# My friend believes he is a prophet **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 12, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972 "2012-07-12T05:16:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/41 "2012-07-13T11:16:24Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > Sorry **Kanicbird** but I don’t believe in any kind of god, destiny, design or purpose in the universe. I try to keep an open mind but I believe in evidence and therefore while I do not outright reject the possibility that he’s right, without evidence it’s overwhelmingly more likely that he has some mental health issues and I cannot risk his health on tiny chances. That’s why I said look on the effect on his life, is his life better or not in real terms > [@](#): > > Besides, as my argument to him will go, if he is truly “meant” to do what he believes he will not be stopped by mere mortals such as me or a doctor. This is true in my experience, as I have shared before on this board, at the urging of friends I have went to see councilors, I think 5 in all. Every one came to the same conclusion, what I am doing is far better then anything they can do for me and they feel they would only get in the way and many if not all suggested I continue. This was during a very dark time in my life, and spirituality was the only path I saw to take. But OTOH it was sort of devastating as I wanted help but no one I could find could help me and it was discouraging just to get the same answer all the time. Actually the greatest learning in my life was through very close relationships, which was a lot better then councilor, someone who does care about me and me them. So I don’t think it will harm him, but may give you a easier time if he goes and gets a simular statement to continue. > [@](#): > > On a separate note he’s volunteering a bit too much information about things that I’d generally expect to stay private even among the closest friends (at least for males). Could this be a symptom of anything? I suspect it is you who are not ready for this. In advancing down one’s path you find people who are open to hearing other’s experience, building and exploring from each other. In many faiths/belief systems we are all one family, so you are not a male friend but actually a brother so a closer relationship then you are comfortable with. To quote Socrates ‘philosophy is a team sport and the ultimate pleasure’. In our world we are taught to keep ‘wild’ beliefs to ourselves, but some overcome that programing, and in doing so are able to expand their world. IMHO What he needs to learn is discernment, to know who he can safely talk to and who he should not about such things, as his opening up to you is uncomfortable for you, but perhaps needed for him. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/42 "2012-07-13T11:46:43Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > He is not clearly a threat to either himself or others currently. But if he has bipolar disorder he may well be a threat to himself during the depressive phases. There is also always the chance his symptoms will get worse until he is a danger to someone. Lastly, simply believing cannabis is magic (as he does) is both a threat to his health and his hopes for the future. Before he was under no illusions that his habit was a bad thing, but now he has convinced himself that it’s positive. Using those parameters (currently, always the chance, simply believing cannabis is magic) I can’t believe I’m not institutionalized. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/43 "2012-07-13T12:02:27Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > On a separate note he’s volunteering a bit too much information about things that I’d generally expect to stay private even among the closest friends (at least for males). Could this be a symptom of anything? Considering some of the things I’ve heard old dudes talk about, check him for wrinkles… ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/44 "2012-07-13T12:22:27Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > His dad doesn’t live with him, so its less likely his son could “help” him experience reincarnation with a gentle push off the balcony (or any other way that might come to mind). What’s your point? > [@kayaker](#): > > Using those parameters (currently, always the chance, simply believing cannabis is magic) I can’t believe I’m not institutionalized. What’s your point? > [@kanicbird](#): > > I suspect it is you who are not ready for this. Well I’m not ready to have conversations about our penises, no. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/45 "2012-07-13T12:55:13Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > What makes you mentally ill is not **what** you believe, but **how** and **why** you believe it. Indeed - and one slightly wacky idea doesn’t make someone a nutjob, but someone actively collecting wacky ideas may be a different matter. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/46 "2012-07-13T12:57:23Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > What’s your point? Just speculating that maybe I should be more cautious about information I share with my friends. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/47 "2012-07-13T14:25:05Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > Well I’m not ready to have conversations about our penises, no. How did we get from your friend asking if you were a alien to talking about your penises? While in some spiritually penises have some connotations it does seem out of place even to me and curious how this fits in to what he is going through. ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/48 "2012-07-13T14:45:08Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Just speculating that maybe I should be more cautious about information I share with my friends. If you suddenly decide you’re a prophet, that John Lennon was a prophet, that you’re the reincarnation of a famous person and that it’s your job to save the world then yeah, you probably should be cautious about sharing that. > [@kanicbird](#): > > How did we get from your friend asking if you were a alien to talking about your penises? > > While in some spiritually penises have some connotations it does seem out of place even to me and curious how this fits in to what he is going through. That’s one example of his new “TMI” personality. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/49 "2012-07-13T15:43:21Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > He says he’s shared a lot of this with his dad actually, and I’m surprised his dad hasn’t reacted in some way to make him doubt these ideas a bit. > > > [@Kenm](#): > > > > His dad doesn’t live with him, so its less likely his son could “help” him experience reincarnation with a gentle push off the balcony (or any other way that might come to mind). > > > > > [@Bozuit](#): > > > > > > What’s your point? Is that a whoosh? The point is that his dad isn’t his roommate. You are, so it’s you that more likely would end up experiencing reincarnation at the hands of a self-medicating and unbalanced individual who believes himself the prophet of a deity who said he would help you along the road to enlightenment through death. Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/50 "2012-07-13T15:59:35Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > That’s one example of his new “TMI” personality. I think he needs a g/f then ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/51 "2012-07-13T16:07:19Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > Is that a whoosh? > > The point is that his dad isn’t his roommate. You are, so it’s you that more likely would end up experiencing reincarnation at the hands of a self-medicating and unbalanced individual who believes himself the prophet of a deity who said he would help you along the road to enlightenment through death. > > Jesus. Yes I get that, that’s why I said in the OP that I considered that he might do that to me, but never mentioned that he might do it to his dad. For the record he never mentioned anything about hurting anyone, it’s just something I considered the first time he sprang this on me and talked cryptically about “proof”. