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The End of the World Is (still) At Hand!
May 24, 2011 10:01 AM   Subscribe

Harold Camping refines his end of the world prediction. When the world didn't end this past Saturday at 6 pm Harold Camping went into seclusion for a bit to think about that.

After denying an interview to the International Business Times reporter who knocked on his door, Harold got back on his radio show yesterday to tell us that we aren't out of hot water yet. Harold now claims that May 21 turned out to be an "invisible judgement day" and the real deal is still out there and it's coming for us this October 21st. This is going to be small solace to some of his followers who spent their life savings in order to promote Family Radio's message.

Ministry Watch reports that Family Radio had assets totaling over 72 million in 2007. Meanwhile, others are starting to look for a different kind of judgement.
posted by Poet_Lariat (222 comments total) 13 users marked this as a favorite

i predict this will disappear
posted by clavdivs at 10:03 AM on May 24, 2011


or not.
posted by clavdivs at 10:03 AM on May 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


Isn't there an overcrowded prison in California that'll take this guy?
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 10:03 AM on May 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


I predict a swift end as well.
posted by Splunge at 10:03 AM on May 24, 2011


I'm having an Invisible Judgement Day right now.

In my pants.
posted by Horselover Phattie at 10:04 AM on May 24, 2011 [27 favorites]


Go away.
posted by parki at 10:04 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Folks, this is a big deal. He has to think it out.
posted by kuatto at 10:05 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Yes, clavdivs, but when will it disappear?
posted by Skeptic at 10:05 AM on May 24, 2011 [7 favorites]


Jehova's Witnesses already did the "it happened, we didn't see it" bit. Thhbbbbt.
posted by Sticherbeast at 10:05 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


On Monday’s broadcast, Camping speculated that perhaps a merciful God decided to spare humanity five months of “hell on earth.”

I hate you, Harold Camping.
posted by The Giant Squid at 10:06 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


When this guy eventually dies, he's going to think *that* day is the rapture, too.
posted by jocelmeow at 10:06 AM on May 24, 2011


The last two were deleted. This one will be, too.
posted by Plutor at 10:06 AM on May 24, 2011


Maybe this one will be an invisible deletion.
posted by Sticherbeast at 10:08 AM on May 24, 2011 [18 favorites]


On "invisible judgement day, "Sue Storm always wins!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:08 AM on May 24, 2011 [6 favorites]


I'm not all that hot on keeping this party going, but this post is a heck of a lot better than those last two. I'm willing to compromise here and say this one can stay but this is just about it.
posted by cortex at 10:08 AM on May 24, 2011 [6 favorites]


Why would God spare us for five more months and then drop the hammer on October 21 instead of the Appointed Time? Either God's weak-spined, inconsistent, flighty, or all of the above, which doesn't speak well of a supposedly omnipotent deity.
posted by blucevalo at 10:10 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I heard he went into seclusion at an exclusive retreat named that a famous international bank bought the naming rights to. Yes. That's right.

Campy Camping camping at Camp ING.
posted by Slap*Happy at 10:10 AM on May 24, 2011 [8 favorites]


I was all about to jump in with the 'this post is going to get raptured' theme, but I guess not?

I really don't see what the value of another post about this is..
posted by empath at 10:10 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


A bad subject is a bad subject regardless of the post. Posts about Camping are unlikely to end in anything other than the post itself's rapture.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:10 AM on May 24, 2011


I'm willing to compromise here

You're no God of mine.
posted by Drastic at 10:11 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


So there's no Tribulation anymore? That's a much more profound kind of packpedal than the one Camping did in 1994. Whatever audience he has (that's still not clear to me), will they be okay with someone telling them a bunch of stuff in the Bible just isn't going to happen?
posted by roll truck roll at 10:12 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


We've had our fun and it's time to move on. Please stop posting about this.
posted by ardgedee at 10:13 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Can somebody memail me when it's OK to talk about this again? As an atheist, I'm not sure I'm allowed to have an opinion.
posted by vibrotronica at 10:15 AM on May 24, 2011 [30 favorites]


This is a terrible post and you should feel terrible!
posted by entropicamericana at 10:16 AM on May 24, 2011 [5 favorites]


So, we are on secret double probation now?
posted by oddman at 10:16 AM on May 24, 2011 [6 favorites]


blucevalo: "Why would God spare us for five more months and then drop the hammer on October 21 instead of the Appointed Time?"

It was a mistake. He accidentally left the alarms silenced on His iPhone and so it didn't chirp at Him to remind Him that He had an appointment scheduled for the 21st. Skipping October is definitely a no-go, because forgetting May and then postponing Oct. just wouldn't go over well with the stockholders.

(God hasn't issued any statement at this time confirming this, but this is the scuttlebutt we're getting from His executive secretary.)
posted by caution live frogs at 10:16 AM on May 24, 2011


Thanks cortex :) But hey , if you think enough is enough then feel free to delete no harm no foul . I just thought it might be interesting to see some of the reactions that both Camping and his followers had after the predictable outcome. For some reason I am especially fascinated with that one minute clip of Camping coming to his door and (not) speaking to the reporter. I suspect the fallout from this is not over and wonder and marvel at what the reactions of his followers to this new prediction date will be. Also, there has to be more of a story out there in a corporation with 72 million in assets that is still putting out such irresponsible crap.
posted by Poet_Lariat at 10:16 AM on May 24, 2011


Is he drunk in that video or is that how he always talks?
posted by DU at 10:18 AM on May 24, 2011


So it's okay to blame all the destructive weather and geological events around the world on the gays again? Because I always love feeling SO POWERFUL MWAH HAH HAH!
posted by PapaLobo at 10:19 AM on May 24, 2011


s he drunk in that video or is that how he always talks?

What came to mind to me is that maybe this 89 year old (slightly confused?) man (who did this once before back in the mid 90's) is now maybe being used by a big 72 million dollar entity to generate income. I do wonder ...
posted by Poet_Lariat at 10:20 AM on May 24, 2011


Why wasn't Blondie linked in the FPP?
posted by Obscure Reference at 10:21 AM on May 24, 2011


I'm making a list:

Lady Gaga
Harold Camping

Ok..that about does it.
posted by tomswift at 10:21 AM on May 24, 2011 [5 favorites]


I'm sorry, but I thought it was obvious that God wasn't going to smite us until he released the iPhone 5.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 10:21 AM on May 24, 2011


I have a theory that these people who are capable of mass media attention and preach about the end of the world are, in actuality, Tyler Durden-esque folks attempting to motivate people to live their lives.
posted by Evernix at 10:22 AM on May 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


When the world didn't end this past Saturday at 6 pm, God went into seclusion for a bit to think about that.

After denying an interview to Anderson Cooper, who knocked on His door with a television crew, God got back on His cell phone to tell Harold Camping that we aren't out of hot water yet. God now claims that May 21 turned out to be an "invisible judgement day" and the real deal is still out there and it's coming for us this October 21st. This is going to be small solace to some of His followers who spent their life savings in order to promote God's message. God gave little in the way of explanation, except to say that He was "still working the kinks out," but that He would "definitely be ready to deliver some divine wrath" by fall.

