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So You Survived the Rapture. What now?

Online bullshit that’s damaging our kids

Suburban dad in slippers stares at a quiet blue sky while a church sign behind him says “Rapture: Postponed, See Bulletin.” A laundry basket sits on the porch.

If you’re reading this, you didn’t hear the trumpet didn’t blow.

Congratulations.

In case you missed it, the big trend on TikTok (and the topic of most our kid’s conversations) is THE RAPTURE. TikTok’s big “Rapture Day” came and went like every other doomsday scenario with lot’s of social media engagement and zero vanishings. The only thing that ascended yesterday was engagement. And this type of engagement is dangerous to our kids.

If you’re wondering what the hell I’m talking about here’s a quick primer. Right wing commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated during a Utah Valley University event on Sep. 10, 2025. The case has spawned a wave of misinformation and conspiracies online.

FACT: We know who did it. We just don’t have a motive. But very far right influencers, especially on Tik Tok, are comparing Kirk’s death the the biblical opening of the “Seventh Seal” mentioned in the book of Revelations. The end is here, claims the far right. And they are using social media to spread the message. And that’s extremely dangerous because our kids see this crap with no filter.

Let’s be clear, the concept the Rapture is internet apocalyptic fan-fiction, not scripture or serious theology. The entire concept of the Rapture isn’t even in the Bible. It was invented in the 1830s by some guy named John Nelson Darby. The concept of an afterlife-starting event was conjured up by a dude from the 19th century. It was a grift, selling fear and salvation in an US (the righteous chosen) vs THEM (The evil progressives) wrapper. TikTokers are spreading a conspiracy theory that’s almost 200 years old. There is zero biblical or theological basis for claiming Charlie Kirk’s assassination “opened the 7th seal” or began the Rapture.

What’s actually in Revelation: the seventh seal simply leads to “silence in heaven for about half an hour,” then the seven trumpets begin. It does not tie that moment to any specific modern person or political event. Read Rev. 8: 1–2 yourself.

The right wing LOVES to confuse your kids with “signs”. It’s part of their playbook.

Some are trying to fold a very real September tragedy into end-times content. That’s ghoulish. Tragedy is tragedy. Turning it into prophecy bait is a moral face-plant, and credible reporting treated it as what it was: a criminal act, not a cosmic countdown.

Teach your kids how doom-content works: it preys on fear, it pays in clicks, it sell merchandise, it asks you for a donation, and it always has a revised date.

How to spot the BS:

  • Prophets don’t offer promo codes for t-shirts, nutrition supplements and exclusive memberships. Teach your kids that it’s a grift.
  • Pumping Panic isn’t part of natural curiosity. Encourage your kids to ask questions. But also teach them to never ask from a place of irrational fear.
  • No forwarding content that ends with “link in bio.” That’s a sure sign of a recruitment pipeline. It’s a grift
How do end the end-times bullshit?

The sad fact is we can’t. Conspiracy theories have existed since the cave man days when ZUGG sewed doubt among his tribe that he killed Ugg with a rock to the skull. ZUGG blamed ERRG and the tribe fell for it. the rock.

Conspiracy theories like the Rapture, who really killed Kennedy, 5G phone service is a weapon to control you will always come back. It always does. New month, new date, same panic-to-purchase funnel. But our kids are watching how we respond. They need our help to process it. Let’s be the adults checks the source, has reliable information, shuts down the conversation with facts.

One day, the world WILL end. But we don’t know if it will be by heavenly trumpet or by the Chiefs not making it to the Sper Bowl. Honestly, I don’t give a shit about how or when it’s going to end. That’s out of my hands.

What I do give a shit about is what happens between now and then. Small honest wins, at home and work. Doing work that doesn’t get noticed or thanked, but made the world a little better. Showing up, even when it’s a real pain in the ass. Making a home and being a parent kids will run to, not from. Be thankful. Be empathetic. Say grace. Go to bed and repeat it all tomorrow.

