What do you believe is the motive behind false prophets?

[NicoleVentura]

First, to speak of motives implies that person exists. I’m not even certain there was a man named Jesus Christ claiming to be the son of God. If he did exist, there are many possible explanations. For one, he may have been delusional. For two, he may have enjoyed the power, wealth, and sex that comes from having believers. For three, maybe he’s a victim himself indoctrinated as a child.

As you say, I’m trying to say this is the nicest possible way, with no disrespect intended.

I’m assuming you came to this board to learn more about Christianity. I think you are on the right track. The first thing to do would be to cross out all the logical possibilities.

But if you are talking about Jesus in your post, I can re-assure you he was not in it for money, power or sex.

If you’re talking about Mohammad, then yes I agree.

 

[DeSanto]

Hello. I have a question about Islam. I know that Christians believe Mohammad (islam’s prophet) was a false prophet. Obviously if you are a Christian, you would know him to be a false phrophet because he denies Jesus as the son of God, he denied the crucifixion, and he denied Jesus rising from the death.

My question is- why would Mohammad say this? Do you believe he was lying for political gain, or do you believe he hallucinated seeing the angel Gabriel?

I am not trying to offend anybody. I just would like to know what Christians think of him and his claims.

If he was a false prophet, that means he must have been lying, or… well, possibly hallucinating when speaking to the angel Gabriel. Also too, I guess the angel gabriel could of been satan in disguise.

I’m trying to ask this in the nicest way possible. I would like your opinions on this.

First of all, there are many false prophets. Mohammad would not be the only one. But, to answer the question of this thread without assuming your speaking of one specific person, my answer would be…The main motivator of false prophets would be to lead you away from God…period. If you believe Mohammad was deceived by a demon portrayed as an angel…it would be that demon and his motive to be considered, not the motive of Mohammad. If you believe Mohammad just made up the presence of an angel, then I would question his motives. Problem is, because there is no solid evidence of original historical documents dating from the time of Mohammed and we must rely on the word of mouth of fallible humans to recite the Quran hundreds of years later, no one can be sure of the validity of the Quran in the first place. There is much controversy on the validy of the Quran itself. And, it appears that there is also a controversy whether Mohammad even exsisted at all or if he really was the religious leader and great military guy everyone thinks he was. I myself believe he was deceived by a demon due to the accounts that he was overcome by fear and violent seizures and even contemplated suiced after this “visitation”, which contradicts all other accounts of visitations of angels.

I have not read through this thread yet, I’m just very interested in this subject and thought I would drop in on the converstation…continue on…I’ll catch up.

 

[wcknight]

First, to speak of motives implies that person exists. I’m not even certain there was a man named Jesus Christ claiming to be the son of God. If he did exist, there are many possible explanations. For one, he may have been delusional. For two, he may have enjoyed the power, wealth, and sex that comes from having believers. For three, maybe he’s a victim himself indoctrinated as a child.

As you say, I’m trying to say this is the nicest possible way, with no disrespect intended.

IF there was no such person as Jesus Christ, then why on earth did so many thousands of folks die for belief in Him… That makes no sense whatsoever. Not to mention the hundreds of saints and holy people who has testified to seeing Him and performing miracles through belief in Him.

IF He was delusional, there would be no way possible that he would be able to heal the sick, raise the dead, walk on water and any of the things that he did. Mad men do not perform miracles, they can’t.

He lived a life of proverty, fasting and bare bones existence, so luxury and riches certainly were not what he was after. He didn’t marry, have a harem and abstained from sex, so getting all the girls was not in His agenda either.

As far as power goes, He has it all already. He did not need any recognition or hero worship. On a whim He could command all the heavenly hosts to appear and do anything He wanted. He didn’t need or want any more power. Instead He humbled Himself to show us how to live, and how much the Father loved us. Shame on you for trying to suggest otherwise.

Your claims are patently absurd, as your moniker suggests.

