Why do so many people oppose to Astrology?

Question

In other words; why do so many people think it's shite? Personally I've been studying it for a mere 8 years as opposed to some professional astrologers who have been studying it for decades. In those mere 8 years, which started out as a quest to debunk astrology, I've discovered there is more to it than meets the eye, and given it in the right hands, astrology can be more accurate than any other science I've seen out there.
It was my love for astronomy that made me tumble into astrology. Strangely enough those two combined, led me to firmly believe 6 years ago, that Pluto wasn't a planet, but something lower class - because of its eccentric orbit, and its lack of influence in people's natal charts. Only last year I was proven right.
And that is only one of the many examples I can give you.

I am not out to 'convert' people, at all. I'm not a bigot. But why is it, that 'sceptics' are bigots when it comes to astrology? "It isn't real because I don't believe in it!"

Didn't state a good clear question, apparently.

Here it comes; people, tell me why you oppose to astrology and why you are so bent on debunking it.

Answer 1

First of all astrology uses science but is NOT A SCIENCE. Look in the science section of a library or book store and you will not find astrology books there. You will find astronomy a legit science that came from astrology but that's where it ends.
If you took science in school there is something called "the Scientific Method"
The Scientific Method is the best way yet discovered for winnowing the truth from lies and delusion. The simple version looks something like this:

1. Observe some aspect of the universe.
2. Invent a tentative description, called a hypothesis, that is consistent with what you have observed.
3. Use the hypothesis to make predictions.
4. Test those predictions by experiments or further observations and modify the hypothesis in the light of your results.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until there are no discrepancies between theory and experiment and/or observation.

When consistency is obtained the hypothesis becomes a theory and provides a coherent set of propositions which explain a class of phenomena. A theory is then a framework within which observations are explained and predictions are made.

Consistency is crucial for science while in astrology there is none. Independent testing has shown that astology fails. (see link 2)

Another point is astrology is bigoted. Making judgements due to birthdate without evidence to back it up; is just as bad as doing the same based on race, sex, religion, etc.
Most of the questions here are on compatibilty and it seems the easiest way is by birthdate, time, and location.
(see link 1)

Also maybe you don't know what being skeptic is.

Some people believe that skepticism is the rejection of new ideas, or worse, they confuse “skeptic” with “cynic” and think that skeptics are a bunch of grumpy curmudgeons unwilling to accept any claim that challenges the status quo. This is wrong. Skepticism is a provisional approach to claims. It is the application of reason to any and all ideas — no sacred cows allowed. In other words, skepticism is a method, not a position. Ideally, skeptics do not go into an investigation closed to the possibility that a phenomenon might be real or that a claim might be true. When we say we are “skeptical,” we mean that we must see compelling evidence before we believe.

Modern skepticism is embodied in the scientific method, which involves gathering data to formulate and test naturalistic explanations for natural phenomena. A claim becomes factual when it is confirmed to such an extent it would be reasonable to offer temporary agreement. But all facts in science are provisional and subject to challenge, and therefore skepticism is a method leading to provisional conclusions. Some claims, such as water dowsing, ESP, and creationism, have been tested (and failed the tests) often enough that we can provisionally conclude that they are not valid. Other claims, such as hypnosis, the origins of language, and black holes, have been tested but results are inconclusive so we must continue formulating and testing hypotheses and theories until we can reach a provisional conclusion.

The key to skepticism is to continuously and vigorously apply the methods of science to navigate the treacherous straits between “know nothing” skepticism and “anything goes” credulity. Over three centuries ago the French philosopher and skeptic, René Descartes, after one of the most thorough skeptical purges in intellectual history, concluded that he knew one thing for certain: Cogito ergo sum — I think therefore I am. But evolution may have designed us in the other direction. Humans evolved to be pattern-seeking, cause-inferring animals, shaped by nature to find meaningful relationships in the world. Those who were best at doing this left behind the most offspring. We are their descendents. In other words, to be human is to think:

Sum Ergo Cogito —
I Am Therefore I Think.

That last part was from Skeptic Magazine (link 3)

Lastly if you can prove what you claim, step up to bat and take the JREF million dollar test. Prove to the world and get the money for you or a charity. If what you state is true then you have nothing to fear. Convince us. We can accept the truth. (see link 4)

As Carl Sagan said "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof."

Answer 2

The church has always opposed and continues to oppose astrology's claim that bodies in the cosmos have a degree of determinative power over us. It is a false doctrine. Therefore nothing would be different.

