Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 62 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': [[FatBastard Darth Baras']] EvilPlan is to deceive the entire Sith Empire into believing that he is the Voice of the Emperor, whose job is to speak on the [[ShadowDictator The Emperor's]] behalf. If he were to succeed, he would become the defacto ruler of the Sith Empire and everyone would worship and obey him just as they would The Emperor.
to:
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': [[FatBastard Darth Baras']] EvilPlan is to deceive the entire Sith Empire into believing that he is the Voice of the Emperor, whose job is to speak on the [[ShadowDictator The Emperor's]] behalf. If he were to succeed, he would become the defacto ruler of the Sith Empire Empire, and everyone would worship and obey him just as they would The Emperor.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 62 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': [[FatBastard Darth Baras']] EvilPlan is to deceive the entire Sith Empire into believing that he is the Voice of the Emperor, whose job is to speak on the [[ShadowDictator The Emperor's]] behalf. If he were to succeed, he would become the defacto ruler of the Sith Empire and everyone would worship him just as much as they do The Emperor.
to:
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': [[FatBastard Darth Baras']] EvilPlan is to deceive the entire Sith Empire into believing that he is the Voice of the Emperor, whose job is to speak on the [[ShadowDictator The Emperor's]] behalf. If he were to succeed, he would become the defacto ruler of the Sith Empire and everyone would worship and obey him just as much as they do would The Emperor.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': The VillainOfTheWeek in "99 Problems" is the Whore of Babylon, whose goal is to damn as many souls to Hell as possible. She does this by convincing the citizens of a small town that she's a prophet and manipulating them to commit heinous crimes by using their devotion to God against them.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 61 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': [[FatBastard Darth Baras']] GrandScheme is to deceive the entire Sith Empire into believing that he is the Voice of the Emperor, whose job is to speak on the [[ShadowDictator The Emperor's]] behalf. If he were to succeed, he would become the defacto ruler of the Sith Empire and everyone would worship him just as much as they do The Emperor.
to:
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': [[FatBastard Darth Baras']] GrandScheme EvilPlan is to deceive the entire Sith Empire into believing that he is the Voice of the Emperor, whose job is to speak on the [[ShadowDictator The Emperor's]] behalf. If he were to succeed, he would become the defacto ruler of the Sith Empire and everyone would worship him just as much as they do The Emperor.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 61 (click to see context) from:
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': [[FatBastard Darth Baras]] claims to be the Voice of the Emperor, which means that everyone in the Sith Empire would worship him just as much as they do the Sith Emperor if true. He's lying so that everyone will obey him as they would TheEmperor, effectively making Baras the ruler of the whole Empire.
to:
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': [[FatBastard Darth Baras]] claims Baras']] GrandScheme is to be deceive the entire Sith Empire into believing that he is the Voice of the Emperor, which means that everyone in whose job is to speak on the [[ShadowDictator The Emperor's]] behalf. If he were to succeed, he would become the defacto ruler of the Sith Empire and everyone would worship him just as much as they do the Sith Emperor if true. He's lying so that everyone will obey him as they would TheEmperor, effectively making Baras the ruler of the whole Empire.The Emperor.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 2,3 (click to see context) from:
-->--'''Jesus, [[Literature/TheFourGospels Matthew 7:15]]'''
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
->''Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.''
-->--'''Jesus, [[Literature/TheFourGospels Matthew 7:15]]'''
-->--'''Jesus, [[Literature/TheFourGospels Matthew 7:15]]'''
Added DiffLines:
* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemThreeHouses'': Archbishop Rhea tells Byleth to sit on a throne in the Holy Tomb to receive a divine revelation from the goddess, Sothis. The real reason Rhea wants Byleth to sit on the throne is [[spoiler:to turn them into a vessel for Sothis. She apologizes to Byleth for this in the Silver Snow route]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 60 (click to see context) from:
* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', Archbishup Benedictus was the leader of the Church of the Holy Light and one of the greatest religious leaders of Azeroth. In the ''Cataclysm'' expansion, it's revealed that Benedictus was secretly the Twilight Prophet, one of the leaders of the [[ApocalypseCult Twilight's Hammer Cult]] and had been using his position in the church to recruit and brainwash new members into the Cult.
