Vol. 15, No. 2, 1998

Articles on Cults and New Religions

Teacher Chen has made numerous prophecies that have failed. Below is a list of these prophecies, followed by the explanation or new prophecy to mitigate the failure:

1. God would appear on channel 18 across America on March 25^th.

After God did not appear on television, Teacher Chen simply explained that the prediction could be considered "nonsense." On March 31^st, however, Chen prophesied that God will instead appear in the dreams of his followers.

2. God would appear at 10:00 a.m. on March 31^st .

Chen revealed to reporters that this prophecy was fulfilled because each person present is God. As proof of his own deity, Chen stared at the sun for several moments.

3. God would personally greet each individual who was present, speaking in their own languages, on March 31^st.

Chen told reporters that this prophecy was fulfilled because they, as God, were able to greet each other.

4. God would duplicate himself in many physical bodies identical to Chen's on March 31^st.

Chen declared this was fulfilled, but was visible only to those with spiritual eyes. His followers indicated by a show of hands that they all could see these manifestations of God.

5. A flying saucer would appear on March 31^st.

Chen Tao spokesperson Richard Liu denied that Teacher Chen ever made this prophecy.