About
Rapture Bombing is a flashmob prank that involves arranging clothes and shoes on the ground in public places to stage a fake scene of Rapture, the Christian concept of “being saved” by God before the arrival of the Doomsday. The practical joke became widespread as part of Operation Rapture during the days leading up to May 21st, 2011, which was proclaimed as “The Final Judgment” by American radio evangelist Harold Camping.
Origin
On May 19th, 2011, Tumblr blog “FuckYeahDementia”1 posted an example image of “rapture bombing” with the following instructions:
For more information on the online events surrounding May 21st, 2011, read KYMdb – May 21st, 2011 Rapture.
Precursors
The Christian doctrine of pre-Tribulation Rapture has been previously portrayed in popular literature and films, most notably through Tim LaHaye’s best-selling novel series Left Behind published in 1995. The idea of pranking Rapture believers was first introduced in a video titled “Fake Rapture Prank”, posted via MilksandCookies7 on August 15th, 2007:
Spread
The image spread rapidly via blogging services like WordPress2 and Tumblr3; by the time it reached Reddit4 on the same day, the practical joke was dubbed “Operation Rapture.”
On May 20th, 2011, Gizmodo posted an article titled “Let’s Punk the Rapture”5, calling on the readers to participate in rapture bombing and share the images via Facebook and Twitter hashtag #rapturebomb:
The flash-mob campaign was further boosted by participation from celebrities like comedian David Copperfield and pro-skater Tony Hawk.
Gizmodo’s follow-up post “Best Rapture Prank Pictures” was published on May 21st, 2011 and received over 5 million views in the first 72 hours6.
External References
1 Tumblr – Rapture Day Prank
2 WordPress – Rapture Day Prank
3 Tumblr – Brilliant Rapture Day Prank Has Bittersweet Aftertaste
4 Reddit – Operation Rapture
5 Gizmodo – Let’s Punk the Rapture
6 Gizmodo – The Best Rapture Prank Pictures
7 MilksandCookies – Faking the Rapture Prank