Protesters mock 'end of world' church

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

Perilous Times

Protesters mock 'end of world' church

Sceptics gather outside Harold Camping's Family Radio Network headquarters in Oakland, California to poke fun at the evangelical broadcaster's claim that the world would come to an end on May 21st, 2011.

3:20PM BST 22 May 2011
The Telegraph UK

The 89-year-old Californian preacher and radio host had prophesied that the Rapture would begin at 6pm May 21st in each of the world’s time zones, with non-believers wiped out by rolling earthquakes, as the saved ascended into heaven.

Mr Camping, a retired engineer, spread his message of doom via Family Radio, which has a network of 66 radio stations and online broadcasts.

Outside the Family Radio network headquarters protesters celebrated as the world's end failed to materialise. One group, who call themselves the Family Church of Laughs, filled human-shaped balloons shaped with helium and let them go to simulate souls being lifted to heaven.

Ed Holmes, leader of the satirical group, said: "It's important to mock the prophets. It's important to mock those that think they know what they are talking about."