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Joe Paul

Online bullshit that’s damaging our kids

Suburban dad in slippers stares at a quiet blue sky while a church sign behind him says “Rapture: Postponed, See Bulletin.” A laundry basket sits on the porch.

If you’re reading this, you didn’t hear the trumpet didn’t blow.

Congratulations.

In case you missed it, the big trend on TikTok (and the topic of most our kid’s conversations) is THE RAPTURE. TikTok’s big “Rapture Day” came and went like every other doomsday scenario with lot’s of social media engagement and zero vanishings. The only thing that ascended yesterday was engagement. And this type of engagement is dangerous to our kids.

If you’re wondering what the hell I’m talking about here’s a quick primer. Right wing commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated during a Utah Valley University event on Sep. 10, 2025. The case has spawned a wave of misinformation and conspiracies online.

FACT: We know who did it. We just don’t have a motive. But very far right influencers, especially on Tik Tok, are comparing Kirk’s death the the biblical opening of the “Seventh Seal” mentioned in the book of Revelations. The end is here, claims the far right. And they are using social media to spread the message. And that’s extremely dangerous because our kids see this crap with no filter.

Let’s be clear, the concept the Rapture is internet apocalyptic fan-fiction, not scripture or serious theology. The entire concept of the Rapture isn’t even in the Bible. It was invented in the 1830s by some guy named John Nelson Darby. The concept of an afterlife-starting event was conjured up by a dude from the 19th century. It was a grift, selling fear and salvation in an US (the righteous chosen) vs THEM (The evil progressives) wrapper. TikTokers are spreading a conspiracy theory that’s almost 200 years old. There is zero biblical or theological basis for claiming Charlie Kirk’s assassination “opened the 7th seal” or began the Rapture.

What’s actually in Revelation: the seventh seal simply leads to “silence in heaven for about half an hour,” then the seven trumpets begin. It does not tie that moment to any specific modern person or political event. Read Rev. 8: 1–2 yourself.

The right wing LOVES to confuse your kids with “signs”. It’s part of their playbook.

Some are trying to fold a very real September tragedy into end-times content. That’s ghoulish. Tragedy is tragedy. Turning it into prophecy bait is a moral face-plant, and credible reporting treated it as what it was: a criminal act, not a cosmic countdown.

Teach your kids how doom-content works: it preys on fear, it pays in clicks, it sell merchandise, it asks you for a donation, and it always has a revised date.

How to spot the BS:

  • Prophets don’t offer promo codes for t-shirts, nutrition supplements and exclusive memberships. Teach your kids that it’s a grift.
  • Pumping Panic isn’t part of natural curiosity. Encourage your kids to ask questions. But also teach them to never ask from a place of irrational fear.
  • No forwarding content that ends with “link in bio.” That’s a sure sign of a recruitment pipeline. It’s a grift
How do end the end-times bullshit?

The sad fact is we can’t. Conspiracy theories have existed since the cave man days when ZUGG sewed doubt among his tribe that he killed Ugg with a rock to the skull. ZUGG blamed ERRG and the tribe fell for it. the rock.

Conspiracy theories like the Rapture, who really killed Kennedy, 5G phone service is a weapon to control you will always come back. It always does. New month, new date, same panic-to-purchase funnel. But our kids are watching how we respond. They need our help to process it. Let’s be the adults checks the source, has reliable information, shuts down the conversation with facts.

One day, the world WILL end. But we don’t know if it will be by heavenly trumpet or by the Chiefs not making it to the Sper Bowl. Honestly, I don’t give a shit about how or when it’s going to end. That’s out of my hands.

What I do give a shit about is what happens between now and then. Small honest wins, at home and work. Doing work that doesn’t get noticed or thanked, but made the world a little better. Showing up, even when it’s a real pain in the ass. Making a home and being a parent kids will run to, not from. Be thankful. Be empathetic. Say grace. Go to bed and repeat it all tomorrow.

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