In case you missed it, people love to predict the end of the world. From Nostradamus to some Christian sects and now the ancient Mayans.

According to one group of religious believers the world was supposed to end on May 21 of this year. When that didn't happen, they predicted Oct. 21 but were wrong again.

This was of course based on the teaching of radio evangelist Harold Camping, and it was no big surprise to many in Marlborough, including much of the religious community, when his dire predictions did not come to light. 

"Guys like him can give christianity a bad name, said Pastor Gerald Gourd, an associate minister at Greater Grace Christian Fellowship. "His premise is off if he is using the Bible as he says he does, so therefore his conclusion is off."  

The Huffington Post featured a story yesterday about the impending countdown to the end of the world. 

"While some doomsday theorists may suggest putting together survival kits, people in southeastern Mexico, the heart of Maya territory, plan to throw a yearlong celebration. And to make a profit while they party," the article said.

While other proficies have made for interesting fodder, the end of the Mayan calendar has been anticipated for years, with television specials and even a John Cusack film in its corner. 

The Mayans were talented astronomers and early early mathematicians, creating during their civilization (300 to 900 A.D.) what many have called the most accurate calendar in the world, said a recent ABC News article. 

"The Mayans predicted a final event that included a solar shift, a Venus transit and violent earthquakes.

Their Long Count calendar begins in 3,114 B.C., marking time in roughly 394-year periods known as Baktuns. Thirteen was a significant, sacred number for the Mayas, and they wrote that the 13th Baktun ends on Dec. 21, 2012," said the article.

We won't know if the world is actually going to end until it's too late, it's never bad to be prepared. Vote in our poll and tell us your thoughts on the matter in the comments . 

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on the latest Marlborough news, or simply hit the "like" button at the top of this page.