Still looking for the rapture?

Billy Hall, GUEST COLUMNIST

Fortunately, 'false prophet' Harold Camping is living in the 21st century. If he had been alive when Old Testament law prevailed, he would have been executed for pretentiously declaring he spoke God's truth when, in reality, he was speaking in the name of God falsely.

Back then, the angry words of God about false prophets cast fear over the nation of Israel, and over the life of any of that nation who would dare to speak pretentiously as a prophet of God. The divine warning was clear in condemnation of anyone who "presumed", God said, "to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say (Deuteronomy 18:20 NIV)."

And if, in fact, some prophet committed such folly, what may be expected? In the same passage, the answer is proclaimed loud and clear: That person "should be put to death" (Deuteronomy 18:23 NIV).

Logically then, the question arises: How can one know whether a prophet has spoken the truth of the Lord? The Bible raises the question and gives the answer: "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken (Deuteronomy 18:22 NIV)."

Crucial issue

Harold Camping, thank God, is alive today and not then, but the crucial issue remains: What should be the punishment for Harold Camping? Granted, Old Testament social law should not be invoked.

In a democracy worthy of the respect of all humanity, anyone ought to be free to say, at any time, publicly, whatever does not qualify as defamation of character. But what if someone's public statements result in many lives ruined financially?

The case of false prophet Harold Camping of the USA raises such a concern in light of his failed prophecy of May 21 that reportedly made him amass in process, even if somewhat exaggerated, the reported figure of US$100 million.

Nearly all of the public media feedback has focused largely on relevant issues that are theological - but what of the legal aspects?

Should Camping be allowed to walk from all kinds of damage he caused or contributed to significantly by simply explaining that once again his calculations were wrong? Is that all he is obliged to do and proceed, before adjusting his figures and conjuring new figures with the possibility of more of the same damage to come?

In my library is a copy of his nonsensical book with the year 1994 printed large on the cover, prophesying the return of Christ to visit the earth in judgement in that year. This time, the year and precise date and time of destruction was to be May 21, 2011, at 6 o'clock in the evening in every time zone. In five months' time, his third prophecy of gloom and doom will be on his newly set date of October 21.

In the land of his birth where democracy is championed within the context of a proud history celebrated by 300 million people, protected by a written Constitution with relatively few amendments in more than 200 years, is there nothing to prevent a mere charlatan become a millionaire by deceiving millions with frothy religious statements, even contradictory of the very book upon which he relies for authority?

While Jesus was on earth, he warned against paying heed to such false claimants to divine knowledge of future events, and specifically stated: "But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father ... ." (Matthew 24:36, Amplified Translation)

Incidentally, the 89-year-old civil engineer and self-taught Bible student is reported to have said after his recent shameful debacle that Matthew 24:36 was a verse in the Bible he had "overlooked".

In another report, he is claiming victory for the truth of his prophecy, for according to him, "Judgement Day did come." He has explained and justified his nonsense subsequently by saying that the Bible is both a spiritual and a factual book, but that when it is viewed more spiritually than factually, he concluded, "We find that He did come!"

No difference

The infamous gravelly voiced Bible teacher told his Family Radio audience after the fiasco date-setting event exploded in his face that although the day came and went and many saw no difference, "God did bring about judgement on the world, and the whole world is now under Judgement Day, which will continue right up until October 21, 2011, and by that time the whole world will be destroyed."

If that entire diatribe were not enough, he proceeded to make it plain that his deceptive organisation Family Radio has no intention of returning any money donated by people in recent months. He is quoted as saying, "We're still in business. We still have another five months," adding, "Why would we return money? It's been given to get the gospel out. We're spending it as wisely as possible."

Who are included in his reference to 'we' remains a mystery, but should not. Their names should be publicised and their liability charged along with Camping's. How different is he from Bernie Madoff?

In my view, Camping has created public mischief for which the logically deserving penalty ought to be, legally, a return of all the money he collected "to get the gospel out" but failed to do, and with a prison term to set an example to future doomsday date-setters who would use the gold of others and the name of God to damage so many of the Lord's followers, theologically, sociologically, psychologically and financially.

Billy Hall is an evangelist, journalist and social analyst. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and billsophia@hotmail.com.