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New End Times Countdown

The Emperor of Mankind

Currently the galaxy's spookiest paraplegic
I'm pretty sure both Jews and Christians are forbidden from stargazing too. It is idolatry.
Rather than putting your trust in God alone, people are looking to the stars and interpreting 'signs' for guidance. The Vatican has its own observatory with a Telescope aptly named Lucifer, how wrong does that sound?!

Okay, I think you're conflating astronomy (the scientific study & observation of space and objects beyond the Earth) with astrology (the belief that the positions of stars & planets have spiritual effects on day-to-day life). The Vatican has a telescope because it employs astronomers. I suspect they'd look upon astrology as 'paganism'.
 

Muslim-UK

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Okay, I think you're conflating astronomy (the scientific study & observation of space and objects beyond the Earth) with astrology (the belief that the positions of stars & planets have spiritual effects on day-to-day life). The Vatican has a telescope because it employs astronomers. I suspect they'd look upon astrology as 'paganism'.
We have NASA and the European Space Agency to study the Cosmos. The Vatican would have no need to fund their own astronomers unless they were on the look out for something in particular. The chap in the video is promoting astrology, which should be frowned upon. Just so you know, Islam doesn't forbid using a Telescope to marvel at Planets, looking out for dangerous asteroids or conducting other scientific studies.
 

The Kilted Heathen

Crow FreyjasmaðR
We have NASA and the European Space Agency to study the Cosmos.
The religious have a very poor record of believing scientists, instead electing to instate their own.

Just so you know, Islam doesn't forbid using a Telescope to marvel at Planets, looking out for dangerous asteroids or conducting other scientific studies.
So why are you leaning on the Vatican having their own?
 

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
It is idolatry

What? If you go out on a clear night, one can't help looking at the sky's, it's either that or walk round blinkered while staring straight down at the ground. Does that make ground gazing idolatry?

So how about a production line quality inspector who spends all day every working day gazing at chocolates passing on a conveyor belt... Is that idolatry too?
 

The Emperor of Mankind

Currently the galaxy's spookiest paraplegic
We have NASA and the European Space Agency to study the Cosmos.

Just because NASA and the ESA exist doesn't mean nobody else ought to own a telescope :rolleyes:


The Vatican would have no need to fund their own astronomers unless they were on the look out for something in particular.

You're actually not far wrong here. The tradition of the Vatican having an astronomy dates to a time when the Catholic Church was hoping to find evidence for the geocentric model of the Solar System as evidence that Earth is the centre of the Universe (and the scriptural belief that Creation was made for our benefit). Obviously since then the heliocentric model has been confirmed via observations and in spite of resistance by the Catholic hierarchy. Doesn't mean the telescope isn't a good thing to have around though.


The chap in the video is promoting astrology, which should be frowned upon.

Okay so you're definitely talking about astrology. That's what I thought. I don't see what's so harmful about it (I get that you do) - I just think it's unevidenced nonsense. If people want to live their lives by it then that's their choice to make. If they see it as an efficacious way of looking at the world then more power to them. Doesn't mean I won't roll my eyes every time somebody puts up a post on Facebook blaming Mercury being in retrograde for their ****ty attitude. And on Pagan groups that happens a lot.


Just so you know, Islam doesn't forbid using a Telescope to marvel at Planets, looking out for dangerous asteroids or conducting other scientific studies.

I didn't think it did but thanks for clarifying what you meant.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
I'm pretty sure both Jews and Christians are forbidden from stargazing too. It is idolatry.
Rather than putting your trust in God alone, people are looking to the stars and interpreting 'signs' for guidance. The Vatican has its own observatory with a Telescope aptly named Lucifer, how wrong does that sound?!
Just to make sure I'm not misunderstood, I think my objection to Astrologers is that Astrologers (like this fake Bible teacher) try to gain influence by pretending to serve the gods, the stars or whatever. If this 'Preacher' can convince me that he has this stuff figured out, that makes him like a mini god to me. Now I'm hanging on his next word. "Wow this guy really has a connection to God!" That is power and possibly money for him. His argument aims to capture me, so he can control and sell me. Not funny! He is a textbook example of what's wrong with Astrologers. They start small, get a following, and then they see how far they can take the con game. Not funny. Very disgusting. Who convinced the Mayans to perform human sacrifices to Venus? It was their Astrologers turned priests who secretly had charts predicting the appearances of Venus which they used to fool the populace into following themselves. That's Astrology and Divination in action, but I have no problem with someone who does tricks as long as they aren't claiming powers.

