Astronomy vs. Astrology

by Swan 21 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Swan

  I have always had a fascination with the universe and the night sky. My grandfather bought a telescope on a lark, but soon he and my cousin grew bored with it and it was just taking up space. So it was passed on to me. Spent many a cold night or morning on the 45 parallel watching the skies and just exploring long distance. I was much younger than and we lived in the country, where there was little light pollution. I have since moved into the city, so I don't get to stargaze as much.

  For any of you who had this hobby, were you ever surprised at the ignorance of a lot of JWs on the subject of astronomy? Some of them even proceeded to question whether I should be doing that (looking through the telescope) because of the demons. They couldn't seem to grasp the concept that ASTRONOMY, the scientific study of the skies, was far different from ASTROLOGY, the foretelling of the future by the positions of the planets and stars.

  Tammy
• 

  Elsewhere

  LMAO... YES!!!!!!

  In High School I took an Astronomy class... several of the "Brother and Sisters" kept trying to have me called into JCs for "spiritism".

  That's right... quite a few of the "College Education Equivalency Awake Readers" did not understand the difference between Astronomy and Astrology.

  Now why does that NOT surprise me?
• 

  Swan

  LOL! I'm glad I wasn't the only one, Elsewhere!

  Tammy
• 

  Pole

  I guess most people are pretty ignorant of the distinction. I mean most people don't even know the difference between our solar system and our galaxy.
  
  But yes, it's only JW's who would jump to doctrinal conclusions about the issue :).
  
  PS I used to be an astronomy freak as a teeneger. I was a JW then, so i was an exception to the rule.
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  acsot

  In my experience (three different language groups and 30+ years as a dub), I don't recall many dubs who'd get confused about astrology and astronomy. Many had telescopes of their own, or would rent really powerful ones from a couple of places here in the city and then bring some of the younger ones out to the countryside to stargaze, or if there was a lunar eclipse they'd get a group together to watch it.

  I remember an older JW who lived at Watchtower farms and he had a pretty good telescope, he'd set it up and we'd get a look at Saturn's rings, the various constellations, etc. It was super! Wherever there was a solar eclipse that he could get to, that's where he'd travel. He was quite knowledgeable. It was really fun visiting him.

  Of the dubs I know here, most if not all have visited the Planetarium here in town (or at least know about it) with its various exhibits/shows on nebulae, constellations, etc.
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  Narkissos

  I was initiated to astronomy by a fellow Bethelite (in France). He was about 20, but had a passion for it since childhood and had already built several amateur telescopes. We were quite a group around him, spending a large part or the nights outside Bethel whenever the sky was clear (it was about 100 kms from Paris so the light pollution was moderate). I really enjoyed that.
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  frankiespeakin

  Swan,

  Some of them even proceeded to question whether I should be doing that (looking through the telescope) because of the demons.

  It kind of reminded me of when Galaleio was before some bishops or cardnals it may have been at his inquistion I'm not sure but he offered them to veiw I think the moon and it's creaters or maybe it was the moons in jupiture but they refused to look thru the eye piece because it might hurt their faith that the earth was not the center of the universe.

  I've gone to observatories on the west coast we have one here on Mount Hamilton. I had a 3" refractor but never used it much alway too much to do as a JW.
• 

  nicolaou

  

  I had star charts and a good set of binoculars when I was a kid. I loved watching 'The Sky at Night' with patrick Moore - still do! Yes I was a nerdy geek, but my God! It's beautiful out there!!!
• 

  Elsewhere

  Some of them even proceeded to question whether I should be doing that (looking through the telescope) because of the demons.

  Gawd... that reminds me of when a "sister" went on a tirade about how holograms are demonized too.

  I found a small piece of plastic that was reflective and I flexed it in my had so that it formed a hologram of her face. She just about freaked out.

  I had to explain the physics behind how holograms worked before she calmed down.
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  Swan

  I did a card trick at a gathering once. Just the regular "pick a card, any card" type of trick. One sister thought that I had to be channeling demons or something. She is also someone who was absolutely sure David Copperfield was in league with Satan during his TV specials. No one could do what he does without paranormal powers, she reasoned.

  But then JWs also claim they are not superstitious.

  Card tricks and telescopes. I was obviously possessed.

  Tammy