Why is astrology considered a sin by some Christians?

Question

I am an astrologer by hobby and it is fun to do personal charts on people. Also, it is useful to determine people's characters as a way to better get along with them. I don't use it as a place of religion, as I do believe in God and I do believe in Christian principles. I don't think that the two should be mutually exclusive, and although many may disagree, I consider it a scientific rather than a spiritual tool.

Who does it really hurt?

To Bobby Le Canard:

Here is what the dictionary defines a sin: An action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible, often a serious shortcoming.

How does Astrology fall into such a category?

Answer 1

It hurts the Christian church, so they fear Astrology, and thus they have deemed it pagan effectively trying to ban it.

When power is taken away from the church and given to the people, they either Christianize the offender, like they have done with the pagan holidays, ie. The Winter Solstice is now Christmas, or they try to wipe it out completely by banning or destroying it. Another example is the destoying of the Mayan texts by the Spanish as they tried to "convert" the people of Guatemala to Christianity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemala

In the past few years, I learned about the Christianization of pagan holidays into our modern day holidays by watching the History Channel. The History of Christmas, the History of Halloween, the History of New Years Eve and the History of Easter are extremely enlightening programs.

If one knows how to read and interpret charts well and properly, not just natal charts, but secondary progressions, transits, solar arcs, synasty, composites, progressed composites, lunar returns, solar returns and eclipses, you have a lot of power.

People will turn to their charts and not to the church for answers, like they want you to do. Knowledge is power. Knowledge allows you to think and make decisions on your own without involving and relying upon the church and it's elders. Knowledge allows you freedom, freedom that allows one to make the decision to leave and split from the church. The church fears this of course. They loose the power and ultimately their money. Religion is a big money making business.

Astrology has been used for 1000's of years back to the days of Babylonia. Many different cultures used Astrology over the years and some still do: Vedic and Chinese Astrology still flourishes in addition to the Western versions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_astrology
http://www.robhand.com/histintr.htm
http://www.astrologers.com/html/history.html

It's actually quite hypocritical of the Christian church to ban Astrology because of this quote directly from the Bible:

Luke 21:25

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars"

http://www.astrologyzine.com/astrology-bible.shtml

Answer 2

if an astrologer can bleed the same way another man can bleed then why should any body go to them for knowing of the future or even less believe in some cards that were made from cut down trees. if an astrologer can't tell his own future then why question christian on why they believe its a sin. Secondly its considered a sin mostly because people idolize it.they turn it into a God and become addicted. They seek that for reassurance and forget about God and the love he has for all man kind. thirdly if you say you practice christian principles then you should know that God doesn't want man to put anything before him nor compromise themselves. You dont need tarot cards to show how to get a long with someone...where all unique and cards can only tell you so much. if you want to know if you and a person click get to know them if you notice your not vibing then you have nothing in common. COMMON SENSE!!! astrology not needed.

Answer 3

The Wise Men were pagans. The story of the Nativity is not an endorsement of astrology. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, or who uses divination, or is a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer. Or a charmer, or a medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and it is because of these abominable practices that the Lord your God is driving them out before you." All of the above are the sinful actions of men, and are not of God. Astrology can easily be considered a form of divination, as astrologers look to the position of the stars and planets to try and predict the future, etc.

Answer 4

My mother has always dismissed it because she claims a Christian should "never believe in false prophets."
However, did you know that Roman Catholics and many Popes in the Renaissance and before truly admired and respected astrology? Because of the Renaissance's cling to classic ideals, and ancient Roman history, (ie astrology and seers, etc) Popes and priests incorporated it into their lives very often.
An interesting an not very well known fact!
See, they were amazingly interested in the fact that the stars and the constellations were in perfect harmony. Everything added up perfectly, and they took this as a sign of God's perfect harmony in creation. Planets and stars were extremely valued. Raphael and other famous artists in the time painted various chapels and effigies incorporating astrology.
A fine example would be the Chigi Chapel in the church of S. Maria del Popolo in Rome. It's beautiful- Incorporating God as Jupiter, the main planet, and displaying important astrological configurations on the ceiling!

I, along with many Renaissance thinkers, do not see any harm in astrology, nor do I disrespect religion. I think they can live in perfect harmony, and I'm very interested by both. Why not explore different philosophies about everything in life?

Answer 5

Personally, I don't think it hurts anything. Some Christian religions believe, however, that fortelling the future is the work of Satan the Devil and that God does not instill supernatural powers into humans so its only Satan that makes people think that they can see the future. Some astrologers seem to actually have a "gift" while others are just a gimmick. If it is Satan using people to fortell the future to impress or trick others, he does a damn good job, lol. Sorry, its just the truth. But Christians and those who know anything about Christian beliefs know that God and Satan both are powerful beings.

Answer 6

I'm right along side of you. I study astrology, Tarot etc but I always tell people it's more a hobby. I don't live by it, I don't push it off on anyone and I certainly do make anyway "transform" to it. Anything out of the "ordinary" will be viewed as wrong. I think sometimes Christians can overreact to things (and yes I am christian)

Answer 7

It doesn't hurt anyone. Most christians think that anything that's not in the bible is "evil" but it's just another explanation for the world around us. The bible hasn't been updated for thousands of years and the world is a different place. There isn't anything wrong with anything that doesn't hurt anyone else! Astrology has deeper roots than christianity and has probably been around even longer in South American Indians and anyone who has ever looked at the stars and wondered what they are. You should believe in what you know to be right and descide for yourself. It's hard to listen to any religion that dissregards anything other than itself, and wont even consider dissenting oppinions!

Answer 8

There are passages in the Bible that condemn astrology as a form of sorcery. (For example, see Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Then again, Genesis 1:14 says that God put the stars in the sky to be 'for signs.' So it depends on which passage one takes as 'the Truth.'

Astrology is bunk anyway, but it's harmless bunk.

Answer 9

Listen....Christian people tend to be extremely narrow minded by nature. How do you think I felt throughout my highschool career? I was and still am a practising Wiccan. But you know what, I don't hate them for their thoughts and/or opinions....I pity them because the truth remains that the world is a whole lot bigger than the bible....No offense to any Christians but don't curse those who have the power to open their minds and enlighten themselves with their own thruths.If Astrology is not for you, then its not for you. Blessed Be.

Answer 10

Christians have a very difficult time with reality, facts, science,evolution etc.I don't understand how so many people accept the gospel or believe that god is a seperate entity, or that there is a heaven with one way to get there.
it seems to me that astrology is more exact then the christian idea of our origins and destinations. how is astrology compared to religion anyway?