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/52 "2012-07-13T16:24:31Z")
**Kanicbird** , has some rather, um, “unique” beliefs. I suggest you take his suggestions with a grain of salt. 😉 And good luck with your friend. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/53 "2012-07-13T17:08:00Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > **Kanicbird** , has some rather, um, “unique” beliefs. I suggest you take his suggestions with a grain of salt. Because you disagree with me? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/54 "2012-07-13T17:19:07Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Because you disagree with me? No. . .because pretty much everyone does. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/55 "2012-07-13T17:24:42Z")
So **Kanicbird** is ummm mentally divergent? So what? Frankly, I’d say he has unique insight into this situation. Additionally, despite his ummm unconventional beliefs has **Kanicbird** ever seemed like a threat to himself or others? If **Kanicbird** has been espousing his umm unique views for years and not needed psychiatric intervention, why should **Bozuit** ’s friend need it now? ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/56 "2012-07-13T17:34:43Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > If **Kanicbird** has been espousing his umm unique views for years and not needed psychiatric intervention, why should **Bozuit** ’s friend need it now? He wouldn’t, if Bozuit’s friend is a Kanicbird clone and everything else is identical ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/57 "2012-07-13T18:04:05Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > No. . .because pretty much everyone does. To all this, and to the OP I would like to state how I see it. In order for you to maintain your belief system (stated by the OP as ‘evidence bases’), or how you like to understand reality, you need to consider anyone with a contrary view as ‘mentally defective’. This pattern reduces free thinking, as no one wants to be considered mentally defective, nor labeled or ostracized as I feel **Guinastasia** has attempted to do with me - and yes it does hurt me when it is done as in this case and also IMHO humanity by such comments attempting to diminish such people from participation. The OP has stated that this person has opened up TMI which has made him uncomfortable. But I also feel that there is another level of uncomfort that the OP may be feeling (and some posters here with me and others who have gone against ‘evidence based’ belief systems), that they need to have the person who is seeking declared ‘mentally defective’ to preserve their own belief system even though that person may be acting normally and beneficially, just outside your parameters of what normal should be. ---
**Author:** ![jdubs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cdc98d/32.png) [@jdubs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jdubs)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/58 "2012-07-13T20:52:23Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > To all this, and to the OP I would like to state how I see it. In order for you to maintain your belief system (stated by the OP as ‘evidence bases’), or how you like to understand reality, you need to consider anyone with a contrary view as ‘mentally defective’. This pattern reduces free thinking, as no one wants to be considered mentally defective, nor labeled or ostracized as I feel **Guinastasia** has attempted to do with me - and yes it does hurt me when it is done as in this case and also IMHO humanity by such comments attempting to diminish such people from participation. > > The OP has stated that this person has opened up TMI which has made him uncomfortable. But I also feel that there is another level of uncomfort that the OP may be feeling (and some posters here with me and others who have gone against ‘evidence based’ belief systems), that they need to have the person who is seeking declared ‘mentally defective’ to preserve their own belief system even though that person may be acting normally and beneficially, just outside your parameters of what normal should be. You seem to think that the religious aspect of the OP’s conversation with his roommate is what he finds to be TMI. He has stated that this is not the case (even if he disagrees with them), but rather, it is talking about his penis and other similar subjects that is TMI. Most people would agree. They are rude and inappropriate subjects. NOTE: Not religion. Furthermore, this is not what makes him think his friend is mentally unhealthy (not defective, as you put it). What concerns him is that his friend was suicidal and then suddenly has an extreme change in beliefs that any reasonable person would find to be delusional. Again, not because they are religious, but because they are irrational and typical of individuals having a psychotic break. Add in the extreme usage of psychotropic drugs…and well, I think you see where I am going. Hopefully you are on the same page as everyone else now. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/59 "2012-07-13T21:58:37Z")
> [@jdubs](#): > > You seem to think that the religious aspect of the OP’s conversation with his roommate is what he finds to be TMI. He has stated that this is not the case (even if he disagrees with them), but rather, it is talking about his penis and other similar subjects that is TMI. Most people would agree. They are rude and inappropriate subjects. NOTE: Not religion. > > Furthermore, this is not what makes him think his friend is mentally unhealthy (not defective, as you put it). What concerns him is that his friend was suicidal and then suddenly has an extreme change in beliefs that any reasonable person would find to be delusional. Again, not because they are religious, but because they are irrational and typical of individuals having a psychotic break. Add in the extreme usage of psychotropic drugs…and well, I think you see where I am going. > > Hopefully you are on the same page as everyone else now. Perhaps it was a bit too much of my own journey and related frustration that showed through that last one 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972/60 "2012-07-13T22:25:20Z")
> [@jdubs](#): > > You seem to think that the religious aspect of the OP’s conversation with his roommate is what he finds to be TMI. He has stated that this is not the case (even if he disagrees with them), but rather, it is talking about his penis and other similar subjects that is TMI. Most people would agree. They are rude and inappropriate subjects. NOTE: Not religion. > > Furthermore, this is not what makes him think his friend is mentally unhealthy (not defective, as you put it). What concerns him is that his friend was suicidal and then suddenly has an extreme change in beliefs that any reasonable person would find to be delusional. Again, not because they are religious, but because they are irrational and typical of individuals having a psychotic break. Add in the extreme usage of psychotropic drugs…and well, I think you see where I am going. > > Hopefully you are on the same page as everyone else now. I should also point out that another reason this whole thing worries me is my friend’s poor judgement in expecting me to accept what he’s saying. He knows me well and therefore should really, really not be expecting me to believe what he’s saying without some seriously good evidence. He seemed to expect me to “see the light” after a very brief and weak explanation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-believes-he-is-a-prophet/627972.md?page=4)