The End of the World Comes Early This Year: May 21st

If you can believe the apocalyptic visions of radio broadcaster Harold Camping, you may want to splurge on ice cream Friday evening or, at the very least, kiss a complete stranger.

His latest prediction names Saturday, May 21, 2011 as Judgement Day — marking the beginning five-month period of death and destruction before the world finally ends on October 21, 2011.

On his website, Camping asserts that a massive earthquake, powerful enough to throw open all graves will come first, followed by a slow death for all non-believers over the next five months. His prediction is based on taking direct quotes and stories from the Bible and applying them to numerological formulas.

...I know that Camping has been well-intentioned. I myself have thoroughly enjoyed his theological teachings throughout his life as a Christian broadcaster. And at 89 years old, I can understand his excitement to get to heaven. So I want to offer my own interpretation of his prediction, and hope that it ends up serving as more of a call for awareness to take a look at our moral compass and live life in a way that will bring us closer to God.

When May 21st comes and goes and nothing happens, perhaps for a brief moment, we will all be reminded that life is precious, and we should do everything we can while we’re here to make it wonderful for ourselves and those around us...

Of course, it doesn't help that Camping is also holding his twelfth annual "End of the World Sale" on all website merchandise.