to:
* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', Archbishup Archbishop Benedictus was the leader of the Church of the Holy Light and one of the greatest religious leaders of Azeroth. In the ''Cataclysm'' expansion, it's revealed that Benedictus was secretly the Twilight Prophet, one of the leaders of the [[ApocalypseCult Twilight's Hammer Cult]] Cult]], and had been using his position in the church to recruit and brainwash new members into the Cult.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': In the "[[Recap/SouthParkS4E10Probably Probably]]" episode, it turns out Cartman only started the church to con the other kids out of their money and make ten million dollars.
[[/folder]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 5,6 (click to see context) from:
Subtrope (and a basic form) of {{Hypocrite}}. See also ScamReligion. Compare DarkMessiah for another savior figure that uses unethical tactics, but may actually be genuine in their intentions unlike a False Prophet. Compare with NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist.
to:
Subtrope (and a basic form) of {{Hypocrite}}. See also ScamReligion. Compare DarkMessiah for another savior figure that uses unethical tactics, but may actually be genuine in their intentions unlike a False Prophet. Compare with NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 5,6 (click to see context) from:
Subtrope (and a basic form) of {{Hypocrite}}. See also ScamReligion. Compare DarkMessiah for another savior figure that uses unethical tactics, but may actually be genuine in their intentions unlike a False Prophet.
to:
Subtrope (and a basic form) of {{Hypocrite}}. See also ScamReligion. Compare DarkMessiah for another savior figure that uses unethical tactics, but may actually be genuine in their intentions unlike a False Prophet. \n Compare with NotSoWellIntentionedExtremist.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 5,6 (click to see context) from:
Subtrope (and a basic form) of {{Hypocrite}}. See also ScamReligion.
to:
Subtrope (and a basic form) of {{Hypocrite}}. See also ScamReligion.
ScamReligion. Compare DarkMessiah for another savior figure that uses unethical tactics, but may actually be genuine in their intentions unlike a False Prophet.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 34 (click to see context) from:
* In the ''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'' episode "Charisma", the detectives deal with Abraham Ophion, a pedophilic priest who has convinced his followers that he is a prophet.
to:
* In the ''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'' episode "Charisma", "[[Recap/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnitS6E7Charisma Charisma]]", the detectives deal with Abraham Ophion, a pedophilic priest who has convinced his followers that he is a prophet.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 25 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'': Palpatine, a Dark Lord of the Sith religious order, lies to Anakin Skywalker about being able to cheat death so the latter will become his apprentice out of desperation to save his wife and unborn child.
to:
* ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'': Palpatine, [[Characters/StarWarsEmperorPalpatine Palpatine]], a Dark Lord of the Sith religious order, lies to Anakin Skywalker about being able to cheat death so the latter will become his apprentice out of desperation to save his wife and unborn child.
Changed line(s) 29 (click to see context) from:
* ''Literature/TheLastBattle'': with the help of a lion skin and his dimwitted friend Puzzle the donkey, the talking ape Shift subjugates the Narnians by insisting Aslan wants them to submit to the invading Calormenes; in the meantime he sets himself up as a prophet and demands food and riches. Later he insists that Asian and the Calormene god Tash are the same being, Tashlan. Interestingly, Aslan doesn't punish Shift for his blasphemy... [[spoiler:The demonic Tash himself does.]]
