Life continues around the globe as doomsday prediction fails

It was business as usual throughout most of the Corporate Area yesterday as Jamaicans largely ignored the world-ending predictions of American 'evangelist' Harold Camping.

There were fair-size crowds in the business districts in downtown Kingston and in the malls in Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, for most of the day as most persons reported that they were sticking to their normal routine.

Coronation Market, in downtown Kingston, was packed with vendors and shoppers by mid-morning, even before it became clear that Camping's predictions had been proven to be wrong in several countries.

"Of course, I am concerned, but me still have to buy food for my house," said one woman who was buying produce outside Coronation Market

"Even if God a come, me a mek sure me have food in a my house," another woman told The Gleaner.

Camping, through his Family Radio Worldwide ministry, had predicted that the Rapture - an event in which Christ will take away the faithful to heaven - would take place yesterday.

He said it would be preceded by a global earthquake shortly before 6 p.m. local time that would mark the start of the end of the world.

The Associated Press reported that as Camping's supporters prepared for the day, some shut themselves inside to pray for mercy as they waited for the world's end.

Others met for tearful last lunches with their children, and prepared to leave behind homes and pets as they were swept up to heaven.

Technological spread

The doomsday message was sent far and wide via broadcasts and websites by Harold Camping, an 89-year-old retired civil engineer who has built a multimillion-dollar non-profit ministry based on his apocalyptic prediction.

"We know the end will begin in New Zealand and will follow the sun and roll on from there," said Garcia, a 39-year-old father of six. "That's why God raised up all the technology and the satellites so everyone can see it happen at the same time."

The Internet was alive with reaction in the hours past 6 p.m. on Saturday in New Zealand.

"Harold Camping's 21st May Doomsday prediction fails; No earthquake in New Zealand," read one posting on Twitter.

"If this whole end-of-the-world thingy is still going on ... it's already past 6:00 in New Zealand and the world hasn't ended," said another.