For his part, Harold Camping was said to be sounding a bit skeptical. "This is the second time God has pulled this on me," Camping is reported to have said. If He doesn't come through for us in October, I'm taking my money and going home."

Jesus was unavailable for comment.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:24 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


The last link just goes to a lawyer who's trawling for cases.

It sullies The Blue.
posted by Trurl at 10:25 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I'll just bring forward my comment from the last deleted thread:

Surely Wolfram Alpha could help him sort all this out for once and for all.
posted by hippybear at 10:25 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Now, Harold...remember, a watched pot never boils.
posted by Hoopo at 10:26 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


and I still feel fine...
posted by Windopaene at 10:26 AM on May 24, 2011


In related news, Duke Nukem Forever went gold today.

COINCIDENCE?
posted by BitterOldPunk at 10:27 AM on May 24, 2011 [8 favorites]


Surely Wolfram Alpha could help him sort all this out for once and for all.

Not even Wolfram Alpha and Omega knows the hour. Only the Father knows.
posted by orthogonality at 10:28 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


I'm not really interested in Camping anymore, but I would like to see any good articles about reactions from his followers if anyone has some good ones to share. Particularly that family that was profiled in the NY Times, with the kids who (rightly) thought their parents were crazy.
posted by skewed at 10:28 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Surely Wolfram Alpha could help him sort all this out for once and for all.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=When+is+the+end+of+the+world%3F

Result:

5 billion years
(assuming the world ends when the sun burns out)
posted by Celsius1414 at 10:28 AM on May 24, 2011 [6 favorites]


This will be deleted, much like the others ...

But there's something to note here.

He hasn't changed his prediction, only removed (or severely diminished) a component. Camping, by saying that the 5/21 was a kind of invisible judgment, is revising his message severely. He's removed Judgment Day and left only the End of the World. There is no salvation, no meeting Jesus in the air. There is no more redemption. There is no hope.

I've accepted (as most have and should) that he is a charlatan, a Harold Hill for the End Times, but just imagine the message this gives his followers. Deluded as they are, their leader just told them that all of their efforts are for nothing. Worse than that, nothing they did mattered. All of the caravans, the billboards, the alienation, the life savings spent ... to no purpose, even imagined.

Heartless bastard.
posted by grabbingsand at 10:28 AM on May 24, 2011 [5 favorites]


Stole my joke.
posted by mmrtnt at 10:28 AM on May 24, 2011


I'm willing to compromise here and say this one can stay but this is just about it.

So, you are giving us five months' reprieve?
posted by Skeptic at 10:29 AM on May 24, 2011


So we can look forward to a new post on this issue every day again in October?
posted by rocket88 at 10:31 AM on May 24, 2011


LOL - You guys really hate posts about this sort of thing don't you? I'll remember to not do that for future posts. Me, I guess I find frauds and charlatans fascinating . And I am even more fascinated by the mental gymnastics that people do to justify their belief in an obvious fraud after they've been obviously taken. I kind of think of this guy as Bernie Madoff - but with a better schtick and I wonder if he really believes this crap himself somewhat or is completely a fake - probably why I find that 60 second clip of him so fascinating.
posted by Poet_Lariat at 10:31 AM on May 24, 2011 [10 favorites]


Celsius1414: *heh* I was more thinking about him doing all that math to figure out when the Flood was and how he kept getting it wrong and stuff... but that works too.
posted by hippybear at 10:32 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


First, they came for the invisibles…
posted by klangklangston at 10:34 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I (don't) see what you did there.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:37 AM on May 24, 2011


When this thread is raptured, the only material remains will be the [+] and [!] icons - just laying there like a pair of pants and a t-shirt on an empty, blue floor.
posted by xod at 10:38 AM on May 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


A question, in all sincerity: In a world full of nutjobs and doomsayers and con artists and unhinged monotheists, how did this particular doomsaying con-arting unhinged montheistic nutjob suddenly seize control of the international media spotlight? Did I miss the his Charlie Sheen tiger blood moment, or is it just some kind of viral thing that slid into the news cycle in a quiet moment and then got metastasized by the mainstream media?
posted by gompa at 10:39 AM on May 24, 2011 [11 favorites]


Why is this nutjob getting ANY media attention? Seriously. Who is he that we should give a rat's you know what about his ridiculous predictions? People have been predicting the end of times since before even Jesus' time (if he ever existed), and it will never stop. It's an ego thing, people want to feel that they are so important that the "rapture" will happen during their lifetime.

I just don't understand why any of us are wasting our time on this dipshit.
posted by 1000monkeys at 10:41 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


So the world is going to end the day before the next CAPSLOCKDAY? If only I had known that CAPSLOCKDAY '10 was going to be the last one. I would have appreciated it more.
posted by eyeballkid at 10:41 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Personally, I think he was right.

We've either all been saved and this is heaven...

or

....those that were supposed to be saved were... and neither Harold Camping nor many of his followers made the cut.


This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper. - T.S. Eliot
posted by Nanukthedog at 10:43 AM on May 24, 2011


Who is Harold Camp?
posted by a womble is an active kind of sloth at 10:44 AM on May 24, 2011


This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a CAPSLOCKDAY but a whimper
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:44 AM on May 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


I predict this guy is going to keep moving the date until he's right, but it will only be for himself.
posted by Happy Dave at 10:44 AM on May 24, 2011


Oh well, it's not the end of the world.
posted by Kabanos at 10:45 AM on May 24, 2011 [5 favorites]


LOL - You guys really hate posts about this sort of thing don't you?

It's just that we already have several open.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 10:46 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I preferred the methods of Heaven's Gate.
posted by perhapses at 10:47 AM on May 24, 2011


For many followers of Harold Camping's belief in May 21st, having to start over in a working career will be very difficult, since those who quit their jobs did so of their own accord. Subsequently, they and their familes will not be eligible for unemployment insurance, and only time will tell if their previous employers will find compassion in re-hiring them to prior positions.

I'm not sure I would rehire these people since it's likely they'll quit again in October.
posted by Dr-Baa at 10:48 AM on May 24, 2011


If you are living your life solely in anticipation of the return of Jesus Christ, the world actually has ended for you.
posted by Legomancer at 10:48 AM on May 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


As an atheist, I'm not sure I'm allowed to have an opinion.

You're allowed to have an opinion. But it would be a lot more fun if you would keep us all in suspense about what, exactly, your opinion is. It's going to be really hard to guess, and I really don't want the suspense spoiled, k?
posted by The World Famous at 10:48 AM on May 24, 2011


I must have missed something... why does anybody give a flying fuck what this guy says?
posted by papercake at 10:54 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=When+is+the+end+of+the+world%3F

Result:

5 billion years
(assuming the world ends when the sun burns out)

Yeah, but we already saw that on TV.
posted by charlie don't surf at 10:54 AM on May 24, 2011


But now he was 6 months to re-stock the spirtual bunker.
posted by clavdivs at 10:55 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


As an atheist, I'm not sure I'm allowed to have an opinion.

