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May 18th, 2011
05:00 AM ET
Tick tock goes the doomsday clockBy Jessica Ravitz, CNN (CNN) - For months they’ve been spreading the word, answering the biblical call of Ezekiel 33 to sound the alarm and warn the people. Their message, which they say the Bible guarantees, is simple: The end of the world is near. And now, it’s suddenly really near - so near that if these folks are right, you should probably pass on buying green bananas. Perhaps you’ve already noticed, what with the billboards and signs dotting the landscape, the pamphlets blowing in the wind and the RVs plastered with Judgment Day warnings weaving through cities. Or maybe, as the birds chirped outside and you sipped your morning coffee, a full-page newspaper ad for the upcoming mass destruction caught your eye. May 21, 2011, according to loyal listeners of Family Radio, a Christian broadcasting network based in Oakland, California, will mark the Day of Rapture and the start of Judgment Day (which, they say, will last five months). Those who are saved will be taken up to heaven, and those who aren’t will endure unspeakable suffering. Dead bodies will be strewn about as earthquakes ravage the Earth, they say. And come October 21, they’ll tell you, the entire world will be kaput. It’s the kind of belief that riles up churchgoers who insist no one can know when Judgment Day will come, and the sort that many say does a disservice to Christianity. And it’s the kind of message that delights the types who are planning tongue-in-cheek End of the World parties and are responding to a Facebook invitation to attend a post-rapture looting. Rapture events, including one at a tiki bar in Fort Lauderdale, are being hosted by American Atheists. News outlets, comedians and even Doonesbury can’t seem to resist a good end-of-the-world prophecy. Billboard battle over Judgment Day Earlier this year, CNN traveled with a team of believers - all of whom had walked away from friends, families and jobs - as they set out to share this serious message aboard a caravan of Judgment Day RVs. These ambassadors or co-laborers in God’s work, as they see themselves, let us into their world. Along the way we met other supporters, as well as a sea of skeptics, many of them drunken pirates gathered for an annual festival in Florida. Read about that journey and the roots of this doomsday message With only days to go, we wanted to know how the ambassadors are feeling now. Are they making special plans and saying goodbyes? Have their convictions stayed strong, or have doubts crept in? Are they at peace, excited or maybe afraid? “We’ve been a little busy, as you can imagine,” said Fred Store, the team leader on our journey. Reached at a motor home park in Providence, Rhode Island, Store spoke of the surge of support he’s seen in recent months – the 60 like-minded people (including someone who works for Homeland Security, he boasted) who joined his small crew on the Mall in Washington, and the hundreds who gathered in Times Square in New York. But at the same time he said resistance from those who don’t believe has grown, too. The more people heard about the May 21 warning, the more they discussed it with their pastors and came prepared to argue. Learn about doomsdays throughout time And the media, while they’ve helped spread the message, will be turned away in the coming days. CNN hoped to be with Store and his team on doomsday, but the members said they needed that time to focus on their relationship with God. Perhaps that’s just as well, as an official at Family Radio headquarters pointed out: “What makes you think you’ll be able to get to them? The roads will be a mess," he said, referring to the expected earthquakes. Plus, Store said, even if we got there, there would be no time to edit and publish, so what's the point? Store’s faith remains unwavering. Come Saturday, he and his team will be in Boston, standing in a spot with heavy foot traffic, passing out their pamphlets – which they call tracts – and doing what they believe God called them to do until the very end. No longer with the team is Darryl Keitt, who ditched his caravan on May 6. He said his time on the RV was a “gift from God,” but he decided he needed to spend the last couple of weeks focusing on his non-believing family and friends in New Jersey. It was a decision he prayed about for several weeks. His Elizabeth, New Jersey, apartment is pretty sparse, seeing as he gave away most everything before hitting the road. “I was able to get my old place back,” he said. “But we only have four days to go, so I don’t need much.” He’s reaching out to old friends and hoping his family will come around and believe what he says he knows to be true. “I have not seen any signs that they are believing the message,” he said. “But I can’t read anybody’s heart; only God can. And I’m still praying for them. All I can do is continue to share my convictions.” Tisan Dawud may not share his older half-brother's beliefs, but he supports the positive nature of what Keitt's doing and is awestruck by his dedication. "He's trying to