Chapter 5
1244words
I remained holed up in Kate's apartment, but now my attention was fixed on the online reaction. #RainbowRapture was spreading in ways we hadn't anticipated—most people were using it to savage religious extremism.
But the most fascinating development was the chaos erupting within religious communities.
At 2:30 PM, breaking news: Holy Light Gospel Church had called an emergency meeting.
"Local evangelical church calls emergency meeting to address aftermath of failed 'Rapture Day' prophecy. Congregation reportedly divided over interpretation of mysterious items discovered in local backyard…"
I immediately texted Jessica: "Church emergency meeting! You there?"
Jessica: Outside now! They're already fighting!
Me: Record everything!
Minutes later, Jessica sent video footage. About thirty people clustered outside the church, clearly split into opposing camps, arguing heatedly.
Through Jessica's footage, I heard their heated exchange:
Conservative Man: "This is Satan's deception! God would never choose those perverts!"
Confused Woman: "But… if the Rapture really happened, why are we still here?"
Conservative Elder: "Because it wasn't the real Rapture! It's obviously some kind of hoax!"
Younger Member: "But those footprints… those angel wings… they looked so authentic…"
Conservative Man: "You're all being fooled! Scripture clearly condemns homosexuality! God wouldn't save unrepentant sinners!"
Confused Woman: "Then why is that girl missing? Why were only her clothes left behind?"
These people were genuinely confused. Their doctrine told them LGBT people were sinners, but the "evidence" suggested only LGBT people had "ascended."
At 3 PM, Pastor John Wilson emerged to address reporters and congregation members. He looked exhausted, clearly having been awake all night.
Reporter: "Pastor Wilson, how do you explain that the predicted Rapture didn't occur last night, yet today we find evidence suggesting someone may have ascended?"
The pastor hesitated visibly before answering: "We… we need to carefully examine this phenomenon. True Rapture involves spiritual transformation, not physical evidence."
Reporter: "But your congregation seems divided on this interpretation?"
The pastor glanced at his arguing flock, looking utterly lost: "We're praying for divine guidance in this confusing time."
Reporter: "Do you believe Emily Ross was actually raptured?"**
The question visibly stumped the pastor. If he said yes, he'd be admitting LGBT people could be divinely chosen; if he said no, he'd need to explain the evidence.
Pastor: "I… we need more time to discern God's will in this matter."
Meanwhile, #RainbowRapture exploded across social media, mostly as satirical commentary:
@IronicChristian: So let me get this straight: the "devout believers" are still here while the LGBT folks they condemned got raptured? This plot twist is chef's kiss 😂 #RainbowRapture
@SarcasticSally: Maybe we've been reading the Bible wrong all along. Perhaps "love thy neighbor" actually means ALL neighbors, including LGBT folks? Mind blown. 🌈 #RainbowRapture #PlotTwist
@MemeLord2024: [Image: Saint Peter at pearly gates with rainbow flag] "Sorry, we're only accepting LGBT applicants at this time" #RainbowRapture #HeavenlyGayAgenda
@PhilosophyProf: This incident perfectly exposes religious prejudice's fundamental contradiction. When your deity apparently chooses those you condemn, what remains of your theological framework? #RainbowRapture #CognitiveDissonance
@QueerActivist: Real or not, watching homophobes process the possibility that "only queers go to heaven" is absolutely delicious 😈 #RainbowRapture #DivineKarma
At 4 PM, Jessica updated me on Aunt Margaret. She'd locked herself in her bedroom all afternoon, refusing all visitors.
Jessica had managed to speak with Aunt's neighbor, Mrs. Johnson:
Mrs. Johnson: "Margaret's been sobbing since she got back this morning. I could hear her through the wall, praying loudly, asking God why He was testing her faith. She kept repeating 'This can't be happening, this can't be happening.'"
Jessica: "Did she mention Emily at all?"