Tish, fie and nonsense. Of course you are. Just don't express it if it's couched in a less-than-respectful tone and doesn't contain a disclaimer to the effect that at least some types of god belief are lovely, and not at all nuts. Or unless you don't mind being told you're a dick. Oh, sorry, I mean that you're acting like a dick.
posted by Decani at 10:55 AM on May 24, 2011 [11 favorites]


A question, in all sincerity: In a world full of nutjobs and doomsayers and con artists and unhinged monotheists, how did this particular doomsaying con-arting unhinged montheistic nutjob suddenly seize control of the international media spotlight?

In my experience, if you have enough money to spend and know where to spend it (that is, have the right PR connections) anyone/thing can be turned into a "story" in short order. In practice, the only real "big story" gatekeeper out there is Mammon.

In this case, the guy used his follower's money to buy lots of advertising--which caught the attention of the news media because they are all subsidiaries of the same corporate entities that sold him all that advertising. That's roughly how it works in the music biz, too.
posted by saulgoodman at 10:58 AM on May 24, 2011 [6 favorites]


This guy is rivalling Joanna Southcott for the number of failed prophesies. At least she had the neat idea to leave a relic behind so her followers could spend the next two centuries demanding that bishops look into her box.
posted by Jehan at 11:01 AM on May 24, 2011


The end times is when the price of a pack Bush 1988 election cigarettes is equal to a pack of Luckies in NYC.
posted by clavdivs at 11:01 AM on May 24, 2011


1000monkeys: I just don't understand why any of us are wasting our time on this dipshit.

Isn't that one of the very basic questions ? I think it relates to what you and a lot of others are asking also regarding why so much media attention? Check out all the Camping-hate in this thread and also check out all the replies. Not to be snarky (seriously) but look: even you clicked into the thread , knowing full well what it was about, asking why people waste their time on this sort of thing? I hadn't given any thought at all to this when I made the thread but it's become noticeable to me now that people really,really polarize on this sort of thing. OK, on MeFi there's not much polarization , granted, but I am wondering now what about this kind of subject matter makes people get so riled up as to take the time to check into a topic only to say how much they hate the topic? Maybe I'm reading way too much into this but I wonder if there's is some attraction, some anti-meme thing, going on with the subject matter that makes people get involved, whether it be as believers or as haters of the idea. Several people questioned in the thread , "why does the media keep putting this out" and I wonder if the very reaction to the thread doesn't answer the question itself: because it locks in eyeballs to pages. Seriously , none of that was on my mind when I wrote this post but I am thinking about it now.
posted by Poet_Lariat at 11:01 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Or unless you don't mind being told you're a dick.

Why do you care if people you don't respect think you're a dick?
posted by The World Famous at 11:03 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


> how did this particular doomsaying con-arting unhinged montheistic nutjob suddenly seize control of the international media spotlight?

He has a radio station


He's "Con-Airing"
posted by mmrtnt at 11:04 AM on May 24, 2011


I don't mind people calling me a dick: All religions are, at their base, as stupid as this guy's.

Not that the people themselves are necessarily stupid. All large groups of people always have have a wide range of behavior represented, from very very good to very very evil. But, as expressed above many times, why are we paying attention to it? Because somebody somewhere had a stupid idea that couldn't logically be proved wrong (because it's impossible), tradition happens, and suddenly we all have to play along.
posted by DU at 11:04 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


gompa, like you I'm curious about why this particular loon got so much attention.

Part of it, I think, is the big media buy his group made. I saw one of his posters on the commuter rail. And I've seen a lot of (internet pictures) of billboards. Money can buy (some degree of ) legitimacy, no question.

Another possibility is that all the people who were pouring their wacko energy into birtherism and Bin Laden-based conspiracy theories just recently lost those outlet. The wacko energy had to go somewhere. (Pure speculation on my part.)
posted by benito.strauss at 11:05 AM on May 24, 2011


Third time's the charm, heh?
posted by c13 at 11:06 AM on May 24, 2011


"Surely Wolfram Alpha could help him sort all this out for once and for all."

At first I read this as Wolfram & Hart and thought "yeah, since they'll be responsible..."

I'm glad this thread stayed up. Camping-related schadenfreude is pretty much my only reason to live these days.
posted by Jacqueline at 11:06 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


gompa: "how did this particular doomsaying con-arting unhinged montheistic nutjob suddenly seize control of the international media spotlight?"

I'm guessing it had something to do with his multi million-dollar advertising campaign.
posted by mullingitover at 11:07 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Or, on posting, what saulgoodman said.
posted by benito.strauss at 11:07 AM on May 24, 2011


"LOL - You guys really hate posts about this sort of thing don't you?

What is wrong with the other open threads about this where this exact same discussion is still happening? What is the point of having two open threads discussing the exact same thing? LOL - You really love double posts don't you?
posted by y6y6y6 at 11:09 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


(I'm loving the dangerous thrill of posting in a thread that's hovering on the edge of deletion.)

Since it seems to happen a lot, I think it'd be useful to have a short hand term to describe "you wouldn't be hearing/reading about this if news media didn't have a financial need to grab your attention". saulgoodman calls it Mammon. I like to call it "The Buzz Machine". Any other suggestions?
posted by benito.strauss at 11:14 AM on May 24, 2011


Hello TIME magazine! Here is your man of 2011. He not only captured the news media, he also gave 'camping' a new definition.
posted by Cranberry at 11:15 AM on May 24, 2011


Given that I'm in client hell right now--client-side stakeholders ignoring deadlines, misinterpreted expectations, scope creep, change orders, project extensions and deliverables falling into campaign purgatory--I have no problem accepting that Mr. Camping is simply mismanaging a difficult, stubborn, non-communicative client. I do hope that he reminds his maker that the new date pushes Armageddon into Fiscal Year 2012, which really screws up the global strategy...but that's his cross to bear.
posted by prinado at 11:16 AM on May 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


I HAVE UNCOVERED THE LINK!
posted by clavdivs at 11:17 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Serious question: Why has this man not been investigated for fraud?


Look, anyone with more than a cursory familiarity with Christianity knows that Jesus said no man knows the date or the hour, and also knows that according to Scripture the Gospel has to be shared with the entire world BEFORE the end comes. Christians are commanded to be about their Father's business, not gazing up into the sky twiddling their thumbs.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 11:18 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


I will definitely be on MeFi on October 21, since I missed the shenanigans on Saturday. Don't let me down, Matt!

I also wanted to make the Animal House joke.
posted by TedW at 11:19 AM on May 24, 2011


This post was deleted for the following reason: there is an open thread. This needs to go there. I am aware it is not going well. Perhaps you could do something about that? -- jessamyn
posted by crunchland at 11:21 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Well, I just popped in here to let you all know that October 21 is my birthday, so I'm SURE this prediction is right this time.

