Lucky Stars? Unbelievable!
Everyday people turn the pages of newspapers and magazines and internet websites to have a quick glimpse of their star power, lucky time, lucky number, lucky colour, lucky date and the list is longer than my arm.
Even more so beginning of every New Year, People eager to know what the New Year has in store for them to offer to their well being and happiness.
Do they really tell the future or are they successful in selling dreams and imaginations?
The origin of fortune telling
There are hundreds of techniques for divination (fortune telling), many dating back to before recorded history. Historical evidence indicates that forms of fortune telling were practiced in ancient China, India, Egypt and Persia as long ago as 4000 BC. Prophetic visions and oracular pronouncement played an important part in ancient religion and native cures.
Forms of fortune telling
Palmistry, Horoscope, Astrology, Tarot cards, Witchcraft, Crystal ball, Mediums, Visions, Black magic, Psychics, Clairvoyance and the types never end.
Is it a science?
Studies have repeatedly failed to demonstrate statistically substantial relationships between astrological predictions and definite results. Tendency for individuals to give high accuracy ratings to descriptions of their personality that are presented to them as tailored specifically for them, but are in fact vague and general enough to apply to a wide range of people.
Many modern scientists such as Stefan Hawking and Richard Dawkin regard astrology as far from being scientific. Andrew Fraknoi of the Astronomical society of the Pacific has labeled it a pseudoscience. In 1975, the American Humanist Association characterized those who have faith in astrology as doing so “in spite of the fact that there is no verified scientific basis for their beliefs, and indeed that there is strong evidence to the contrary”. Well if you think, science is still premature to diagnose then take peek at this:
1. Astrologers believe our traits are influenced by the position of the stars and planets at the time of our birth. However, science says it is our genes that we inherit from our parents that determine what our traits will be.
2. Constellations are billions of light years from earth and the light we see from those formations is very, very old. The things that are on this planet have much more effect on us than planets and stars that are virtually unreachable by us.
3. The universe is mostly undiscovered by us. How can only a certain few planets & stars influence us and none of the rest can? It is illogical.
If divinations are just a branch of science why that should be prohibited by the Almighty?
Every thing God created is perfect Science but only a few things human science can comprehend.
If you have noticed most of the star predicts in modern day media would read like this: … love is on the cards,….good time to do business,….meet someone special,…..job ,…..be careful of health,……avoid dispute, so on and on repeat week after week.
Aren’t these predictions do not depend on stars, but by your actions. Fortunetellers exhibit skills at reading people and telling them what they wish to hear.
There is no guarantee for the service rendered by the fortunetellers. They do not have the money back policy if predictions fail. Basically which means predictions are lies.
What is “astrology” in general? It is the belief that the positions of the celestial beings such as stars and planets somehow shape our personality and even influence the events of our lives. Every newspaper has a “horoscope” section, which is divided, into 12 sections representing the 12 different signs of the zodiac.
According to any newspaper horoscope, considering 12 different signs of zodiac, 12% of the planet’s population is going to have pretty much the same kind of day. Since there are 6.99 Billion people on this planet, 580 million people are destined to have an identical day “according to the stars”.
Scientifically, logically, and biblically this is ridiculous. What about the millions people who will die on that day? Or lose a loved one? Or suffer a life changing disease or accident? For example If a mother of 12 Children of 12different zodiac signs dies on that day all children likely to have same discomfort irrespective of the their zodiac.
The biblical view of divinations
In the book of Isaiah Chapter 47, judgment is being pronounced on Babylon. Here is what Verse 13 says “Thou art wearied in the multitude of your counsels: let now the astrologers, the star-gazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save you from the things that shall come upon you”. Here God is challenging astrologers and the like to save Babylon from judgment.
The Bible has much to say about the stars. Most basic to our understanding of the stars is that God created them. They show His power and majesty. The heavens are God’s “handiwork” (Psalm 8:3; 19:1). He has all the stars numbered and named (Psalm 147:4).
God’s prophet Daniel says “God is wise and powerful! He controls the times and seasons; he makes and unmakes kings; it is he who gives wisdom and understanding. He reveals things that are deep and secret”.(Daniel 2:20) “There is no wizard, magician, fortune teller, or astrologer who can tell you that. but there is a god in heaven, who reveals mysteries”.(Daniel 2:27).
