In this Dec. 12, 2002 file photo, Harold Camping speaks while holding the Bible, in San Leandro, Calif. A loosely organized Christian movement has spread the word around the globe that Jesus Christ will return to earth on Saturday, May 21, 2011, to gather the faithful into heaven. While the Christian mainstream isn't buying it, many other skeptics are believing it. The prediction originates with Camping, the 89-year-old retired civil engineer, who founded Family Radio Worldwide, an independent ministry that has broadcasted his prediction around the world. (AP Photo, File)
Well, that's a relief!
Defying predictions, a waiter served pancakes at a Canoga Park health-food restaurant Saturday. A retiree practiced golf at a course in Encino. A couple strolled hand-in-hand in Balboa Park. A barber in Woodland Hills trimmed hair and watched the Preakness on TV. A newsstand cashier on Ventura Boulevard sold papers and magazines, many labeled - audaciously - with dates yet to come.
Watching people go about their lives on a sunny, breezy day in the San Fernando Valley, you'd never have known it was Judgment Day.
"A perfect day for the end of the world," joked Sal Hernandez, a Northridge resident, as he walked in the park with Griselda Rodriguez.
Everybody knew. They'd heard about a radio preacher's apocalyptic prediction. But they'd made corny wisecracks about it and moved on.
Kevin Portillo, a Van Nuys High School senior, was more upset about having to miss the senior prom the night before to go to work at All American Newsstand in Encino.
"My girlfriend went by herself. She was sad," Portillo said. "I got to go to the afterparty."
He said he and his friends were philosophical about the prediction, made by the founder of an Oakland-based Christian radio network and trumpeted on billboards.
"Everybody I know was, like, if this is
the end, at least we had a good time," Portillo said.As for those who believed Saturday really would mark the beginning of the end of the universe, Portillo said: "These people are crazy."
According to followers of Harold Camping, the 89-year-old head of Family Radio, Bible-based calculations showed May 21, 2011 would bring cataclysmic earthquakes at precisely 6 p.m. in each time zone. That would signal the start of the Rapture, when Jesus Christ returns to Earth and about 200 million "saved" Christians ascend to heaven. Which precede months of disaster and general misery for those left behind, and the fiery destruction of all creation on Oct. 21.
Camping had also predicted the end of the world in 1994, and blamed bad math when that prophesy turned out to be (you may realize) wrong.
Bob Hoffman, a barber at the De Castillian salon in Woodland Hills, noted that it would be bad for business if too many people believed there was no future to get spiffed up for.
"Actually, it was slow yesterday (Friday)," Hoffman said with a smile.
One believer, Daniel Abraham Hosea, a resident of the Kern County community of Pine Mountain Club, said during the week that he would spend Saturday with his family at a ranch in the Antelope Valley. Hosea could not be reached for comment as the day went on without incident.
The Associated Press reported a Maryland tractor-trailer driver named Keith Bauer drove 3,000 miles with his family to be in Oakland for the big day, saying he was "hoping for (the end) because I think heaven would be a lot better than this Earth." The disappointed Bauer planned to drive home today.
Camping's prediction was based on biblical interpretations but became widely known through the internet, hitting the top of Twitter's "trending topics" list.
Sam Smetana, 21, a waiter at Follow Your Heart in Canoga Park, said he heard about it through social media.
"I think we're safe," Smetana said about 9 a.m., by which time much of the world had peacefully passed 6 p.m.
Donna Kaufman, 66, a retired banker, laughed about the prediction as she grooved her putting stroke at Balboa Golf Course.
"I'm not even thinking about it," Kaufman said. "It's nice to be outdoors and doing stuff you enjoy."
Rodriguez, a paralegal from Northridge, said she and Hernandez, a graphic designer, joked that they might as well spend the final day enjoying nature.
She was philosophical about all the talk about Judgment Day, calling it a reminder to appreciate life day by day "until He decides to take it away."
"We always face that threat," Rodriguez said. "It could be an earthquake, it could be a tornado, it could be something man-made like a nuclear bomb. You can choose to be afraid or you can choose to live. I choose to live."
Rodriguez and Hernandez walked on.
"Enjoy the day," Hernandez said over his shoulder.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_18113172?source=rss
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