When catastrophe feels imminent, ordinary goals may seem pointless.

Failed prophecies can reinforce loyalty rather than trigger doubt.

Lifton's Aum study shows how promised salvation can justify destruction.

Over a decade ago, I interviewed former Jehovah’s Witness elder Roberto di Stefano. At the time, he had told me about a disturbing encounter that came about years after 1974, when he had delivered a congregation talk stressing to his congregants how 1975 would finally bring Armageddon.

Years later, a member approached him and described how frightened she had been. The message made her feel as though she had to sell her possessions and preach full time. She had given up so much in order to prepare for what she thought was the end.

Roberto barely remembered the talk until he found the religious bulletin and his handwritten notes. She was right. Yet when 1975 passed without Armageddon, his faith was unshaken. Perhaps, he reasoned, God was allowing more time to preach.

When we observe the results of apocalyptic belief, this is one of the core results that we see—in that a predicted world-ending event need not even arrive for the prophecy to reshape and upend someone's entire life.

Urgency Creates Obedience

This result is not at all surprising. If we are told, in no uncertain terms, that the world is ending, planning for next year or the far-away future can feel pointless. Why would anybody pursue an education, save their money, or do anything other than preach to others if none of it will even matter?

In 1974, the Watch Tower Society (Jehovah's Witnesses) had commended members selling homes and........

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