rapture was a bust, but it still feels like doomsday.
About this episode
The Christian rapture didn't happen as predicted, but a lot of you still feel like we're living in end times. Why is that?
Right now - from religion to climate change to doomsday prepping - there's a lot of talk about the end of the world. And, yeah, there was a lot of joking (and some believing) this week that the rapture would happen, but this all points to a broader feeling a lot of us have: that something has to change. But what?
In this episode, Brittany is joined by culture writer Joshua Rivera and national writer for Religion News Service Bob Smietana. They answer those questions and get into why the rapture is so appealing to Christians and non-Christians alike. And how Christian beliefs about the end of days are seeping into all of our minds.
(0:35) The story of how The Rapture went viral
(3:57) What even is The Rapture?
(6:32) Why The Rapture is so alluring to Americans
(11:45) Why 4 in 10 Americans believe we are in the end times
(13:32) How TikTok contributes to our anxiety about the apocalypse
(15:19) How Evangelical beliefs fuels MAGA policies
(17:15) Why all of us - regardless of faith - think the end is near
Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluse
For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
Right now - from religion to climate change to doomsday prepping - there's a lot of talk about the end of the world. And, yeah, there was a lot of joking (and some believing) this week that the rapture would happen, but this all points to a broader feeling a lot of us have: that something has to change. But what?
In this episode, Brittany is joined by culture writer Joshua Rivera and national writer for Religion News Service Bob Smietana. They answer those questions and get into why the rapture is so appealing to Christians and non-Christians alike. And how Christian beliefs about the end of days are seeping into all of our minds.
(0:35) The story of how The Rapture went viral
(3:57) What even is The Rapture?
(6:32) Why The Rapture is so alluring to Americans
(11:45) Why 4 in 10 Americans believe we are in the end times
(13:32) How TikTok contributes to our anxiety about the apocalypse
(15:19) How Evangelical beliefs fuels MAGA policies
(17:15) Why all of us - regardless of faith - think the end is near
Follow Brittany Luse on Instagram: @bmluse
For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub.
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
Get every episode summarized
Each time It's Been a Minute publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from It's Been a Minute
In America, are you what you wear?
It's Been a Minute
Sep 4, 202623:15completed
Where did all the 'masculine men' go?
It's Been a Minute
Sep 2, 202625:37pending
It's healthy to eat your feelings. Here's why.
It's Been a Minute
Sep 1, 202637:21pending
The rise of 'intentional living'
It's Been a Minute
Aug 31, 202626:37pending