Who's up for a massive, end-of-the-world party? There could be cake!
posted by DiscourseMarker at 11:24 AM on May 24, 2011


"Jesus said..."

Well, see, there's your problem right there.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 11:24 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


AND RAPTURE!
posted by clavdivs at 11:25 AM on May 24, 2011


TIMING
posted by clavdivs at 11:25 AM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Serious question: Why has this man not been investigated for fraud?

posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies


Hilarious. Yeah, let's start prosecuting preachers for misinterpreting the bible. I'm 100% down for this. The world will be so much better once we've put every single last priest and minister in prison.
posted by empath at 11:31 AM on May 24, 2011 [10 favorites]


This guy provided me with a hell of a lot of entertainment. The misses and I got to spend all day Saturday pretending it was the Last Day before the world ended, so that was novel. Also, as we were driving around the North Fork of Long Island on a beautiful spring Saturday, I would intermittently jerk the car to the side due to the "earthquake". This was for some reason really, really fun for me.
posted by gagglezoomer at 11:34 AM on May 24, 2011


Could the threadshitters questioning the existence of this post please take it to MetaTalk?
posted by dialetheia at 11:34 AM on May 24, 2011


Oh boy. Now everyone will spam my Facebook newsfeed with R.E.M.'s song.

You know the one.
posted by mccarty.tim at 11:36 AM on May 24, 2011


HEADLINES: HAROLD CAMPING BLAH BLAH RAPTURE

Buried somewhere else in the newspaper/media report: Climate change whatever whatever boring science
posted by perhapses at 11:37 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Serious question: Why has this man not been investigated for fraud?

I would guess that it's because proving up the intent, knowledge, and reasonable reliance prongs would be tricky.
posted by The World Famous at 11:40 AM on May 24, 2011


...and there shall in that time be rumors of things going astray, and there will be a great confusion as to where things really are, and nobody will really know where lieth those little things with the sort of raffia-work base that has an attachment...at this time, a friend shall lose his friend’s hammer and the young shall not know where lieth the things possessed by their fathers, that their fathers put there only just the night before around eight o’clock...
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 11:41 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


As an atheist, I'm not sure I'm allowed to have an opinion.

As an atheist, it's somehow all your fault.

Serious question: Why has this man not been investigated for fraud?

Because once you start down the path of imprisoning religious leaders for fraud any time their interpretation of their holy documents turns out to be bunk, you're going to end up with a lot of religious figures in jail. And while that would please me on a personal level, I don't think it's really how you end up with a functional freedom of religion.
posted by rodgerd at 11:42 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Because once you start down the path of imprisoning religious leaders for fraud any time their interpretation of their holy documents turns out to be bunk, you're going to end up with a lot of religious figures in jail.

Well, that and you would have to change the legal definition of fraud to do that.
posted by The World Famous at 11:45 AM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I think we should bring back the inquisition to stop any future outbreaks of millennialism from occurring.
posted by empath at 11:47 AM on May 24, 2011


"invisible judgement day"

Sorry guys, I wasn't able to get the launch codes on Friday; my contact flaked out, something about how he'd overslept after a late night trying to fix a leaking toilet without appropriate hand tools. You'd think a colonel in the armed forces would be a little more with it when it comes to deliverables like launch codes and a little more clued-in that engineering Armageddon for tomorrow means not needing to fix a broken toilet today, but that's the world we live in (right now). :)

I'll have another go for October, but if that falls through it looks like I'll have to learn Persian.

Like I twittered: for all you guys who have been following my Kickstarter and MeFi projects, if the lads and I can't pull it off by October I'll pay you back even if it means (re)mortgaging my condo.

If this avenue falls through there's always openpcr which sounds promising.
posted by sebastienbailard at 11:48 AM on May 24, 2011


Because once you start down the path of imprisoning religious leaders for fraud any time their interpretation of their holy documents turns out to be bunk, you're going to end up with a lot of religious figures in jail.

A very valid point to say the least. But surely there must be some point at which the level personal financial gain such people receive has to be overwhelmingly in favor of fraud? How you determine that I haven't a clue. I fully understand how many TV/radio/internet preachers(con-men) would be affected by going down that slippery slope. The truth may be that America, as a whole, wants to give their money to such men.
posted by Poet_Lariat at 11:49 AM on May 24, 2011


But surely there must be some point at which the level personal financial gain such people receive has to be overwhelmingly in favor of fraud?

Interestingly enough, the legal elements of a fraud claim do not include a minimum threshold damages amount. In order for something to be the subject of a successful claim of fraud, it has to actually satisfy the legal elements of fraud.
posted by The World Famous at 11:51 AM on May 24, 2011


Mother Jones article - Rapture Ready: the Science of Self-Delusion
posted by Crash at 11:55 AM on May 24, 2011


I can't believe anyone could look at this guy's calculations and not have a few questions.
posted by Hoopo at 11:56 AM on May 24, 2011


This is exactly the way it happened on the Simpsons when Homer predicted the rapture (which, being a fairly recent one, evidently no one watched).
posted by 445supermag at 11:57 AM on May 24, 2011


We've been spared until we can spell "judgment" correctly.

God is pedantic.
posted by cooker girl at 12:02 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


will they be okay with someone telling them a bunch of stuff in the Bible just isn't going to happen?

Arguably, very little of what Camping was selling is in the Bible. It's more like folklore.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 12:06 PM on May 24, 2011


perhapses: "HEADLINES: HAROLD CAMPING BLAH BLAH RAPTURE

Buried somewhere else in the newspaper/media report: Climate change whatever whatever boring science"

That's human nature for you. Give us a definite threat at a fixed time and place, and we'll worry about it, even if the threat is self evidently fake. Give us a real threat of indeterminate nature that will occur over a long stretch of time and we'll forget about it immediately. We're just not evolved enough to intelligently deal with problems like climate change.


gagglezoomer: "This guy provided me with a hell of a lot of entertainment. The misses and I got to spend all day Saturday pretending it was the Last Day before the world ended, so that was novel. Also, as we were driving around the North Fork of Long Island on a beautiful spring Saturday, I would intermittently jerk the car to the side due to the "earthquake". This was for some reason really, really fun for me."

I enjoyed Saturday, too. The weather was really nice, so I took a walk, and as I was going along, looking at the trees and listening to birds singing it just felt really good that this wasn't the end of the world. All of Camping's talk of earthquakes and fireballs was silly, but it got me thinking about how how nice things really are, and how much worse they could be. For one day it was kind of fun.
posted by Kevin Street at 12:13 PM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Mostly this just makes me sad, and in light of the way some people actually reacted, I do find mocking this again to be kind of tasteless; mostly I think it's just regrettable that this message had as wide a reach as it did, and that basically everyone from the media to random individuals joking about it helped launch it as a big cultural thing.

