Mr. Camping is not blasphemous nor is he an evil man. He is, in my opinion, foolish to make such date prognostications, but he is sincere and most of his teachings (apart from the church and the end times) are sound. Family Stations, Inc. has brought the Gospel to countless millions and does good work. I am sad, in that sense, to see Mr. Camping doing this.
I share the skepticism about the May 21 date, but I would warn everyone to be very cautious about scoffing in light of what the Bible has to say on it. In doing so, you are denigrating a sincere and god-fearing man.
For all: Don't you want Christ to return? Isn't that a joyous thing? Are you ready for Christ to return?
From Matthew 24:
23 - At that time if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Messiah! or, There he is! do not believe it.
24 - For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25 - See, I have told you ahead of time.
26 - So if anyone tells you, There he is, out in the wilderness, do not go out; or, Here he is, in the inner rooms, do not believe it.
And from Matthew 12:30 - He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
The Word makes it very clear what Christ thinks of those who attempt to pervert His teachings. Assuming that Mr. Camping actually reads the Bible, he knows that he should know better. Anyone who claims to be a Christian teacher but who then goes on to teach things which are not Christian is a blasphemer.
This blasphemer, along with those who enable him, is leading many people who clearly wish to be part of the elect astray, just as Scripture has taught. The non-Christians are milking this for all it is worth, and as a Christian, it is my own duty to do what I can to set them straight.
BS. Most of us are Christians and as such have a responsibility to call out date-setting charlatans like Camping.
Camping is a fraud. Any good work he's done is negated by all the damage he will do to the foolish people that believed this crap and arranged their lives around it. There are people that have squandered their savings, stopped pursing career opportunities, made buffoons of themselves peddling this 5-21 nonsense, etc.
Camping is no better than any other date-setting con man and does not deserve our sympathy. He should be aggressively and openly mocked. Doing so might just deter the next hack who gets it in his head to push this nonsense.
So, by your own definition Camping is a false prophet. If anyone has made Harold Camping look foolish, it is none other than ...Harold Camping himself.
I heard he has made several million dollars off this thing. Selling the Rapture is good business it seems.