To Astrologers and Psychics...
Just Say No!
By Bob Anderson
Former U.S. president Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy, who was the spokesperson
for the much maligned "Just Say No" anti-drug program, were often the centers of
debate regarding the controversial topic Astrology. According to a former White
House source, the Reagans, said to be very superstitious, consulted horoscopes
and a particular California astrologer prior to making major decisions affecting
both their private and political lives. The former president maintained that he
did not make major decisions based on astrology, but Mrs. Reagan admitted to
dabbling in stargazing ("Just Say No to Astrology," Expression, June 1988).
A TV network reported that
occultism in the White House is nothing new. Mary Todd Lincoln is said to have
held séances in one of the upstairs rooms — a practice President Lincoln
apparently tolerated with amusement. More recently, first lady Hillary Rodham
Clinton used New Age psychic Jean Houston, co-director of the Foundation for
Mind Research, to talk to the spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt. Reports say that Mrs.
Clinton had talks with Roosevelt and Mohandas Gandhi. From the Bible's point of
view, of course, if there was contact with any spirits, they were not the
spirits of the dead, but demons.
Mrs. Clinton said, "Now I'm sure that there will be a talk show host somewhere
who will point out with great glee that I have gone over the edge and am talking
to myself and to Mrs. Roosevelt on a regular basis, but I believe that the
world, and particularly our country, would be better off if we all spent a
little time talking with Mrs. Roosevelt . . ." (Hillary Rodham Clinton, "Keynote
Address at the Dedication of Eleanor Roosevelt College, San Diego," CA, January
26, 1995).
Interestingly, when Houston suggested that Mrs. Clinton have a conversation with
Jesus Christ, the first lady declined saying that it would be "too personal"
("Methodist Bishop defends Mrs. Clinton's talks with deceased leaders,"
Expression, August 1996, p. 8). Incredibly, the United Methodist Bishop of
Arkansas, Richard Wilke, endorsed Mrs. Clinton's involvement with necromancy,
saying, "I think it's marvelous that she's having experiences like this, "
adding that Mrs. Clinton is "one of the most profound lay theologians in the
United Methodist Church" (Ibid., p.6). This is simply evidence which shows how
deficient in biblical discernment and godly wisdom many church leaders are
today.
If Ms. Clinton had contact with any spirits, they were not the spirits of the dead, but demons.
*God's prophets were accurate 100 percent of the time - false prophecy resulted in death by stoning.
Spiritual Frauds
What position should Christians
take when discussions of astrology, psychics and other forms of divination
arise? Do the stars shape human destiny? Are there unseen influences in the
unconscious mind related to the position of the planets in their orbits? Can
psychics see the future? Does the Bible say anything about these subjects? Yes,
of course it does! God branded these practices as detestable. Listen to the
words of Moses in Deuteronomy 18:9–12:
"When thou art come into the land the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not
learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shalt not be found
among you anyone that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire,
or that useth divination, or an observer of times or an enchanter , or a witch,
or a necromancer, for all that do these things, are an abomination unto the
Lord."
God branded the practices of the Canaanites an "abomination." In other words,
these were things that were particularly offensive to Him. When Israel desired
to know God's divine will, they were commanded to avoid the magic, sorcery and
superstitious practices of the Canaanites. Instead, they were to wait upon the
Lord, who would raise up a prophet from among them. God's prophets were not
primarily to foretell the future, but to instruct and reprove the people in
God's name. Prophecies and miracles were only intended as a sign to establish
the prophet's credentials. And God's prophets were always accurate 100 per cent
of the time when they prophesied (Deuteronomy 18:21–22). Anything less then 100
percent accuracy resulted in death by stoning for the false prophet.
Checking the records of modern-day
astrologers or psychics, even the late Jeanne Dixon, will demonstrate that
unlike God's prophets, they are extremely inaccurate. Incidentally, Mrs. Dixon
failed to prophesy her own death. One reads further about the enchanters in
Daniel 2:1–2. King Nebuchadnezzar believed that he had received an important
Divine communication. He summoned all of his magicians, sorcerers and Chaldeans.
