The Great Disappointment

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The Millerites are an interesting group. Along with the various Adventist denominations, the Jehovah's Witnesses have connections to the Millerite movement, and the Bahá'ís credit Miller's analysis of the time of Christ's return.

The Great Disappointment is viewed by some scholars as an example of cognitive dissonance. The theory describes the formation of new beliefs and increased proselytizing in order to reduce the tension, or dissonance, that results from failed prophecies. According to the theory, believers experienced tension following the failure of Jesus' reappearance in 1844, which led to a variety of new explanations. The various solutions form a part of the teachings of the different groups that outlived the disappointment.

The Seventh-Day Adventist are also part of the Second Great Awakening, a period of great religious revival in the United States.

And finally, according to some people we are fast approaching the next big one. They claim Dec 21, 2012 is the end of world. It should be interesting to see if new religions spring up out of the next great disappointment.

Here's a Countdown Clock To Dec 21, 2012.

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