Shoehorning
Encyclopedia
Shoehorning is a ploy used by psychics, or religious apologetic or other charlatans, as a way to make it sound like their prophecies or those of earlier prophet
s had come true. The word is derived from shoehorn, a smooth curved implement, often of plastic or metal, inserted at the heel to help put on a shoe. In a similar fashion, shoehorning involves taking an earlier prophecy and attempting to affix a current event to it, with the event apparently "fulfilling" the prophecy, even though this has been realized after the fact. Shoehorned prophecies usually take vague prophecies and twist them to "mean" the event in question even if the evidence for the connection is shaky. Also, many psychics, such as James van Praagh
, are accused of stating after the fact that they had predicted the event, even if evidence proves otherwise, also being an example of retroactive clairvoyance.
Some potential shoehorned prophecies include:
Prophet
In religion, a prophet, from the Greek word προφήτης profitis meaning "foreteller", is an individual who is claimed to have been contacted by the supernatural or the divine, and serves as an intermediary with humanity, delivering this newfound knowledge from the supernatural entity to other people...
s had come true. The word is derived from shoehorn, a smooth curved implement, often of plastic or metal, inserted at the heel to help put on a shoe. In a similar fashion, shoehorning involves taking an earlier prophecy and attempting to affix a current event to it, with the event apparently "fulfilling" the prophecy, even though this has been realized after the fact. Shoehorned prophecies usually take vague prophecies and twist them to "mean" the event in question even if the evidence for the connection is shaky. Also, many psychics, such as James van Praagh
James Van Praagh
James Van Praagh is a self-proclaimed medium who has written several books on spirituality and spirit communication.-Early life and career:Van Praagh was born in Bayside, New York and is the youngest of four children...
, are accused of stating after the fact that they had predicted the event, even if evidence proves otherwise, also being an example of retroactive clairvoyance.
Some potential shoehorned prophecies include:
- The Bible Code
- Jeane DixonJeane DixonJeane L. Dixon was one of the best-known American astrologers and psychics of the 20th century, due to her syndicated newspaper astrology column, some well-publicized predictions, and a best-selling biography....
's prediction of the assassination of John F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyJohn Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963.... - Many prophecies of NostradamusNostradamusMichel de Nostredame , usually Latinised to Nostradamus, was a French apothecary and reputed seer who published collections of prophecies that have since become famous worldwide. He is best known for his book Les Propheties , the first edition of which appeared in 1555...
- Other September 11 prophecies, particularly by van PraaghJames Van PraaghJames Van Praagh is a self-proclaimed medium who has written several books on spirituality and spirit communication.-Early life and career:Van Praagh was born in Bayside, New York and is the youngest of four children...
, Jerry FalwellJerry FalwellJerry Lamon Falwell, Sr. was an evangelical fundamentalist Southern Baptist pastor, televangelist, and a conservative commentator from the United States. He was the founding pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, a megachurch in Lynchburg, Virginia...
and Pat RobertsonPat RobertsonMarion Gordon "Pat" Robertson is a media mogul, television evangelist, ex-Baptist minister and businessman who is politically aligned with the Christian Right in the United States.... - Prophecy of the PopesProphecy of the PopesThe Prophecy of the Popes, attributed to Saint Malachy, is a list of 112 short phrases in Latin. They purport to describe each of the Roman Catholic popes , beginning with Pope Celestine II and concluding with the successor of current pope Benedict XVI, a pope described in the prophecy as "Peter...