I am sort of relieved to see lawsuits happening, though, I guess.
posted by byanyothername at 12:13 PM on May 24, 2011


Maybe having double threads is a good idea after all. That way one can be for the LOLXTIANS HURF DURF crap, and the other for more serious discussion, and everyone's happy.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:22 PM on May 24, 2011


So the man in not one jot repentant? Does his explanation really come down to "I was 100% right -- it was GOD who changed his mind?"

What a miserable waste of oxygen.
posted by Devils Rancher at 12:22 PM on May 24, 2011


LOL - You guys really hate posts about this sort of thing don't you?

No, discussion regarding Camping's new Rapture date has already been in play since 10:25 p.m. last night in two of the other Camping threads -- 1, 2.
posted by ericb at 12:23 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


> That way one can be for the LOLXTIANS HURF DURF crap

Metafilter really needs some kind of pop-up chat room that is always available for that nonsense so the rest of the site can proceed.
posted by Horselover Phattie at 12:24 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Could the threadshitters questioning the existence of this post please take it to MetaTalk?

How can you question the existence of this post, given all the incontrovertible proof?
posted by emelenjr at 12:26 PM on May 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


We've been spared until we can spell "judgment" correctly.

Judgement or Judgment?

Both spellings are correct.
posted by ericb at 12:29 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


So there's no Tribulation anymore? That's a much more profound kind of packpedal than the one Camping did in 1994.

That's a really good point! Based on my understanding, Camping was a premillennial dispensationalist. If there is no tribulation then I have no idea what he is. He's sort of a post-tribulationist without the tribulation bit.

Unless he believed that the rapture happend in a sort of spiritual sense, in which case he's still premillennial, but still without a tribulation.

Are either of these positions something new and original?

(BTW - Thanks valkyryn for the awesome post on this subject)

And I have no problem with mocking Camping. I feel pity for his followers, but only a little. They went into this with their eyes open (their kids are a different matter. OTOH, there are plenty of people who have doofuses for parents). I feel more pity for the people Bernie Madoff swindled.
posted by It's Never Lurgi at 12:33 PM on May 24, 2011


I feel more pity for the people Bernie Madoff swindled.

Speaking of Madoff ...
Mets Owner's Message: 'I'm Too Stupid to Have Known About Madoff.
posted by ericb at 12:37 PM on May 24, 2011


If there is no tribulation then I have no idea what he is.

A false prophet? Wonder what the bible says the punishment for false prophets is.

"But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.” (Deuteronomy 18:20)

Oh. Guess he never read that part.
posted by notmydesk at 12:38 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Why would God spare us for five more months and then drop the hammer on October 21 instead of the Appointed Time? Either God's weak-spined, inconsistent, flighty, or all of the above, which doesn't speak well of a supposedly omnipotent deity.

Oh man, just wait til the Bible Belt figures out that God is a Democrat.
posted by TrialByMedia at 12:38 PM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


When this guy eventually dies, he's going to think *that* day is the rapture, too.

No, everyone else will.
posted by MegoSteve at 12:39 PM on May 24, 2011


Oh man, just wait til the Bible Belt figures out that God is a Democrat.

All talk and no action? A pacifist until he gets a chance to really run the place and then is all about war? That sounds a lot like the Bible, actually. Maybe you're right.
posted by The World Famous at 12:41 PM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


In all likelihood, the world isn't ending any time soon. But Camping was on tv days before his rapture date came and went. I don't care who says the world is ending, it isn't. But obsessing over a doomsday prediction is just nonsense. Folks, the world isn't ending, we all know that, and I'm sure a lot fewer people took his advice than metafilter and other sites would lead you to believe. So can we stop giving this charlatan attention? He wasn't right this year, he's never been right and he never will be.
posted by catwash at 12:43 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Cult sued for fraud? It works in CA. Here's the ruling.
posted by warbaby at 12:46 PM on May 24, 2011


There's something unsettling about Camping's behavior here. He seems to be more a believer in himself than in the things he prophesies. Instead of owning his mistake - okay, I did the math wrong - he's constructing even more elaborate explanations about why things didn't go the way he said they would, except they still sorta did, just not in a way that he or anyone else was expecting, but it makes Perfect Sense after the fact, and how dare you not believe the new and improved explanation.

Maybe I'm too accustomed to excessively apologetic Catholics, you know - God is right and I'm the fuckup - but this seems to be more the behavior of a cult leader.... or a salesman. Though I suppose the argument could be made that Camping is both.
posted by cmyk at 12:49 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Who's up for a massive, end-of-the-world party? There could be cake!

The cake, much like impending Armageddon, is a lie.
posted by Celsius1414 at 12:51 PM on May 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


"I don't have any responsibility," Camping said. "I'm only teaching the Bible. I'm telling ... this is what the Bible says. I don't have spiritual rule over anybody ... except my wife as the head of the household."
-- CNN

Asshole.
posted by Bovine Love at 12:54 PM on May 24, 2011 [10 favorites]


Very strange... Yesterday I posted the same information and the post lasted about 15 comments before being deleted. What's the difference?
posted by jgaiser at 12:55 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


A couple of people above are asking why this particular end-of-the-world-style loony has managed to grab so much public attention. I can see where the massive, world-wide purchase of billboard space must have had something to do with it, but I had assumed that the real difference between this case and the previous ones was the existence of the Internet. It seemed like Facebook and Twitter, in particular, went beserk with Rapture jokes Friday night, and that much of the media coverage was being driven by interest expressed in web forums like, say, this one. I mean...we keep getting more threads on this subject, don't we?

So, a serious question for those with better memories than mine: is this, in fact, the first Internet age Apocalypse that we've had? The last bunch that I can remember predicting the imminent end of the world were the New Agers who were planning to escape via comet. I can't recall their group name, but that was pre-Web, correct?

If I'm correct, I think a lot of the collective unwillingness to let this subject die down makes a bit more sense. There's no topic more contentious on the Internet than religion, and the people (like myself) who are most sarcastic on the subject were probably, I'd guess (again, based on myself) really salivating to see a prominent religious media figure make a falsifiable prediction. That shit, let us say, doesn't happen nearly often enough.

And what a prediction! Earthquakes! Christ returning! The pre-destinied Elect bodily arising into the Heavens! That would've been a pretty awesome way to find out I've been wrong all this time. I mean...except for the whole Lake of Fire thing. That would've sucked.

It's too bad, though, that even though it's gone the other direction, as I and every sane person knew it would, Harold Camping can't find the humility to admit he was flat out incorrect. It's fascinating to me that a young-Earth biblical literalist would rather redefine "Judgement Day" as something that happened without most people being able to notice, rather than to admit that either his reading of the text was bad, or the text itself isn't always factually correct. I guess this literal interpretation business is bit more problematic than most fundies would like to admit, even before the atheists and secularists and "evolutionists" turn up to muddy the waters.
posted by Ipsifendus at 12:57 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


There's something unsettling familiar about Camping's behavior here. He seems to be more a believer in himself than in the things he prophesies.

