What Do You Make Of Horoscopes?

[_JohnStuartMill]

There you go, Ray. No need for horoscope BS.

Incidentally, it's pretty easy to set up scientific experiments that would confirm or disprove astrology. All you have to do is give one set of actual horoscope predictions to a group of people, and ask them if their horoscope predicted their day/love life/whatever, then give jumbled-up horoscopes (Sagittarian predictions to Aquarians, etc.) to the other group. If there is no statistical significance between the two groups' reports of how well the horoscopes predicted stuff, then astrology is BS. These studies have been done, and guess what?

Astrology is BS.

[_Ray A]

There you go, Ray. No need for horoscope b***s***.

Incidentally, it's pretty easy to set up scientific experiments that would confirm or disprove astrology. All you have to do is give one set of actual horoscope predictions to a group of people, and ask them if their horoscope predicted their day/love life/whatever, then give jumbled-up horoscopes (Sagittarian predictions to Aquarians, etc.) to the other group. If there is no statistical significance between the two groups' reports of how well the horoscopes predicted stuff, then astrology is b***s***. These studies have been done, and guess what?

Astrology is b***s***.

Thanks, but I'm not an apologist for astrology, so it's preaching to the skeptical.

I'd like to hear what people think about "chemistry", and why we "click" with certain people and not others. (It does fascinate me why I seem to have this "connection" with early Pisces, but I won't slit my wrists if it's all coincidental, which it very possibly is.)

[_Ray A]

On an apologetic note:

What Skeptics say about Astrology

Skeptics of Astrology often say that horoscope readings are so "general" they could apply to anyone; and that people will look for what they want to see and ignore what doesn't seem true for them, thus deluding themselves that the horoscope is "accurate".

This skepticism would most likely be eliminated if the skeptic actually looked at a real horoscope done by a competent professional astrologer, using his unique time and place of birth. But in this second part of the series, we'll look at an example of how a skeptic of Astrology can come to a false conclusion and go on saying that Astrology is "bunk" or "fake" to others - by NOT using a real horoscope to "prove" his point.

(Disclaimer: This isn't my argument, I'm only allowing others to express a point of view about their experience and what they believe.)

[_truth dancer]

Hi Ray,

Just to clarify, I do not in any way believe "readings" or astrology predictions or anything like that.

Several years ago I did my own research on this topic and had a few astrological charts done (from real astrologists). Basically, they look at the heavens at the exact time and place you were born, and map out the stars and planets, sun and moon. There is no reading or predictions, only a map showing what the skies looked like when you came into being and how they influence existence.

My charts were actually quite fascinating and very detailed. And, they were extremely accurate I must say.

I do believe there is much more to the universe than we can imagine and also believe we are all of one Source/essence so am open to the idea that there are connections and influences beyond what we can currently grasp or comprehend.

But, online readings and newpaper predictions are just for fun and entertainment, sort of like fortune cookies and tea leaves.



~td~

[_EAllusion]

Skeptics of Astrology often say that horoscope readings are so "general" they could apply to anyone; and that people will look for what they want to see and ignore what doesn't seem true for them, thus deluding themselves that the horoscope is "accurate".

That's the common strawman of the astrology crowd. It works for them because they know that horoscopes can have a lot of specific details. What's going on is a bit more complex than this. People find ways to interpret specific claims in ways that are relevant to their lives. People remember hits while either forgetting misses or developing ad hoc theories to explain why they don't apply yet. And so on.

Anyway, the comment that I wanted to make is that it's easy in America to just dismiss astrology as a bit nutty and obviously superstitious while being vaguely aware that lots of people buy into it to varying degrees. It bears mentioning that in certain populous parts of the world it is quite respectable in the way that Catholicism is respectable here.

I living in a real liberal area in the US. I like to joke that astrology is seen as more respectable and reasonable than Christianity by the crowd at my local coop grocery store. That's really the case, mind you. It's quite funny to me.

Also, patriarchal blessings are basically culturally specific palm-readings/horoscopes/etc. With that in mind, this is hilarious:

http://www.LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?v ... &hideNav=1

[_EAllusion]

http://www.LDS.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?v ... &hideNav=1

Even being spotted something as easy to criticize as astrology results in a tide of criticisms that are completely moronic. It gets awesome towards the end, though.

[_JohnStuartMill]

Wicked.

20. For that matter, why do the stars choose the moment of birth as the time to decree a baby’s future? Would it not be more helpful if the stars were watching as the genes and chromosomes were sorting out the newly conceived child’s eye color, sex, and dimples?

22. And what of those scientists and doctors? How many professors of astronomy, medicine, chemistry, and physics believe in horoscopes and astrology? Why is it that the best-educated people find astrology to be a silly myth?

23. In every attempt to verify it as a true science, astrology has failed. Whether by astronomers, physicists, psychologists, demographers, or even astrologers in controlled tests using the scientific method, astrology has failed. The cases of correct predictions are no more than might have occurred from shrewd guesswork. Why, after thousands of years of trying, can horoscope experts produce not one reliable piece of evidence to support their claims?

24. In the Lord’s church today there are 68 General Authorities, including men whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators. Not one of them believes in astrology. There are approximately 185 Regional Representatives, about 970 stake presidents, and some 6,000 bishops. It may well be said that not one of these thousands of priesthood leaders, or their wives, or their counselors believes in astrology. Nor do the hundreds of patriarchs, mission presidents, institute teachers, seminary teachers, or presidencies and general boards of auxiliaries. If astrology is true, how can the leaders of the Lord’s church unanimously dismiss it as another of Satan’s tiresome counterfeits?

"Astrology is obviously outdated superstition. Here, read this book about how God (who lives on a planet around the nonexistent star Kolob) poofed a bunch of Native Americans (who were really Jews) into craven darkies with Sparkle Jesus Magic!"