False prophecies and necromancy

The Gleaner has a history of publishing so-called 'prophecies', claiming to foretell events in the coming year. For years we were treated to the predictions of the legendary 'Bambos', and afterwards to the psychic readings of the late Terry Wilmot. The edition of this newspaper published on December 27, 2010 carried 'The word of the Lord for 2011 onwards, given through Apostle Steve Lyston, Bishop Doris Hutchinson, Pastor Michelle Lyston, Minister Sophia Kerr-Dawes and Minister Nadra Brotherton'.

A prophet, in the biblical sense, looks at current events and, in the power of the Holy Spirit, discerns the direction the Lord would wish us go. Sometimes it means that political leaders and the people need to be warned to change their ways (like Jonah in Nineveh); sometimes individual politicians have to be convicted of sin (like Nathan with David); and we have the great example of John the Baptist (Jesus' cousin) calling on the security forces to stop brutalising the people, and the tax collectors to stop over-taxing the people. We need more prophets of the biblical type in Jamaica today.

In Jamaican parlance, and in fundamentalist circles, a 'prophet' is someone who foretells the future - a sort of fortune-teller, a soothsayer. History is full of the efforts of humanity to know the future - even to try to control the future. Over the centuries, people have consulted 'The Oracle', tea-leaf readers, palm-readers, horoscopes, and such the like, to try to know, beforehand, what is going to happen in their lives. Both Ronald and Nancy Reagan consulted astrologers before doing anything, and altered schedules, changed travel plans, stayed home, and cancelled appearances accordingly (Google 'Reagan and horoscopes' for the full story). It is scary to think that world affairs - wars, politics and environmental policy - can be directed by stargazers in high places.

Lacking credibility

In Jamaica, we know that whereas some politicians have relied on the Stone polls to forecast election outcomes, others relied on Prophet Phinn. Still others (or maybe the same people - hedging their bets, I don't know) consulted various obeahmen and myalmen for various oils, potions and guards to obtain election victories.

Not for the first time, this year's 'prophecies' carried a caveat: "Disclaimer: God reserves the right to hold His hand back from any form of judgement pending, subject to the repentance of nations and individuals." I can understand why the disclaimer: there is much embarrassment and shame because last year's prophecies by this same group did not come true! Surely, if you really can foretell the future, you will know whether the people or nation will repent or not!

What did they 'prophesy' last year? Check The Gleaner of January 2, 2010. They made 10 predictions. Not one of them came true! Lack of space will not allow me to list them all, but check them out for themselves.

They predicted that "The Lord is about to expose a link in Jamaica among the politicians, business leaders, government officials and bankers that is going to surprise the nation. This exposure is going to result in resignations of high-ranking officials." It didn't happen.

"Turf wars will increase in Jamaica and the security and armed forces will have quite a challenge on their hands." I think turf wars declined in 2010.

"Major insurance companies in Jamaica may close or merge." What kind of future-telling speaks of "may"? Did God stay his hand here?

"Watch the dates January 10, 2010, February 14, 2010, March 22, 2010, and April 2010." Well, what happened?

This same group with the poor track record has made 51 predictions for 2011. Maybe The Gleaner will say it publishes stuff like this for entertainment, but some gullible people take rubbish like this seriously.

Peter Espeut is a sociologist and Roman Catholic deacon. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.