Is Reading Horoscopes A Mortal Sin?

[qfnol31]

[quote name='thicke' date='Aug 4 2004, 05:50 AM'] Is looking at pornography a sin? [/quote]
Pornography objectifies the woman.

[nikkan_hanil]

If you take it seriously it is. Example: There was a fortune telling game for the NES once. WOuld you believe a computer system when it tells you the exact hour of your death? I didn't think so.

[XIX]

I don't think it is ever a good idea to look at horoscopes. I have looked at them before though, and if they are real, then Satan is not very accurate. There may be a rough correlation, but that's it. I wouldn't say it is defintively sinful...many people look at those things and really don't have any sinful intent.

There are also the kinds that some random author just thinks of off the top of his/her head. Those are purely for humor, because they aren't even slightly based on astrology. But other than that, I wouldn't even want to look at them anymore. For one thing, Satan often works subconsciously. Don't want to get into that, because there's the whole near occasion of sin that you want to avoid. I dunno, I would just try to avoid it at all costs. Heck, sometimes it's completely unavoidable.

If you do read them though, I would recommend doing the opposite of what the horoscope tells you to do. That way, you know you aren't depending on them. Better yet, you can just ask God what to do!

[Madonna]

[quote] Well, then, is it OK to read anti-Catholic material (for pleasure or otherwise) as long as you don't believe it?[/quote]

Yes, for the same reasons Jeff said. I read Jack Chick and Planned Parenthood material to know what we're up against.

[quote]Reading them isn't a sin... however they could be authentic (the Devil does exist contrary to popular belief) and even reading that is dangerous.

Reading them is dangerous, since its sort of opening yourself up for the Devil, so although reading them isn't sinful in itself, its something to avoid.[/quote]

I would like to reiterate this point for those who said they were looking at them just for fun. I always get kind of sketched out when people say they don't believe and are just messing around. I remember dabbling in stupid things (especially at sleepovers) like horoscopes and other horrific stuff that belongs to the occult. The results were not good, even though it was "just for fun."

[quote]In regards to everyone else, if you read your horoscope, you may find yourself remembering it throughout the day. Just as pornography, even with no intention of sexual lust (however there are no other reasons to own or look at pornography purposly) will remain in your head.[/quote]

I'm not sure. In the case of sexually explicit things, yes. But in the case of a movie like Schindler's List? Of course I will remember that nudity forever. But I could never view it as provocative.

[quote] Pornography objectifies the woman.[/quote]

I just want to point out that even though it isn't as common, women look at porn too. Porn objectifies men as well. Porn objectifies people.

[amarkich]

didn't log out

Edited August 4, 2004 by amarkich

[CatholicCrusader]

[quote name='JeffCR07' date='Aug 4 2004, 08:26 AM']
Yes it is, provided one use prudence and good judgement. I read all of the Gnostic Gospels (Thomas, Philip, Mary Madgalene, [i]Pistia Sophia[/i], etc) in their entirety in preparation for a couple talks that I gave on the fallicies and falsities of the book [i]The Da'Vinci Code[/i]. These books (or, in some cases, what is left of them) are not only apochryphal, but blatantly heretical. However, in light of the context, I do not believe that it was a mortal sin to read them.

I would like to point out, however, that it is always best to fortify yourself in prayer before reading or watching something that you know to be anti-catholic, and, in cases where it is not necessary/important to read/see such things, do not.

- Your Brother In Christ, Jeff [/quote]
It is different to read in order to disprove and to read a horoscope. If you read a horoscope and then did what it said not to, then gave a talk on abotu how it didn't come true, that is one thing (a thing that is far from necessary, opposed to the necessity of disproving the Gnostic gospels in this day and age). There is no excuse to read what is mortally sinful for mere pleasure. It is as simple as that. I am amazed to see how many people quote the CCC to reject capital punishment, no salvation outside the Church, etc., yet when the CCC contradicts their personal opinions, they ignore it as if it has no weight (not you, Jeff, but in general).

[thicke]

[quote name='qfnol31' date='Aug 4 2004, 11:57 AM'] Pornography objectifies the woman. [/quote]
Is that the only reason it's sinful to look at pornography though?

