WinAce

http://users.rcn.com/rostmd/winace/proph4dums/

This is a revised version (with lots of colorful pictures!) of my
prophecy-bashing, tongue-in-cheek, sarcasm-laden article that I wrote
back in March. It satirically and painstakingly analyzes all the ways
in which prophecy is manufactured, as well as takes on peripheral
concerns.

Reviews, suggestions and other comments are welcome.

It explains the following methods of manufacturing prophecy:

1. Retroactive shoehorning (vague symbolism + interpretation after the fact)
2. After-the-fact prophecy (forging a prediction that didn't exist)
3. Making a ton of specific prophecies and quoting only the ones that come to pass.
4. Predicting the obvious--wars and rumors of wars, etc.
5. Lying about the fulfillment, where there was none.
6. Fulfilling a prophecy on purpose.
7. Making several specific statements in one prophecy, but quoting only the parts that come to pass (related to #3).

There's also the lengthy section on pitfalls for Prophets and failed prophecy apologetics, as well as the coup de grace--a set of criteria for checking if any particular prophecy can be debunked in light of the above.

WinAce

Bumpity. I would especially appreciate comments from theists who believe in prophecy as a valid apologetic--Magus55, etc.

sharon45

How about the ones that are clearly not prophecy like the ones thought to be contained in the book of Psalms, because that book contains no prophecies. And so-called prophecies using parts of passages out of context, that are easily showing right beforehand and afterword, not to have any connection with the claim. Also the many misconceptions of there being such a thing as a "double prophecies".

Weltall

Wow! I don't know what we would do without you WinAce. :notworthy

Norseman

Oooh oooh, I want to try my hand at these!

1. We will go to war with a great evil.
2. The twin towers will be hit on 9/11 2001, beware!
3. Eh, I'm too lazy for this one.
4. As 1.
5. I told you I predicted that Iraq qould have nukes didn't I?
6. A box of cheezits will ben my desk in 1 minute. tick tock. WOW! It worked!
7. As 3.

I'm now an amateur prophet! Look out miss cleo, I'm prophesizing up a storm here!

WinAce

sharon45: Those are some of my favorites. Especially so when they combine a misquoted verse about a flavored goat recipe with some ridiculous miracle event that there's no evidence for but that supposedly "fulfilled" it. Like the Virgin Birth "prophecy"--no original prediction, no reason to believe it happened either.

Weltall: Thanks.

Norseman: Good job. You may want to work on your delivery and get some appropriate Prophet attire. I suggest a modified Halloween costume.

Any of our resident theists wish to comment yet on whether they agree the criteria outlined at the end of that article are good tests for prophecy? Magus55, Billy Graham...?