I'm sure this will draw fire, but "been there, done that".

[Atticus]

How can we criticize anti-vaxxers and such as "anti-science" while featuring political opinions based on astrology?

Astrology may be an amusing pastime for some, but it has NO scientific validity and is considered "peudoscience". It is just as unscientific---and unreliable---as forecasting election results by "reading the entrails of an owl".

To those about to respond that I "just don't understand", you are correct. I also don't understand palm reading and "psychic hotlines". That doesn't mean I can't criticize them and say they are bunk.

I am sorry if that offends some here, but what I just said is factual.

[lapfog_1]

1. mostly harmless versus not.

anti-vaxxers are killing people with their actions and words.

Astrologers are mostly harmless. And those they do "harm" are only the believers.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. Religion too.

[ShazamIam]

5. Yes, astrology is like religion in that one must believe based on faith, not facts.

[XanaDUer2]

3. Astrology can be fun but

I couldn't imagine making political predictions based upon it

[leftstreet]

4. Spoken like a true Leo

[greenjar_01]

6. ROFL

Perfection!

[-misanthroptimist]

10. I'm with Atticus on this, but...

...your post was funny.

[Carlitos Brigante]

19. .

[Polly Hennessey]

7. Careful, you may be branded as

insensitive by some and receive a rather hurtful slap/hit on the wrist. Opinions must conform.

[Bettie]

8. Which political opinions have you seen that are based on

astrology, palm reading, or psychics. I mean, maybe from Marianne Williamson, but around here?

Aside from an occasional comment that "Mercury is in retrograde", which is the equivalent of "Jeez, must be a full moon!" I don't think many people seriously base their political opinions on such things.

I'm not offended, I'm kind of confused as to where you are getting the impression that even a significant minority of people here base their politics on astrology.

[Atticus]

11. I don't really want to personalize my criticism, but suffice it to say that a prominent Republican

was recently said to be "in trouble" due to----planetary or stellar or whatever relationships.

[CrackityJones75]

18. Who said it?

Another politician? A pundit? A poster here?

[Atticus]

20. It was here. nt

[brooklynite]

23. In which case its a public discussion and you can provide a link.

That said, are you concerned about ONE post? If so, perhaps your complaint should be addressed there.

[Atticus]

27. I could, yes, but I won't, as I explain in #11. Either I read that here on DU or I am a liar.

You and other readers of this thread can decide.

My intent was not to embarrass or ridicule the DUer who posted what I referenced. I think the broader issue is whether any of us should acquiesce in astrological pseudoscience as something worth considering.

[brooklynite]

33. I understand that, but ONE person's comment doesn't seem to warrant a general admonition.

[Atticus]

35. This was due to one particular post. It was by no means the first and such posts often

garner several "likes" and appreciative responses.

I have never seen any other religious or "spiritual" posters cite their unscientific beliefs as support for their political opinions.

[CrackityJones75]

24. Ah well so nobody of any real consequence.

Most likely.

[Scrivener7]

29. So this is all over one person's comment? That's us featuring astrological politics?

[Atticus]

30. No. nt

[Scrivener7]

32. Are you beginning to see the ridiculousness of the "I have a problem about something, but

I'm not going to tell you anything about it" position?

[Atticus]

34. No, but I do concede that I had no idea that there would be quite so many

posters determined to either defend astrology or challenge criticism of it.

As I said elsewhere, you are free to decide that the post I refuse to put a spotlight on does not exist and that I am, therefore, a liar.

[Scrivener7]

37. I don't doubt that the post exists, but when I said, "So this is about one post?" you said "No."

In no way do I think you are lying, but none of this makes much sense, and there is little in the way of discussion to be had about it because we are not privy to any information about it.

It really isn't weird to wonder what your post refers to.

[Atticus]

38. See #35. Beyond what I have already posted in this thread, I don't see what other info

is needed:

--- Astrology is a pseudoscience with no basis in scientific fact.

--- A post on DU used astrological interpretations to conclude that a prominent politician was "in trouble".

--- There have been numerous other similar posts which garnered several likes and appreciative responses.

--- I am not aware of any other religious or "spiritual" posters who cite their faith or beliefs as support for their political opinions.

[Scrivener7]

39. So here is what I think given the information you have provided.

For over 40 years, I bled in time with the phases of the moon. So I'm not one to dismiss out of hand the idea that celestial bodies might have an effect on us.

From what I have read about astrology, it seems to have a lot to do with archetypes, and I do think archetypes are very psychologically satisfying (which is why they are archetypes) and as such, they are influential in our psychology. Really, if you think about it, a lot of spiritual systems are similarly based on archetypes, and those are allowed forums and discussions here.