 

[DeSanto]

First, to speak of motives implies that person exists. I’m not even certain there was a man named Jesus Christ claiming to be the son of God. If he did exist, there are many possible explanations. For one, he may have been delusional. For two, he may have enjoyed the power, wealth, and sex that comes from having believers. For three, maybe he’s a victim himself indoctrinated as a child.

As you say, I’m trying to say this is the nicest possible way, with no disrespect intended.

It saddens me to read such a comment. From your statement it is painfully obvious you don’t know about Jesus. If you think he had power and wealth and SEX??? Who are you talking about??? I pray you ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you. Those who sincerely seek Him WILL find Him. Then you will have no doubts…I assure you. Let us all say a little pray for our friend, nothing but love to you…LIFE!

 

[DeSanto]

BTW…there is plenty of historical evidence dating from the time of Jesus and even prophecies of Him made hundreds of yrs. before his birth to prove His existence. Mohammad on the other hand…there is nothing that dates earlier than a couple hundered years after his death that makes any mention of him at all.

 

[Linusthe2nd]

Hello. I have a question about Islam. I know that Christians believe Mohammad (islam’s prophet) was a false prophet. Obviously if you are a Christian, you would know him to be a false phrophet because he denies Jesus as the son of God, he denied the crucifixion, and he denied Jesus rising from the death.

My question is- why would Mohammad say this? Do you believe he was lying for political gain, or do you believe he hallucinated seeing the angel Gabriel?

I am not trying to offend anybody. I just would like to know what Christians think of him and his claims.

If he was a false prophet, that means he must have been lying, or… well, possibly hallucinating when speaking to the angel Gabriel. Also too, I guess the angel gabriel could of been satan in disguise.

I’m trying to ask this in the nicest way possible. I would like your opinions on this.

To be very polite we really don’t know what Mohammad thought about anything. He was illiterate and his followers didn’t start writing down his " sayings " until over a hundred years after his death. newadvent.org/cathen/10424a.htm:tiphat: Naturally, they could make him say anything they wanted him to say. From what we know from other sources, he was no saint.:tiphat:

 

[JesuisSean]

Hello. I have a question about Islam. I know that Christians believe Mohammad (islam’s prophet) was a false prophet. Obviously if you are a Christian, you would know him to be a false phrophet because he denies Jesus as the son of God, he denied the crucifixion, and he denied Jesus rising from the death.

My question is- why would Mohammad say this? Do you believe he was lying for political gain, or do you believe he hallucinated seeing the angel Gabriel?

I am not trying to offend anybody. I just would like to know what Christians think of him and his claims.

If he was a false prophet, that means he must have been lying, or… well, possibly hallucinating when speaking to the angel Gabriel. Also too, I guess the angel gabriel could of been satan in disguise.

I’m trying to ask this in the nicest way possible. I would like your opinions on this.

The purpose is to make you and others stick to your beliefs. If you believe that if you continue to breath you will remain conscious, would it be logical to stick to that belief, or move away from the belief and move on over to the truth of which the belief speaks of, and thus actually breath rather than simply believe of it.

In simple words, if you stick to your beliefs, then you stick to being located at a distance from the truth, thus there is a gap between you and the truth, thus there is room for the deceitful to practice their deceitfulness, including Satan of course, and in turn deceive the whole world.

Jesus walks the path of truth.

Others wish for you to be stuck on the path of belief instead.

 

[DeSanto]

The purpose is to make you and others stick to your beliefs. If you believe that if you continue to breath you will remain conscious, would it be logical to stick to that belief, or move away from the belief and move on over to the truth of which the belief speaks of, and thus actually breath rather than simply believe of it.

In simple words, if you stick to your beliefs, then you stick to being located at a distance from the truth, thus there is a gap between you and the truth, thus there is room for the deceitful to practice their deceitfulness, including Satan of course, and in turn deceive the whole world.

Jesus walks the path of truth.

Others wish for you to be stuck on the path of belief instead.

That was pretty deep and very insightful. Thank you for effortlessly explaining a basic truth that most would find very difficult to put into words.