Another thread in GQ makes me wonder somewhat frivolously what kinds of things would indicate to the masses that someone who was claiming to be the messiah actually was IT. I’m thinking that there’d have to be some level of miracle, predicted ahead of time and confirmed conclusively. I said that something like three consecutive Cubs World Series, or the end of spam as we know it - with the attendant prediction/promise ahead of time, might convince me. You?
Nothing, honestly, since I don’t accept the idea OF a messaiah.
In the face of accurate predictions, seemingly miraculous healings or other amazing feats, I’d be more inclined to accept the idea that the individual was simply a fellow human gifted with certain powers or as yet unrevealed technology (assuming there was absolutely no doubt the feats were legitimate).
I wonder how Christians would answer this, since I’m aware of the warnings of false messiahs (“if anyone says to you, I am the Messaiah, believe him not”).
I would assume nothing along the lines of what you suggested would convince them either, but that they would, at most, conclude the individual was the ANTI-Christ/Messiah or some other false phrophet. (I guess it is assumed that when Jesus returns, everyone will just “know”, but what do I know?)
Some similar threads…
What Would It Take to Prove God’s Existence to You?
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=33749
Using the OT, prove that Jesus is the Messiah
They’d probably have to walk on water.
During the summer.
I often say that if God Himself came down and introduced himself to me and performed some miracles that only a god can perform, then… I’d go to a psychiatrist and seek treatment, letting them know that I am having delusions. I don’t know that anything would convince me.
Honestly? I’d suppose that a Messiah could very well overwhelm my scant mind and put it into a state beyond space/time, hopefully with the grace of overarching Bliss. Yep, I’ll go with that.
Same here. I can’t think of any “proof” for something so absurd that would be convincing, when there are so many better explanations ( drugs, time travellers, aliens, we’re all in the Matrix, say ). It would be like someone trying to convince me he’s Bugs Bunny.
A Chicago World Series, White Sox vs. Cubbies-and the Cubbies win.
Two kinds of photo ID.
But not in Antarctica 
Coming down from the heavens in glory, accompanied by a trumpet blast among other stuff.
Take me for a trip through our galaxy without the ingestion of drugs.
Which always struck me as rather stupid. What happens when he does come back?
Jesus: “I’m baaaccckkk!”
Human: “And you are…?”
Jesus: “The Messiah!”
Human: “Yeah, right. We were warned about people like you.”
I reckon he’s probably already come back dozens of times, but keeps being locked up in the funny farm. Or it’s Derren Brown.
Gee! That’s an interesting concept! Where’d you come up with that?:rolleyes:
Nothing could convince me. The only real one (jesus) is dead. All the others will just turn out to be like David Koresh or Osama Bin Laden- some sick twisted wannabe demented troublemaker. It wouldn’t make much difference today if someone alive could be a/the messiah. Besides, what could the messiah possibly do these days to save the world? just magically arrive and everyone calm down, don’t think so- you see what happened to the last real one.
Fish sandwiches. Lots of fish sandwiches.
If he denied his divinity. Only the true messiah denies his divinity.
Also, if he can make the juniper bushes bring forth juniper berries.
And water into Guinness.
That would convince me
Well, if he could turn water into vodka, and was willing to do so for me as needed, I’d be happy to worship him.