He admonished them to tell him, both his dream and the interpretation,
pretending to have forgotten the dream so he could test their skills.
The astrologers failed the test and the King ordered them all executed. God,
however, revealed the dream and its meaning to Daniel who after revealing it and
the interpretation with Nebuchadnezzar was made the ruler over the whole
province of Babylon. God rewarded obedience but chastised disobedience.
The Scriptures indicate that both Israel and Judah were often contaminated with
astrology, sorcery or witchcraft. This contamination always brought the judgment
of God upon them.
Will America be judged by a different standard? Again and again the Lord sent
prophets to warn Israel and Judah, but the people would not heed His warnings.
(e.g., 2 Kings 17:15–17; 23:5; Isaiah 47:10–15). Much of Israel and Judah's
problems can be traced to their involvement with occult practices.
Israel and Judah were judged by God because of their involvement with astrologers and sorcerers. Will America be judged by a different standard?
Purveyors of Delusion
Occult techniques are now attracting millions in America through the New Age
Movement. Psychics have become commonplace. Hollywood actors and entertainers
star in television programs urging people to call their "top professional
psychics."
A popular New Age magazine, Body, Mind & Spirit, recently proclaimed that "now
with a single phone call, you can choose for yourself from among the country's
leading Master Psychics including: ASTROLOGERS…NUMEROLOGISTS…DREAM INTERPRETERS
…TAROT CARD READERS…CHANNELERS…PAST LIFE THERAPISTS CLAIRVOYANTS … AURA READERS
… and HEALERS." All of this for a mere $3.95 per minute on a convenient 900
number (Paul Zurmoski, ed., Body, Mind & Spirit, 1993 issues coverflap; cited in
Ron Rhodes, The Culting of America, p. 84).
Psychic Friends Network Declares Bankruptcy
Interestingly, the most prominent of the psychic "hotlines," The Psychic Friends
Network hosted by Dionne Warwick, recently filed for bankruptcy. The Network had
employed approximately 1,500 psychics who, as in the case of Jeanne Dixon, were
not able to foresee the coming demise. At its peak, the network had logged an
estimated three million minutes a month at about $4 per minute. That would have
amounted to a gross income of $144 million annually (see "Psychics" Profile, The
Watchman Expositor, Vol. 14, No. 2, 1997).
The seeming flood of psychic programs, many of them literally giving away up to
twenty minutes of free time to attract callers, may have eventually caused the
collapse of The Psychic Friends Network. Hopefully, for the good of society,
this will not be the last of these insolvencies.
*At its peak, the Psychic Friends Network grossed $144 million per year. That's immoral and sad.
About the Author
The author, Bob Anderson, is the newest member of Watchman Fellowship's staff.
Bob comes to Watchman with more than twelve years previous counter-cult ministry
experience as the director of Take Heed Ministries. He has taught apologetics
and has ministered in hundreds of churches in the U.S. and abroad. Bob heads the
Pennsylvania office of Watchman Fellowship.
Ancient Occult Roots
Many of today's astrologers frankly admit that ancient Babylonians developed
their craft, just as they invented just about every other type of divination
known to man. Just as many people once believed that the stars were gods, many
today believe that the positions of the stars and planets at the time of one's
birth determine one's character, abilities and destiny. More than 80 percent of
all newspapers in America now carry horoscope columns.
All occult practices are an affront to God. Christians are to put faith and
trust in Him alone. God wants His people to consult Him — not phony substitutes.
Through the Scripture and through the Holy Spirit, God reveals what He's doing
and what He wants people to know. "To the law and to the testimony if they speak
not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah
8:20). "Howbeit when the Spirit of truth is come He will guide you into all
truth …and He will show you things to come. (John 16:13).
The Lord, through the Word and the Holy Spirit, will guide His people into all
truth and will show them that His promises are true. That's something that the
psychics and astrologers can never do. END
