Boobytrap: Prophets and Shady Politicians: "The Ones Who Speak With Many Tongues" ....

I, for one, don't fall for the many people who want us to believe that what they say is "the truth" because they are the prophets of God, something which translates into the "mouthpiece" of God. That's a very unsafe kind of authorization, also because these "prophets" may be what The Bible itself warns against as false. They pretend to be messengers from the Divine authority that is supposed to hold the ultimate power over this world, but in reality they may very well be victims of self-delusions or just criminals who work from an ulterior and not so benevolent urge to gain advantages with their gullible fellow human beings.

Many people are duped by these "prophets" and follow them, maybe even into death or crimes. I don't find this altogether impossible to understand as I know that many people cling to authorities that may lead them in life, thus making them feel safe and "in the right": They themselves believe they are doing the work of the deity they have chosen to believe in. However, these believers should read what The Bible has to say about this, e.g.

Deuteronomy:

    20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
    21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?
    22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Well, one thing is religion and religious "prophets", but let's not forget that also very, very earthbound and exceptionally narcissistic individuals may attain the status of "prophets" simply because their followers wish to see them that way. A short while ago some Trumper-Republicans were talking about how the former president, Donald Trump, was going to be "reinstated". Some - presumably quite many - still keep heralding the unbelievable belief that this confirmed narcissist is some kind of Messiah. After taking a look at this man's life and professed ideologies that's a ludicrous notion, something crazy and totally beyond reality. However, the adherents of these political prophets, after having talked themselves into believing the unbelievable, seem to really believe the words that come out of their own mouth: The political "prophets" they have chosen are supposed to "speak on behalf of God" which in my opinion gives the "art of Prophetizing" a bad name. However when someone don't have anything to bring them fame and status they grab at whatever they find to grab, and being the "messenger of God" may be the ultimate in that game even in politics.