Prophecies for Dummies

WinAce · 6th March 2004, 09:28 PM

This is the tongue-in-cheek article I was planning to write for months, Prophecies for Dummies. 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.

Wrath of the Swarm · 6th March 2004, 09:32 PM

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

WinAce · 6th March 2004, 09:37 PM

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

rachaella · 7th March 2004, 09:19 AM

It would appear that Mr. Webster would accept either:

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionar...ry&va=prophecy

TheMashiah · 7th March 2004, 09:42 AM

Quite Amuseing.

Lord Emsworth · 7th March 2004, 10:05 AM

"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 · 7th March 2004, 04:53 PM

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 · 12th March 2004, 11:30 AM

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

Hexxenhammer · 12th March 2004, 11:33 AM

Quote:

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 · 13th March 2004, 04:33 PM

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?)

6th March 2004, 09:28 PM	#1
WinAce Scholar Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 74	Prophecies for Dummies This is the tongue-in-cheek article I was planning to write for months, Prophecies for Dummies. 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.
WinAce Scholar Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 74	__________________ Save-Allan.org: Because dying kinda sucks, when you think about it.

6th March 2004, 09:32 PM	#2
Wrath of the Swarm Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,862	I have no specific suggestions other than opining that the page should really be titled "Prophesy for Dummies".
	__________________ A truth that's told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent. -- William Blake

6th March 2004, 09:37 PM	#3
WinAce Scholar Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 74	Fair enough. I changed that to "Prophecy for Dummies" though, which is the correct spelling as far as I know.
WinAce Scholar Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 74	__________________ Save-Allan.org: Because dying kinda sucks, when you think about it.

7th March 2004, 09:19 AM	#4
rachaella Critical Thinker Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: State College, PA but my heart will remain in Rochester, NY for quite some time Posts: 467	It would appear that Mr. Webster would accept either: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionar...ry&va=prophecy
	__________________ The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. - E.Philpotts If the benefits of getting married boil down to joining an exclusive club for straight people, perhaps its time to reconsider getting married - Me

7th March 2004, 09:42 AM	#5
TheMashiah New Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 86	Quite Amuseing.
TheMashiah New Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 86	__________________ AAAHHH!!! Quick spit down my throat my guts are on fire!!!

7th March 2004, 10:05 AM	#6
Lord Emsworth Je ne suis pas une de vos élèves Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Through the Cables and the Underground ... Posts: 2,827	"Prophecy" seems to be the noun, whereas "prophesy" is the verb. At least according to my Oxford Dictionaries. And note the difference in pronunciation.

7th March 2004, 04:53 PM	#7
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985	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!
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985

12th March 2004, 11:30 AM	#8
WinAce Scholar Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 74	Who's this Winston character you speak of? Never heard of him.
WinAce Scholar Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 74	__________________ Save-Allan.org: Because dying kinda sucks, when you think about it.

12th March 2004, 11:33 AM	#9
Hexxenhammer Malleus Malefactorum Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 2,124	Quote: 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.
	__________________ Georgia's board of education approved the plan that allows teachers to keep using the word 'Evolution' when teaching biology. Though, as a compromise, dinosaurs are now called 'Jesus Horses.'--Jimmy Fallon on Weekend Update "I mean, if you buy into a religion, you're pretty much kissing good by(sic) critical thinking, aren't you?" --Riddick. Amen to that, brother. Gamers! Ultimate RPG Thread has a new home at skepticalcommunity! Check it out!

13th March 2004, 04:33 PM	#10
Kopji Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mogollon Rim Posts: 7,697	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?)