As December 21, 2012 approaches, the idea of the rumored "Doomsday" has affected different regions of the world in various ways. China has seemingly been affected in a negative way with the rumors causing anxiety and violence in the country.
According to numerous reports, the Chinese Government has taken steps to crack down on a cult that has been continuously prophesying that the end of the world is near. The group is known as The Almighty God and has been distributing apocalyptic literature and text messages throughout China. In response to their behavior, the government has already arrested well over 100 members of the group in hopes of ending the panic that they are causing throughout the country.
Arrests began in the Fujian province on December 8 when police arrested 34 members. Last Thursday another 37 arrests were made in Xining.
"Dec. 21 is approaching, and on that day half of the world's good people will die, and all evil people will die out - only if you join the Almighty God movement can you avoid death and be saved," warned one of the pamphlets confiscated by police in Shaoxing city. A text message predicted, "Great tsunamis and earthquakes are about to happen around the world."
Another major reason for the crackdown is purely political. According to NPR, The Almighty God group was also urging its followers to start a war to take down the Communist Party in China.
Doomsday is also being related as one of the main reasons behind savage attacks on 23 school children. According to The Christian Science Monitor, the children in a rural Chinese elementary school were attacked by suspect Min Yongjun due to Doomsday rumors. While the police in Guangshan county has been unable to find out his motives, Doomsday is being purported as a guiding force behind Min Yongjun's actions. None of the stabbed children died from the attack.
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