The Symbol of the Anti-Christ and its influence on American Pop Culture”

THE TWO FACES OF THE ANTI-CHRIST

The Devil Incarnate or The Revolt Against Status Quo

2007 ABSTRACT

The concept of the Anti-Christ is one which is widely prevalent , albeit not always recognizable , in American popular culture today . From its Biblical roots , to the notions of the Anti-Christ Government , to the common symbols and omens attributed to the Anti-Christ , and finally , to its presence in popular media today - the Anti-Christ has long ceased to be regarded as a nemesis but rather as a cult figure . In comic books television programs , movies

, books , and songs - the Anti-Christ is depicted in various ways to symbolize rebellion to the status quo or to simply draw the attention of the public for profit-making purposes Whether the use of the Anti-Christ in popular culture is meant to directly encourage rebellion to the social , or simply as a means to provide for a thrill factor for the audiences , the use thereof nevertheless carries subliminal messages to the public . As such , the people behind mass media must always be mindful of their depictions of the Anti-Christ , and what the messages and impressions such depictions may impart upon the public

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 3

Background on the Anti-Christ 3

Introduction to the Study 3

Background and of the Study 3

Outline and Summary of Chapters 5

Interpretive Intentions 6

Literature Review 7

Defining the Anti-Christ 7

Tracing the Origins of the Anti-Christ 12

The Anti-Christ Government 24

Purpose and Methods of the Anti-Christ 26

Chapter 2 29

Depictions of the Anti-Christ in American Popular Culture 29

Introduction 29

The Number 666 ' 34

Omens 36

Comic Books 37

Television 37

Movies 40

The Omen 42

Rosemary 's Baby 45

A Note on the Manson Family 49

Books 52

The Lord of the Rings 52

His Dark Materials 54

Music 56

Opiate by Tool from Opiate Album (1992 ) 56

Judith by A Perfect Circle From the Album Mer de Noms (2000 ) 57

Influence on American Popular Culture 58

Chapter 3 62

Findings and Conclusions 62

Findings 62

Conclusion 69

BIBLIOGRAPHY 72 Chapter 1

Background on the Anti-Christ

Introduction to the Study

Background and of the Study

Dear children , this is the last hour and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming , even now many antichrists have come . This is how we know it is the last hour (I John 2 :18

The origins of the Anti-Christ remain one of the most researched , and controversial , s in history . The definition and concept of Anti-Christ has also gone through various changes since the biblical period , and even today , remains open to various meanings and interpretations . Yet it cannot be denied that the different definitions , interpretations , connotations , symbols , and images which have been identified as representing the Anti-Christ have become very pervasive in popular culture today . Their presence and influence in American pop culture has in fact become so pervasive that people may take these symbols for granted as mere everyday clichys devoid of context . Such casual...