False Prophets

[Laika]

I'm wondering how people try to distinguish between "true" prophets and "false" prophets. If someone walks down the street claiming to be a prophet for a religion (admittedly unlikely) you have to figure out whether you can take them at their word or whether you just move on trying to avoid making eye contact with the crazy person.

I think probably the best way to tell if someone were a false prophet is if they offer salvation. In reality, no-one can save us. There is no quick fix or easy solution to the problems of learning how to live our own lives. It is up to us to "save ourselves" by giving our lives meaning and purpose. The best we can get is to find spiritual and religious knowledge, be open to it and for someone to help us on our own journey. The higher level of consciousness associated with religious being is ultimately part of our own anatomy. It is part of our brain or mind (or soul if you wish). A false prophet can take away our ability to "see" and to "hear" from us by telling us to look for answers outside of ourselves in some external authority. The "true" prophet is someone who can help us regain our sight and hearing and learn to use our own conscience for the purpose of self-discover and self-creation.

Do you think this is a reasonable view? Or is there something missing?

 

[wizanda]

A false prophet can take away our ability to "see" and to "hear" from us by telling us to look for answers outside of ourselves in some external authority. The "true" prophet is someone who can help us regain our sight and hearing and learn to use our own conscience for the purpose of self-discover and self-creation.

This is what can God do for us; not what is God instructing is going to happen through prophets... A prophet isn't there to instruct us on being a decent person, we should be doing that anyways.

I'm wondering how people try to distinguish between "true" prophets and "false" prophets.

A prophet by definition is someone who has been given a glimpse of the future, and is correct in their predictions.

I think probably the best way to tell if someone were a false prophet is if they offer salvation.

People make this up about prophets after they've died; most religious followers claim their prophet is the only true way to salvation, even if the prophet was diametrically opposed to this concept.

Do you think this is a reasonable view? Or is there something missing?

This seems to be taking a very rough guide to all religious beliefs, and not actually understanding what was originally meant by the concept of a prophet.

 

[Jumi]

A false prophet is someone who makes inexact or symbolic predictions that are easy to make up afterwards what event they mean if anything. Or someone who makes exact predictions that are proven false.

 

[Laika]

This is what can God do for us; not what is God instructing is going to happen through prophets... A prophet isn't there to instruct us on being a decent person, we should be doing that anyways.

Do you think we can have knowledge of God with prophets or religious leaders? I think I might be ambiguous on that point as we all have the innate capacity for profound experiences but certain individuals may have that ability or gift much more than the rest of us.

People make this up about prophets after they've died; most religious followers claim their prophet is the only true way to salvation, even if the prophet was diametrically opposed to this concept.

Agreed. When religions become instruments to rule people they start to become corrupted as a means to serve the interests of the powerful rather than as a means to enlighten people with religious truth and knowledge by showing people "the way" to enlightenment if you will.

A prophet by definition is someone who has been given a glimpse of the future, and is correct in their predictions.

This seems to be taking a very rough guide to all religious beliefs, and not actually understanding what was originally meant by the concept of a prophet.

You may be right on that one. (see below)

A false prophet is someone who makes inexact or symbolic predictions that are easy to make up afterwards what event they mean if anything. Or someone who makes exact predictions that are proven false.

I thought of "false prophets" as religious leaders who, either deliberately or unintentionally, lead people away from religious truth by corrupting religious experience. It's more from the Christian view of the "Anti-Christ" or false Christ misleading the people. That might be a bit loose in terms of definitions but I think the meaning is still there.

 

[Muslim-UK]

A prophet by definition is someone who has been given a glimpse of the future, and is correct in their predictions.

You can contact the jinn who have the ability to use wormholes and other methods to glimpse into the future, that information relayed to a earthly human 'prophet' is worth nothing if they are not preaching worship of GOD alone, and testifying to the truthfulness of ALL the previous Prophets along with previous Scriptures.

Do you know of any Prophets post mid 7th Century who fit the bill? I certainly don't.

 

[Tmac]

I'm wondering how people try to distinguish between "true" prophets and "false" prophets. If someone walks down the street claiming to be a prophet for a religion (admittedly unlikely) you have to figure out whether you can take them at their word or whether you just move on trying to avoid making eye contact with the crazy person.