to:
* ''Literature/TheLastBattle'': with With the help of a lion skin and his dimwitted friend Puzzle the donkey, the talking ape Shift subjugates the Narnians by insisting Aslan wants them to submit to the invading Calormenes; in the meantime he sets himself up as a prophet and demands food and riches. Later he insists that Asian and the Calormene god Tash are the same being, Tashlan. Interestingly, Aslan doesn't punish Shift for his blasphemy... [[spoiler:The demonic Tash himself does.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ''Literature/TheLastBattle'': with the help of a lion skin and his dimwitted friend Puzzle the donkey, the talking ape Shift subjugates the Narnians by insisting Aslan wants them to submit to the invading Calormenes; in the meantime he sets himself up as a prophet and demands food and riches. Later he insists that Asian and the Calormene god Tash are the same being, Tashlan. Interestingly, Aslan doesn't punish Shift for his blasphemy... [[spoiler:The demonic Tash himself does.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 24 (click to see context) from:
* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'': [[Characters/MCUThanos Thanos]] claims that he wants to kill half of all life in the universe so that the other half can will be saved from extinction by having more resources to consume. [[WordOfGod Joe Russo]] says in the DVDCommentary that the real reason he's committing genocide is to prove to himself that his rejected solution to save his species would have worked. This is also why Thanos doesn't use [[FridgeLogic other methods]] to prevent extinction, like creating even more resources, granting immortality, or making a cure for every disease that's ever existed.
to:
* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'': [[Characters/MCUThanos Thanos]] claims that he wants to kill half of all life in the universe so that the other half can will be saved from extinction by having more resources to consume. [[WordOfGod Joe Russo]] says in the DVDCommentary that the real reason he's committing genocide is to prove to himself that his rejected solution to save his species would species--killing half of them--would have worked. This is also why Thanos doesn't use [[FridgeLogic other benevolent methods]] to prevent extinction, like creating even more resources, granting immortality, or making a cure for every disease that's ever existed.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 16 (click to see context) from:
* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Griffith, the main antagonist for a majority of the series. [[spoiler:After betraying the Band of the Hawk in exchange for power and a position among the [[BigBadDuumvirate God Hand]], Griffith re-enters the human realm and poses as a savior for humanity who would "vanquish the shadow that blots out the sun" when he is [[DarkMessiah actually a harbinger of death and destruction]]. His image as humanity's savior is mostly based on (a) a premonition seen by people throughout Midland and (b) backing from the Holy See, ''Berserk's'' equivalent of the Catholic faith.]]
to:
* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Griffith, the main antagonist for a majority of the series. Berserk's run. [[spoiler:After betraying the Band band of the Hawk hawk in exchange for power and a position among the [[BigBadDuumvirate God Hand]], god hand, Griffith re-enters the human realm and poses as a savior for humanity who would "vanquish the shadow that blots out the sun" when he is [[DarkMessiah actually a harbinger of death and destruction]]. destruction. His image as humanity's savior is mostly based on (a) a premonition seen by people throughout Midland midland and (b) backing from the Holy See, ''Berserk's'' holy see, Berserk's equivalent of the Catholic catholic faith.]]
Added DiffLines:
* During ''VideoGame/EverQuestII'''s celebration of [[AprilFoolsDay Bristlebane's Day]], a group of stupid but not-malicious goblins known as the Gigglegibbers show up in the Enchanted Lands to partake in the festivities. Players who zone into the Enchanted Lands will find Bristlebane's Prophet and his altar waiting for anyone curious to worship him as a deity. Not too far away, you'll find a Gigglegibber who claims to be "Bristlebane's Profit", hoping to find an adventurer dumb enough to not notice the obviously fake altar. The Gigglegibbers are ultimately harmless in comparison to more aggressive goblin tribes, but their lack of intelligence makes them rather amusing.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 16 (click to see context) from:
* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Griffith, the main antagonist for a majority of Berserk's run. [[spoiler:After betraying the band of the hawk in exchange for power and a position among the god hand, Griffith re-enters the human realm and poses as a savior for humanity who would "vanquish the shadow that blots out the sun" when he is actually a harbinger of death and destruction. His image as humanity's savior is mostly based on (a) a premonition seen by people throughout midland and (b) backing from the holy see, Berserk's equivalent of the catholic faith.]]