Answer 3

I am not sure why people are so against it. The "christians" out there thinking they know it all and have to criticize things they don't understand. They expect people to listen and "understand" them and finally to convert but they won't listen or learn about anything new!! However, this is just my opinion. I personally don't "believe" in astrology and tarot but I do like to look at it for entertainment. I find it interesting. Good luck in finding your answers!!

Answer 4

Many people are against it because they believe it is phoney and do not believe in anything outside of what they can see and touch.

Other people are against it because the Bible says that it is occult and God doesn't want people to consult psychics or anything to try and find the future because you are to put your trust in God.

Answer 5

They don't like astrology becuase they don't know anything about it.

Answer 6

test to patience
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Saturn in Rohini.... world tensions

K.N.Rao.


On 11 September when at 8/45 a.m New York, World Trade Centre was hit by two hijacked commercial aircrafts, and part of Pentagon, the symbol of American super power pride was destroyed. All this has happened on the soil of the USA, sixty years after the Pearl Harbour incident of 7 December 1941. Both times, Saturn was in Vrisha but with a difference: in 1941 Saturn had not reached Rohini and was to reach it, challenging USA to enter World War Second. On 11 September 2001, Saturn was already in Rohini, which will goad America into waging what will a story of terrible American reprisals.

It started in New York and will show its effects around Israel is what one can see. Refer to my article on Israel becoming a flash point in world in my website www.journalofastrology.com

I will refer here to a research of mine, which has been plagiarized by many. Recently in 2001, it has been plagiarized in English again.

I wrote the following which appeared in the September and October issues of the Astrological Magazine of 1984. Those days, being in service, I used to give in capsule form my researches some of which I elaborated later mostly in the class but it is Mr.M.S.Mehta. who did it in writing with deep historical researches.

The occasion to state this arises because my research on the effects of the entry of Saturn in Rohini, is a very original research of mine based on the Padma Purana and the Mahabharata.

Some of these elaborate researches of M.S.Mehta have appeared in the issues of the Journal of Astrology. In this context see particularly the January issue of 1999 where the effects of the transit of Rahu in Rohini has been given after giving a reference to my research on Saturn in Rohini of October 1984

Saturn in Rohini.
In my class room lessons on mundane astrology, I always elaborate this research by referring to the Karna-Krishna dialogue in the Mahabharata in which Karna gives astrological reasons for why Kauravas would lose in the battle of Kurukhetra. I also refer to the Padma Purana where Raja Dasharatha is told by his astrologers about the effects of the transit of Saturn in Rohini.
Here is what I had written in capsule form in September/October 1984.

A Special Technique

"If Indologists had not, under the non-spiritual influence of the West, tried to stuff into their hypothesis wrong interpretations of the Hindu scriptures, particularly the Puranas, a multi-pronged research into the supra-scientific tradition of ancient India could have resurrected this heritage in these 36 years of our Independence.

Among many, let me here point out two instances only:

a) In the Padma Purana there is the story of lord Dasharatha being warned by astrologers that Saturn’s entry in Rohini (Taurus 100 to 230) causes devastating war, involving (we have to conclude) India.

India was involved in both World-Wars (1914-1948 and 1939-1945) when Saturn was in Rohini. And in 1971 Saturn caused War with Pakistan after retrograding in Rohini.

Inferentially, I have found that when other malefics transit Rohini and are aspected by Mars, war or war-like situation takes place. In the month of May and June, 1984 concentration of planets in Rohini aspected by Mars has created from Bhiwandi to Punjab a situation, a chapter of blood-strained history, that has shocked the nation into questioning the utility of politicization of minorities.

Here are some excerpts from the research of Mr. M.S.Mehta.I.F.S. Retired)

(From Jan-March Issue of the Journal of Astrology 1999)

"Taking a cue from this article and under guidance of Mr. Rao, following paper has been produced which has been divided into three parts.

1.War starts when Saturn is in Taurus in Rohini Nakshatra {World War I, August 1914, Quit India movement and revolt of 1942 (August, September) revolt in East Bengal and Exodus of Hindus during Indo-Pakistan War, 1971}

2.Rahu/Ketu axis in Rohini (Taurus/Scorpio)

3.Double affliction - Saturn and Rahu/Ketu both in Rohini/Taurus (Year 2003)

2.Rahu/Ketu axis in Rohini/Taurus - Events are described in details in paper attached.

3.Double affliction/Triple affliction .were exactly 10 degree in Capricorn while Mars/Rahu were 10o in Cancer.

c)The third principle astrologically refers to entry of Ketu in Chitra in Tula and Kanya which was again indicative of destruction of the Kings in power."

My further researches are

In doing this research keep in mind the following parameters.

