It was a false prohecy.
The loved and practiced this falsehood, but as it all became more evident they naturally covered it up for the sake of image.
Now, in proven fashion they
- don't talk about it
- downplay it greatly
- pretend it never happened
- initiate concealment from prospective converts
- dutifully perform the necessary mental gymnastics of cognitive dissonance
I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and know that no lie is of the truth.