Prophets and Messiahs
Date Thursday, March 28, 2024 - 06:45 PM PST
Topic Religion


It seems to me the fundamental difference between christianity, islam, and judiasm is the disagreement over who is a prophet and who is a messiah. It's interesting that this simple difference can pile up so many other disagreements over what god really said and whatnot - but I have an even more interesting question I've been thinking about.
While everyone's waiting for a first or second coming of the messiah, and waiting for more prophets to tell them what's really up, has anyone considered that it may no longer be possible to have prophets or messiahs in the 21st century?

Nowadays most of the people who have direct communication with the almighty are safely restrained in mental institutions. The few that manage to stay out of those places are either killed by the ATF, or get a big head from all the people that send money to their TV programs, and can no longer tell the difference between what they think and what god says.We haven't really had any new universally accepted prophets in quite a long time.

Even the idea of latter day saints makes most people want to laugh and load their gun. Back in the day, it was a little easier to get yourself a prophet or messiah title. Gathering some followers, doing some neet tricks, and maybe dying for your people would pretty much set you up. Look what Jesus managed to do and how he pulled it off. I'm sure any Jim Jones or David Coresh could have pulled off a similar feat in that world - but look at how they were recieved in the 20th century. And even Jesus didn't really fare all that well. 2 out of 3 major western religions surveyed don't call him the messiah. Moses has a better prophet score card, but I doubt he'd do so well in the 21st century himself.

So if by chance I was to meet a prophet on the street and not give him any spare change, how would I know? What are the modern criteria for a messiah? Why have David Coresh, Jim Jones, or Ghandi not been nominated for messiah or even prophet status?

We have to assume based on history (take Jesus for example) that most people will NOT like or agree with most messiah's and prophets while they are alive. Most people will think of them and their followers as a delusional cult. If you assume this, you have to agree that statistically, chances are pretty good that you are going to be one of those people, so you're not really qualified to comment on this question.

But I'm sure you will anyway.

This article comes from Shmeng
http://www.shmeng.com/

The URL for this story is:
http://www.shmeng.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=150