The End of the World Is Nigh — Not and Not Again
As one of the country's longer-lasting evangelical broadcasters, Harold Camping had predicted dates for the end of the world before. Jesus, he said, would return on May 21, 1988. When that didn't happen, he later said the final judgment would take place on Sept. 6, 1994. He reapplied his mix of biblical analysis and numerology again this year — twice. First, he said Jesus would return on May 21, 2011, prompting many followers to give up their worldly belongings and prepare for the end of the world. May 21 came and went. He then said that Oct. 21 would be when the real fireworks took place. He retired from his Family Radio company shortly before the date, perhaps in expectation. Alas, Oct. 21 too came and went with nothing but Hurricane Rina in the Caribbean kicking up a fuss. (She quieted down the next day.) Those looking toward the end of the world can only hope the Mayan calendar and its 2012 deadline for a cosmic reset is more accurate.