RALEIGH, N.C. — A prediction that the world as we know it will end on Saturday has naysayers across the U.S. getting ready to party.

Atheists are sponsoring so-called "Rapture parties." Non-believers will gather on Saturday to celebrate their prediction that the world will not end.

Online, a Facebook group sarcastically promoting post-Rapture looting has more than 170,000 people signed up to participate.

A retired civil engineer named Harold Camping made the calculation based on his reading of the Bible. It's been spread by advertising, publicity and missionary groups.

Mainstream Christians are also scoffing at the prediction, although they're not planning parties.