Religion News Service
USA, January 7, 2012: Last year saw two widely publicized, widely embarassing failed predictions for “the end of the world” by evenagelical pastor Harold Camping. But more may be coming: on December 21, 2012, the Mayan calendar reaches the end of its 5,126 epoch. That’s a cause of consternation among some end-times adherents, and amusement among some descendants of the Maya.
Should you be inclined, you can use your smart phone to check how many days are remaining before a date that was carved into rock by a pre-Columbian civilization — there are many apps for that. You cannot really blame — or credit — the Maya for the commotion. More likely, blame their New Age adherents.
The ancient Mayan calendar does technically end at Dec. 21, 2012. But Mayan experts say it’s simply a case of one long Mayan epoch — of 5,126 years — coming to an end, in much the same way the 1900s came to an end.
Here’s a prediction: 2013 will be the year when everyone finally stops talking about the Mayan calendar.