spread what he believes is the word of God, and I can't knock him for that," Dawud said Tuesday evening. "I became Muslim when I was very young, and he remained Christian. But I've always had respect for his beliefs, and he always had respect for my beliefs." And rather than criticize or ridicule his brother, who he said isn't hurting anyone, Dawud wishes people would focus on those who deserve examination and condemnation - those selling drugs, molesting children, raping women or embezzling money, for example. Keitt spends his days in prayer, reaching out to people on Facebook, listening to Family Radio and walking around his neighborhood in his Judgment Day cap and T-shirt. He ran out of tracts some time ago, and at this point it’s too late to order any more, he said. As for where he’ll be on Saturday: “It’s a good question," and one he's still considering. He doesn’t like goodbyes, he said, and only told two people in his caravan team of 10 that he was leaving. He gave those two men, one of them Store, a quick hug and that was it. “Preferably we’ll meet each other again,” Keitt said, “in heaven.” Dennis Morrell was driving through Jacksonville, Florida, pulling his Judgment Day billboard trailer, when we reached him on his cell phone. He wasn’t part of the caravan of RVs but was among the Floridians who joined in to help Store’s team when they were in the city. Morell and his wife quit their jobs to focus on warning others, a move that’s left their four kids – ages 17 to 24 – thinking “Mom and Dad are crazy,” he said. He still hopes God will “open their spiritual eyes,” he said. “But they’re at an age where they love their lives. They don’t want this world to come to an end.” His faith, though, is as firm as ever, and he wishes others would open their minds and hearts to this possibility. “Why would you wait to see if this is actually going to happen? You have that option to cry out for mercy,” he said. “I don’t want to die and go to hell. Do you?” He plans to spend the last days praying, up until the early hours of Saturday - when he’ll both pray and wait for 16 hours. Why 16 hours? Morrell explained that the massive doomsday earthquake will start at the International Date Line before moving west. New Zealand, he said, will get hit first – at 6 p.m. local time. And then that wave of destruction will roll around the world, wreaking havoc at 6 p.m. in each time zone. While Morrell expects he’ll reserve Saturday for private time, Benjamin Ramrajie of Ocala, Florida, doesn’t have any special plans. We met Ramrajie in Tampa after his 7-year-old daughter issued a doomsday warning about how the sun would “turn red like blood.” He stood by and nodded his approval as she spoke about dead bodies and her fears of dying. “Most of my family doesn’t agree 100 percent, and I don’t blame them because it is far-fetched,” he said. “I strongly believe it’s going to happen. But I just figure I’ll relax, maybe watch TV. If that’s the day we get raptured, great. If not, we’ll move on.” soundoff (6,292 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 Next » |
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Well, typically, religion consists of unchallengeable statements, dogma, faith. Believers are only certain of the principal of uncertainty, manmade delusions including false counseling, claiming to know the mind of their Gods. At least with this crack pot group, the evidence of their claim should silence their delusion – for a time at least
You gotta give them credit for making falsifiable claims.
Someone will say "Wait, we forgot to carry the 1!" and it will all start over again.
Will they get up as usual on Sunday and go to church, putting a hefty donation in the collection basket?
Wow. Do people even read the bible anymore? "“Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father." – Matthew 24:36
"Keep on the watch, therefore, because YOU do not know on what day YOUR Lord is coming." – Matthew 24:36
"On this account YOU too prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that YOU do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming." -Matthew 24:44 ...there are many other scriptures that are in line with these mentioned.
You have to actually READ and KNOW the bible before you start a crusade such as this one...it will only end in utter disappointment.
Matthew really needed to lighten up!
Lol..ok Abe...must admit, that was kind of funny.
It's really gone from being funny to being just sad. These people gave away nearly everything they own, quit their jobs, said goodbye to their friends and families, and now they wait for Saturday. And when they wake up on Sunday morning...? To quote Edward G. Robinson, "Where's your Messiah now?"
And if they have any sense of honor they will off themselves for being so pathetic
Nice quote...you beat me to it! Funny in the 80's when Billy Crystal did a stand up using that...
I am a christian and truly believe with every fiber in my body in the end dayas, and the signs that are already here. However, in the Bible it says that He will come like a thief in the night, no man knows the hour or the day.
