Doomsday preacher Harold Camping suffers stroke that leaves him struggling to speak



The radio preacher who sparked an international media frenzy by predicting the end of the world last month has suffered a stroke.

Harold Camping was rushed to hospital from his Alameda, California home on Thursday night.

The 89-year-old has survived the stroke - but there are fears that the gravelly, famous voice he used to make his predictions to millions around the world will never be the same.



Slurring his words: Preacher Harold Camping, 89, has suffered a stroke

A neighbour told local media that the stroke was on Camping's right side. 'His speech appears to be a bit slurred but otherwise he's OK,' she said.



'(Shirley, his wife) said he was doing good... and the only thing that's affected is his speech.'

The radio evangelist and president of the network of radio stations known as Family Radio, spent up to $100million over seven years predicting the Rapture.

His followers put up billboards, with many spending thousands of their own money in passing his message on.

Camping was openly mocked by talk show hosts and comedians, and religious leaders blasted him as a false prophet.

Non-believers and Christians alike made fun of his message and protests and demonstrations were held against his prediction - many of which turned into parties as the date approached.



Less than rapturous: Followers of Camping predict the end of the world on May 21... a prediction that failed to come to pass

When May 21, the date he had picked as the end of the world, came and went without Armageddon coming to pass, he became a figure of international ridicule.

Camping, who had spent the May 21 weekend in a hotel with his wife, remained silent for several days.

When he finally spoke out, he declared God had indeed visited mankind - but he had done so 'spiritually' rather than physically.

And he theorised that the end of the world would actually come on October 21 instead, as God did not want mankind to suffer for five months but would bring the end all at once.



Today Charles Menut, the regional manager for Family Radio's parent company Family Stations Inc, posted a Yahoo! group message revealing Camping's stroke to supporters.

'Just pray for him and do not contact anyone at his home or Family Radio,' he wrote.



'He and Shirley have enough family members to handle the situation. I'm sure we'll be able to publicly update everyone on Monday.'

Supporters left messages offering their prayers for Camping and his family.



'The Lord has been so merciful to allow Mr Camping to faithfully teach the scriptures for over 52 years,' one wrote.