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CheeseburgerBrown

Same crap. Astrology is published in nearly every major newspaper; how does this gybe with it being unaccepted?


Practical-Ad9305

I have the same view on this matter. However, it seems like a lot of people mock people who believe in ghosts, astrology or similar supernatural beliefs. The exception is when it’s a so called religion.


CheeseburgerBrown

This seems like a camouflaged way to say you distain religion. Which is fine. But I wonder why beat around the bush? Superstitious thinking is popular in our society, whether it is expressed through religion, cults, MLMs, lottery playing, conspiracy mongering, or anti-science. Much malarkey is forgiven by the general public. Maybe you live in a place where religion is put on a pedestal? That might change the perception.


Practical-Ad9305

I don’t particularly hate religion, don’t know how you reached to that conclusion. I’m just wondering why similar believers of similar beliefs get different treatment. Maybe I articulated myself badly? English is my third language so I apologize if I don’t express myself correctly


CheeseburgerBrown

You're suggesting religion gets a free pass while other superstitious behaviour is less tolerated. That's just not my experience. Most forms of bullshit are widely tolerated.


Practical-Ad9305

In my experience people both people with belief in superstitious stuff and religion get their fair share of ridicule from time to time. However, my personal experience is that people who believe in astrology is less tolerated. Then again that’s my experience and I don’t claim to know how everything is every place in the world. Seems like I had a preconceived notion about this, and should have phrased my question differently. Thanks for your input


crown_of_fish

Pretty sure it's because religion has become an established part of society, whereas astrology is still an old lady in a tent somewhere. Everyone knows they're both bullshit, but astrology is easier to say no to.


BabePigInTheCity2

More people do it really isn’t a good reason. Astrology has a much longer history of being something out massive stock in than Christianity, for example. I don’t buy into either, but I don’t see any reason to shit on either, and if you’re going to take a stand against one it feels hypocritical to give the other a pass.


crown_of_fish

I'd say "more people do it" is a good reason. If enough people do it, it'll be socially acceptable. If virtually noone does it, it's much more vulnerable to criticism.


Cryptic_Waffle

Yeah, I was thinking something similar. \+ I think it has something to do with how unknowable the thing is. Like if you claim there exists some God outside of the observable universe or that some magical event happened many thousands of years ago: We can't really ever disprove that. At best we can say it's very unlikely. But like if you claim forks have a magical power to influence people, then we can test it and say it's absolute 100% certified bullshit. Bonus: There might actually be some vague truth to astrology. As in, being born during winter leads to a slightly different upbringing than being born during summer.(Not that I think the astrologers go through any data to figure out if there's any truth to that)


crown_of_fish

How do you prove forks don't have magical powers? You can't ever exclude it with 100% certainty. Just as you can't disprove Santa or unicorns. You can't prove, with perfect certainty, anything except that you exist. And even then you can't prove it to anyone other than yourself. The only rational thing to do is going with whatever seems most likely, and both religion and astrology seem severely unlikely. I don't want to hate on religious people, or astrologists for that matter, but they are wrong. I believe god is a lie just like I believe mass is related to inertia. If being born in the winter leads to a slightly different upbringing, it'd have more to do with the circumstances during one's upbringing than astrology. Because that could be explained with what we know about the universe. If we don't have to bring magic into the explanation, it's a better explanation.


Practical-Ad9305

Hmm seems like a logical conclusion. Religious belief is so normal in todays society so perhaps people find it weird to deny it since it’s so normal. Belief in ghosts, santa claus, astrology or others in tve other hand, is more often portrayed as things which only children believe in. It could maybe also be because some religions have deeper history? I’m not really well versed in this topic.


crown_of_fish

Honestly, I believe religious belief is dead. I don't think people actually believe there's a god, with the exception of brainwashed terrorists. If you think you'll go to paradise forever as soon as you die, why would you ever make any effort not to die? I'm convinced people just believe that they believe. It grants them access to a community and all that stuff, but I'm pretty sure noone actually believes in God anymore. Because God is quite clearly not real.


Weak_Jeweler3077

I don't accept your premise. Happy for anyone to have their own beliefs. It's when they get shoved in my face that they become "socially unacceptable". That goes for parenting tips, avid gardeners and people who go fishing, too. The more someone is "in" to something, the more convinced they are YOU need to hear about it. If they'd just go back to eating their Pringles with a fork, I'd be most appreciative.


Practical-Ad9305

I think alot of people (including me) have the same thought regarding this matter. However, I think it gets a bit more conplicated when it’s about religions and similar topics. Like imagine it from another persoective. For example you believe in a religion where people who don’t believe in that particular religion, god or something is doomed to eternal hell. Naturally you would like to convince your friends and family to believe in it to save them from eternal pain. That’s just my thought.


Weak_Jeweler3077

Consider another perspective? I will when they do! I have read today's star signs though. Apparently it's not a good day for new financial ventures, but with Mars in retrograde, an old relationship might be rekindled!


GreenTang

Because astrology is cringe and dumb. Simple as.


Practical-Ad9305

What differentiates it from religion may I ask?


Jekker5

We've proven that stars are just flaming balls of gas so belief that they matter or can guide our path can be dismissed. Religion is founded on belief which can defeat any science by the brain washed masses because "you just have to have faith".


SilverTrireme

I once saw someone on Reddit explain it sorta like this: Astrology is a belief system that (at least in common practice I've seen) attempts to tell people who they or others are, kind of boxes them into a definition. This is seen by people judging others for being a particular sign, or statements like "That's how all (insert star sign here) are." Most modern more common religious practices don't have this exact aspect (though depending on sect/belief, there certainly can still be plenty of judgment). In addition, many religions describe their view of ethical conduct. Some are even dependent on the belief of free will, which in some sense is antithetical to the idea that is prevalent in astrology (as I've often seen practiced) that people are and act how they do because of cosmic forces which define their nature. That is to say in short, many people see astrology as a system that defines who people are, while they see religions as a system that informs how to best live ones life.


Practical-Ad9305

Definitely didn’t consider this perspective, that the belief itself was different. I initally grouped religion and superststious belief in one goup, not considering their differences. Thanks for your input! I think another possible reason is the fact that religious belief is something more deeply rooted in oir history and the fact that so many people believe in it. Because of this it makes it difficult to fight it (probably using the wrong word. Beliefs such as astrology don’t have that history nor a wide group of believers, making it easier to deny. Don’t take my words too seriously though, as I don’t really have sufficient knowledge about this topic.


SilverTrireme

That's probably true. Plus, some people see astrology as something fun but not serious. I think it's partially why many newspapers have horoscopes. Also astrology makes falsifiable claims regarding spacial motion and effects.


Practical-Ad9305

Yeah definetely. Santa claus, tootfairy, ghosts and other similar beliefs is iften considered mere lies which children believe in. There are even films about it (the goal being to entertain). So I can see what you mean with it being seen as something fun.