How Popular is Astrology? (Do Intelligent And Rational People Believe That Crap?)

Astrology Now ^ | Astrology Now

[jstone78]

How popular is astrology?

Your belief in astrology is part of a popular trend. Are you the kind of person who sneaks a look at the daily horoscope when no one's looking? Who secretly buys an Astrology magazine when you're traveling by yourself? Who pretends you're just kidding when you ask what somebody's sign is? Do you roll your eyes when people start talking about charts and ascendants, retrogrades, and rising suns, but secretly hang on every word?

If you've done any of the above. Don't worry. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

There is this view in our culture that you are either an air head or mentally deficient if you have some belief that there is more to Astrology than a pick-up line in a bar.

But it's a view that is CONTRADICTED by every poll, statistic and fact about Americans and their relationship to Astrology . . .

9 out of 10 Americans know there sign. No big deal. Doesn't mean much.

But did you know . . .

that more people believe in Astrology than in any single religious denomination?

or that Astrology is the number one . . . the most popular area within the Lifestyles Channel of America Online!

or that a recent Gallup poll found that over 50% of Americans believe in Astrology. That's about 125 million people! And that's a cross section of all Americans . . . University presidents, CEO's, lawyers, teachers, mechanics, cooks, waitresses . . . all of us.

[jstone78]

I am sorry if this offends anyone.

But I think that people who believe in astrology are stupid, and are certifiable idiots and morons. It does not matter how rich or educated they are. The idea that one can claim to tell the future by looking at the stars, palm reading, analysing charts or tarot cards, defines all common sense. It is a real shame that 50 percent of the population believe such garbage.

America's Founding Fathers tried to limit the number of such idiots on the voters' rolls, by imposing stringent qualifications on the franchise. When qualifications on the franchise were removed, the quality of elected leaders declined.

[Dog Gone]

9 out of 10 Americans know there sign

9 out 10 Americans who believe in astrology don't know the difference between "there" and "their."

[Physicist]

There is this view in our culture that you are either an air head or mentally deficient if you have some belief that there is more to Astrology than a pick-up line in a bar.

But it's a view that is CONTRADICTED by every poll

The democrats have won. Mental deficiency is now determined by polls.

[lelio]

by imposing stringent qualifications on the franchise
Do that and you'll face the wrath of Nancy Reagan.

[Physicist]

How many planets or stars didn't even "exist" until the discovery of the telescope? It is such a human failing to assume that nothing exists until we can prove it exists.

A rather ironic example, since the accuracy of the horoscope presumably depends upon the positions of the unknown planets.

[HairOfTheDog]

I think most people who even claim to believe astrology or their horoscopes are doing it for fun and nothing more, and that perhaps you are being a grump!

[chilepepper]

If you don't believe in astrology you must be a virgo or a
libra...

[BibChr]

"Crap"???

Psh! Typical Libra.

Dan

PS -- THE ABOVE IS A JOKE, REPEAT, JOKE

[Alex Murphy]

The only horoscope I follow religiously is that written by By Lloyd Schumner Sr., Retired Machinist and A.A.P.B.-Certified Astrologer for The Onion.

Leo: (July 23—Aug. 22)
You have very little say in your fate or what will
eventually befall you, but don't let that keep you from
voting.

[SES1066]

Best proof Astrology is less than scientific? Take the base concept that the 'zodiacal' stars/planets permanently influence the baby at birth. Should not two babies born in the same hospital at the same time have identical astrological characteristics?

Now take two prominent astrologers of your choice, have them each interview each adult independently. If Astrology was a science, there should be at least some common characteristics. Astrology is not a science, it is not falsifiable and its' hypotheses are inconsistent through its belief community.

[Maceman]

I agree that no one can predict the future, and that newspaper horoscopes are ridiculous.

However, I will say that if you were ever to have a full-blown astrological analysis done by an experienced astrologer, you would be amazed at how uncannily accurate it can be with respect to describing personalities and life issues.

My wife has a professional counseling practice (she has a Masters in counseling psychology), and has also been an avid student of astrology for the past dozen years. She frequently uses astrological analyses in her practice, and the insights yielded by this techique are consistently amazing. The more I have seen of astrology as an analytical tool -- especially in couples counseling -- the more difficulty I have in dismissing it as entirely bogus.

Feel free to flame me on this (but be warned that if you make any disparaging comments about my wife, I will be forced to challenge you to a duel).

Meanwhile, just remember that Nancy Reagan was no dummy.

[Let's Roll]

You mean like the many cases of twins that were separated shortly after birth and went on to lead remarkably similar lives - not even knowing they had a twin somewhere until they were adults?

[Maceman]

Should not two babies born in the same hospital at the same time have identical astrological characteristics?

They will be pretty similar, although obviously environmental influences will also play a large role in the development of their personalities.

[SES1066]

It is a real shame that 50 percent of the population believe such garbage.

I have strong doubts about this percentage. It strikes me to be on the same level as the 100,000 Australians claiming to be Jedi believers in the last Australian Census. A more-or-less harmless diversion that causes me to just shrug and relect on Ted Sturgeon's immortal commnet "90% of everything is excrement"!

[John H K]

The classic anti-astrology demo is done by famous skeptic Amazing Randi when he speaks before classes of students; doesn't reveal who he is, asked for birth date and location data, gives each student their "personalized" horoscope, students gasp in awe at how accurate their horoscope is, Randi spends a few minutes asking the students how accurate their horoscope is and they all gush in amazement at the accuracy...

Then Randi asks everyone to hand their horoscope to the person sitting behind them....

EVERYONE got the same horoscope.

The basis of astrology is cleverly designing "readings" that SEEM specific, but which apply to everyone and their opinion of themselves. Even quite intelligent people can be fooled by this.

[js1138]

More like elections are determined by mental deficiency.

[BikerNYC]

The Amazing Randi is a cool guy.

[connectthedots]

Reminds me of my favorite quote about economics from a Standford professor twenty or so years ago, "The only purpose served by economic forecasting is to lend credibility to astrology."

[caa26]

This isn't just in the US. I'm amazed that people I've met from all over the world believe in astrology at the same rate Americans too. Belief in this garbage is universal regardless of country.

[Maceman]

The classic anti-astrology demo is done by famous skeptic Amazing Randi when he speaks before classes of students; doesn't reveal who he is, asked for birth date and location data, gives each student their "personalized" horoscope, students gasp in awe at how accurate their horoscope is, Randi spends a few minutes asking the students how accurate their horoscope is and they all gush in amazement at the accuracy... Then Randi asks everyone to hand their horoscope to the person sitting behind them.... EVERYONE got the same horoscope. The basis of astrology is cleverly designing "readings" that SEEM specific, but which apply to everyone and their opinion of themselves. Even quite intelligent people can be fooled by this.

I have not seen Randi do this, nor have I seen the "readings" he hands out.

But I can tell you that the analyses I have seen done by my wife about real people are not interchangeable.