My wife sent me this as she reads Tarot, and i thought it could promote a good topic of conversation.
Aren't Horoscopes Harmless?
Jim Burns answers your questions
I'm really into horoscopes and zodiac signs. One of my friends says this is the Devil's work. I don't take any of it seriously, but I think it's interesting. Should I leave these things alone altogether?
A. I think your friend is right. You really don't want to flirt with what is called the occult, a word used to describe activities in which humans try to control supernatural or paranormal powers. These things include horoscopes, zodiac signs, Ouija boards and tarot cards. So what's so bad with this supernatural stuff?
First of all, it's extremely important to understand that just like there is a physical world, there's also a spiritual world. This mostly unseen world has two sides: 1) The perfect and beautiful part that comes from God and 2) the dark spiritual world that is in opposition to God. The leader of the dark world is Satan. Satan was an angel who fell away from God and he rules the dark spiritual world in a war against the good. Here's the advice of the Bible: "Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the Devil's deceptions. We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world" (Ephesians 6:11-12, CEV).
We might not see the battle, but it is very real. What are they fighting over? Us. And Satan knows how to lure us over to him. Very few people jump right into witchcraft, Satanism or even actual devil worship. Instead, Satan most often traps us by getting us to dabble with things that seem harmless. Even if you don't think you'll become part of those things, why spend time with horoscopes and other occult stuff when you could be focusing on more positive things?
My suggestion: Meet with your youth pastor or a trusted Christian friend and look deeper into your question. Talk about what you enjoy doing and why. The fact that you asked this question shows you might be worried about it. That's the first step. I'm not trying to scare you, but I am worried that you could be flirting with something that is much more dangerous than you could imagine.
Jim is an author, speaker and longtime youth worker. He's also the founder of HomeWord (homeword.com), a group seeking to honor God by building strong families.
Take from the website http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2005/002/10.16.html
LOve & light
Mark
[sm=FIFangel.gif]
RE: Aren't Horoscopes Harmless?
What is doesn't expalin though, is what the three wise men were doing in the Bible, as they were members of the magi, whose teachings included astrology. How did they see the star in the first place, if they were not looking at the heavens? Strange that when I asked those in my Alpha group this same question, I didn't get an answer from them either? I wonder why that could be?
The fact that someone asks this question, does not as the article says indicate that the person is worried about this, but rather that they are interested. The solution then is not to ask the pastor for his or her (?!) opinion, but rather investigate the subject for themselves and form their own opinion. Not to take someone else's views as your own, which in my experience is what most Christians seem to do. What a sad world we live in, where people feel they are unable to make their own decisions, and take responsbility for them. There are still far too many people in this world it seems who are living in fear of God needlessly. Just my opinion though of course, as always. Feel free to use your own discernment if you disagree.
June
RE: Aren't Horoscopes Harmless?
I take it... that Mr Burns hasn't studied Astrology then...? It seems not - most folk that are quick to condemn are the very same that do so from a distance without even thinking of studying the matter first to develop an objective opinion.
There's an awful lot of nonsense floating around the world allegedly to do with Astrology and 'Astrologers'... but there is also a 'real side' to the subject. If you study it properly - it works. If you read a general article about 'sunsigns' - then you haven't studied astrology...
When 'time' becomes involved with Astrology - it becomes interesting, but other folk delve deep into psychological analysis, others to medical astrology, others again to horary work... it is a never ending unravelling coil of knowledge.
Few know it - but as quick as our 'learned' science boffins like to put the boot in - this same subject was studied by Isaac Newton at Cambridge... remember him - the 'apple on the head guy' - the one that gave us newtonian laws of gravity, motion and mass... Science boffins often don't like that little reminder...
It crosses fundamentalist Christian ideals because it reveals facts to prove independance of spirit and independance of being, allows one to realise that one can think on ones' own and one doesn't have to think with a crowd... self realisation really I suppose.
Sol
Sol.
RE: Aren't Horoscopes Harmless?
Yes agree June, Mark and Sol. I suppose I might just add here that some people really don't want to think for themselves.
I have a dear friend in Oz who is a Born Again Christian, and became such when she was in her mid thirties. Up until then she was a free spirit, but she made the personal decision that her life was unfulfilled and taking too many wrong directions. She felt unable to direct her own life and so allowed this form of Christianity to do it for her. They gave her exactly what she craved for.
She too believes astrology or numerology or tarot or any form of divination to be against God. No amount of logical persuasion will alter her view, so, none of us try and we simply do not mention these things when we are talking to her.
It's horses for courses:D those of us who need one thing and those of us who need another, and all we require is tolerance for this. I see this all around, more and more in the last 10 years, poeple who are willing to simply accept and let be.
But I fear there will always be those who insist what they think is right, and, so very often they seem to 'rule by fear'[:'(]
Of course the 3 wise men were astrologers, and perhaps medicine men and merchants, who knows. But it is not something people in set groups with rigid ideas (apologies June, I don't necessarily mean the Alpha) wish to address, so they gloss it over, or refuse to discuss it.
Ah well, it's diversity that makes the world go around
😀
Love Gillyxxx
RE: Aren't Horoscopes Harmless?
Don't apologise to me Gilly, I am no longer anything to do with that group, which only met for a few weeks anyway. As soon as I realised what they were really about, I left, but not before a few interesting and discussions such as the one mentioned above, not to mention an equally long letter setting out my own views, so that they could not ignor them! I think they were all a bit shocked when I left to be honest, as they had never met anyone who challenged them in quite the way that I did, with the knowledge of the Bible that I have gained since writing my own book. They were used to people meekly rolling over and accepting it all. Most people it seems a little easier to manipulate than I am, and others have said adbicate responsibility. Still, that is their choice. I have yet to meet a truly happy Christian though who is totally at peace with themselves, but loads of spiritual friends who would fall into this category. That to me is the most important thing of all, but I am probably going [sm=offtopic.gif].
June