Can A Christian Use Astrology?

Can A Christian Use Astrology?

Can A Christian Use Astrology?
BRIAN SMITHSON is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Mixed responses to use of astrology by Christians

Ever read your horoscope? Or read from a friend that your relationship will not work because they are a Taurus and you are a Leo? According to some Christian leaders, you may be violating the will of God.

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Astrology, or the predicting of the future by studying the constellations, has existed for over 3,000 years. It continues to have popularity in contemporary society. At least 1 in 4 Americans state they believe in astrology. Interestingly those numbers are higher for Catholics. There have even been cases of astrology being incorporated into religious teaching with their own form of tarot cards.

But what does Christianity have to say about it? Mostly negatives. Astrology is seen as the disruption of the word of God. Because only God knows the future, trying to find it independently usurps His authority and also is not to be trusted, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens…whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord.” Historically astrology has been claimed to be linked to Satan and devil worship.

But not everyone agrees with this interpretation of astrology. Some have looked at the Three Wise Men following stars to find baby Jesus as an example of astrology. Others have looked to passages like “Thus says the LORD: “Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens” as proof that using astrology is not a prima facie violation of church doctrine. Although the majority of opinion seems to be that astrology is problematic to being a Christian. Given the number of people that believe in astrology in the United States and the number of Christians in the United States, this is probably not a universally shared view.

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