Astrology Cannot shine as Brightly as Christianity

And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven. (Deuteronomy 4:19)

False gods make false promises that destroy hope. The destructive nature of false gods rang in my ear as I read the Washington Post a few days ago. Sydney Page wrote an article entitled, “Young people are flocking to astrology. But it comes with risks.” Whenever I consider a false god, I ask, “Why is this god so attractive?” “Why is this more attractive than Christianity?” Page’s article states these questions are essential: “According to Allied Market Research, the global astrology industry was valued at $12.8 billion in 2021, up considerably from $2.2 billion in 2018. By 2031, it’s expected to rise to $22.8 billion.”

One of the reasons astrology and other false gods become popular is that they offer something Christianity does not provide. Even though their claims may be impractical and inappropriate, our desire trumps our reason. We want control over our lives and the universe. Christians with integrity cannot make those claims of power because only God has such command. Ironically, astrology is an area both science and faith agree on. While “Astrology has been practiced since the 3rd millennium B.C.,” yet, according to “Sten Odenwald, an astronomer and the director of STEM resource development at NASA. ‘Astrology doesn’t statistically work. The premise is wrong; the physics are wrong.”

Before you call me a hypocrite, I realize I am the same person who claims science doesn’t have all the answers. The difference is that astrology bases its foundation on the planets' structure and movements. The system of astrological activity is based on the foundation of the physical universe, which is scientifically verifiable. NASA proved that astrology failed its viability test.

Science cannot prove the truth of Christianity, but it cannot be disproven. Further, the existence of a being named Jesus, who was born in the region of Israel in approximately 96 BCE, is a historical fact. That this person was a teacher, healer, and prophet who died on the cross in Jerusalem is historically accurate. We cannot prove his resurrection, ascension, and the renewed gift of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and disciples throughout time. This we take on faith, with many historical, literary, and other forms of evidence worthy of our consideration. While astrology does not pass our rational tests, Christianity remains a tangible and transformative hope.