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Showing posts with label Babylon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Babylon. Show all posts

Astrology: A Christian Perspective

           A write-up on Astrology. 
Published in the magazines "Confident Living" and "Harvest Times for your family"

The writer brings out certain facts what the Bible says on this issue.  

A Christian viewpoint...                       

(Mad Rush Towards Soothsayers)

Read on..


You Shall Love the Lord Your God...

Pic. Credit sxc.hu/SilentFury
The uncertainties among people are increasing day by day. Things are fast changing; today's man or thing is not there tomorrow. A kind of fear is griped among people and they wander here and there to find a solution to this. People are frustrated by the day to day incidents and in their search they ultimately approach the so called soothsayers or astrologers to find a solution to this. This becomes an order of the day in the modern society. The soothsayers take advantage of this and are making hay while their clients are basking in glory. As a result every day a new one sprouts somewhere in the country. 


It is very unfortunate to note that in India the politicians and the film personalities are the bunch of people who always in search of these soothsayers. In recent times this trend is spreading among the Indian cricketers' community and the television program producers and its anchors. What a shame and pathetic condition this is.?

The sad fact is that most of their predictions do not hit the bull's eye. One cannot understand still the mad rush towards these soothsayers. In the Indian political scenario the ministers, M Ps (Members of Parliament) and M L As (Members of Legislature Assembly), are on the run after these astrologers. Each of them have appointed or selected soothsayers for their functions and auspicious occasions.


Saturn
Pic. Credit.  sxu.hu/clix
The only exception to this in the Indian political history is Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India. She wrote in a letter to one of her close friends, Dr. M S Shastri of Bangalore, "...I have always tried to avoid astrologers; I do not believe in astrology and have refused to ask questions about the future even when pressed".
One thing is sure that our politicians and celebrities are addicted to this kind of superstitions. It seems like its diluted in their blood and with that they are fooling their fans too. It looks like it is very difficult to weed out from their system .

The famous Indian writer, Khushwant Singh (a stalwart in the Indian Journalism) the former Editor of famous English weekly, "The illustrated Weekly of India", said in an interview, "Due to some problem the astrology columnist of the weekly left the organization and the column stopped abruptly. The readers started inquiring about it. I don't want to displease the readers and I started compiling the column myself. I selected some previous issues astrology column and reshuffled it and arranged it for the week with a pen name. This was very much appreciated by the poor readers".

This is what is happening in many of the publications in the name of this column called 'Astrology'. The gullible readers eagerly wait to read this waste. How sad it is? Print and visual media is on a neck to neck race on this issue of knowing the future and telling the future. They run columns for daily, weekly, monthly and yearly forecasts for their readers.

The sad part is that, if we take a keen look into these soothsayers' predictions 99% of them never fulfilled or happened as they predicted. Still the people are in search of these people and their predictions.

A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

The point here is about the Christian flocks: Even among some of the so called Christians there are a good number of people who are after such people. They seek the guidance of astrologers, tarot readers and other soothsayers to know their future. For their children's education, marriage and other family auspicious occasion's dates etc they consult these astrologers. They eagerly look at the daily and weekly astrology columns in newspapers and weeklies. Some eagerly watch for the daily broadcasts through TV.

These so called Christians must take note that they are going after the old nature, a kind of idol worship. They are forgetting the fact that God is the one who controls everything and He is the one who decide about the future and every creator is in His hands. They just forget this great truth and running after the creators of this world.

Here is a warning to such people!!! In the book of Isaiah chapter 47 we read this: depending on the astrologers, the star gazers and monthly prognosticators Babylon took proud in itself and said in thine heart, I am and non else beside me. But alas God challenges them to save themselves. But they could not save themselves or even others. God warns the Babylonians about the consequences of their deeds. God challenges them to save by the stars and star gazers could not.
God created the sun moon and stars to give light to the world. But alas people depend on them to know their future, what a pathetic state. It cannot save itself nor can't save others; indeed it faces the wrath of God. Isaiah chapter 13:10 says, "For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not flash forth their light; the sun will be dark when it rises and the moon will not shed its light." The word of God very clearly urge to the people to call upon the wonder working creator of this universe, stars like the seven stars and Orion (Amos 5:8)
A child of God is controlled and guided by the spirit of God, not the creations of this world. Creations should seek the face of the creator, not the stars, sun, moon or any other living or non-living things.

The Holy Bible: The God's special revelation in written form. There are a number of books revered as sacred, but God has given only one book that is the BIBLE. Its unique authority is affirmed from cover to cover. Therefore, occult knowledge like astrology, tarot cards reading etc are off limit and should not influence a real Christian.

