Christians

The Emmy-winning actress stars on ABC's new GCB, a sort of Desperate-Housewives-ish dishy, soapy comedy-drama premiering Sunday night. The show — about a group of Southern Christian women — hit close to home for the singer, who grew up in the Bible Belt and describes herself as a "God person."

Many have turned to YouTube to express their views about the message of Jesus. At least one has reached biblical proportions. With more than 18 million views, "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus" has become a sensation.

Mark your calendars: The world is ending Oct. 21. So says Harold Camping, the doomsday prophet who had said Judgment Day would come May 21. Camping had a stroke a few days after his prophecy failed, his organization is tottering and many followers have fallen away. But some still believe.

Some conservative scholars are saying publicly that they can no longer believe the Genesis account. Genomic evidence is too strong, they say, to believe in a historical Adam and Eve. But for some, this questions the fundamental nature of Christianity, creating a profound rift in the community.

Before Saturday, many believers quit their jobs, left their families and gave their savings to Family Radio, which promoted May 21 as the date for the "rapture." It's too early to know how they will cope with the failed prophecy: Some will admit they were wrong; experts say most will find a way to rationalize their beliefs.

Convinced that May 21 will mark the world's end, believers continue to warn of God's ensuing wrath. But they aren't alone: End times prophecies have existed for centuries, and today, they're on the rise, examining whether world events — from earthquakes to economic globalization — are signs of the coming Apocalypse.

May 21, 2011, according to some Christians, is Judgment Day, when the true believers will fly up to heaven while destruction befalls the rest. Disciples of this message are spreading the message of God's imminent wrath — and feverishly preparing for the Final Day.

NPR's Michele Norris speaks with writer and Christian essayist Anne Lamott about what the Easter season means beyond the candy and the egg hunt — it is a time of deep reflection and contemplation.