Astrology as a form of divination is strongly forbidden in Scripture: “Don’t let your people practice divination or look for omens or charms, and don’t let them consult the spirits of the dead. The Lord your God hates people who do these disgusting things. Therefore be completely faithful to the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). God forbade the children of Israel to worship or serve the “host of heaven”; “Do not be tempted to worship and serve what you see in the sky – the sun, the moon, and the stars.” (Deuteronomy 4:19). Many times in their history, however, Israel ignored God and fell into that very sin (2 Kings 17:16 is one example) “They consulted mediums and fortune tellers and they devoted themselves completely to do what is wrong in the Lords sight, and so aroused his anger.” Their worship of the stars brought God’s judgment each time.
(Proverbs 3:5-7) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.
Faith in anything besides God is misplaced.
The Bible has a few more things to say about engaging in activities of this nature and condemns equally with other sinful natures
Leviticus 19:31 – “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.”
Isaiah 8:19 – “When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”
Galatians 5:19-20 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Those who have not read the Bible well feel that the objections to divinations are mainly of old testament, Jesus, and his apostles did not mention it in the New Testament. However, even in the New Testament we come across this:
Revelation 21:8 says of “…those who practice magic arts …their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur… the second death” Those who practice witchcraft (sorcery) will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:20-21). These practices are anti-God and are in rebellion against Him.
Many of citizens of ancient Ephesus practiced the magic arts. Those who became Christians realized the foolish error of their former lives and burned their expensive books of magic as the trash they were (Acts 19:19).
The Bible tells how the apostle Paul once dealt with one of these deceivers, a sorcerer and false prophet who led people astray. “Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.’ And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand” (Acts 13:9-11).
See also (Acts 16:16-18) “A slave girl who had an evil spirit that enabled her to predict the future. She earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes. She followed Paul and us, shouting , “these men are the servants of the most high God, they announced to you how you can be saved ”. The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone”.
Horoscopes, tarot cards, astrology, fortunetellers, palm readings, and omens fall into this category as well. These practices are based on the concept that there are gods, spirits, or deceased loved ones that can give advice and guidance. These “gods” or “spirits” are demons (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
The Bible gives us no reason to believe that deceased loved ones can contact us. If they were saved, they are in heaven enjoying the most wonderful place imaginable in fellowship with a loving God. If they were not saved, they are in hell, suffering the un-ending torment for rejecting God’s love and rebelling against Him.
So, if our loved ones cannot contact us, how do mediums, spiritists, and psychics get such accurate information? There have been many exposures of psychics as frauds. It has been proven that psychics can gain immense amounts of information on someone through ordinary means. Sometimes by just using a telephone number through caller ID and an internet search, a psychic can get names, addresses, dates of birth, dates of marriage, family members, etc. However, it is undeniable that psychics sometimes know things that should be impossible for them to know. Where do they get this information? The answer is from Satan and his angels “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15.
Satan pretends to be kind and helpful. He tries to appear as something good. Satan and his demons will give a psychic information about a person in order to get that person hooked into spiritism, something that God forbids. It appears innocent at first, but soon people can find themselves addicted to psychics and unknowingly allow Satan to control and destroy their lives. Peter announced, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). In some cases, the psychics themselves are deceived, not knowing the true source of the information they receive. Whatever the case and wherever the source of the information, nothing connected to spirits, witchcraft, or astrology is a godly means of discovering information. How does God want us to discern His will for our life? God’s plan is simple, yet powerful and effective: study the Bible (James 1:5) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Scripture says that one of the reasons King Saul fell was “because he consulted a medium for guidance” rather than God (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).
God calls the word of diviners “nonsense,” “lies” and “deception” for foolish people (Ezekiel 13:8; Jeremiah 14:14; Isaiah 44:25) (8 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, says the Lord GOD.)
(14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their heart.)
(25 That frustrates the tokens of the liars, and makes diviners mad; that turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolish.)
My people seek advice from their wooden idols, and their rod declares to them. For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to go astray, and they have gone lusting away from under their God. (Hosea 4:12)
You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god — which you made for yourselves. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the LORD, whose name is God Almighty. (Amos 5:26-27)
God himself appoints men as Prophets to guide his people from time to time, but also warns from false prophets.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 You will be able to tell them by their fruits. Can people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
17 In the same way, a sound tree produces good fruit but a rotten tree bad fruit.
18 A sound tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a rotten tree bear good fruit.
19 Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown on the fire.
