Atheists to party like there's no tomorrow!
Atheists across America are planning post-rapture parties in response to predictions by a fundamentalist Christian pastor who has predicted judgment day and the rapture will take place on May 21.
Evangelical broadcaster Harold Camping is convinces Jesus Christ will return on May 21 and the rapture will take all Christian home to heaven – leaving behind all non-believers. Not long after, he predicts, the world will end on October 21. The apocalypse is near! "We learn from the Bible that Holy God plans to rescue about 200 million people," says Camping's Family Radio Worldwide network website. "On the first day of the Day of Judgment [May 21, 2011] they will be caught up [raptured] into Heaven because God had great mercy for them."Those who are left behind by the rapture might have little to do, with the end of the world looming and all. So, they plan to party. Party hard!In North Carolina atheists are planning a The Rapture After Party, already dubbed "the best damned party in NC."A group of atheists plan to party of multiple days in the event the rapture takes place. If it does not, they will still party anyway. "Though the absurdity of this claim is obvious to the majority of the world, it's a great opportunity to highlight some of the most bizarre beliefs often put forth by religious fundamentalists and raise awareness of the need for reason," said a statement on the website promoting the party.Similar parties are popping up across the United States. In Washington State atheists are planning a party called "countdown to back-pedaling." Other events are set for California, Texas, Florida and other regions. Not only are the atheists planning to party – they are profiting as well. One group has set up a business to rescue the pets of Christians following the rapture. The business already has hundreds of paying clients.While atheists are skeptical and enjoy mooching Camping and his followers, the fundamentalist Christian group feels May 21 is no laughing matter. Camping said judgment day is upon us “without any shadow of a doubt." "I'll be interested in what's happening on the other side of the world as this begins," he told Reuters. There is no “Plan B.”His followers, both in the United States and abroad, are preparing for the end. Some in Vietnam have gathered together with other followers to decent into the heavens as one. Those of you who remain skeptical should know Camping also predicted the end of the world in 1994. As far as most us can tell, we’re still here.
