So, should Harold Camping be held accountable

[kimmyann]

for Anything? Idk, it just bothers me that this guy has pretty much single handedly ruined lives & caused major anxiety across the world. I could understand if this was his first time, but he's beginning to be a pro at gaining followers & taking advantage of peoples insecurities, beliefs, or just plain fears. In IRS filings it is reported that he recieved 18.3 million in donations. I understand that the people that are following him should know better, but this guy just really bothers me.

When me & a friend of mine were discussing it today I said that I guess this may be a prime example of a false prophet. My friend said it's a prime example of a scammer. We agreed that he is both.
Just curious what everyone really thinks of this guy.

 

[J3nn78]

I don't think so. People are responsible for their own actions and need to stop listening to the crazies in the this world.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

it just bothers me that this guy has pretty much single handedly ruined lives

How has he ruined lives?

I think people are responsible for who they believe. I didn't pay any attention to him.

 

[Feralpeg]

Sadly, what happened here has happened many other times. Those taken in are often people who need someone or something to believe in. They are people at low points in their lives or, in this case, nearing the end of their lives. They fear the unknown and hope for something better. He has taken advantage of their fears.

He may find himself on the wrong side of things when he finally meets his maker and has to answer for his actions.

 

[SandrA9810]

It should be counted like yelling fire in a crowded theater.

But J3nn is right, people are accountable for their own actions. Any true believer would know that he's a "false prophet". And for people wanting to jump on the bandwagon now... we'll they've got bigger problems to worry about. Religion isn't a bandwagon jumper, either you believe it or your don't. If you're doing it because every one else is, I doubt they actually believe.

 

[J3nn78]

HE did not ruin anyones lives. People chose that route themselves. No one forced them to make stupid decisions.

 

[focusondisney]

I guess people are responsible for their own behavior. I think the media shouldn't give these nut jobs so much free publicity.

 

[Ceila]

What pissed me off about the guy isn't that adults believed him, it's that kids believed him. Even kids whose parents didn't buy into his crap got anxious about it, because they're kids and are still learning to separate reality from this kind of nonsense. We had a couple of students get really upset in the school where I work because they had heard about it from other kids. I really wish he could be held accountable for something. I know it isn't possible, but I wish it was.

 

[Chuck S]

It is sad. Some people sold everything, quit their jobs, took kids out of school and went on the road spreading this prophecy. A 60yo man on New York spent his $140,000 life savings for posters in subways and advertising on busses to spread this prophecy.

They, however, likely have no legal recourse. They did so voluntarily.

 

[kimmyann]

I had never heard of him until a couple of days ago myself, but after reading how some of his followers have drained all of their money & some have campained his predictions across the world, I kinda put him in the same catagory with scammers. Just using a church as a money making scheme. I just wonder if he really believes what he is doing or if he's just out for the money of it. No, I don't care that he's 89 years old, there are bad old people too. Have to admit I am curious to his response to his being wrong again.

 

[Mama-san]

I notice his Family Radio website is down. How conveeeenient!

 

[Missy1961]

I don't think so. People are responsible for their own actions and need to stop listening to the crazies in the this world.

Exactly!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Wasn't it the founder of Scientology that said if you want to make money, start your own religion? This guy didn't start his own religion, but he certainly isn't following the tenants (?) of the Bible. And he's made lots of money.

 

[hereyago]

I remember years ago, a famous teleevanglist told everyone that his life would be taken unless he was able to raise a certain amount of money.

Well, people will be fools at any cost and they believed him and the money was raised.

This guy is in the same joker league.

 

[shortbun]

Who is he? What did he do? I guess I'm not watching the right TV.

 

[luvmy3]

No, people should be accountable for their own actions.

 

[themilesfamily]

I've heard that this guy was actually a decent preacher back in the day, but as he got older he got increasingly erratic and now there's talk that he's just plain senile. He is 89 years old. I've heard his radio program a few times and his producers were constantly cutting off callers who were challenging him about his theology.

I think as his claims got more erratic, the people around him should have been talking to him about retiring and calling it a day rather than letting him continue and humiliate himself. I guess you can't force it on someone, but why would you stick by someone like this and continue to put him on the air and promote him? I'm sure someone was making money off of it -- and for some people that's enough motivation.

 

[torinsmom]

It is sad that people felt they needed to spend their life savings to "fund" the rapture. True believers simply accept the gift given to them and lead their lives. No need to run around buying billboards and screaming on corners. If it happens in my lifetime, I will be ready.

 

[plutotek]

Well, the website is still there and it's still touting today's the day. Unfortunately, the only difference between this guy and ALL the other scammers is he made a specific prediction.

http://www.familyradio.com/index2.html

 

[ICF]

I don't think so. People are responsible for their own actions and need to stop listening to the crazies in the this world.

agreed