If you buy the prophetic ramblings of 89 year-old engineer-turned-preacher Harold Camping the world is scheduled to end today - Saturday, May 21, 2011. Surprising that Camping is so keen to usher in end-times. His enterprises have been doing pretty well in a tough economy.
NY Times:
A former civil engineer, Mr. Camping, 89, built a small nonprofit empire in radio, going from a single station in San Francisco to more than 200 radio stations and a pair of television stations, according to The Bay Citizen, which also reported the organization’s most recent I.R.S. financial disclosure filings, showing $34 million in investments, $56 million in assets and $29 million in mortgages.
Camping has an apocalypse-events preview of sorts for the upcoming "Judgment Day" drama. As of this posting a massive earthquake is reportedly going to start up in New Zealand and rumble its way around the globe. While all this rattling and rolling is going on, graves will open and and two hundred million of the "saved" will float up to heaven in the so-called "rapture." So be sure to wave as great uncle Ebeneezer and great great grandma Jemima levitate skyward.
Thanks to donations from followers who tune into the Family Radio Network, Camping has been able to launch a huge ad campaign heralding the impending apocalypse. There are over 2,000 billboards across the US warning of the end-to-come with slogans such as "Blow the trumpet, warn the people."
It's amazing that there is anyone out there who takes Camping's prophesies seriously, particularly when you look at the hokey bible-based numerology he uses to support his predictions. This includes trotting out implausible dates for events that are more myth than historical fact. For example he claims that Jesus was crucified on April 1, 33 AD and that May 21 marks the 7,000th anniversary of Noah's flood. Funny stuff.
In common with other evangelical doomsday preachers Camping sees evil everywhere... too much rampant sexuality, too many gays joining the ranks of the clergy, too many 'Satanic' goings on wherever you look.
When May 22 dawns, it won't be the first time Camping's predictions have come back to bite him. He predicted that Christ would return on September 6, 1994. His followers even dressed their kids up in their Sunday best to wait for the big non-event. It's unclear if Camping and co will be dressing for judgment this time around.
Christian detractors call Camping "a false prophet." He's most of all an eccentric with a taste for publicity. One thing is for certain - when May 22 rolls around yet another religious wingnut will have flamed out in grand style. Some people might even be disappointed... especially those who joined a Facebook page dedicated to "Post-Rapture Looting." An entry on the page reads:
“When everyone is gone and God’s not looking we need to pick up some sweet stereo equipment.”
Grey bloke's amusing take on Camping's apocalypse beneath:
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For more on the story link to Guardian - NY Times - Time - LA Times - CBC - Independent
Pictures - Independent
