Community Corner

Radio Talk Show Host Predicts 'Judgment Day' on Saturday

Followers spread the word in Northern Virginia

The end of the world is here. Again. A religious radio broadcaster who once predicted the world would end in 1994 is now predicting that the world will end on Saturday, May 21st. That's this Saturday.

“We are confident of this date, as we see this clearly taught in the Bible," said Tom Holt in an e-mail to Patch. Holt, a former Presbyterian pastor, has volunteered for 18 years with the Family Radio ministry. "Some of the most godly, most scholarly Christians of the past 2,000 years taught that the date of 'the End' is in the Bible, and, that there is nothing in the Bible that precludes knowing this date,” he said.

Should you cancel your weekend plans?

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A quick look at Northern Virginia area places of worship shows that services and other activities are scheduled for this weekend. At Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, you'll find the MVUC Choir, and guest musicians scheduled to perform "Earth Elements: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water." At Christ Church in Old Town, Alexandria, a service of "Reconciliation and Hope" is scheduled for Sunday. At Clifton Presbyterian Church an Eagle Scout Court of Honor is all set for Sunday.

The Rev. Kate Walker of Mount Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria noted that this kind of prediction is "nothing new" and is the type of forecasting that has been seen for thousands of years especially close to new millenniums.

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With so many purported followers of Family Radio, Walker said it's apparent the people who listen to its programming are searching for meaning in their lives. "You wonder, psychologically and emotionally though, what these people are looking for? They need some clarity in their lives as values are fluctuating around them."

Walker said that people shouldn't make fun of followers of Family Radio who believe the world will end, because those are their beliefs. She said they will come up with some sort of way to explain why the world did not end, that will fit into their beliefs.

Vinson Synan, dean emeritus of Regent University Divinity School and current professor of Church History, in Virginia Beach, echoes those sentiments. Are those predicting Judgment Day’s arrival this Saturday...simply looking for their 15 minutes of fame? he asks.  Overall, they do a disservice to sincere Christians, Synan said in a press release.

Author Sue Thompson, a consultant who helps companies with core values, said that "in an uncertain world, people--religious people, non-religious people (there are a good number of folks who believe the popular interpretations of the Mayan calendar), and everyone in between--gravitate to things that feel certain, especially if it fits in with their belief system, no matter how wacky it might be."

The Oakland, Calif.-based Family Radio ministry is spreading the word to its listeners that the world will end on Saturday, beginning with an earthquake that will start in California and spread to the rest of the world. Followers of the ministry have traveled the country in RVs to spread the word and Family Radio has purchased space on at least 2,000 billboards around the country to make its predictions known. Followers of the ministry have spread the word in Northern Virginia, including handing out pamphlets and holding up signs at parades in Old Town, Alexandria.

The person behind the predictions? Harold Camping, 89. Camping started his "non-profit" radio network in 1959. Today the station broadcasts programming in 61 languages and takes in donations from around the world.

The closest station to the Northern Virginia market is Baltimore, where the station's programming can be heard on WBGR, 860-AM and WBMD, 750-AM. It broadcasts in Virginia in Lynchburg, Roanoke and Winchester. You can also listen online.

So, what do you think of Camping and his prediction? And how would you spend your time if you knew your last day on Earth was imminent? Tell us in the Comments box following this story.

Sharon McLoone, local editor of Old Town Alexandria Patch, contributed to this report.


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