Astrology - real or fake?

[jayjay23]

I got a perplexing email today.

"Five personalised astrology reports, only £20, worth £140"

Now, correct me if I am wrong, but should not all astrology reports be personalised so to speak?

Personalised as opposed to... what?  

What do you think of Astrology and other related things?

[Jamster26]

Perhaps we could have a sticky thread titled, "Random News Or Comments?."

[jayjay23]

Or we can discuss the merits of astrology and related bollocks.

[Jamster26]

Well I'm out...

[Diana Prince]

Well, Jams, I think that's very small minded of you.

[Jamster26]

I just meant I couldn't hold my own if JayJay is about to give an astrology related comment.

I believe it's a false principal.

[jayjay23]

I'll start.
Astrology is utter codswallop. Or something like that. However, I do have an open mind and would be thrilled if someone can explain to me what it is about and what I perhaps don't understand.

[Diana Prince]

I'll start.
Astrology is utter codswallop. Or something like that. However, I do have an open mind

Clearly you don't.

[jayjay23]

Clearly you don't.

That is just my opinion. As explained, I am open to being enlightened. My opinion, however strong does not mean my mind is closed. Thus far in my life, I have had no reason to believe it is true but have had many reasons to believe it is outright fraud. Hence my opinion. I would say that is pretty fair.

[Jamster26]

What are your reasons, then, JayJay? I don't believe it in either but am interested to know what your view is.

[jayjay23]

"We regret to announce that due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, the Astrological Magazine will cease with the December 2007 issue."

[Diana Prince]

I'm not sure if this is any help, but either way, it's bween going longer than worshipping modern day God (s)


http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/the-lay-scientist/2011/jan/28/1

[jayjay23]

Originally, astrologists, in all their wisdom, believed the sun revolved around the earth.
So, they get the biggest thing in the universe wrong and yet people believe thy can tell us what career path to take or who to marry? Hmm.

[Jamster26]

Astrology offers a false hope of salvation through the demonic and occult powers of divination.

[Diana Prince]

Originally, astrologists, in all their wisdom, believed the sun revolved around the earth.
So, they get the biggest thing in the universe wrong and yet people believe thy can tell us what career path to take or who to marry? Hmm.

Though, you're open minded about it all, of course. 

We all thought the world was flat at one time but times change.

[Le God]

Of course it's not real.

Probably about as real as phantom photos and all that jazz.

[Diana Prince]

Astrology offers a false hope of salvation through the demonic and occult powers of divination.

And religion is the opiate of the masses. You really must not believe every thing you are told at Bible class as that was clearly written verbatum.

[jayjay23]

* If astrology were real and reliable, modern socioties and governments would use them productively for all sorts of purposes. The fact that it is not used as a useful tool in the modern world points to it not really working.

* My brothers girlfriend believes in it. So, they had a forecast each done. But, when it arrived he did not tell her which was his and which one was hers. She read both, and then jumped from one to the other saying, "well this one sounds like me", "oh, actually I think this is me", in the end it was reduced to no more than a guessing game. She eventually settled on the wrong one.

[Diana Prince]

So, JJ, in conclusion, you really didn't have an open mind and are now systematically rubbishing it with analogies.
Fair enough, but you should've said that at the beginning.

It's no madder than believing in a God & strangely I can't remember the last time a war started due to it.
Maybe your time would be better spent rubbishing ideas that human trafficking is acceptable, as is slavery, animal cruelty, rape and all number of other atrocities. 

[jayjay23]

Though, you're open minded about it all, of course.  

We all thought the world was flat at one time but times change.

Ah, exactly.

But my point is, in this case, if they were being guided by the stars and were getting oh such accurate information from them, as in how it relates to us, then surely they would have been informed about the earth/sun thing.

The difference is, believing the earth is flat is one thing, claiming that some higher power has told you it is flat and then being proved wrong is another thing.

[Diana Prince]

Ah, exactly.

But my point is, in this case, if they were being guided by the stars and were getting oh such accurate information from them, as in how it relates to us, then surely they would have been informed about the earth/sun thing.

The difference is, believing the earth is flat is one thing, claiming that some higher power has told you it is flat and then being proved wrong is another thing.

But no one "tells" them, it's not dictatorial in the way religions are. Personally, I think religion is far more dangerous than astrology.

[jayjay23]

So, JJ, in conclusion, you really didn't have an open mind and are now systematically rubbishing it with analogies.
Fair enough, but you should've said that at the beginning.

It's no madder than believing in a God & strangely I can't remember the last time a war started due to it.
Maybe your time would be better spent rubbishing ideas that human trafficking is acceptable, as is slavery, animal cruelty, rape and all number of other atrocities.  

No. I do have an open mind.
My experience is that nobody has ever given a truely accurate forecast that is possible to believe in without question. If it is real it should surely be as accurate as saying that gravity exists.

Why does it rely on vague generalities, always. Things that can be applied to any person, of any birthdate, of any personality?

[jayjay23]

I'm not sure if this is any help, but either way, it's bween going longer than worshipping modern day God (s)


http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/the-lay-scientist/2011/jan/28/1

I read this. I dont get it? It just backs up what I am saying. I dont claim to know anymore about the planets than astrologists do. I dont claim that they do not understand ASTRONMY and its practical applications even. I just dont believe that the alignment of planets having any determination over personal events has any basis in reality and has never been demonstrated.

[Diana Prince]

Why does it rely on vague generalities, always.

I'd say all beliefs do.

[jayjay23]

But no one "tells" them, it's not dictatorial in the way religions are. Personally, I think religion is far more dangerous than astrology.

I absolutely agree.
Religion is far more dangerous and poisonous.
Having said that, I cannot rule out the existence of a kind of God. I cant prove he doesnt exist. If he does exist he isnt very nice. Personally I do not belive he exists. I just cant prove it.