US doomsday prophet vanishes
Source: Agencies |
October 22, 2011, Saturday
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A US evangelical broadcaster whose end-of-the-world prophecy this year stirred a media frenzy, vanished before his recalibrated doomsday set for yesterday.
After his May 21 apocalypse failed to happen, Harold Camping emerged from a brief seclusion to say he had merely miscalculated by five months. He pronounced a new judgment day - October 21.
The following month, the 90-year-old former civil engineer suffered a stroke, according to his California-based Christian radio network.
He has largely dropped out of sight since then, and his daily radio program "Open Forum," broadcast on more than 60 US stations, has been canceled.
Believers once fanned out nationwide with placards advertising Camping's message - some giving up life savings in anticipation of being swept into heaven - but there is little sign they are following the new doomsday countdown.
Gone, too, are the billboards posted by Camping's Family Radio network declaring judgment day is at hand.
Network spokesman Tom Evans declined to comment on Camping or his prophecies, except to say he had "retired" as a radio host but remained chairman of the board of Family Stations.
Camping had little to say when he answered the door of his home in Alameda, wearing a bathrobe and leaning on a walker. "We are not having a conversation," he said. "There is nothing to report here."
Municipal records show a Sunday prayer group led by Camping - the Alameda Bible Fellowship - has continued to meet weekly.
American Legion officer Ron Parshall, part of a veterans group that meets in an adjacent room one Sunday a month, said he has seen Camping leading bible services. He said the number of Camping's followers dwindled following the failed May 21 prophecy.
Parshall said: "He was a nice man. He was just too radical for me. Anyone who claims to be that close to God, I take it with a grain of salt."
After his May 21 apocalypse failed to happen, Harold Camping emerged from a brief seclusion to say he had merely miscalculated by five months. He pronounced a new judgment day - October 21.
The following month, the 90-year-old former civil engineer suffered a stroke, according to his California-based Christian radio network.
He has largely dropped out of sight since then, and his daily radio program "Open Forum," broadcast on more than 60 US stations, has been canceled.
Believers once fanned out nationwide with placards advertising Camping's message - some giving up life savings in anticipation of being swept into heaven - but there is little sign they are following the new doomsday countdown.
Gone, too, are the billboards posted by Camping's Family Radio network declaring judgment day is at hand.
Network spokesman Tom Evans declined to comment on Camping or his prophecies, except to say he had "retired" as a radio host but remained chairman of the board of Family Stations.
Camping had little to say when he answered the door of his home in Alameda, wearing a bathrobe and leaning on a walker. "We are not having a conversation," he said. "There is nothing to report here."
Municipal records show a Sunday prayer group led by Camping - the Alameda Bible Fellowship - has continued to meet weekly.
American Legion officer Ron Parshall, part of a veterans group that meets in an adjacent room one Sunday a month, said he has seen Camping leading bible services. He said the number of Camping's followers dwindled following the failed May 21 prophecy.
Parshall said: "He was a nice man. He was just too radical for me. Anyone who claims to be that close to God, I take it with a grain of salt."
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