On a lighter note I like fortune cookies and don't consider them to be divination. Now if the cookies somehow convinced me that I had to keep returning to the same restaurant, then that would be divination. Like if they said "You must return to this restaurant or face a curse" then that would be bad, not cute. As it is they have very little flavor, and the paper inside is always just good advice.
 

The Holy Bottom Burp

Active Member
Not another end of the world, I've lived through so many! This one is the usual ridiculous nonsense, I have a feeling that bloke hasn't sold the farm in preparation for the second coming, though I imagine he'll sell a few books to the gullible before the 23rd of September comes and goes.
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
Not that people should be star gazing as it's forbidden, but as you brought it up:

It won't be the Rapture and it won't be the return of Jesus pbuh. It will likely be the birth of the Anti-Christ or if he's already here, he'll likely let himself be known to the World.
I've got blowing a transformer going to a church as I passed by and turning ceramic crosses suicidal on my Anti-Christ resume. :D
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
Make sure to skip forward to minute 21 for the explanation of the astronomically pregnant woman. I would have posted this somewhere else like religious debates, but its just too funny and horrible. Honestly its upsetting to me, but also funny kind of like if I fell down the stairs. If I fell down the stairs you would laugh, and I would understand.
September 23, 2017. Be Afraid!

Seems as if she overlooked, or did Not read, Matthew 24:36 saying No one (which includes Jesus) does Not know.
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
Not that people should be star gazing as it's forbidden, but as you brought it up:
It won't be the Rapture and it won't be the return of Jesus pbuh. It will likely be the birth of the Anti-Christ or if he's already here, he'll likely let himself be known to the World.

Not just the gazing at stars, but rather divination is what is wrong according to Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
The word ' rapture ' I can't find appearing in Scripture but ' resurrection ' does.

Also, I find according to Scripture 'anyone' who is against Christ is anti-Christ:
In other words, there is No one single Anti-Christ according to 1 John 2:18; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7.
However, there are false clergy who are anti-God according to 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 (Acts of the Apostles 20:29-30)
They sit themselves in the 'temple' (houses of worship) as if they are God when they are really: anti-God.

What I find will be known to the world is the ' final signal ', so to speak, found at 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 when ' they ' (the powers that be) will be saying, " Peace and Security " as the precursor to the coming great tribulation of Revelation 7:14 before Jesus, as Prince of Peace, will usher in global Peace on Earth among people of goodwill.
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
Why should non-Muslims refrain from star-gazing if it's forbidden to Muslims?

Also, there is a BIG difference between star-gazing (as in astrology), and gazing at stars as in appreciating creation.
Christians would avoid astrology as in star-gazing, etc. because that is scripturally wrong at Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
 

lewisnotmiller

Grand Hat
Staff member
Premium Member
September 23, 2017. Be Afraid!

Anyone up for a 'pre-damnation' party on the 21st? Still gives you time to get over the hangover before facing God's wrath.

I can provide;
goats (with tethers)
feather dusters
slow-moving chickens (more fun than the fast ones)
Costumes from local theatre company
Baby oil (sorry, all out of babies)
Photo booth
Good beer

Still trying to source some crappy beer so any Mexicans interested feel welcome.
 

Shadow Wolf

Certified People sTabber
goats (with tethers)
feather dusters
slow-moving chickens (more fun than the fast ones)
Costumes from local theatre company
Baby oil (sorry, all out of babies)
Photo booth
Good beer
I have some good smoke to provide! And a few months worth of a massive variety of music. And I have my own costume to bring; just don't mind the dark elf wondering around.:p
 
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