to:
* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Griffith, the main antagonist for a majority of Berserk's run. the series. [[spoiler:After betraying the band Band of the hawk Hawk in exchange for power and a position among the god hand, [[BigBadDuumvirate God Hand]], Griffith re-enters the human realm and poses as a savior for humanity who would "vanquish the shadow that blots out the sun" when he is [[DarkMessiah actually a harbinger of death and destruction. destruction]]. His image as humanity's savior is mostly based on (a) a premonition seen by people throughout midland Midland and (b) backing from the holy see, Berserk's Holy See, ''Berserk's'' equivalent of the catholic Catholic faith.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'': [[Characters/MCUThanos Thanos]] claims that he wants to kill half of all life in the universe so that the other half can will be saved from extinction by having more resources to consume. [[WordOfGod Joe Russo]] says in the DVDCommentary that the real reason he's committing genocide is to prove to himself that his rejected solution to save his species would have worked. This is also why Thanos doesn't use [[FridgeLogic other methods]] to prevent extinction, like creating even more resources, granting immortality, or making a cure for every disease that's ever existed.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
There's no quid pro quo-he simply uses his lust power to make women have sex with him.
Changed line(s) 33 (click to see context) from:
* ''Series/{{Misfits}}'', "Christmas Special": A [[CrisisOfFaith disillusioned]] priest [[PowersAsPrograms buys himself several superpowers]] to inspire the masses but goes DrunkWithPower. Naming himself the SecondComing of Jesus Christ, he fleeces money from the poor, [[SexualExtortion uses women for sex]], and forms a {{Cult}}like mob.
to:
* ''Series/{{Misfits}}'', "Christmas Special": A [[CrisisOfFaith disillusioned]] priest [[PowersAsPrograms buys himself several superpowers]] to inspire the masses but goes DrunkWithPower. Naming himself the SecondComing of Jesus Christ, he fleeces money from the poor, [[SexualExtortion [[RapeAsDrama uses women for sex]], and forms a {{Cult}}like mob.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[folder:Mythology and Religion]]
* Literature/TheBible contains several denouncements of false prophets, especially towards the end of the Old Testament when Israel and Judah turn away from God and ignore the warnings that he's about to send them into exile.[[labelnote: *]]Jeremiah 23:9-40 is a long example.[[/labelnote]] Jesus also warns his followers about false prophets more than once, in one case [[AWolfInSheepsClothing naming another trope]] in the process. He gives particular warnings about anyone claiming to be his SecondComing, essentially saying that it'll be blatantly obvious to everyone when it really happens and in the meantime anyone making such claims is a false prophet.
[[/folder]]
* Literature/TheBible contains several denouncements of false prophets, especially towards the end of the Old Testament when Israel and Judah turn away from God and ignore the warnings that he's about to send them into exile.[[labelnote: *]]Jeremiah 23:9-40 is a long example.[[/labelnote]] Jesus also warns his followers about false prophets more than once, in one case [[AWolfInSheepsClothing naming another trope]] in the process. He gives particular warnings about anyone claiming to be his SecondComing, essentially saying that it'll be blatantly obvious to everyone when it really happens and in the meantime anyone making such claims is a false prophet.
[[/folder]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
* ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'': Griffith, the main antagonist for a majority of Berserk's run. [[spoiler:After betraying the band of the hawk in exchange for power and a position among the god hand, Griffith re-enters the human realm and poses as a savior for humanity who would "vanquish the shadow that blots out the sun" when he is actually a harbinger of death and destruction. His image as humanity's savior is mostly based on (a) a premonition seen by people throughout midland and (b) backing from the holy see, Berserk's equivalent of the catholic faith.]]
Changed line(s) 18,19 (click to see context) from:
* ''Manga/Berserk'': Griffith, the main antagonist for a majority of Berserk's run. [[spoiler: After betraying the band of the hawk in exchange for power and a position among the god hand, Griffith re-enters the human realm and poses as a savior for humanity who would "vanquish the shadow that blots out the sun" when he is actually a harbinger of death and destruction. His image as humanity's savior is mostly based on (a) a premonition seen by people throughout midland and (b) backing from the holy see, Berserk's equivalent of the catholic faith.]]
to:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 18 (click to see context) from:
to:
*''Manga/Berserk'': Griffith, the main antagonist for a majority of Berserk's run. [[spoiler: After betraying the band of the hawk in exchange for power and a position among the god hand, Griffith re-enters the human realm and poses as a savior for humanity who would "vanquish the shadow that blots out the sun" when he is actually a harbinger of death and destruction. His image as humanity's savior is mostly based on (a) a premonition seen by people throughout midland and (b) backing from the holy see, Berserk's equivalent of the catholic faith.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 23 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'': Palpatine, a Dark Lord of the Sith religious order, lies to Anakin Skywalker about being able to cheat death so the latter will become his apprentice.
to:
* ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'': Palpatine, a Dark Lord of the Sith religious order, lies to Anakin Skywalker about being able to cheat death so the latter will become his apprentice.apprentice out of desperation to save his wife and unborn child.
