Harold Camping, ‘Embarrassed’ Failed Prophet, Blames God for Doomsday Flop

The president of the California-based Christian network, Family Radio, posted an audio message for the public on Oct. 28 about his failed apocalypse proclamations.

But his admittance was more of an excuse, using God as his scapegoat.

Why didn't Christ return on Oct. 21? It seems embarrassing for Family Radio. But God was in charge of everything, he continues.

It seems as if maybe Camping's statement is less an apology and more of a point-the-finger at God defense. Camping more or less blames God for his failed predictions, since He was the one in charge of everything.

We are simply learning. And sometimes it's painful to learn. We are learning how God brings His messages to mankind... Sometimes He gives us the truth and sometimes He gives us something that causes us to wait further upon Him.

Maybe Camping kept Deuteronomy 18:22 in his back pocket as a Plan B. 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. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

An interesting verse for those prophets who need a fail-proof way out when things do not go as planned.

Amongst other things I have been checking my notes more carefully than ever. And I do find that there is other language in the Bible that we still have to look at very carefully and will impinge upon this question very definitely, Camping continues in his Oct. 28 message.

Could this statement mean there is another doomsday predication in Camping's midst? That is unclear. The 90-year-old did however make his official resignation as the head of Family Radio very clear.

We're living in a day when one problem follows another. And when it comes to trying to recognize the truth of prophecy, we're finding that it is very, very difficult, he says.

For Camping this statement holds particular weight since he supposedly has predicted the end of the world a whopping 12 times so far, dating back to 1988.

None of which have materialized; though he claimed to use both acute analyses of scripture and detailed numerological calculations to decide the end-dates.

So Camping may be able to cite Murphy's Law and the Bible as his alibis but what about all of those who answered his doomsday calling?

Will this excuse suffice for individuals who quit their jobs and gave up their life savings before the May 21 apocalypse?  

Robert Fitzpatrick was just one of many individuals who listened to Camping's proclamations and spent over $140,000 of earnings as an MTA worker to pay for subway posters and outdoor advertisements, warning the world of impending doom.

Tom Evans, Camping's former PR aide, took his family to Ohio to wait for the rapture.

You can imagine we're pretty disappointed, but the word of God is still true, he said. We obviously went too far, and that's something we need to learn from, he told the L.A. Times.

Incidentally, I have been told that I said back in May that people who did not believe that May 21 should not be the rapture date, probably had not been saved. I should not have said that, and I apologize for that, Camping concluded.

Camping himself is sitting pretty. Family Radio has an estimated worth of $72 million, reported CNN Money.

Although there have been reports that Family Radio has been selling off its stations to avoid bankruptcy, the network is almost fully-funded by donations and raked in $18 million in 2009 alone.

Now the Harold Camping has admitted that doomsday prophecies may not be his thing, the donation cup may run a bit emptier.