why are people who hate/disbelieve astrology so zealous in their disapproval?

Question

If you don't give it any credence, why answer questions in a section about it?

"And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:"

- Genesis 1:14

Answer 1

I've tried that one before, the best you'll get is chainlightning giving an elaborate explanation as to why "astrology doesn't work" copy-pasted from a site.

They're overly zealous in their dissaproval, but when you ask them to explain why, they always come short - incredibly short, due to lack of knowledge about astrology, and narrow-mindedness.

Answer 2

I am a proud atheist, so I don't think I can be called God Squad, however I find astrology laughable.
I am an astronomer and I know why the zodiac signs were deemed important by the ancients, but they believed what they did when they thought the Sun revolved around the Earth.
We now know that isn't true. We also know that planets aren't gods. Finally, the precession (wobble) of the earth means that the signs are no longer in their original positions so the zodiac is now incorrect.
Having said all that, I would never castigate anyone for their beliefs so if you find comfort in astrology then go for it my friend. There may not be much truth in it, but there's certainly no harm.
EDIT: To the answer below mine...How much more of an explanation do you need?
The ancients saw the zodiacal signs as important because they lie on the ecliptic plane. Astrology and astronomy used to be closely related. I have no malice towards astrologers.
EDIT 2: Lol. Fair enough. You obviously feel passionate about it and that's your choice. I didn't think or suggest that astrologers think planets are gods, just that the ancients did at the time astrology was devised. I have no argument with you. Your beliefs are as valid as anyone else's. I just don't share them, that's all.
EDIT 3: Summer, I love your answer simply because it is exactly what you say of other people.
I personally don't believe in astrology and to you that is because I am closed minded and religious. I am anything but religious but I can see from your answer that your mind is far more closed than mine.
You state that people who believe in astrology are open minded but you will not accept those who do not believe. This is a contradiction in terms.
I love this question. There have been some, like the poster of the original discussion I had, who can see sense while maintaining their belief, and then there are others who cannot see daylight through the stardust.

Answer 3

Very interesting! I personally relate with my Jupiter placement, A LOT more than many of the other planets in my chart. I have always had that type energy, no matter what the situation. If you are referring to insight mental expansion, it's definitely a pronounced figure in my chart. I think maybe the reason Jupiter is not really considered to be overly "personal" in Astrology, is because it lie's outside of the asteroid belt. However, I have read that it stays in each sign for about a year, so I do find it to be a more personal planet than the other's, some of which take MANY years to complete a cycle.

Answer 4

Thought my spidey-sense was tingling
The Bible contradicts:
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
Deuteronomy (18:10,11) King James version.

Astrology, channeling, Ouija boards, predicting the future, and much else is forbidden. The author of Deuteronomy does not argue that such practices fail to deliver what they promise. But they are "abominations" - perhaps suitable for other nations, but not for the followers of God.
"The Demon-Haunted World" Carl Sagan pages 222 & 223


I've never insulted anyone here as I stick to the subject. Calling anyone "narrow-minded" is an insult that attacks the arguer but not the argument.
It would be better to enlighten us since you "know" the how and whys? We want truth not speculation. At least admit that paranormal claims do not have the evidence to make such claims valid.

Magical thinking is childish. As we get older and more educated we should abandon such weird ideas. We lie about god-like Santa Claus to keep our children in line. But with astrology we are lied to as well. Most of us thought it was pretty cool as pre-teens that we are controled by a force from the sky. That it was unique because our birthday. That it can predict the future. Make money and find better friends. Sounds wonderful to know the unkown.

Then when doubts begin is when astrology fails to work. Astrologers don't like answer common sense questions on how and why it works. You must blindly believe or it has no worth. It feeds on ignorance. The least educated are most likely to believe. Women are more likely to believe. Ethinic people are more likely to believe.

Science takes no sides. Like the TV program CSI, it lets the evidence do the talking. There has been many tests and astrology fails to do better than chance. Like Santa or pro wrestling it would be pretty damn cool if it was real.

Answer 5

Possibly because of God's words to the ancient Babylonians in Isaiah 47 verses 13-15

Answer 6

Well, the bible quote does not in any way indicate that the stars will tell the future or that they have magical powers. It just says that their position enables you to navigate and tell the time and date.

And people get so annoyed because humans generally strive to understand things and use science, maths and history to sift through the mumbo jumbo, magic and crackpot theories to find what is actually true. Such people find astrology to be one of several sources of the nonesense.

In a nutshell, most humans find stupidity in others very annoying.

Answer 7

Why on earth anyone should should want to waste time and energy trying to disprove anothers beliefs beats me. I find other peoples 'need to convert' (either for or against ) be it religion/astrology/politics etc to ones own way of thinking, arrogant and very very sad!

Answer 8

Obviously because they feel strongly about it, but most of all because they don't like debating an issue. It also saves time debating when you show that you have no intention of listening to others opinions. Ask every war lord why they don't continue debating.

Answer 9

Exactly! You answered you own question; horoscopes are a bit of fun, some do take it more serious and follow them like a religion but overall it is harmless.

Answer 10

Actually, the belief sprang a long time ago.. People began noticing that people born near the same time displayed the same certain characteristics. They began to write them down. The reason Astrology is so "stupid" is because people never believe in something that can't be explained in two sentences.
Astrology is a useful tool. But it's a tool it shouldn't rule your life. Its considered EVIL and a tool of the devil. I have never found it so, but others do. I guess because they think it doesn't originate from their god and their belief system.
Also reading those things in the magazines are just awful.
Blessings