Others know more about astrology than I do, and some of those who do seem to feel it helps them in some way. I'm not going to dis that any more than I am going to dis beliefs in particular deities or religions.

I think all posters with religious beliefs base a lot of their political opinions on those beliefs. I know I am a liberal Democrat because of what I believe.

So I disagree with you. I don't think following astrology makes anyone any less able to appreciate and understand vaccines than, say, a belief in Jesus does.

[Atticus]

40. As I have clearly stated, people are free to believe and take comfort from whatever they choose.

Saying that I don't believe in astrology is no more "dissing" it than saying I am not a Catholic is "dissing" that faith.

But, the position of the planets is no more support for a political opinion than the pronouncement of the "infallible" Pope.

[Scrivener7]

41. But you are saying:

How can we criticize anti-vaxxers and such as "anti-science" while featuring political opinions based on astrology?

You're saying that we cannot legitimately criticize anti-vaxxers when we have posts about astrology.

I disagree with that.

[Atticus]

42. I'm not saying we "cannot"; I'm saying it's hypocritical. We disagree. You be you. nt

[Scrivener7]

44. Is it more hypocritical than our being pro-vaxx and having a Catholicism or Judaism forum?

[Atticus]

46. I have no idea why this is so difficult to comprehend: having the forums is not the problem.

Believing in astrology---or Catholicism or Judaism---is not the problem.

Posting that : a person's birth date or the Pope or the Torah is relevant to political discourse IS the problem--- apparently in my sole opinion.

[Scrivener7]

48. Because you are saying two different things. One of which is that it is hypocritical for

us to criticize anti vaxxers while allowing posts about astrology.

[Bayard]

9. What brought this on?

[Champp]

12. An opportunity to toss chum into the Waters of Division?

That good old impulse to dump on something that you haven't looked into thoroughly or systematically, but deserves a good trashing just for the divisive hell of it?

Kinda seems like that.

[Atticus]

15. Your suggestion that astrology should be "looked into thoroughly or systematically" is similar

to the attitude that there are "two sides to everything" and "discussion is always justified".

I won't even begin down the rabbit hole of where that attitude has led some voters.

You look into astrology, thoroughly, systematically or sideways. When you find scientific evidence that it has validity, please post it.

You can believe in astrology if you choose to, just as you may hold any religious beliefs you choose. But, we wouldn't respect a political opinion based on "God---or Allah---or Yahweh---or whoever---told me that" so I don't want to hear "X is in trouble politically because his Mars is in retrograde"---or whatever.

[Champp]

31. So your saying you really are just needlessly tossing chum into the waters of division

[Atticus]

36. Can you read? nt

[LeftInTX]

13. Political opinions based on astrology?

Sorry, I'm not up to date with the newest trend......

[llmart]

14. Well, I strongly disagree with you...

If President Reagan can make decisions based on Nancy's astrology sessions then you can't argue with the success of that.

[cojoel]

16. I learned from MAD Magazine (a long time ago)

Economics is an exact science, like Astrology and Witchcraft.

[Atticus]

17. "What? Me worry?" nt

[tenderfoot]

21. Has Nancy Reagan risen from the grave?

Because that's the last time I heard anyone base policy on astrology.

[smirkymonkey]

49. I was wondering the same.

Is this really a thing lately? I wasn't aware of it.

[brooklynite]

22. What "political opinions based on astrology" are you referring to?

[Atticus]

25. See #11 above. nt

[brooklynite]

26. See #23 above.

[Atticus]

28. See #27 above. nt

[Crunchy Frog]

43. Huh? nt

[Skittles]

45. could you at least tell us

what political opinions are based on astrology?

[Treefrog]

47. I have zero idea what this is about.

I’m a Leo though.

[muriel_volestrangler]

50. I think there is far less talk of astrology on DU these days than back in the first decade or

We successfully got it restricted to the Lounge, or the Astrology group when that started, and if it ever appeared in GD as if serious, it was widely mocked. The Astrology group has been very quiet itself, apart from one member (who bizarrely deleted all his posts from before the 2020 election so that over half the threads from Jan-Sept 2020 are "This message was self-deleted by its author " ).

I wonder if just a reply or two to a member who seems to take it seriously (in the main forums) as part of politics would be a better approach? It's not as if your thread title gave any idea this was about astrology, so it's very likely they haven't even read this thread.

[Atticus]

51. Thank you. nt

[HAB911]

52. Jesus, I need a sharper knife

I can't split hairs with some here. TOO FUNNY