Its also sad reading that this is why people hate fanatical christains, not all christians are the same. I myself do not think it will happen this year nor the next but at least take a look around and see the craziness of the world is only getting worse. If there are doubters out there still then read the Bible. and of course we all know about how many have rewriten it, but that is also what faith is all about. Theres no reason to judge others beliefs!
Andrea
I am a christian and truly believe with every fiber in my body in the end dayas
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Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it difficult to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses, and to behave normally in social situations.
As the illness continues, psychotic symptoms develop:
• False beliefs or thoughts that are not based in reality (delusions)
• Hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations)
It's pretty ridiculous to think that the world is any crazier now than it has been throughout human civilization. You think you're less fanatical because you won't put a date on the "end of days?" Think again.
While I agree that we won't know when the day is, you have to admit that these May 21st people are getting people to think. What if he did come Saturday, or next year, or tomorrow... Would we be ready?
To Artist; I see you posting the same ignorance over and over. Do you actually think that anybody who "believes" in a power greater than ourselves is a schizophrenic? Obama, Lincoln, Einstein, Gandhi, Jesus? So, you're smarter than these "men". Your arrogance saddens me.
I thought Christians all believed in the "one and only god". If thats true why would he inform some people it is the end of the world but people like yourself are not in the loop? Not enough faith?
@da13ca23 – Not all people who claim to be Christians are TRUE CHRISTIANS. Do some serious research on what true Christianity is supposed to look like; you'll see that there is only one group who follows this in the truest sense.
In fact, it is an excellent reason to "judge" those beliefs. Believe what you like. Let those "fanatical" Christians (to use the phrase that you offered) believe as they like. Please stay out of my way and don't clog traffic and I'll be only too happy to stay out of your way and I'll be only too happy to defend, with my life if necessary, your right to believe whatever you choose to believe, no matter how utterly ridiculous I might find that belief to be. I do not recognize a right to regulate the beliefs of others. I DO recognize a right to "judge" those beliefs and the people from whose mouths those beliefs are spewed. This is the way that human beings make determinations as to which people with whom they will associate and which people with whom they refuse to associate and there is not a single thing wrong with that.
Judgment Day is any day, at any time, for any of us.
Stupid People: here to make the rest of us look good.
Predictions for the end of the world, the rapture, the second coming, the judgement day (whatever you want to call it) have been popping up (and passing) for a very long time. It's an amusing reminder of the different types of people who inhabit this planet as well as another demonstration, if we even needed another demonstration, that there are people who can be induced (by religious or political prophets) to believe and profess the most bizarre nonsense imaginable. This group claims that there is some "event", lasting for five months, that is supposed to start on May 21st. Fine, go ahead and shout your warnings from the top of your lungs and from the highest mountain top. Even if they're correct, five months isn't a whole lot of time to undertake any practical effort to escape the situation, assuming it ever happens, so they might just as well sit back and pray (please, do it silently) and let the remainder of us "less-fortunate" uninformed heathens alone.
Tom,
The sad thing is that when the end doesn't happen then it will be "gods will" because "god works in mysterious ways" and is "perfect" while this man is fallible and just made a mistake or misunderstood gods message!
Did they pay the rent on those billboards and RVs through the endof the month? Or just to the 22nd? And can they get a refund on the 23rd?
I must be the last one to hear about the May 21st event? Guess I need to get up to speed on things. The bible is very clear concerning the coming of Christ.
Matthew 24:30 "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."
When in doubt, check it out. Bible reigns true always. I don't believe the May 21st proclamation. I believe the written word always and forever.
You serpent slow bellies...quit trying to deceive the innocent of heart that really do want to know Christ. The Lord rebuke you slow bellies for doing as such.
"Bible reigns true always".
Uh huh. Sure it does.
"I believe the written word always and forever."
I ran this through Google translate. It gave me the following:
"I believe in the ridiculous, and I will always be stupid."
I must profess my ignorance. What is a 'slow bellie'?
Also, how can I be rebuked by a mythical being??
Will there be punch?
wow I finally get some extra money to spend since I do not have to pay bills this month LOL. Now I will just have to have a good time real quickly LOL.
So I'm packing the last of my things before heading down to my bunker Friday night. Don't you hate when you keep thinking that you are forgetting something??