Mrs. Johnson: "She kept saying Emily couldn't possibly have been chosen, that it must be the devil's work. But… I could hear the doubt in her voice. She's questioning everything now."
Hearing this, I felt conflicting emotions. Part of me felt vindicated by my aunt's distress—she deserved this reckoning. But another part felt something else about her crumbling faith… not sympathy exactly, but a strange hollowness.
Even more interesting, other Rapture believers were experiencing similar crises.
Local news reported multiple related incidents:
"Multiple Rapture believers sought crisis counseling today. Mental health experts explain that when deeply-held religious expectations fail to materialize, severe cognitive dissonance often results…"
"One believer wrote online: 'We prepared for years, sold everything we owned, and nothing happened. Now they're saying only LGBT people were taken? What does my faith even mean anymore?'"
"Another follower commented: 'Maybe we've misinterpreted God's plan all along. Maybe God truly loves those we've rejected more than those who claim to speak for Him.'"
I realized our plan had created far greater impact than anticipated. This wasn't just about revenge against Aunt Margaret; it was challenging the very foundations of religious extremism.
Not all religious responses were negative. Some progressive faith leaders seized the opportunity to discuss inclusivity:
San Francisco United Church pastor wrote: "Whether this phenomenon is authentic or not, it forces us to confront a crucial question: is our faith rooted in love or fear? If we truly believe God is love, how can we justify rejecting any of God's children?"
Another progressive minister tweeted: "Perhaps this 'rainbow rapture' is divine commentary on our prejudices. God's love transcends our human limitations and biases. #RainbowRapture #LoveWins"
But these voices were quickly drowned out by outraged conservative reactions.
By evening, I realized phase two of our plan had succeeded beyond expectations.
The church was fracturing, believers questioning core doctrines, religious leaders fumbling for explanations, and Aunt Margaret experiencing profound spiritual crisis.
Most significantly, online mockery had turned religious extremism into a punchline. #RainbowRapture became shorthand for mocking all forms of religious prejudice.
@ComedyWriter: New theological theory: Heaven is actually one eternal Pride parade, while Hell is just sitting through endless homophobic sermons. Makes sense now! #RainbowRapture
@SocialCritic: This perfectly illustrates cognitive dissonance in action: when your entire worldview is built on prejudice, contradictory evidence doesn't change your mind—it breaks it. #RainbowRapture #PsychologyLesson
Most surprisingly, unexpected allies began embracing the "Rainbow Rapture Theory":
@FormerFundamentalist: As a recovered evangelical extremist, I've learned that hatred cannot flow from a God of love. This "miracle" perfectly illustrates what Christianity should actually represent. #RainbowRapture #Redemption
@TeenageRebel: My mom's been telling me I'll burn in hell for being bi since I was 13. Can't wait to show her the news that I'm apparently heaven's VIP! #RainbowRapture #UnoReverseCard
@AllyMom: As both a Christian mother and LGBTQ+ ally, I believe this "miracle"—real or not—perfectly captures God's true essence: unconditional love for ALL children. #RainbowRapture #PFLAG
At 8 PM, I shut down my laptop and collapsed on the couch, processing the day's events.
The second phase had succeeded beyond my wildest expectations. Not just Aunt Margaret's worldview was crumbling—the entire religious extremist community was in crisis.
Most importantly, the chaos had evolved organically in ways we never planned. People weren't literally believing in a Rapture, but using our creation to challenge and mock religious bigotry.
"Do you think we went too far?" I asked Kate.
Kate considered thoughtfully: "You know what? I think society needs this kind of shock therapy. Sometimes people only examine their prejudices when confronted with their absurdity."
"And," she added, "seeing all those LGBTQ kids finding empowerment online, finally having a way to push back against those who've hurt them… I think that makes it worthwhile."
I nodded. Tomorrow would bring more chaos, more questioning, more reckoning.
And Aunt Margaret… her world was disintegrating piece by piece.
That was the power of the second phase of justice.