Why predictions fail
One should be very proud and ignorant to ignore (Isaiah 30;1) Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;
Isaiah says “you are powerless in spite the advice you get. Let your astrologers come forward and save you – those people who study the stars, who map out zones of the heavens and tell you from month to month what is going to happen to you”. (Isaiah 47:13-14)
I am the lord your savior, I am the one who created you. I am the lord, the creator of all things. I alone stretched out the heavens; when I made the earth, no one helped me. I make fools of fortunetellers and frustrate the predictions of astrologers. The words of the wise I refute and show that their wisdom is foolishness. (Isaiah 44: 24-26)
In Mangalore, India The President of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations Mr. Narendra Nayak, Put up a challenge for all astrologers to predict the 2009 Lok Sabah (parliament members ) polls. According to a press release, the challenge was to predict the winning party, next PM, number of seats obtained by each party and number of votes polled by some specific candidates. As many as 370 acceptable entries were received by the President of the Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations Mr. Narendra Nayak, in response to the Association’s challenge to predict the results of the 2009 Lok Sabah polls. Ironically, not even one entry did qualify for the Rs one million cash award announced by the Association.
According to a press release, the challenge was to predict the winning party, next PM, number of seats obtained by each party and number of votes polled by some specific candidates. In total, there were 25 questions. Even if 20 of the answers turned out right, the entry would have been considered for the award, but the maximum marks scored was 6, interestingly by a non-astrologer and hence none of the entries qualified for the award.
View of some of the worlds leading religions about astrology
Islam condemns any kind of divinations
Those who practice astrology are in disbelief (Kefir) because they claim knowledge of the future, which is known only to Allah.
Astrology is classified as Haraam (forbidden) based on the Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas in which the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever acquires knowledge of any branch of astrology, has acquired knowledge of a branch of magic. The more he increases in that knowledge, the more he increases in sin.” Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 3,p. 1095,no. 3896)
Not only is the practice of astrology Haraam (forbidden) as mentioned earlier, but also visiting an astrologist and listening to his predictions, buying books on astrology or reading one’s horoscope are also forbidden! Since astrology is mainly used for predicting the future, those who practice it are considered fortunetellers. Consequently, one who seeks his horoscope comes under the ruling contained in the Prophet(pbuh)’s statement: “The Salaah(prayer) of whoever approaches a fortuneteller and asks him about anything will not be accepted for forty days and nights”.(Sahih Muslim,Vol. 4,p, 1211,no. 5540)
“With Him are the keys to the unseen and none knows it except Him”. The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 6, Verse 59
“Say: None in the heavens or earth knows the unseen except Allah.”The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 27, Verse 65
“Whoever approaches an oracle or fortuneteller and believes in what he says, has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad.”(Sunan Abu Dawud,Vol. 3,p. 1095,no. 3895)
The Buddha considered such practices as fortune telling, wearing magic charms for protection, fixing lucky sites for building, prophesying and fixing lucky days to be useless superstitions and he expressly forbids his disciples to practice such things. He calls all these things ‘low arts.’
“Whereas some religious men, while living of food provided by the faithful make their living by such low arts, such wrong means of livelihood as palmistry, divining by signs, interpreting dreams… bringing good or bad luck… invoking the goodness of luck… picking the lucky site for a building, the monk Gotama refrains from such low arts, such wrong means of livelihood.” D.I, 9-12
Being deeply learned and skilled. Being well-trained and using well-spoken words; this is the best good luck. To support mother and father, to cherish wife and child and to have a simple livelihood; this is the best good luck. Being generous, just, helping one’s relatives and being blameless in one’s actions; this is the best good luck. To refrain from evil and from strong drink, and to be always steadfast in virtue; this is the best good luck. Reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude and hearing the good Dharma; this is the best good luck. Sn. 261-265
It is clear most believers in the Creator do object such practices and persuade followers from not heeding to ungodly acts.
According to Hindu holy book, In the battle ground of Mahabharata Lord Krishna showed his Vishwaroop to Arjun for counseling him and for reminding him to his duties. Arjun saw that the Kaurva’s were going into the mouth (consumed by death) of Lord Krishna. But he did not see Abhimanyu (his son) going into the mouth of the lord. Abhimanyu also died in the battle but God concealed this information from Arjun. Hence, what God wants to conceal, no astrologer will be able to predict.
Final word
We should put on the full armor of God for protection against witchcraft as Paul advised us in Ephesians 6:10-18
Many of my friends I know they have done everything in their power to deny God by bringing in astrology, horoscope, and reading Jathaka so on to improve their marriage, business, and health. But the result is not assertive. Many marriages ended in divorces in spite of careful analyzing the horoscope of their spouses. If that is the case, why waste in useless arts and disobey God.
God wants his people to depend upon his and only His providence. Honor, adore and worship one true God, and not any foreign gods.
God will answer all prayers of all his creations in his own way and in his own time. Just lean on Him and that’s the way God works. There is no better provider than God himself. “Strong and constant is his love”.
Thank and praise God.