Changed line(s) 40 (click to see context) from:
** Inverted by the GodEmperor of Mankind, who did emphatically [[UnwantedFalseFaith did not want to be considered a god]], hoping to destroy Chaos by banning all religion. Ironically, faith in Him is now one of the most potent weapons against Chaos.
to:
** Inverted by the GodEmperor of Mankind, who did emphatically [[UnwantedFalseFaith did not want to be considered a god]], hoping to destroy Chaos by banning all religion. Ironically, faith in Him is now one of the most potent weapons against Chaos.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', Archbishup Benedictus was the leader of the Church of the Holy Light and one of the greatest religious leaders of Azeroth. In the ''Cataclysm'' expansion, it's revealed that Benedictus was secretly the Twilight Prophet, one of the leaders of the [[ApocalypseCult Twilight's Hammer Cult]] and had been using his position in the church to recruit and brainwash new members into the Cult.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ''VideoGame/BaldursGateII'': Gaal is the High Priest of the Cult of the Unseeing Eye who preach that all other gods but his own are false and have swayed many to his cause. [[spoiler: It turns out that his "god" is a Beholder. A powerful entity, but hardly a god, even in this setting.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 14,15 (click to see context) from:
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': Father Cornello, the prophet of the religion worshipping the Sun God Leto in the village of Leor at the start of the manga and BOTH anime series, turns out to be nothing more than a con-man. His "miracles" are all the result of the power of an incomplete Philospoher's stone he has, and his sole reason for founding his religion is to establish a powerbase of religious fanatics he can use as foot soldiers.
* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': Father Cornello, the prophet of the religion worshipping the Sun God Leto in the village of Leor at the start of the manga and BOTH anime series, turns out to be nothing more than a con-man. His "miracles" are all the result of the power of an incomplete Philospoher's stone he has, and his sole reason for founding his religion is to establish a powerbase of religious fanatics he can use as foot soldiers.
to:
[[folder:Anime and & Manga]]
* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': Father Cornello, the prophet of the religionworshipping worshiping the Sun God Leto in the village of Leor at the start of the manga and BOTH anime series, turns out to be nothing more than a con-man. His "miracles" are all the result of the power of an incomplete Philospoher's stone he has, and his sole reason for founding his religion is to establish a powerbase of religious fanatics he can use as foot soldiers.
* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': Father Cornello, the prophet of the religion
Changed line(s) 18 (click to see context) from:
[[folder:Films--Live Action]]
to:
Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
* ''Film/LordOfIllusions'': The BigBad Nix, calling himself "the Puritan," leads a cult that believes he's the new messiah, and worships him through murder. He's really a sadistic dark magician who plans to wipe out mankind, and he embraces his role after his resurrection.
to:
* ''Film/LordOfIllusions'': The BigBad Nix, calling himself "the Puritan," Puritan", leads a cult that believes he's the new messiah, and worships him through murder. He's really a sadistic dark magician who plans to wipe out mankind, and he embraces his role after his resurrection.
Changed line(s) 37 (click to see context) from:
* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40K'':
to:
* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40K'':''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'':
Deleted line(s) 55 (click to see context) :
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 5,6 (click to see context) from:
See also ScamReligion.
to:
Subtrope (and a basic form) of {{Hypocrite}}. See also ScamReligion.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Created from YKTTW
Added DiffLines:
Someone comes along and preaches a message about how they're going to make everyone's lives better. People will flock to them out of hope, or because they see an opportunity to increase their own power by aligning with the prophet. If they don't already have it, this figure will request assistance--physically, monetarily, or in some other way--so that their goals can be achieved. If the universe has a chosen one prophecy, this individual will likely claim they're TheChosenOne.
