It alternately saddens and annoys me when I read the warnings of the Y2K doomsayers. My reaction is heightened dramatically when it comes from the religious community ostensibly based on some perceived Biblical principle. And the worst case of all is when someone who is supposed to be representing Christianity ties the upcoming events to the second coming of Christ.

I have been a software developer for over 21 years and work with a large group of professionals who are directly involved in Y2K preparations for a large, multinational corporation. Everyone knows there will be minor problems but not one of the people I have asked in this area including management and I repeat, not one of them plans to make any significant provisions for January of next year.

Most likely the biggest impact will be made by the fear mongers who are spreading their Chicken Little story to their unsuspecting prey. As Donald Ratajczak recently put it, our greatest threat from Y2K is irrational fear.

People can hide behind the mantle of Christianity if they wish and quote all their Bible verses and talk about how being prepared will give us a witness opportunity but they are not being part of a solution, they are being part of the problem.

According to the Joseph Project 2000 spokesman, their motto is "be prepared, not scared." If they honestly tell people what the odds are that any one person will be significantly impacted, those people would probably want to ask them why they are wasting everyone's time.