Prophecies for Dummies

[WinAce]

This is the tongue-in-cheek article I was planning to write for months, Prophecies for Dummies (http://users.rcn.com/rostmd/winace/proph4dums/). It explains, in detail, the various methods (shoehorning, after-the-fact prediction, shotgun approach, predicting the obvious, unverifiable fulfillment, self-fulfilling predictions, confirmation bias, etc.) by which impressive-looking prophecies are manufactured in the context of religion and psychics.

Questions? Comments? Did I miss anything? Overstate the case somewhat on any point? I would especially appreciate it if some theists weighed in with their opinion. :p

[Wrath of the Swarm]

I have no specific suggestions other than opining that the page should really be titled "Prophesy for Dummies".

[WinAce]

Fair enough. I changed that to "Prophecy for Dummies" though, which is the correct spelling as far as I know. :p

[rachaella]

It would appear that Mr. Webster would accept either:

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=prophecy

[TheMashiah]

Quite Amuseing.

[Lord Emsworth]

"Prophecy" seems to be the noun, whereas "prophesy" is the verb. At least according to my Oxford Dictionaries. And note the difference in pronunciation.

[Zep]

Nice work, WinAce!

I suggest you send the reference to Winston Wu for HIS appreciation. He is certainly one of those who has been duped from one end to the other and back by "prophets" and such. But don't expect compliments in return! :)

[WinAce]

Who's this Winston character you speak of? Never heard of him.

[Hexxenhammer]

Originally posted by WinAce
Who's this Winston character you speak of? Never heard of him. Check out General Skepticism and the Paranormal forum. A classic hit and run woo-woo.

[Kopji]

Winace
Very amusing. I'd maybe use shorter words, and include more violent images.

A useful tactic I'm not sure you covered (apology if I missed it)
is something you might call the 'portable prophet'.
Adjust spiritual authority as needed for the situation: Introduce the concept that a real prophet does not always act in the role of a prophet, but usually acts quite ordinary, even immoral. That makes later embarrassments easier to deal with. The thieving, drunken, lying, sex obsessed prophet is perfectly ok as long as he was not acting in his role as prophet.

These faults of course, makes us feel closer to the prophet's humanity, part of God's larger plan for our salvation.

(do I sound practiced?)