But in one way or another, this figure is deceiving their followers. Their true goals are different from what they preach, and they are inherently selfish goals. Money, power, revenge, lust, a combination of the aforementioned reasons--the False Prophet's true motives could be any of those or something else entirely.
See also ScamReligion.
It goes without saying this is Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease.
'''Beware of spoilers.'''
----
!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': Father Cornello, the prophet of the religion worshipping the Sun God Leto in the village of Leor at the start of the manga and BOTH anime series, turns out to be nothing more than a con-man. His "miracles" are all the result of the power of an incomplete Philospoher's stone he has, and his sole reason for founding his religion is to establish a powerbase of religious fanatics he can use as foot soldiers.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Films--Live Action]]
* ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'': Bane presents himself as a savior that would liberate Gotham's citizens from capitalist chains. His true objective is to destroy Gotham and get revenge on Batman.
* ''Film/LordOfIllusions'': The BigBad Nix, calling himself "the Puritan," leads a cult that believes he's the new messiah, and worships him through murder. He's really a sadistic dark magician who plans to wipe out mankind, and he embraces his role after his resurrection.
-->'''Nix:''' I was not born to show people the error of their ways, I was born to murder the world.
* ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'': Palpatine, a Dark Lord of the Sith religious order, lies to Anakin Skywalker about being able to cheat death so the latter will become his apprentice.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* ''Literature/SmallGods'': Deacon Vorbis deliberately lied about a missionary being killed when the Ephebians were not responsive to the Omnian message, so as to create a casus belli for invading and annexing the country, then converting the people, by force, to Omnianism.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* In the ''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'' episode "Charisma", the detectives deal with Abraham Ophion, a pedophilic priest who has convinced his followers that he is a prophet.
* ''Series/{{Misfits}}'', "Christmas Special": A [[CrisisOfFaith disillusioned]] priest [[PowersAsPrograms buys himself several superpowers]] to inspire the masses but goes DrunkWithPower. Naming himself the SecondComing of Jesus Christ, he fleeces money from the poor, [[SexualExtortion uses women for sex]], and forms a {{Cult}}like mob.
* Explored and zig-zagged in ''Series/TheRighteousGemstones'': Eli Gemstone is head pastor of a massive megachurch, and uses his wealth to live a lavish lifestyle, as well as providing mansions and endless perks for his three children. However, not only is he shown to be a diligent preacher, but he also struggles with justifying his riches after losing his wife, who is implied to have kept his feet on the ground. He also seems to be a genuine Christian.
* In the ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' episode "False Profits", two Ferengi, a materialistic alien race, land on a planet where the locals mistake them for three deities known as the Sages, who were said to arrive in a prophecy. The Ferengi go along with this and pretend to be the Sages for profit.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40K'':
** Several organizations preaching a slightly different version of the Imperial creed turned out to be genestealer cults preparing the planet for Tyranid invasion. Chaos cults tend to act similarly, at first out of a genuine desire for social reform in some cases.
** Inverted by the GodEmperor of Mankind, who did emphatically [[UnwantedFalseFaith did not want to be considered a god]], hoping to destroy Chaos by banning all religion. Ironically, faith in Him is now one of the most potent weapons against Chaos.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Video Games]]
* Father Anthony Comstock of ''VideoGame/BioshockInfinite'' passes himself as a prophet, using the Lutece twins' research about using tears in the space-time to predict the future and create advanced technology from other universes.
* ''VideoGame/GrandiaII'': Pope Zera Innocentus is the leader of the Church of Granas, and viewed by many to be the wisest and most powerful leader the church has had. With monsters on the rise and apparent curses appearing across the land, the people have turned to him to lead them lit of these dark times. In point of fact, Pope Zera and his subordinates are the one causing the curses and monsters because he knows [[spoiler:his god Granas is dead, and he wants to revive, then later become, Valmar because humanity needs a god to serve.]] What keeps the Church of Granas from being a ScamReligion is that only Zera and his inner circle are aware of the spoilered information.
