May 21, 2011 (it ain't the end)

All of this media blitz about Harold Camping, the world ending this coming Saturday at precisely 6:00 PM, etc. is making me sad, for several reasons.  First, the number of people who have signed on to this idea, giving up everything in the process, once again demonstrates a conception of heaven as a means of escape from this world (a narrow and pale view of what heaven should be).  This view leads people to forsake or even do damage to our world, since it becomes ultimately of no consequence.  Second, the undue attention being given to this tiny group is causing undue ridicule on Christianity writ large.  Most people, Christians included, are rolling their eyes at this latest bout of apocalyptism, but to those outside, it could be taken as a more broadly-accepted Christian belief than it actually is.  Also, given the methods of arriving at this prediction (dating based on Jesus' life, or the supposed date of the Flood), it is easy to lump these folks into the already-scorned anti-science camp reserved for young-earth creationists and their friends.  Third, and perhaps more saddening, in my religious studies classes, I have studied and written papers about failed prophecies, and I know that just like all the other predicted dates, May 21 is going to come and go without incident.  This will lead to disheartened Christians among those who believed the predictions, blundering explanations from Camping as he tries to retain as much dignity as possible, and scorn from without.  No one wins.  I suppose the only upside will be an excuse to listen to Jay Sean and Nicki Minaj (or for someone to write the 2011 remix -- run with that idea, it's a potential goldmine...).