Tooth brush.. Check,
Extra underwear..Check,
Complete DVD box set to Dawson's Creek...Check
Damn, what could it be???
You forgot to pack a woman and lots of condoms. Wouldn't want to get AIDS hehehe
I HATE the feeling, did you remember to bring your phone charger? You're going to be playing a lot of angry birds....
HERE IS THE ANSWER PEOPLE: "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. MARK 13:32. JESUS SAID THAT HIS RETURN WILL BE LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT. IT WILL BE A TOTAL SURPRISE TO EVERYONE. BY THE WAY, WHAT WILL YOU DO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE WITHOUT JESUS ON THAT DAY? TAKE JESUS TODAY. SAVE YOURSELF FROM ETERNAL HELL.
What will I do on that day? I will teabag jesus and give him a dirty sanchez.
This is eternal hell. People like you guarantee an endless supply of it.
I always wonder if people like you ever have their own opinion or do you always have to spout proverbs rather than having a rational conversation.
Damn, you put your words in all caps and the bible quotes in small. A little self absorbed aren't you?
HAhahHAhaaahaaHAhahHahahahAHAHAHAH!!! Seriously?
Sounds like Jim Jones is alive and well and making his move again. When will people learn that these religious belief is based on power over the mind by the religious establishment and begin thinking for themselves.
THEY USUALLY SAY, 'WHAT YOU DO NT KNOW CAN HURT YOU'. CHECK YOUR POSITION AGAIN IN REGARD TO YOUR POSITION AGAINST THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. HAVE SOUGHT THE LORD AND NOT FOUND HIM? HAS HE FAILED YOU? SOMETIMES, IT'S BETTER TO LIVE OR EXPERIENCE SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF BEFORE YOU CAN CRITIC IT. IF YOU GET THIS WRONG, THEN YOU'RE DOOMED FOR ETERNITY. THAT'S VERY SERIOUS! DOESN'T THAT CONCERN YOU? THINK ABOUT IT!
Believing this will happen on May 21st is only slightly nuttier than believing it will ever happen.
I'm having such a bad week, I'd almost welcome the end of the world. Of course, I tend to believe that when you die, your brain stops working and therefore so does your consciousness or "soul." And since I believe that, obviously I don't believe in god or an afterlife...so my take is that next week will roll around as usual. I just hope it's a less sh!tty week.
I thought it was just me! It would sure be an end to the Monday Blaghs though...
Christianity is not about the end, neither is the path of the faithful. Hopefully they realize that on Saturday.
There is a plenty supply of ignorant and delusional
There certainly are, Artist: we call them believers.
barancle: "There certainly are, Artist: we call them believers."
Lol. Your attempts at trolling have failed for the last ten pages. Why don't you give it up already?
Barnacle Bill
There certainly are, Artist: we call them believers.
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I have no doubt they "believe" and actually think they "hear" god talking to them.
.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it difficult to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses, and to behave normally in social situations.
As the illness continues, psychotic symptoms develop:
• False beliefs or thoughts that are not based in reality (delusions)
• Hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there (hallucinations)
Loool: typical religious moron, you are.
I haven't been on the last ten pages, idiot.
So man will never know the day or time of the end of the world, got it. Does that mean that if people constantly "predict" the end of the world it will never happen? If I say the world will end tomorrow and it doesn't that means God is still correct and that no one knows the end. If, on the other hand, the world does end at least I was right. 🙂
knowing and guessing are two different things but point taken.
Simply guessing the day the world will end does not mean you actually "KNOW" if you ask me what day of the week it is and I start with Monday you say no then I say Tuesday and you say no then I say Wednesday and you say yes that doesn't mean I really knew what day of the week it was.
God please bless America and let peace be with all.
You'd have better luck asking for the tooth fairy to leave you a quarter under your pillow.
And you think god reads this blog lol
yea lets all cram for the end of the test that god will be giving.... if you need to be asks for forgiveness with only 3 days left i think "god" will know. well at least its not a pop test right? when its the rapture will he be destroying just the earth and humans or all living things through out the universe? by the way i don't believe in god especially the christian god, and would be shocked if the world did end on this arbitrary date. but at least with all these people quitting their jobs it opens up the market to smart intelligent people.
does it scare anyone else that one of theses nut jobs were working for homeland security.... what part angel division?