I think probably the best way to tell if someone were a false prophet is if they offer salvation. In reality, no-one can save us. There is no quick fix or easy solution to the problems of learning how to live our own lives. It is up to us to "save ourselves" by giving our lives meaning and purpose. The best we can get is to find spiritual and religious knowledge, be open to it and for someone to help us on our own journey. The higher level of consciousness associated with religious being is ultimately part of our own anatomy. It is part of our brain or mind (or soul if you wish). A false prophet can take away our ability to "see" and to "hear" from us by telling us to look for answers outside of ourselves in some external authority. The "true" prophet is someone who can help us regain our sight and hearing and learn to use our own conscience for the purpose of self-discover and self-creation.

Do you think this is a reasonable view? Or is there something missing?

I think the word prophet should be replaced with teacher and true and false replaced with more or less. If the idea of life isn't about being all that you can and want to be then it ain't yours.

 

[Vinayaka]

Or is there something missing?

Yes, something is missing, and that's the idea that there are no such things as prophets. From that POV, a prophet cannot be either true, or false, for there is no such thing. Yes, this POV is outside the box of all prophet based religions.

 

[Laika]

Yes, something is missing, and that's the idea that there are no such things as prophets. From that POV, a prophet cannot be either true, or false, for there is no such thing. Yes, this POV is outside the box of all prophet based religions.

Do you mean there are no prophets because there are no prophecies?

 

[Vinayaka]

Do you mean there are no prophets because there are no prophecies?

In places outside the Abrahamic paradigm, there are no prophets, and 'prophecies' can easily be explained by educated guesses, or coincidences. Most prophecies I know of take some very vague language and twist it to say, 'when ______ said this, what he really meant was this. (Whatever it was that happened). To be able to accurately predict the future is a daydream, a fantasy some people wish were true, but it isn't.

Of course people can believe in prophets and prophecies all they want to. It's just not at all convincing to me.

 

[wizanda]

Do you think we can have knowledge of God with prophets or religious leaders?

We can all have the knowledge of God; unfortunately we're often taught by religious leaders, that we can only pay them to understand what those who've had miraculous spiritual experiences meant.

I've met Atheists in chatrooms who've dreamed their future, and it came to pass, which would define them as a prophet.

We're sort of stuck with a word bastardization, as Islam has decided a prophet means a religious legislator, instead of someone who has visions of the future.

When religions become instruments to rule people

Re-ligion to me means 'to bring people into a group' (Re-legion).

A true prophet wouldn't make a religion, cults do that as they make people idolize some charismatic leader, rather than understand spiritual truths without having to join something.

 

[Muslim-UK]

If the idea of life isn't about being all that you can and want to be then it ain't yours.

You have 24 hours (or 1440 minutes) a day to make life what you want it to be, and all that GOD asks is, you take 15-20 mins out of your day, spread it over several times and dedicate it in remembrance to the who gives you life after death each day, has blessed you with functioning limbs, the gifts of taste, sight, hearing, blessed you with a home, life partner, children, wealth etc

I personally consider those 20 mins out of 1440 a very good deal, as do Billions of others.

 

[YmirGF]

You can contact the jinn who have the ability to use wormholes and other methods to glimpse into the future, that information relayed to a earthly human 'prophet' is worth nothing if they are not preaching worship of GOD alone, and testifying to the truthfulness of ALL the previous Prophets along with previous Scriptures.

Do you know of any Prophets post mid 7th Century who fit the bill? I certainly don't.

"who have the ability to use wormholes"...
ROTFLMAO
That, is simply, hilarious...
Intellectual gymnastics don't get much better than this piffle.

In regards to the OP, it would appear that prophets versus false prophets is very much a mood thing based on the individual's particular religious bias. The answer will vary, wildly, based upon whom you are asking. Me? I don't believe in prophets, per se, although I do certainly believe in mental illness.

 

[sayak83]

I'm wondering how people try to distinguish between "true" prophets and "false" prophets. If someone walks down the street claiming to be a prophet for a religion (admittedly unlikely) you have to figure out whether you can take them at their word or whether you just move on trying to avoid making eye contact with the crazy person.