* ''{{Franchise/Halo}}'': Dasc Gevadim is a cult leader who created the religion Triad, amassing followers and then retreating to a remote planet while his believers claimed he had "ascended". He later returned a decade later claiming to have "willed" himself back into the material world, and used the emergence of the Guardians and their curious effects on planets' local gravity to fake displaying telekinetic powers.
* Thaos ix Arkannon from ''VideoGame/PillarsOfEternity'' is a complex case. He is legitimately the HighPriest of one of the settings' gods, Woedica, however, [[spoiler:the gods themselves are exposed at the end of the game as artificial constructs, created by ancient soul-smiths as means of ideological and moral control over the peoples of the world. What's more, said soul-smiths were led by one of Thaos' previous incarnations, whose memories and identity he has inherited. However, because the gods' artificiality is all but forgotten in modern times, the only time someone actually refers to Thaos as a false prophet is in a flashback of when his past incarnation's former disciple Iovara call him out on it]].
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': [[FatBastard Darth Baras]] claims to be the Voice of the Emperor, which means that everyone in the Sith Empire would worship him just as much as they do the Sith Emperor if true. He's lying so that everyone will obey him as they would TheEmperor, effectively making Baras the ruler of the whole Empire.
* ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'': Count Bleck claims that he wants to destroy the multiverse so that he can create a new one without any of the original's flaws. [[spoiler:He's telling the truth about destroying the multiverse, but lying about the part where he'll replace it with a new one]]. And the reason he's doing this? [[spoiler:[[DespairEventHorizon He couldn't find any joy in life after he believed that his lover was dead]], so he decided that [[SuicidalCosmicTemperTantrum everyone had to die with him]]]].
* ''VideoGame/UltimaVI'': The Gargoyles believe that the PlayerCharacter is one; they think the Avatar is spreading corrupt values to make the Britannians loyal to them, and to start a war with the Gargoyles. [[spoiler:The Gargoyles are wrong]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Comics]]
* Subverted in ''Webcomic/ExterminatusNow'', where two prophets burned at the stake as heretics turned out to have been legitimately sent by their god.
[[/folder]]
----
But in one way or another, this figure is deceiving their followers. Their true goals are different from what they preach, and they are inherently selfish goals. Money, power, revenge, lust, a combination of the aforementioned reasons--the False Prophet's true motives could be any of those or something else entirely.
See also ScamReligion.
It goes without saying this is Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease.
'''Beware of spoilers.'''
----
!!Examples:
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'': Father Cornello, the prophet of the religion worshipping the Sun God Leto in the village of Leor at the start of the manga and BOTH anime series, turns out to be nothing more than a con-man. His "miracles" are all the result of the power of an incomplete Philospoher's stone he has, and his sole reason for founding his religion is to establish a powerbase of religious fanatics he can use as foot soldiers.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Films--Live Action]]
* ''Film/TheDarkKnightRises'': Bane presents himself as a savior that would liberate Gotham's citizens from capitalist chains. His true objective is to destroy Gotham and get revenge on Batman.
* ''Film/LordOfIllusions'': The BigBad Nix, calling himself "the Puritan," leads a cult that believes he's the new messiah, and worships him through murder. He's really a sadistic dark magician who plans to wipe out mankind, and he embraces his role after his resurrection.
-->'''Nix:''' I was not born to show people the error of their ways, I was born to murder the world.
* ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'': Palpatine, a Dark Lord of the Sith religious order, lies to Anakin Skywalker about being able to cheat death so the latter will become his apprentice.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* ''Literature/SmallGods'': Deacon Vorbis deliberately lied about a missionary being killed when the Ephebians were not responsive to the Omnian message, so as to create a casus belli for invading and annexing the country, then converting the people, by force, to Omnianism.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
* In the ''Series/LawAndOrderSpecialVictimsUnit'' episode "Charisma", the detectives deal with Abraham Ophion, a pedophilic priest who has convinced his followers that he is a prophet.
* ''Series/{{Misfits}}'', "Christmas Special": A [[CrisisOfFaith disillusioned]] priest [[PowersAsPrograms buys himself several superpowers]] to inspire the masses but goes DrunkWithPower. Naming himself the SecondComing of Jesus Christ, he fleeces money from the poor, [[SexualExtortion uses women for sex]], and forms a {{Cult}}like mob.
