Why do people believe in astrology?

[jtex316]

It seems that a high number of people believe in astrology, despite the fact that it's:

1. Complete and total bullshit
2. Completely unscientific
3. Irrational
4. Illogical
5. Senseless
6. Meaningless
7. Completely made up and unreliable

Yet, people still believe (some people truly believe in it).

Discuss.

[tepop84]

yea, pretty fucking stupid, but i guess it is no different than people believing in a god (which is also complete bs).  I had a gf in college who broke up with me because our signs weren't destined to be together according to her book, lol.

[Dave Gray]

Two things:

1) I don't think (and maybe this is wishful thinking) that many people ACTUALLY believe in it.  I think that a lot of people play along kinda for fun.  It's like pro wrestling.  Sometimes, it's fun to just play along and get into it, without dissecting it.

2) For people who do believe in astrology, it's a classic case of people only recording the "hits" and not the "misses".  So, there are a few vague personality traits from each sign, and any one of us can find common ground with a few of them, so those are the ones that people latch onto.  On top of that, you won't remember if your horoscope predicts misfortune and you have a good day.  But if you crash your car that day, you'll remember the prediction. 

But it's also just a case of certain people's brains needing something more than what's in front of them to operate.  I have a good friend who's intelligent, but so flaky when it comes to any kind of pseudo-scientific garbage like this.  I don't think you find many people who believe in JUST astrology, but are rational and fact-seekers in other areas.  It's usually astrology + alternative medicine + acupuncture + psychic mediums, etc. 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

How is this any different than any other religion?

[Fau Teixeira]

In all fairness when it comes to religion all *ogy, *ism, *ity are all the same. and you could really title this thread:

Why do people believe in BLANK?

and joe could make the same exact list of items

so people can believe what they want and i can believe what i want and that's that

[Frimp]

I like it for fun. I don't read horoscopes, and I would never base my decisions on what an astrologist told me. And, I would never pay for a reading or anything like that.

But, for some reason, the description of a Virgo describes my personality pretty well. That doesn't mean that EVERY Virgo is just like me or vice versa.  I once dated a girl who was 4 years younger than me, down to the day..we shared the same birthday. And, she was a total slob where I am a neat and organized person. She was shy, I am very outgoing. She was quiet, and I won't shut up. Total opposite of me.

I think this new zodiac proves the point that it is BS, and many people will pounce on it to sell new updated books.

[jtex316]

How is this any different than any other religion?

Good point.

[Pappy13]

My psychology teacher in college told us this story once.

A teacher came into class one day and handed to each student a complete psychological profile that she had worked up the night before on each student.  She allowed each student a chance to read over their own personal profile and then started asking them some questions.  She asked a couple students how well she had profiled them and most of them said that she had nailed them almost perfectly.  A few had a couple of small niggles, but mostly the teacher was dead on.

After that she had the students exchange the profiles and they realized that all of the profiles were identical except for the name on them.

Basically this is what Astrology is.  It uses a lot of generalities to describe people that fit almost everyone.  Normally they are quite positive in nature which strokes a person's ego.  People will read into it whatever they believe to be true about themselves.

[Pappy13]

How is this any different than any other religion?

I'll let you know when I find out. 

[fyo]

How is this any different than any other religion?

Most religions dictate a certain way of life, rules to obey etc. All handed down from one or more deities. The existence of those deities is hard, perhaps impossible, to prove. Religions will also often have an "afterlife" component. Again, hard to prove.

Astrology is complete bullshit. It purports to enable someone "trained" to predict all kinds of stuff about you based on the location of stars and planets. The fact that these stars and planets don't line up the same way over time haven't caused astrologers to change their predictions. Of course, it helps that their predictions are so completely general as to be meaningless.

Astrology is fraud. Pure and simple.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Most religions dictate a certain way of life, rules to obey etc. All handed down from one or more deities. The existence of those deities is hard, perhaps impossible, to prove. Religions will also often have an "afterlife" component. Again, hard to prove.

Astrology is complete bullshit. It purports to enable someone "trained" to predict all kinds of stuff about you based on the location of stars and planets. The fact that these stars and planets don't line up the same way over time haven't caused astrologers to change their predictions. Of course, it helps that their predictions are so completely general as to be meaningless.

Astrology is fraud. Pure and simple.

Astrology has all those as well.  Or should I say had all those as well.  Much of the religion as fallen out practice and all that remains is the card trick aspects.  But saying astrology is not a religion because it lacks some components would be like saying "Christianity is not a religion, it is just about bullshit stories of about an antic overweight toy maker and colored egg dispensing rabbit." 

[Guru-In-Vegas]

It's just fun. 

I wouldn't go to a magic show and yell out "THERE'S A TRAP DOOR YOU ASSHOLE, YOU'RE A FRAUD!!  WHERE ARE THE MIRRORS??! BITCH!"  I also wouldn't be like "Wow, that guy must personally know Jesus.  I wish I had powers  "

Astrology is the same thing.  "Oh our signs match up...cute!  Wow I really am like that! Weeeeeird."... as opposed to "Hey, I'm going to have to abort this baby because there's no way I can have it on this month."

Extreme I know, but hey that's my sign.   

[Thundergod]

^^^

Well said.

[Sunstroke]

The ability to control other people is the sweetest aphrodisiac for those who crave power, and religion (including early forms of astrology) has always been the ultimate mechanism for that control.

[badger6]

The ability to control other people is the sweetest aphrodisiac for those who crave power, and religion (including early forms of astrology) has always been the ultimate mechanism for that control.

That's why they always try to convince you that their way is "the right path" and that they are trying to "save" you. I say all religion is made up bullshit. If it makes people feel better about being worm food one day, so be it. But don't try to pawn that shit off on me. Religion is just comfort food for the flock.