I think probably the best way to tell if someone were a false prophet is if they offer salvation. In reality, no-one can save us. There is no quick fix or easy solution to the problems of learning how to live our own lives. It is up to us to "save ourselves" by giving our lives meaning and purpose. The best we can get is to find spiritual and religious knowledge, be open to it and for someone to help us on our own journey. The higher level of consciousness associated with religious being is ultimately part of our own anatomy. It is part of our brain or mind (or soul if you wish). A false prophet can take away our ability to "see" and to "hear" from us by telling us to look for answers outside of ourselves in some external authority. The "true" prophet is someone who can help us regain our sight and hearing and learn to use our own conscience for the purpose of self-discover and self-creation.

Do you think this is a reasonable view? Or is there something missing?

Oh this is simple. The true Prophet is one whose fanatical followers are currently threatening to burn or behead you if you don't acknowledge that their Prophet is the true one.

 

[Muslim-UK]

"who have the ability to use wormholes"...
ROTFLMAO
That, is simply, hilarious...
Intellectual gymnastics don't get much better than this piffle.

What part has tickled you pink exactly?

A wormhole is a theoretical passage through space-time that could create shortcuts for long journeys across the universe. Wormholes are predicted by the theory of general relativity. But be wary: wormholes bring with them the dangers of sudden collapse, high radiation and dangerous contact with exotic matter. What is a Wormhole?

The Jinn are what others refer to as 'Spirit guides', 'Samsaric beings', 'gods', elders, jinn etc

In regards to the OP, it would appear that prophets versus false prophets is very much a mood thing based on the individual's particular religious bias. The answer will vary, wildly, based upon whom you are asking. Me? I don't believe in prophets, per se, although I do certainly believe in mental illness.

You also believe that Billions of people have been born again, reincarnated, yet the evidence is almost non existent. One would expect to find 10's of Millions of testimonies from people having past recollections, but nope, what we find are likely cases of as you so aptly put it, 'mental illness'.

 

[Muslim-UK]

Oh this is simple. The true Prophet is one whose fanatical followers are currently threatening to burn or behead you if you don't acknowledge that their Prophet is the true one.

That's nonsense and you know it. Please show us where anyone has threatened anyone with such a thing on here or anywhere else for that matter.

 

[YmirGF]

What part has tickled you pink exactly?

A wormhole is a theoretical passage through space-time that could create shortcuts for long journeys across the universe. Wormholes are predicted by the theory of general relativity. But be wary: wormholes bring with them the dangers of sudden collapse, high radiation and dangerous contact with exotic matter. What is a Wormhole?

The Jinn are what others refer to as 'Spirit guides', 'Samsaric beings', 'gods', elders, jinn etc

You also believe that Billions of people have been born again, reincarnated, yet the evidence is almost non existent. One would expect to find 10's of Millions of testimonies from people having past recollections, but nope, what we find are likely cases of as you so aptly put it, 'mental illness'.

I also say that it doesn't matter, in the slightest, if people believe in reincarnation or not. It simply doesn't matter. For the record, I'm well aware of what wormholes are, LOL. If you'd like to keep digging, I could rent you the backhoe I'm not using.

 

[sayak83]

That's nonsense and you know it. Please show us where anyone has threatened anyone with such a thing on here or anywhere else for that matter.

Sure.
Persecution of Zoroastrians - Wikipedia

https://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2014/12/atheism-belief-and-persecution

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Do you mean there are no prophets because there are no prophecies?

Virtually anyone can make any number of prophecies. A 'true' prophet would be one who has demonstrated an ability to predict that goes well beyond insightful inference.

 

[Muslim-UK]

Sure.
Persecution of Zoroastrians - Wikipedia

https://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2014/12/atheism-belief-and-persecution

Why are you looking back at History, when what you said was,
"The true Prophet is one whose fanatical followers are currently threatening to burn or behead you if you don't acknowledge that their Prophet is the true one."

 

[sayak83]

Why are you looking back at History, when what you said was,
"The true Prophet is one whose fanatical followers are currently threatening to burn or behead you if you don't acknowledge that their Prophet is the true one."

There is a second link in my post, I am sure.
Also, my sentence does not mean only the present. In this sentence it was used in a tense less fashion implying anytime in the past present or future where these situations crop up.