FTFY
posted by benito.strauss at 1:00 PM on May 24, 2011


The last bunch that I can remember predicting the imminent end of the world were the New Agers who were planning to escape via comet. I can't recall their group name, but that was pre-Web, correct?

You're thinking of Heaven's Gate, which was actually a pretty big story in the late 90s because of its connection to the internet. The cult itself ran a web design company to support themselves.
posted by TrialByMedia at 1:04 PM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


The next time I go camping, I'm going harold camping. That's where you make plans to carry your backpack into the woods and never come back, but you get as far as the driveway before you realize that [insert your favorite tv show here] is on in fifteen minutes.
posted by davejay at 1:05 PM on May 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


There is a new post rapture looting facebook event. :)

We need better pranks this time around though. Empty clothing? Yeah, that's nice for short notice, but ..

As I observed, there are two main internet memes here : Zombie Jesus and Raptor Jesus. If you support Zombie Jesus, you might consider attending a church dressed as a zombie. :) Any ideas for Raptor Jesus?

Did anyone actually try the floating inflatable dolls last time?
posted by jeffburdges at 1:06 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I still think an argument could be made for fraud, especially now with the revised prediction. There is a demonstrated pattern of this sort of thing, and if there is any evidence that Camping has been diverting church money for his own gain, there could be intent to defraud. Furthermore, if it appears that others in the church have been using Camping's predictions, and even manipulating Camping...well those RICO statutes have to be good for something. I think now might be a good time for an auditor to re-examine their exempt status.
posted by TheWhiteSkull at 1:08 PM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Arguably, very little of what Camping was selling is in the Bible. It's more like folklore.


You're kidding, right? It's full of prophecies of the apocalypse. The only difference is that this guy picked a date.
posted by empath at 1:15 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I don't understand how the flood could have been 7000 years ago. Isn't the universe only 6000 years old?
posted by fungible at 1:16 PM on May 24, 2011


Thank God. That gives me another five months to try and find a good Harold Camping pun.
posted by doublehappy at 1:16 PM on May 24, 2011


I don't understand how the flood could have been 7000 years ago. Isn't the universe only 6000 years old?

That's just God testing your faith.
posted by vibrotronica at 1:22 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Thank God. That gives me another five months to try and find a good Harold Camping pun.

Trying to Harold an apocalypse for humanity, Camping found the results less than in-tents.
posted by Celsius1414 at 1:30 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


We should probably discuss how rapture imagery inspired Camping. ;)

I should break down & order that raptor jesus shit, just gets better with age apparently.
posted by jeffburdges at 1:38 PM on May 24, 2011


I predict that on or about October 24th Harold Camping will have a new prediction.
posted by lordrunningclam at 1:41 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


If ever there was a topic on which my every post would be eponysterical...
posted by scaryblackdeath at 1:41 PM on May 24, 2011


I'm completely fascinated with these people, and I've been trying to read their messages on yahoo groups all weekend. (Download limit exceeded.)

Cognitive dissonance, the whole struggle to deal--now more publicly than ever before--with their mistake... I wonder if in some ways this whole fiasco doesn't do something positive for those of us who wish logic and reason had more of a place in our society.

I feel true pity for those who buy into this type of bunk, as I do for anyone who's deluded to the point of essentially ruining their life.
posted by RedEmma at 1:42 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Both spellings are correct.

"Judgement" is a variation of "judgment," making "judgment" the correct option.

Hey, don't blame me; I'm getting this stuff straight from God. He's the prescriptivist. I'm just the messenger.
posted by cooker girl at 1:45 PM on May 24, 2011 [5 favorites]


You're kidding, right? It's full of prophecies of the apocalypse.

Apocalypse is certainly in there, but the rapture specifically is more something created outside of the bible than found within it.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 1:52 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


When Family Radio comes to court, will they defend themselves by claiming the Rapture's failure to happen was an act of God?
posted by ocschwar at 1:52 PM on May 24, 2011


"Judgement" is a variation of "judgment," making "judgment" the correct option.

"Judgment" is a variation of "judgement," making "judgement" the correct option.
"The OED still prefers judgement, but acknowledges judgment as a variant spelling."
Ah, but wait ...
"Merriam-Webster prefers judgment and lists judgement as a variant."*
Potato, potato. Let's call the whole thing off!
posted by ericb at 1:54 PM on May 24, 2011


Brits versus The Yanks, Round 1!
posted by ericb at 1:55 PM on May 24, 2011


I think Harold Camping = Lord Whorfin.

Lord John Whorfin: Where are we going?
The Red Lectroids: Planet Ten!
Lord John Whorfin: When?
The Red Lectroids: Real soon!
posted by storybored at 2:05 PM on May 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


...and of course:

"Laugh-a while you can Monkeyboys!!!!"
posted by storybored at 2:07 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I'm pretty sure that mainstream dictianity clearly states that the OED is Gog and that Merriam-Webster is Magog.
posted by Drastic at 2:09 PM on May 24, 2011


Apocalypse is certainly in there, but the rapture specifically is more something created outside of the bible than found within it.

It's just a different interpretation of what's in the book, which on the face of it, is batshit insane. Have you actually read revelations, have you read the gospels?
posted by empath at 2:10 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


The rapture happened, and only four people ascended, and it turns out that Zeus is actually in charge of everything after all.
posted by Mister_A at 2:27 PM on May 24, 2011


You know who you can fool some of all of the time? The people.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 2:38 PM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


It's just a different interpretation of what's in the book, which on the face of it, is batshit insane.

Nah, the Rapture is pretty much woven out of completely disparate verses taking from entirely different authors across various parts of the bible. There is no contiguous series of passages which lays out the idea that Jesus' followers will be removed corporally from the earth to join Jesus in some other place while the Tribulation years take place to get those who remain to either join Jesus' team or solidify their participation on the enemy's side.

It's a compelling concept, but it really isn't in there.

Here's a rundown of the verses where are used to back up the idea. I don't believe the concept holds water very well. It's not like it's laid out in a step-by-step thing like the Revelations are.
posted by hippybear at 2:39 PM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


Again, but with more direct mean-spiritedness:

On October 22nd: "GOD DOES NOT WANT HAROLD CAMPING!"

Because at some point, it stops being an "atheist making fun" thing, and it starts being a "well, based on the facts at hand..." kind of situation.
posted by quin at 2:41 PM on May 24, 2011


Nitpick: It's Revelation, not Revelations. It's just one revelation: The Revelation of St. John the Divine.
posted by The World Famous at 2:44 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Here's a rundown of the verses where are used to back up the idea.

What, pray tell, is the rational, entirely logical interpretation of those verses?
posted by empath at 2:45 PM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


What, pray tell, is the rational, entirely logical interpretation of those verses?

lol
posted by The World Famous at 2:46 PM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


> What, pray tell, is the rational, entirely logical interpretation of those verses?