(a) The date of the entry of Saturn in Vrisha first. It is the foreshadowing of the coming events which will not be pleasant.

(b) See when in transit Mars is in kendra from Saturn in Vrisha, which means when Mars is in Vrisha, Simha, Vrischika and Kumbha.

(c) Now keep a special note of the movement of Mars in Vrischika.

(d) Keep a special note of retrogression of Mars anywhere but particularly in Vrischika.

(e) Take Rahu/Ketu axis and see where it is from Saturn in Vrisha. Again, like Mars if it is in kendras, say in Vrisha, Simha, Vrischika or Kumbha note is.

(f) Finally, see the mutual kendra positions of Saturn, Mars and Rahu. Ketu from each other.

This is being illustrated here with one example.

1.See the planetary position on Ist January 1942.

Saturn is at 290 degrees in Mesha with Mars also there and Rahu is in Simha.

2.On 24 February 1942, Mars entered Vrisha and Saturn followed and entered Vrisha in the first week of March 1942.

3.Rahu in Simha was in kendra from Saturn and Mars in Vrisha.

This was the period when India was on fire with Mahatma Gandhi giving his clarion patriot call "Quit India"

Now see the planetary position of August 9, 1942 ,the famous historic day when "Quit India" movement led to mass arrests with the entire world engrossed in a terrible second world war.

With Saturn in Vrisha awaiting Rahu to transit into Vrisha in 2002, when Jupiter will be in Mithuna and the dangerous nakshatra Punarvasu see the turbulent world we are going to have.

Now draw the planetary position of 14/15 May 2002 when Jupiter alone will be Mithuna and all these planets in Vrisha and Vrischika. I have referred to it in the inaugural issue of the Journal of Astrology and remarked that world will remember this day, meaning that roundabout from this period world tensions will begin to escalate.

I made the following prediction on 26 December 1999

America

America will become victim of some terrorist activities on its own soil. Some conspiracy has already been plotted against it. It seems that successors of Clinton will not be from Democratic Party. But, in the absence of birth-charts of concerned candidates, nothing particular can be said about it.

Comments

This turned out to be a very remarkable prediction. On 11 September 2001, some terrorists hijacked some planes and destroyed/damaged WTO’s one hundred and twenty floor structure, the twin structures in New York and Pentagon in Washington, D.C.. causing a panic and now leading the world, into a war. The conspiracy, as reported by FBI of USA was hatched nearly one year before. The period of the conspiracy falls in the Hindu New Year under discussion.



Through emails messages many people have written of Nostradamus about the outbreak of World War Third and it has been repeatedly said that it would be worse than the earlier two world wars.

True, if it is world war, it will destroy a very large part of our world. But it is not a world war but a world catastrophe, a war on terrorism which will take years of war because it is a war on centuries old poison of fundamentalism, centuries old holy wars of middle ages which were fought in west Asia and have been revived from 1948 when Israel war formed.

In this catastrophe, the two major aggressors will be USA and Israel. Some Muslims will side with USA, not out of any conviction, but out of fear of dangerous reprisals of world’s mightiest power, USA supported unconditionally by U.K.

It is in the interest of USA not to allow the war to escalate and injure its own commercial interests in Asia, which has given it the biggest markets. It is in the interest of Asia, not to do anything that will take us back from the present era of globalization into middle ages.

Saturn in Rohini will not allow the world to remain peaceful.

Rahu will join it in 2002. Then in 2004, both Saturn and Rahu will have moved away from Vrisha and separated. Peace will not return but after a devastating attack in 2004 by USA, which frighten the nations into silence and submission.

In the process, USA will also find itself getting exhausted morally, materially and physically. In the first two world wars, USA enjoyed advantages of isolationism, and jumped in the war and turned the tide, benefited in many ways, mainly materially. In this war, USA will be spending its own resources, having waged the war itself, and feel the financial burden of the world in spite of its great prosperity and capacity to wage a war for many years. Yet a war is a war and a financial burden which is what USA will feel for the first time. It will not be fighting a war alone, but it will be fighting a war whose financial burdens it will have to bear entirely or largely.

Russia and China will have no active role for two or three years but will not oppose USA excepting voicing some dissent occasionally.

Then, USA will create something like a colony of its own in some place resembling the old colonies of western imperialisms, possibly in west Asia to become an effective policeman to nip in the bud possible terrorist activities.

Mankind as usual will suffer. And the multinationals, mostly of USA, will suffer. An era of de-globalization has now begun and the era of the revival of indigenous industries in many countries.

Written on 19 Sep.2001





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