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End of the world? Irish American believer truly confused after world failed to end

DARA KELLY,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 8:17 AM

Updated Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 2:09 PM

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Author of "The Doomsday Code" Robert Fitzpatrick poses with his book poster at a bus stop on Victory Blvd. in Staten Island. Original Filename: MB2_6166.JPG

Robert Fitzpatrick, the Irish American retiree who blew his life savings to warn people the world would end on May 21 stood in Times Square on Saturday evening and looked utterly bewildered that the world's end had not occurred as scheduled.

Fitzpatrick, a retired MTA employee, allegedly spent $140,000 on his own money on splashy placards that were posted on the city's subway cars and bus shelters encouraging passersby to repent as the end was nigh.

But last Saturday evening, around the time he predicted the end of the world would begin, Fitzpatrick found himself surrounded by mockers and members of the media as he stood in Times Square.

"I see that we're still here. I don't understand it," Fitzpatrick told the Huffington Post. "I don't understand why nothing has happened."

Fitzpatrick along with thousands of other listeners to Harold Camping's radio show firmly believed the preachers prediction that the world would end on May 21.

Although the California based preacher did not release a public statement after the non-event, one of the board members of his Family Radio International organization told the press Camping was "mystified" and "a little bewildered" to discover he was still on earth.

VIDEO: Robert Fitzpatrick reacts to doomsday false alarm

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cynicus | May 25, 2011, 06:54 AM EDT

Jayze! I missed this one! Could have missed the real whizz-bang, if it happened. Please let us all know when the world is going to end (again)! I will try to be ready the next time. Seems, certain religious groups (they know who they are) have miscalculated the end of the world so many times now that it will probably never end. Question: how did a man like that ecer accumulate over $U.S. 100,000 in the first place? Hardly on forecasting on the futures market; or horseracing bets, I'd wager! Ah well! It's up to the mountain-top again some day for the next ending! Great execrcise, at least. Cynicus

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PatriciaMarya | May 24, 2011, 08:30 PM EDT

As a New Yorker, I am still outraged that our children had to see all of these huge ads everywhere on public transportation. Poor kids. Spoke today to a mother of a six-year-old and her little one was so worried about her Gram and her pets and who would take care of us. And the damn Media was absolutely no help as well - over and over again just in case you did not spot the ads. The world did end for those decent people in Joplin, Missouri and every day, every where, the world is ending for someone. It is not necessary to underline that fact with a cult leader who is worth 9 figures, that is right, 9 figures in donations. Time to remove tax-exempt status for religions and make them jump through the same hoops that all other non-profit organizations like children's theatres and Planned Parenthood and NPR and PBS face. Hmm, come to think of it - since all religions are supposed to be non-profit organizations, doesn't that mean that their books are open for Audits? It is time for the IRS to make some tax dollars for U.S. in hidden profits from these sneaky, snaky set-ups.

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Rebelforce | May 24, 2011, 05:43 PM EDT

What an idiot. No doubt he also believes that gays are going to hell and the Pope is the anti-Christ. These people deserve our pity for being so gullible and simple-minded.

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BARNEYKX | May 24, 2011, 05:17 PM EDT

Just aqnother crank

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mayoman | May 24, 2011, 12:37 PM EDT

The only thing Raptured was Mr. Fitzpatrick's money.

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mayoman | May 24, 2011, 12:02 PM EDT

Poor deluded Mr. Fitzpatrick. Alas, if all he wanted to do was throw his life's savings away its too bad he didn't buy $140K of NYS Lottery tickets, or simply blow it all on a wild weekend in Atlantic City. Too late now. But at least he's still kicking.

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Maureeen | May 24, 2011, 11:40 AM EDT

Was it just a big advertising campaign to buy the book? If so who would have been around to buy and read the book if his prediction was true. And now no-one would buy the book anyway. I heard lots of people in New York left their jobs too.... Ooops to them!! haha

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ladub123 | May 24, 2011, 10:41 AM EDT

It's really OK not to believe in Santa, Fairies, angels, leprechauns, God. Why do we even listen to these religious nuts and their God in the sky? As for the bible written by men to oppress the masses.

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hollabackgurl | May 24, 2011, 10:36 AM EDT

Now Camping is predicting the "real" end of the world will come on October 21. What a sad joke. It's people like this with their olde timey book of predictions befalling all the people they persoanlly hate that gives Christianity in America such an intolerant name.

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tomgallagher | May 24, 2011, 10:14 AM EDT

Somebody has got to get these people back on their meds.

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chesapeake | May 24, 2011, 10:05 AM EDT

Wasn't there an 11-day error in the calendar at some point? I think that the end will come on May 32nd.

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jimgordo1 | May 24, 2011, 10:01 AM EDT

Mr. Fitzpatrick & Rev Camping -- What happened is what happens to anyone predicting the end of the world -- go back to your Bible and stop looking for "hidden messages. It's there in plain sight in Luke 21:8 -- "He replied: 'Don't let anyone mislead you. For many will come . . .saying, 'The time has come.' But don't believe them!" I think that pretty well sums it up.

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ochshane | May 24, 2011, 10:01 AM EDT

Gobshite.

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colkelley | May 24, 2011, 09:43 AM EDT

This poor gent is exactly the sort of gullible fool wanting someone to make all of his decisions for him that Camping seeks out as his victims. Does anyone think it is ironic that in Camping we have a non-prophet running a non-profit?

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CitizenWhy | May 24, 2011, 09:38 AM EDT

The world DID end on May 21. BUT all the ghost whisperers were Raptured away so there are none left to lead us deluded souls into the light and over to the other side. The light, by the way, according to Camping, would be from the flames of hell. Isn't it nice to have a religion that approves of delight in seeing most of humanity tortured?

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