To keep whiny atheists distracted on the internet.
posted by Horselover Phattie at 2:48 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Well, I'm just amused by how many people think that only a crazy person who doesn't understand the bible would think that the bible foretold a rapture for the faithful, while a sane, normal christian thinks that everyone will have to suffer through the apocalypse together before everyone is gathered into Israel for the final conflict and the conversion of the jews, etc.
posted by empath at 2:49 PM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


I think the reasoning is that believing crazy book crazy, but thinking crazy book says something other than what it says is crazy +1.
posted by The World Famous at 2:52 PM on May 24, 2011 [4 favorites]


Hm. I missed an "is" there.
posted by The World Famous at 2:53 PM on May 24, 2011


I feel like I should start a meme of Harold Camping as Eric Cartman.

Like, shouting "We had a deal, Jesus!" angrily at the sky, or Camping doing the purring kitten routine atop God's massive white-haired head a la Cartman and Cthulhu. Maybe Camping at the Airport Hilton ballroom leading the Ginger Crusade and backtracking at the last second after Kyle whispers something in his ear. I'm sure I could think of a thousand more.

Because really, that's what he is - a mean little shit of a man with a bone deep certainty of his own beliefs and sense of entitlement and freedom from consequences for his actions. And we haven't even touched on some of the shittiness he pulled, including telling the world that he was going to be proven right by an earthquake in New Zealand so shortly after the Christchurch tragedy, and then smugly saying that he was going to spend that last day just watching it all go down on CNN.

And now he's saying he was still right, it's just that all of his detractors don't understand what God was doing like he does, and that what God was doing was secretly removing any chance for salvation from those who didn't believe Harold Camping.

What an asshole. What a Cartman.
posted by Navelgazer at 2:56 PM on May 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


What, pray tell, is the rational, entirely logical interpretation of those verses?

Schizophrenia?
posted by Devils Rancher at 2:58 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


thinking crazy book says something other than what it says is crazy +1.

If crazy = over 9000 to begin with, I guess I agree with that.
posted by empath at 3:02 PM on May 24, 2011


I know these posts get deleted, but I love them and wish they'd stay up. Very amusing.
posted by Malice at 3:08 PM on May 24, 2011


What, pray tell, is the rational, entirely logical interpretation of those verses?

Um... well... for starters, none of them actually seem to have anything to do with any kind of intervention by Jesus to keep his believers safe from bad things which his Father is about to enact upon the world as part of his revenge for mankind eating fruit in a garden at the beginning of time and then not fully acknowledging the pure sacrifice of his Lamb at some point in the past around 2000 years ago.

The first verse, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, mostly seems to speak about the idea that Jesus will take his living and previously-living believers into his promised paradise. This probably isn't about any kind of pre-Tribulation Rapture, but instead is reassurance that even those believers who have died before the impending return of Jesus (who was believed to be coming back VERY VERY SOON by the early Church) won't have believed for no reason. If there are any Gospel verses which back up the claim of these verses about the shout and the trumpet call and the dead coming out of their graves and such, I'm unaware of them.

The second verse, 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, also is directed toward the idea that believing will have its rewards even if you die before Jesus returns, but again doesn't say anything about when this will occur in relation to the Tribulation. Also it speaks to a personal resurrection comparable to the resurrection of Jesus, belief in which was (and still is) a pretty big deal when it comes to Christian doctrine.

The third verse, John 14:1-3, speaks only of the idea that Jesus' Father has a place for believers. There is no mention of trumpets or of dead rising from graves or anything. It's a pretty straight-forward verse in general, talking about the hope of an afterlife and not promising anything other than that.

I'm really not going to get into a deep theological debate about all this because my Bible chops are rusty from non-use and non-belief. But the idea of the Rapture is pretty much extra-scriptural and there is nothing which states anything about a Rapture explicitly in the book.
posted by hippybear at 3:14 PM on May 24, 2011 [10 favorites]


We don't need yet another thread mocking this guy. SmugFilter.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 3:22 PM on May 24, 2011


The real winners are The Rapture, who with perfect timing yesterday announced their new album. You can't buy that kind of publicity.

Well, them and the smug atheists who get to repeat the same jokes daily.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 3:31 PM on May 24, 2011


LIB, this is smug fun for everyone. The atheists get to say "Ha, you guys think you can predict the ending of the world from some ancient book!" The Christians get to say, "Doesn't he know only the Father knows the day and the hour!?" And the Vikings get to sleep, but were they awake, they would say, "Ragnarok is way more awesome than what you guys are expecting."
posted by mccarty.tim at 3:45 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Yeah, let's start prosecuting preachers for misinterpreting the bible.

If they use it to defraud people of money, I think they should.

I am not saying what he did reaches the legal definition of fraud. But I think it is worth a look, at least.
posted by St. Alia of the Bunnies at 3:46 PM on May 24, 2011


Well, them and the smug atheists who get to repeat the same jokes daily

But 'smug atheist' is hugely original?
posted by Summer at 4:23 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


This is like that time mum promised to get me Omega Supreme for Christmas but then she didn't. I've hated her ever since.
posted by tumid dahlia at 4:31 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Isn't this when an enormous orderly comes along behind Mr. Camping and just leads him away until meds are passed out in the lunchroom?
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 4:46 PM on May 24, 2011


This is making me think of Robin Williams old "You cross this line, you die" riff on Qaadafi.
posted by jonmc at 4:46 PM on May 24, 2011


Hey Rocky, watch me pull the rapture out of my hat! This time for sure!
posted by Daddy-O at 4:53 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


MeTA
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 5:08 PM on May 24, 2011


I really hope and pray that Jesus will return to Earth and bitchslap Harold Camping.
posted by JJ86 at 5:15 PM on May 24, 2011


There is no salvation, no meeting Jesus in the air. There is no more redemption. There is no hope.

No, not really. He's just shifting from a pre-millenial tribulationist to a "you're soaking in it" tribulationist.

I am actually kind of perversely relieved that he's doubled-down, because I just started working on a story from the PoV of someone who perceives herself as a civilian having the bad luck of living during the time God has chosen to go to war with mankind. I mean, think about it: If you're a millenialist christian, this is a pretty scary time: Earthquakes, tidal waves, tornadoes (which take you right up to heaven, how's that for symbolism made flesh?), with hurricane season just beginning and MRSA-carrying bedbugs infesting our cities, all while the antichrist is president of the US.

I'm not joking and I'm not making fun of people who believe these things. I have a lot of sympathy for them. I can remember when I was a kid, thinking about Jesus taking me -- or, more to the point, Jesus not taking me -- at the end of days. As terrifying as things are when you're a kid, at least then you've got a chance to grow out of them. For adults, that's so very much harder.
posted by lodurr at 5:27 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


As an atheist, I'm not sure I'm allowed to have an opinion.

Life is just so fucking hard.
posted by shakespeherian at 5:33 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


The world didn't end?

Let's all go camping!
posted by bwg at 6:15 PM on May 24, 2011


"At last they did even want to have 'the crown of eternal life,' all these little people of the Province: but why? but for what? one cannot take the presumptuousness further." - F. Nietzsche

Oh, and also, Apocamon.
posted by yoHighness at 6:28 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


We don't need yet another thread mocking this guy. SmugFilter.

