Plan B Forum

TOMORROW will be cool and windy, with a chance of total apocalypse.

That, at least, is the prediction of Harold Camping, the 89-year-old founder of a Christian cult that disseminates numerological interpretations of the Bible to followers via a network of FM radio stations in the US and podcasts on its website.

Familyradio.com says God ''wants us to know that exactly 7000 years after He destroyed the world with water in Noah's day, He plans to destroy the entire world forever''.

Through a complex series of calculations, Mr Camping has arrived at the date of May 21, 2011, as Judgment Day, when only true believers will be spared.

But if you're not quite ready for the Rapture, there's no need for total despair … yet. Saturday is just the beginning of the end. The final fiery ball of damnation won't visit us until October 21.

Mr Camping bases his calculations on a model in which the number 5 equals ''atonement'', the number 10 equals ''completeness'', and the number 17 equals ''heaven''.

Miraculously, the square of the multiple of those numbers produces the exact number of days from the birth of Christ to the day of judgment. (For a full analysis of his approach, see refutecamping.com.)

Bonkers though it may seem to the non-believers, enough people have been convinced by Mr Camping's reasoning that by 2007 his organisation had assets worth $US122 million ($115 million), according to ministrywatch.com, a website that assesses the suitability of various Christian groups as recipients of donations.

Family Radio was given a three-star ''financial efficiency'' rating (out of five) from the website, but come Sunday it's hardly going to matter.

That perhaps explains the proliferation of billboards in Australian capital cities booked by the free-spending Family Radio that urge people to ''cry mightily unto God'' because ''Judgment Day is coming''.


Like they say, you can't take it with you.

Of course, one man's eternal damnation is another man's golden opportunity, and American company Eternal Earth-Bound Pets has grabbed its chance with all four paws.

''You've committed your life to Jesus,'' its pitch begins. ''You know you're saved. But when the Rapture comes, what's to become of your loving pets?''

For a fee of $135, the ''confirmed atheists'' at Eternal promise to save one pet per residence ''should the Rapture occur within 10 years of receipt of payment''. They'll take additional pets for $20 each.

Meanwhile, there are some who see the end of the world as a good reason to party. The Atheist Foundation of Australia is planning a farewell shindig at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow in St Kilda on Saturday afternoon. Sunday, of course, could be hell

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/cult-claims ... z1MrGbYqYd

Bonkers though it may seem to the non-believers, enough people have been convinced by Mr Camping's reasoning that by 2007 his organisation had assets worth $US122 million ($115 million),

Gob wrote:

Fucking genius!!!

US atheists are to hold parties in response to an evangelical broadcaster's prediction that Saturday will be "judgement day".

The Rapture After Party in North Carolina - "the best damned party in NC" - is among the planned events.

Harold Camping, 89, predicts that Jesus Christ will return to earth on Saturday and true believers will be swept up, or "raptured", to heaven.

He has used broadcasts and billboards to publicise his ideas.

He says biblical texts indicate that a giant earthquake on Saturday will mark the start of the world's destruction, and that by 21 October all non-believers will be dead.

Mr Camping has predicted an apocalypse once before, in 1994, though followers now say that only referred to an intermediary stage.

"We learn from the Bible that Holy God plans to rescue about 200 million people," says a text on the website of Mr Camping's network, Family Radio Worldwide.

"On the first day of the Day of Judgment (May 21, 2011) they will be caught up (raptured) into Heaven because God had great mercy for them."


The Rapture After Party in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is a two-day event organised by the Central North Carolina Atheists and Humanists.


"Though the absurdity of this claim is obvious to the majority of the world, it's a great opportunity to highlight some of the most bizarre beliefs often put forth by religious fundamentalists and raise awareness of the need for reason," said a posting about the party on the group's website.

Atheists in Tacoma, Washington, have headed their celebration "countdown to back-pedalling"


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13468131

Tributes have been paid to a Somerset vicar who collapsed and died in front of his congregation.

The Reverend Roger Pittard, 61, was attending Evensong at The Good Shepherd Church in Furnham, Chard, last Sunday when it happened.

The Diocese of Bath and Wells said he was taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, but could not be resuscitated.

Colleagues said Father Roger was a warm, outgoing person who would be much missed.

About 30 worshippers were attending the service.

Church treasurer, Gerald McCann, said: "It was a terrible shock. His poor wife was in the congregation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-13466688

The Hen wrote:run the Dyson over my sins