Astrology, Astronomy and Horoscopes Oh My...

Ok today we had a question posted on facebook that just begged for debate. Now truth be told if you believe in the paranormal, and you're reading this, we're likely preaching to the choir but at the same time, it was an interesting thread. Some religions believe Astrology, is evil, and goes against the wishes of God.

Now depending where you go and what you read you will get varying answers that are supposedly in the bible..however those that tell us what the bible says regarding astrology are putting a certain spin on things that most may not even know of.

For instance, I never  thought of astrology as being a tool of divination. In simpler terms I never believed its purpose was to be used to predict any future events. However, aside from that I do wonder, if it isn't a tool of understanding of ourselves, our true nature before the world gets its hands on us and changes what was meant to be.

According to gotquestions.org God placed stars in the sky for man to use to navigate and keep track of time. Here's where it gets interesting, according to this site, and I quote:

    The Bible says that stars, along with the sun and moon, were given for “signs” and “seasons” (Genesis 1:14); that is, they were meant to mark time for us. They are also “signs” in the sense of navigational “indicators,” and all through history men have used the stars to chart their courses around the globe.

 Ok, now here is what is actually in the Bible:

    And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so.

Now if you see there is a difference between the two, one is actually from the bible and the other is the authors interpretation of what it meant. See the difference?
"that is, they were meant to mark time for us."

 Here is the problem, this happens a lot with man..he decides to make what is, fit with what isn't..and vice versa. The truth is, this is the authors "spin" on what the actual Bible says. For the reader, lets say  someone who is reading the Bible and not relying on someones interpretations ie: priest, preacher...what do you think they would gleam from this sentence? For me, when I read it, what I see is it says the Heavenly bodies are there to help man, that he may look to them to help with time and signs. Since it is not clear what is truly meant by the word 'signs' are we not left to interpret that for ourselves?

Again on this same site, you will see where  the author of the post writes:

    "Astrology is the “interpretation” of an assumed influence the stars (and planets) exert on human destiny."

Now the most common definition we found :

    The study of the positions and aspects of celestial bodies in the belief that they have an influence on the course of natural earthly occurrences and human affairs.

One says it is a study based on positions and aspects of celestial bodies  and how they may influence the course of natural earthy occurrences (which is a fact) and human affairs,  the other says it is an interpretation based on an assumption that stars and planets can influence human destiny. Whats the differences, the first description sounds a lot more like "divination." Why ? Because it fits with the authors overall assertion that it is against God's wishes.

However if we look at the actual definition, it doesn't sound like a tool for divination but an actual study based on what we do know. We do know that the position of the moon, and sun affect all of life on the planet. It is natural to assume these bodies also have an impact on man as well.

While some may want to believe or use astrology for a tool of divination, its up to the individual. However to assume anyone studying or believing in the logic behind the definition is somehow anti-God is ridiculous. Those planets were placed in the sky for a reason. Since there is not a lot of mention of other planets besides the sun, moon and stars, we have to assume that astrology is not fairly covered nor represented fully.

Let us remember that only a short time ago did man even know the earth was round, much less that there were other planets in the sky, and yet, they did have access to the bible. Since there is a great area that is not specifically addressed with reference to Astrology in its truest definition, why does man feel so compelled to try and explain what the bible says? At the same time God created them all. When the bible was written man was not aware of most of them that we today know of.

So what is your thoughts? Our brilliant readers? Is there some evil associated with studying planets and stars and how they may impact man and his life, his characteristics? What say you?

Oh for those that think there is a huge difference between Astrology and Astronomy, here's the definition and  I do say there is only a slight difference..

as·tron·o·my  (-strn-m)n. pl. as·tron·o·mies

1. The scientific study of matter in outer space, especially the positions, dimensions, distribution, motion, composition, energy, and evolution of celestial bodies and phenomena.  See Astronomy via: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

References:
Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/astrology#ixzz2b6jLVNsE
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/astrology-Bible.html#ixzz2b6fxtd65
Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/astrology#ixzz2b6jLVNsE

Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/astrology-Bible.html#ixzz2b6fxtd65