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='CatholicCrusader' date='Aug 4 2004, 04:51 PM'] It is different to read in order to disprove and to read a horoscope. If you read a horoscope and then did what it said not to, then gave a talk on abotu how it didn't come true, that is one thing (a thing that is far from necessary, opposed to the necessity of disproving the Gnostic gospels in this day and age). There is no excuse to read what is mortally sinful for mere pleasure. It is as simple as that. I am amazed to see how many people quote the CCC to reject capital punishment, no salvation outside the Church, etc., yet when the CCC contradicts their personal opinions, they ignore it as if it has no weight (not you, Jeff, but in general). [/quote]
2116
All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future. [u]Consulting [/u]horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone


I am not consulting them or taking them seriously, I am laughing at them.

[CatholicCrusader]

[quote]Is reading it for "fun", rejecting it?

If we are not against it, we are not rejecting it.

How can something evil be "for fun"?[/quote]

I agree with ironmonk... according to the CCC ALL forms ARE TO BE REJECTED. Reading horoscopes, whether or not you believe in them is to not reject them. Furthermore, even if you don't think it's a sin to read "just for fun" (which it is--just as it is a sin to do anything evil "just for laughs/fun"), you must admit it is at least a venial sin of wasting time. However, as I said, it is a mortal sin, as to read it is to not reject it.

[CatholicCrusader]

By the way, consult can be defined: "To take into account; consider"; that is what you are doing, considering what they say by reading them (just another reason why the Church should publish everything in Latin, the word meanings don't change--N.B. the CCC was published in French and translated into Latin...)

Consider: "To form an opinion about; judge" (whether it be positive or negative)...

Edited August 4, 2004 by CatholicCrusader

[MichaelFilo]

Jeff, I'll get to your post in due time. As for the others, it cannot be read in the light of fun, because people who use oujii boards for pure fun are tampering with evil. Why would you even read your horoscope for fun? you are allowing yourself to possibly fall into temptation, which is thinking about your horoscope later on, or even viewing your day in light of your horoscope. Please remember, we don't shoot for the bear minimum, but instead look to completly fulfill our obligation to avoid sin and the devil.

God bless,

Mikey

[carrdero]

Though horoscopes in value are supposed to be for entertainmnent purposes, I really don't think that any human should put to much belief in any type of predictions. The future is mutable. We always have the decision to change our minds one way or another. Remember that the study of astrology is more involving than just a few short sentences in a newspaper or magazine. The study of astrology is much more complicated. I believe there is some relationship to the time when we are born and the universe. Every life that is born compared to the constantly moving universe probably provides a way for GOD to recognize us. Sort of like a snapshot or a picture.

[EcceNovaFacioOmni]

If I'm not mistaken, most horoscopes are made up by the newspaper writers. I cannot believe people make decisions based on big rocks that float around in space.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='MichaelFilo' date='Aug 4 2004, 08:41 PM'] Jeff, I'll get to your post in due time. As for the others, it cannot be read in the light of fun, because people who use oujii boards for pure fun are tampering with evil. Why would you even read your horoscope for fun? you are allowing yourself to possibly fall into temptation, which is thinking about your horoscope later on, or even viewing your day in light of your horoscope. Please remember, we don't shoot for the bear minimum, but instead look to completly fulfill our obligation to avoid sin and the devil.

God bless,

Mikey [/quote]
Of course it can be read as funny and entertaining. That in no way compares to conjuring spirits or anything else.


CC to judge or consider is exactly right: I consider them silly.

[nikkan_hanil]

Well I think it is a near occasion of sin. That's why I hate it when all these kids make such a fashion out of it.

[nikkan_hanil]

[quote name='thedude' date='Aug 4 2004, 08:32 PM'] If I'm not mistaken, most horoscopes are made up by the newspaper writers. I cannot believe people make decisions based on big rocks that float around in space. [/quote]

[MorphRC]

Wow lots of discussion

[qfnol31]

[quote name='thicke' date='Aug 4 2004, 06:15 PM'] Is that the only reason it's sinful to look at pornography though? [/quote]
Nope, but it is enough to throw that out as an option for argument in this case.

Edited August 5, 2004 by qfnol31

[MorphRC]

look at porn shows a lack of self-respect and self-control.

[Donna]

Pornography: Looking at it if you're not a detective needing to see it in order to further an investigation (this is called a [i]necesssary occasion of sin[/i]), would be seriously sinful.

Looked at another way: a person looks closely at nude bodies, all day long. If that person wasn't a doctor who needed to do this in order to preserve/protect the health of patients, there would definitely be grave sin involved.

Looking at pornography sins against purity, chastity, modesty. The Commandment against adultery covers all actions, thoughts, desires [i]wilfully maintained[/i], looks, done alone or with others.

Edited August 5, 2004 by Donna