Oh the things some people will do for money and publicity.

Last year, a right wing American evangelist shook the world – and gained fame in the process – when he threatened to burn copies of the Quran on the anniversary of 9/11. His gun next to his Bible and his computer as he issued the threat on TV, he claimed his "right to protest" was protected by the American Constitution. He was never stopped, far less arrested – or even warned.

Earlier this year, another American evangelist created a worldwide blitz of publicity for his prophesy of the end of the world. Harold Camping, an 89-year old Californian prophet of doom, warned the world that a giant earthquake will destroy the world on May 21, 2011, but 200 million "believers" would be "Raptured-up" into Heaven while "all non-believers" would perish. The day came and went and the next day, the doomsday preacher blamed a personal error of spiritual judgment.

Now Camping claims May 21 was only "a spiritual Judgment Day" when God started to decide "who he'll take to Heaven" and that the actual "Final Day" will come five months later – on October 21, 2011.

Camping had already predicted "Judgment Day" once before – in 1994. That time, he blamed "a mathematical error" when it didn't happen. But by the time his second error of judgment was discovered, Camping's private network, Family Radio Worldwide, had become a multi-million-dollar operation.

In 2009, Family Radio's "non-profit" operation reported in IRS filings that it received $18.3 million in donations and had assets of more than $104 million – including $34 million in stocks or other publicly-traded securities.

Family Radio spent millions of dollars – including substantial sums donated by followers – on more than 5,000 billboards and 20 RVs plastered with the "Judgment Day" message across the USA. It also spent millions sending delegations across the world to "spread the message" to nations as far apart as the Middle East, Vietnam and the Caribbean.

But when he spoke to the world that was still there the day after, Camping showed little concern about the earthly situation of his followers, many of who had gone to banks to withdraw all their savings, and others who had given away all their possessions in expectation of the May 21 "Rapture".

"Family Radio would never tell anyone what they should do with their belongings… We're not in the business of financial advice," he said, making it quite clear that he would not be giving away his own possessions ahead of October 21.

People like Camping have gained fame and fortune from their antics. But what about the consequences for their victims?

It's easy to say they were "foolish" and therefore "paid for their foolishness". But "believers" of any religion are easily swayed by any man in a frock who can convince his flock with words from The Holy Book (of whichever religion), however interpreted.

While Camping has made it clear he will not part with his own money and property ahead of his predicted doomsday, and while Family Radio insists it will not refund those its broadcasts hoodwinked into dispensing with all their earthly possessions, the ruined victims have been left to fend for themselves and face the ridicule of their neighbors.

Psychologists normally warn that such situations can lead to suicide and other unpredictable consequential responses. But, in this case, Camping's "right" to "freedom of expression" has been given precedence over the need to protect his victims from his type of costly spiritual hoax.

Will the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) now charge Camping with fraud? Hardly likely. But we should not forget that Camping's absurd doomsday prophesy turned out to be genuinely apocalyptic for those who believed his every word.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.ccgp-fushun.com/opinion/node_7107878.htm

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