Therefore, occult means of knowledge (like astrology, tarot cards etc.) are off limits and unnecessary for the Christian. Isaiah emphasis us to use God's written Word as the standard to judge spiritual truth claims: "Bind up the testimony, Seal up the law among my disciples.. 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? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to THIS WORD they have no light of dawn. (Isaiah 8:16,19-20). (NIV)
The Bible gives us a basis for assured knowledge of God. The apostle Peter even ranked it as more valuable than eye-witness evidence! "We have the PROPHETIC WORD CONFIRMED, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts"(2 Peter 1:14-19).

Let me close this by quoting a verse from Deuteronomy: 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.  For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Deuteronomy Chapter . 18:10-12. (KJV).


Source:
Bible Quotes are from King James Version, Evangel Publishers Ltd, Kaduna, Nigeria.
First Published in "Harvest Times For Your Family", Mumbai. http://www.glsindia.com
Picture Credit: www.sxc.hu 

PS: 
This post is an adaptation from my original writings at: Google's Knol Pages 
Comments and responses from Knol Pages:

Thanks.

Its really good to receive such encouraging thoughts from the little ones. I appreciate your interest in this field of writing. I wish you all the best in this line. I have posted a reply to your other comment, as i said follow the instructions of well known writers. here is a link to follow. Johnson's Index of Journalism/Article Knols - http://knol.google.com/k/shastri-jc-philip/johnson-s-index-of-journalism-article/3aw752rt3ywhc/35
Good Wishes
PV

Last edited Mar 31, 2010 7:21 PM

i agree with whats told above

mr. p v ariel your aritcles are so well written and sensiable that once start reading,  just can't stop.... i'm so glad that God has blessed us with people who bring out the truth .... may God bless you, and pls do continue posting such nice articles..


mr. pv pls do read what i've written and give me feed backs


Last edited Mar 31, 2010 5:30 PM
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True but....

Hello,

this is true, that newspapaer astrology is making fun of astrology and people. no two individuals are alike, so how can same reading apply to billions at one time.

however, I understand that you are not disputing predetermination.God has created this world and God has created the script of a person as well.

moreover, astrology, tarot and witchcraft, tantra, they are all separate things, and they can not be clubbed together.

repeatability that is required by scientific method is there now in lifescape astrology. you can check it yourself, so now debate, likes whether planets provides predetermination or not are going to be things of the past. Yes with that conventional theories of astrology would also be replaced by modern research.

rakesh singhal


Last edited Mar 8, 2010 9:09 PM
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Dear Rakesh

The main thrust of this article is NOT whether any of these practices are true, verifiable, or related to each other. The main thrust is that Christian are forbidden from indulging in them.

-- Shastri
http://www.IndianCoins.org

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Posted by Shastri JC Philip, last edited Mar 8, 2010 8:57 PM
Rakesh,

Thanks for the comment.
We are not intended to open a debate here on this issue.
J C Philip clearly mentioned the very purpose of this knol.
Hope you understood.

Thanks Shastri Saheb for the timely comment
Best
Philip

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Posted by P V Ariel, Mar 8, 2010 9:09 PM

Thank you so much

Thank you so much for your encouraging notes on this knol. Keep reading. God bless. Philip Ariel


Last edited Aug 14, 2009 4:22 PM
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Very interesting

Wonderful read PV, one of my friend told me about this wonderful website called knol, and i am in search of more such read. As Benjamin said in his comment astrology is really an idolatry and many are addicted to it for their peril, especially so sad to read about our politicians and celebrities mad reush towards this superstition. phi


Last edited Dec 20, 2009 7:49 PM
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sorry for the delay in replying to your comment, hey who is this? Thanks for your uplifting comment. read more and keep inform, Knol is a wonderful place to air your views, suggestions, ideas and other expressions of your mind, i invite you to join this community to write your ideas in the form of knol articles. PV

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Posted by P V Ariel, Dec 20, 2009 7:49 PM

So True

PV many so-called Christians are addicted to this idolatry. Its really a great sin in the eyes of the Almighty God. Thanks PV again for reminding this to your Fellow Christian readers. God bless you.


Last edited Dec 20, 2009 6:45 PM
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Thanks Ben for your comment and vision on this subject. May God bless. Keep reading. I am really sorry for the delay in replying to your comment, Now I am more active at this place pl. do read and keep inform. PV

Posted by P V Ariel, last edited Dec 20, 2009 6:46 PM


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