Why the world might end next Saturday

Why the world might end next Saturday

A group of Christian activists believe the apocalypse is May 21. We look at the evidence, and the man behind it

Spring is finally here -- but apparently, the apocalypse will be fast on its trail. That's the word from a slight but outspoken group of spiritual devotees who believe that the world as we know it is coming to an end.

Maybe you've already encountered the literature: pamphlets, subway ads, billboards on the side of the highway. "Judgment Day is coming" reads one billboard, which features a man praying in silhouette against a sunset backdrop. These are the works of a peculiar breed of Christian activists who've taken to the road to preach their belief in the fast-approaching End of Days. The self-appointed harbingers are not tied to any particular church -- they claim organized religion has been corrupted by the devil -- but rather to Internet- and radio-based ministries. And their lone mission is to tell anyone and everyone that the end of days is May 21. That's when, they insist, God's true believers will be lifted into heaven and saved, during a biblical event widely referred to as the Rapture.

The finer points of Christian eschatology have long been the subject of dispute (not to mention the inspiration for movies and books, like the blockbuster "Left Behind" series). Though mainstream churches reject the the notion that doomsday can be predicted by any man, fringe scholars continue to work feverishly pinpointing the moment of the final, divine revelation. And one such man -- 89-year-old radio host Harold Camping -- has been at the game for decades.



more:
http://www.salon.com/news/religion/index.html?story=/news/feature/2011/05/10/rapture_may_21

how those guys keep making up one thing after another to keep themselves in the money and cracking the whip after the poor fools that follow them...

It will really put a dent into my family reunion plans. Well, I hope I get to see my favorite uncle before the rapture. ;)

to be for the end of the World/Universe than Hawaii...leaving on the 18th! I wonder if we should bring the cat? Seriously, this had better not mess up my vacation or I'm going Medieval on someone!!