* Explored and zig-zagged in ''Series/TheRighteousGemstones'': Eli Gemstone is head pastor of a massive megachurch, and uses his wealth to live a lavish lifestyle, as well as providing mansions and endless perks for his three children. However, not only is he shown to be a diligent preacher, but he also struggles with justifying his riches after losing his wife, who is implied to have kept his feet on the ground. He also seems to be a genuine Christian.
* In the ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' episode "False Profits", two Ferengi, a materialistic alien race, land on a planet where the locals mistake them for three deities known as the Sages, who were said to arrive in a prophecy. The Ferengi go along with this and pretend to be the Sages for profit.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40K'':
** Several organizations preaching a slightly different version of the Imperial creed turned out to be genestealer cults preparing the planet for Tyranid invasion. Chaos cults tend to act similarly, at first out of a genuine desire for social reform in some cases.
** Inverted by the GodEmperor of Mankind, who did emphatically [[UnwantedFalseFaith did not want to be considered a god]], hoping to destroy Chaos by banning all religion. Ironically, faith in Him is now one of the most potent weapons against Chaos.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Video Games]]
* Father Anthony Comstock of ''VideoGame/BioshockInfinite'' passes himself as a prophet, using the Lutece twins' research about using tears in the space-time to predict the future and create advanced technology from other universes.
* ''VideoGame/GrandiaII'': Pope Zera Innocentus is the leader of the Church of Granas, and viewed by many to be the wisest and most powerful leader the church has had. With monsters on the rise and apparent curses appearing across the land, the people have turned to him to lead them lit of these dark times. In point of fact, Pope Zera and his subordinates are the one causing the curses and monsters because he knows [[spoiler:his god Granas is dead, and he wants to revive, then later become, Valmar because humanity needs a god to serve.]] What keeps the Church of Granas from being a ScamReligion is that only Zera and his inner circle are aware of the spoilered information.
* ''{{Franchise/Halo}}'': Dasc Gevadim is a cult leader who created the religion Triad, amassing followers and then retreating to a remote planet while his believers claimed he had "ascended". He later returned a decade later claiming to have "willed" himself back into the material world, and used the emergence of the Guardians and their curious effects on planets' local gravity to fake displaying telekinetic powers.
* Thaos ix Arkannon from ''VideoGame/PillarsOfEternity'' is a complex case. He is legitimately the HighPriest of one of the settings' gods, Woedica, however, [[spoiler:the gods themselves are exposed at the end of the game as artificial constructs, created by ancient soul-smiths as means of ideological and moral control over the peoples of the world. What's more, said soul-smiths were led by one of Thaos' previous incarnations, whose memories and identity he has inherited. However, because the gods' artificiality is all but forgotten in modern times, the only time someone actually refers to Thaos as a false prophet is in a flashback of when his past incarnation's former disciple Iovara call him out on it]].
* ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'': [[FatBastard Darth Baras]] claims to be the Voice of the Emperor, which means that everyone in the Sith Empire would worship him just as much as they do the Sith Emperor if true. He's lying so that everyone will obey him as they would TheEmperor, effectively making Baras the ruler of the whole Empire.
* ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'': Count Bleck claims that he wants to destroy the multiverse so that he can create a new one without any of the original's flaws. [[spoiler:He's telling the truth about destroying the multiverse, but lying about the part where he'll replace it with a new one]]. And the reason he's doing this? [[spoiler:[[DespairEventHorizon He couldn't find any joy in life after he believed that his lover was dead]], so he decided that [[SuicidalCosmicTemperTantrum everyone had to die with him]]]].
* ''VideoGame/UltimaVI'': The Gargoyles believe that the PlayerCharacter is one; they think the Avatar is spreading corrupt values to make the Britannians loyal to them, and to start a war with the Gargoyles. [[spoiler:The Gargoyles are wrong]].
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Web Comics]]
* Subverted in ''Webcomic/ExterminatusNow'', where two prophets burned at the stake as heretics turned out to have been legitimately sent by their god.
[[/folder]]
----
