Why is Numerology always wrong?

Well, it's probably because it is not based on reality. Today is June 6, 2006. For those of you who may not be paying attention (or maybe you have a life) there has been considerable consternation and hand wringing by many "numerologists", religious wackos, and nutjobs of every stripe about the fact that the date is 6/6/06. Or 6/6/6. Which means that today June 6, 2006 is equal to 666 the "Number of the Beast" that is mentioned in Christian prophesy.

There was supposed to be a major event happening today! Some predicted the "Rapture" would happen and all of god's favorite boys and girls would disappear to heaven. Others predicted that the Antichrist himself would announce himself (itself?) on international TV. Well, the only notworthy thing that happened today in connection with 6/6/06 is that "The Omen" premiered in theaters across the country. YAWN!

Here is a letter from toady's Sacramento Bee that highlights the idiocy of this line of superstition.

Re "A Revelation of the Beast?" May 28: There seems to be actual credence given to Revelation's passage where "everyone" must bear a mark so that no one may buy or sell without it. It is "man's number," "666." Biblical manuscripts also mention a different number (616 in some). It seems the Mark of the Beast found in Christian eschatology isn't always precisely 666.

There's been discussion of anagrams of DCLXVI (Roman numerals for 666), anything containing 18 (the sum of 6 + 6 + 6), Ronald Wilson Reagan (6 letters compose the late president's names), Roman emperors Nero or Domitian, etc.

This year, even those without the mark, can "buy and sell" tickets to the remake of "The Omen" (opening 06-06-2006, which is, in fact, only 666 if the millennium is dropped from the date: ditto 06-06-1906, 1806, 1706, etc.) The only real date 666 was way back on June 6, 6 (when Jesus was 6, according to the Gregorian Calendar).

Things get really complicated when we consider that today's calendar was promulgated by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. The essential dates of the Christianity, however, were written under the Julian calendar, introduced well before even Christ himself.

- Eric Mathias, Sacramento