Harold Camping: 5 Facts About The May 21 Judgment Day Predictor

Harold Camping really believes the world is going to end.

And while you may not personally buy into the May 21 judgment day prediction, the California-based religious figure and radio broadcaster has followers around the world preparing for the impending rapture.

Who is the man behind the movement? For a quick review, here are five facts on Harold Camping.

1. He's originally from Colorado.
Camping was born July 19, 1921 in Colorado, but moved to California with his family at a young age. He eventually earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley in 1942.

2. He started Family Radio in 1958.
After school, Camping established himself in the construction business before forming and becoming president of the non-profit ministry of Family Stations, Inc. Three years later, the organization introduced the Open Forum, a live, weekend radio program hosted by Camping.

3.He already wrongly predicted the rapture once before.
Camping has written approximately 30 books, and "1994?" -- which contains his infamous prediction that the rapture would take place sometime during mid-September, 1994 -- is perhaps the most well-known among them.

By the way, you can get all of Camping's works for free on the Family Radio website.

4.Even so, he's pretty sure of himself this time around.
When asked by New York Magazine whether he would start getting nervous if "six o'clock rolls around" nothing is happening, Camping responded, "It’s going to happen. It’s going to happen. I don’t even think about those kind of issues. The Bible is not — God is not playing games. I don’t even want to think about that question at all. It is going to happen."

5. He has more than a few doubters.
While Camping does have his share of followers -- maybe you've seen the billboards and buses -- he also has his share of detractors. For instance, the folks at RefuteCamping.com.

For more, here's Camping responding to a caller who doesn't buy into the May 21 rapture.

WATCH:

Could Doomsday Come in 2011?

Comments

[Charlie Rizzo]

01:11 AM on 05/27/2011

Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. How wonderful for guys like Harold Camping.
Heavy "turnover" expectations keep these parasites going. It is not even 1 week since the long declared "rapture" failed to occur. Tightly controlled "Educational(sic) Stations,Family Radio's" CEO Harold let out another slip by assuring his listeners "all is well financially because we had it planned." Give him another week to babble on as "we" study very,very, carefully and accurately to undo the previous inaccuracies. "God does not talk out of both side's of His mouth",he said. Yet tonight Harold said God made him (us) think there would be a literal "earthquake" to prepare us for the REAL judgement day. In other words GOD is to blame. GO AWAY FAMILY RADIO.....Ichabod! (The glory of the Lord has departed)

[Lenajones]

12:44 AM on 05/25/2011

When I read stories like this, I have to seriously pause and consider the sanity of my fellow humans. This guy actually looks insane. Why would anyone follow him unless they themselves are too afflicted with the same illness.
Please people, stop confusing myth for reality and come back down to earth, common sense and sound philosophy.

[Kome Chris-ukoko]

12:13 AM on 05/25/2011

really pathetic
check out this site. really good.
http://relijournal.com/christianity/harold-camping-false-prophet/

lots of info on Harold Camping, his past predictions, how he arrived at the supposed date of the rapture, and what he claims God told him. Also has video interviews of him and his thoughts on the people who believed his predictions.

[Out of the Cocoon]

12:03 AM on 05/25/2011

Typical Bait and Switch con. It's just what the Watchtower organization did to Jehovah’s Witnesses when they predicted Armageddon would arrive in 1914, 1915, 1925 and 1975. This slight of hand would make Copperfield jealous because now this prophet can rake in even more $$$. Educate yourself and your family. Don’t think your loved ones are immune! I lost my family to a cult 30 years ago and they are STILL in it! Please read my story and articles about mind control. Cults destroy millions of lives every day. Brenda Lee, public speaker, counter-cult educator and author of: "Out of the Cocoon: A Young Woman's Courageous Flight from the Grip of a Religious Cult." Learn how cults work: www.outofthecocoon.net

[Wasa Hong]

03:30 PM on 05/24/2011

a series of articles here
http://www.christianpost.com/topics/end-of-the-world/

[Craig Lane]

09:30 AM on 05/24/2011

So I heard he got 18 MILLION in donations over this whole thing....is he giving that back now? There is waaaay too much crap about this clown on HP.

[usyankee]

09:44 PM on 05/23/2011

Matt. 24:36 No one knows the day nor the hour (the conclusion of this system of things Matt. 24:3), not the angels, not even the Son (Jesus)-- only God.

[atwas911]

09:07 AM on 05/23/2011

He should be swinging from a rope. END OF STORY.

[PayingAttention]

02:10 PM on 05/22/2011

Our crazy old world is in a world of hurt for being a world apart from total world destruction as predicted by a world class end of the world prognosticator.

[jm26dream]

01:58 PM on 05/22/2011

Harold camping was right after all, the world DID end...but the media is covering it up because they hate religion and stuff

[beckpod1]

11:51 AM on 05/22/2011

I have a crazy Aunt who says she has read the Bible from cover to cover 3 times...says that God speaks to her in her dreams...makes life decisions on these dreams...and is superior and hateful to those around her...and will never admit a mistake..ever!
If she had 50 million dollars you can bet she'd be on the radio ruining people's lives as well!!

[Pete DiMartino]

07:45 AM on 05/22/2011

Believing "God " was coming today, yesterday or any other day is childish and sad.

[Raymond Soltysek]

07:44 AM on 05/22/2011

6. He's a loon.

[whirlpool]

03:53 PM on 05/23/2011

Why insult loons like that?

[buzzy063]

06:30 AM on 05/22/2011

Harold?.....Harold? It's May 22nd. Wrong again!

[houseofd]

01:38 AM on 05/22/2011

Everybody now:

Shut your pie hole, old man.