Ask the Atheist

For reference and example, folks, here's part of the blurb for Weinland's book 2008 - God's Final Witness:

"From now until the latter part of 2008, many prophecies are going to begin to be fulfilled, especially the Seven Thunders of the Book of Revelation, which the apostle John saw but was restricted from recording."

This really is straight from Revelations 10. John hears seven "thunders" say something, but as he's about to write it down an angel tells him not to; they'll be revealed instead when the world ends.

Revelations 10 is a really dangerous passage because it leaves a hole in the prophecy. Doomsayers like Weinland can predict or declare anything and then claim that it goes in the hole. It's satisfying in the same way as fitting a middle piece into a jigsaw puzzle, and so it's more readily acceptable to some. It makes narrative sense that an "end-time prophet" would be given some new information which was withheld 2000 years out from doomsday. It's a nice story.

Debunking Weinland isn't like debunking predictions by Nostradamus. Much of what Nostradamus said has come true because he said things which were so vague you could interpret any modern event as matching one of them. Weinland is easier to nail down than that, given the short time frame of his predictions.

He's said for instance that the United States will collapse before the end of 2009. Therefore all you have to do to call his bluff is wait 22 months. You don't really have to wait that long though, because he's made a great many interim predictions for this year. That's what 2008 - God's Final Witness is all about.

As for arguing with a believer right now, just ask what Weinland has successfully predicted so far. If he does claim a correct prediction, is there any evidence that he actually predicted it ahead of time or is it possible that he's taking credit after the fact? What reason or precedent does your co-worker give for believing this guy? If it's just a matter of faith, then it really is blind faith.

I recommend you read up on a few other doomsday predictions, especially the famous case of the Jehovah's Witnesses. They went through half a dozen Tribulation dates before they stopped setting new ones as the old ones passed. Each time some reason was "found" why the previous date was a misinterpretation of scripture and prophecy.

Encourage your co-worker to make a list of things he expects to have happened by the end of 2008, and give you a copy. As the year wears on, offer to compare notes. Keep score; every time he pushes a prediction off to 2009 or later (for any reason) is a point for you, and every prediction that he can convince you has come true since he made the list is 10 points for him.

If he goes for it, chances are he'll concede a few points to you at first, expecting the first fulfilled prophecy to put him ahead. Later on he'll be less and less likely to mention the list at all. Don't rub his face in it, just let him learn that no amount of human religious authority guarantees the accuracy of a prediction.

- SmartLX