Oh, no, we definitely do because right now any rational sane human can't be smug about anything. We can't be smug about the economy. We can't be smug about the environment. Nor about gender issues, the Middle East, or Greek debt. We're starved of smugness. We are smug-anorexic.

So when Harold fucking Camping comes along, I'm sorry but it's NOM NOM NOM>
posted by storybored at 7:12 PM on May 24, 2011 [3 favorites]


Oh, no, we definitely do because right now any rational sane human can't be smug about anything. We can't be smug about the economy. We can't be smug about the environment. Nor about gender issues, the Middle East, or Greek debt. We're starved of smugness. We are smug-anorexic.

Exactly. I hate smug. And you can't be smug about the environment? Most people I know seem to manage it. Which is actually pretty annoying.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:13 PM on May 24, 2011


Sounds like LIB hangs out with the wrong crowd, if they annoy him so much.
posted by hippybear at 7:28 PM on May 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


I foresee many rapture related Halloween costumes this year. :)
posted by jeffburdges at 8:48 PM on May 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


And the Vikings get to sleep, but were they awake, they would say, "Ragnarok is way more awesome than what you guys are expecting."

Yay! Sleep! That's where vikings are Ralph Wiggum!
posted by Navelgazer at 9:08 PM on May 24, 2011 [5 favorites]


Science is boring. Rapture is exciting.
posted by telstar at 9:26 PM on May 24, 2011


The ballad of harold camping.

featuring tent pole jesus and give me a dollar, lady.
posted by clavdivs at 11:56 PM on May 24, 2011


The ballad of harold camping.

featuring tent pole jesus and give me a dollar, lady.

I'm expecting this guy to show up in a Mountain Goats song, but given that half of their stuff is about sin and salvation in some form it might be a bit too on the nose
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 12:16 AM on May 25, 2011


The Crypt Keeper / Harold Camping: separated at birth?
posted by marxchivist at 4:02 AM on May 25, 2011


Every time I try to imagine a life without even the simplest comprehension of logic and rationality my brain dribbles out of my ears. Trying to understand people like this is like mental division by zero.
posted by dougrayrankin at 4:20 AM on May 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


I enjoyed the raptured cupcakes.

We're getting so good at this, it will real easy when we do it all over again in October.
posted by warbaby at 6:50 AM on May 25, 2011 [3 favorites]


Important rapture information I have a need to post somewhere.
posted by Obscure Reference at 7:43 AM on May 25, 2011 [1 favorite]


All those airlines are more worried about aerial collisions, obscure reference.

Just think, two Halloweens this year, warbaby! There will be an awful lot of Velociraptor plushies wrapped in swaddling clothes next Halloween too.
posted by jeffburdges at 9:16 AM on May 25, 2011


From respected pollster Public Policy Polling:

Electoral Consequences of the Rapture

Key findings:
posted by Rhaomi at 9:46 PM on May 26, 2011 [1 favorite]


the tribulation has begun
posted by flabdablet at 11:56 PM on May 26, 2011


Oh, and: refridgerator. Else, why fridge?
posted by flabdablet at 12:01 AM on May 27, 2011


ok, now I want to see that movie, flabdablet.

and interesting to note that though she's net-rapture-favorable among people who think the rapture will actually happen, Sarah's net-rapture-negative among the (presumably) general public.

Though I shouldn't be, somehow I'm always still surprised that people who believe in the rapture overwhelminglly believe they'll be raptured. It must be a real downer to belong to that other 34% -- though I think I personally would have a rougher time in the "unsure" camp than the "sure I'm not."
posted by lodurr at 9:01 AM on May 28, 2011


I must have missed something... why does anybody give a flying fuck what this guy says?

Well, nobody was burning a Qur'an this week, so they had to fill up the empty air time.
posted by krinklyfig at 8:30 PM on May 28, 2011


flabdablet: "Oh, and: refridgerator. Else, why fridge?"

Because according to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the shortened form "fridge" may have been encouraged by the manufacturer Frigidaire.
posted by Plutor at 5:51 AM on June 1, 2011


If you believe that you'll believe anything.
posted by flabdablet at 8:06 AM on June 1, 2011


Because according to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the shortened form "fridge" may have been encouraged by the manufacturer Frigidaire.

But, um, that doesn't explain the D.
posted by The World Famous at 9:05 AM on June 1, 2011


Figidaire has a D in it. QED.
posted by Plutor at 9:57 AM on June 1, 2011


Figidaire has a D in it. QED.

Wrong D. You don't get up in the middle of the night to get a snack from the "Frigid." The company is not called "Fridgidaire."
posted by The World Famous at 10:13 AM on June 1, 2011


> You don't get up in the middle of the night to get a snack from the "Frigid." The company is not called "Fridgidaire."

It is if you're Shel Silverstein.
posted by Horselover Phattie at 10:14 AM on June 1, 2011


It just so happens that I am Shel Silverstein and I would point out to you, good sir, that nowhere in my poem do the words "frigid" or "fridge" appear.
posted by The World Famous at 10:27 AM on June 1, 2011 [1 favorite]


"Frige" is an unnatural-looking construction in English. "Fridge" puts it more in line with words like "wedge" and "midge" and "smidge."

By way of comparison, my last name is Sticher, pronounced like "stitcher." People keep misspelling it as Stitcher, though, because Sticher is unnatural-looking in English, whereas Stitcher is natural-looking.
posted by Sticherbeast at 10:30 AM on June 1, 2011


Ok, but Fridgitydaire is a great word anyway.
posted by Horselover Phattie at 10:31 AM on June 1, 2011


But, um, that doesn't explain the D.

Orthographic pressure from existing sound-alike words like "bridge", "abridge", "ridge", "partridge", "porridge", etc. seems like the obvious explanation.
posted by cortex at 10:32 AM on June 1, 2011


I was coming here to say what cortex just did. It's a neologism based on sound-alikes. What's the big?
posted by Devils Rancher at 10:35 AM on June 1, 2011


Well, sure. Give the actual linguistic/orthographic explanation instead of playing along.
posted by The World Famous at 10:36 AM on June 1, 2011


Somebody needs to give Devils Rancher a wegie.
posted by flabdablet at 11:21 PM on June 1, 2011


WHERE'S THE D??
posted by Devils Rancher at 4:59 AM on June 2, 2011


Lazy snark I should have made earlier: Third Eagle of the apocalypse? I thought that was Don Henley.
posted by klangklangston at 8:15 AM on June 2, 2011


> Lazy snark I should have made earlier

L'esprit de le snarkier
posted by Horselover Phattie at 8:27 AM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]


WHERE'S THE D??

In the fridge.
posted by flabdablet at 6:21 PM on June 2, 2011 [1 favorite]


Well played, sir.
posted by Devils Rancher at 8:58 PM on June 2, 2011


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