RE: [asa] Star of Bethlehem presentation?

"He said that people are interested in religion and that is why they teach such courses in the university. I retorted, should we teach astrology in the physics department since astrological columns in newspapers are read by more people than the number of people that go to churches?"

Moorad- you should answer your own question. If the majority of the population believed in astrology, I (and maybe you too?) think it would be a good thing to teach it in school, as a critical approach. But I think most people know it is superstitious. This is different than religion, in which most people believe in some kind of supernatural. One way to show how religion is superstitious is by teaching 'comparitive religions' as most adherents usually hear nothing of what other religions believe. When the mind is opened up to see what all the competing religious theories are, including competing ideas within each religion (like pro/con rapture and end-times theologies in evangelical sects), then things start to become apparent.

Many atheists, like Dawkins I'm pretty sure, are gung-ho for teaching comparative religion in public school. And I think this is the way of the future. It should be possible to come up with a curriculum which teaches all the religions in a comparative sense without denigrating them. Many would be upset because their religion is presented alongside of others as if they are all peers, and they think their own is superior. But I could see evangelists also liking this approach, as it is at least a foot in the door and a conversation starter.

...Bernie

-----Original Message-----
From: Alexanian, Moorad [mailto:alexanian@uncw.edu]
Sent: Saturday, November 21, 2009 4:50 AM
To: Dehler, Bernie; asa@calvin.edu
Subject: RE: [asa] Star of Bethlehem presentation?

I once asked a professor of religion why he taught religion when he did not believe in it. He said that people are interested in religion and that is why they teach such courses in the university. I retorted, should we teach astrology in the physics department since astrological columns in newspapers are read by more people than the number of people that go to churches? The wise professor did not know what to say. "Professing to be wise, they became fools." Romans 1:22.
Moorad
________________________________
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of Dehler, Bernie [bernie.dehler@intel.com]
Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 8:23 PM
To: asa@calvin.edu
Subject: RE: [asa] Star of Bethlehem presentation?

A possible problem would be that Christians are usually opposed to astrology, and 'signs in the stars' sure does look like an astrology kind of thing. But in my experience they usually don't talk about that kind of linkage in church. Funny how, since it is biblical, people would accept this evidence. But if someone stood up in church today and said they saw a sign in the stars of something divine about to happen, no evangelical Christian would go for it. "Signs in the heavens" were only for the good ole days...

As far as prophecy, I don't think it was foretold that a star would lead anyone to the Christ, so it could have been just as out-of-place then as it is now (unbiblical?). Or, their culture could have been steeped in astrology as a science, so no bigee.

...Bernie

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From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of John Walley
Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 4:53 PM
To: Allan Harvey; asa@calvin.edu
Subject: Re: [asa] Star of Bethlehem presentation?

Although not from a scientist's perspective, I looked into this a few years ago when he came to my church here. I think he is on to something.

I was heavily in to RTB at the time and they have a competing theory but I still found his much more plausible. I think the weakness of his that most people seize on is that he dates the advent of the star (a planetary conjunction if I recall) a few years earlier than 4BC which is when it is supposed to be and I don't recall how he deals with that, but the rest of his presentation is very convincing. It relies heavily on assumptions of the astronomical and astrological knowledge and accepted understandings of the day but as most of here are non-literalists, that shouldn't be that much of an objection.

I would definitely recommend you go and check it out. I think you will be impressed. A quick perusal of his site ahead of time would be wrothwhile as well.

John

________________________________
From: Allan Harvey <steamdoc@q.com>
To: asa@calvin.edu
Sent: Fri, November 20, 2009 7:42:11 PM
Subject: [asa] Star of Bethlehem presentation?
So is anybody here (particularly any astronomers) familiar with a guy named Rick Larson who has a supposedly scientific inspirational DVD presentation about the Star of Bethlehem. This appears to be his website:
http://www.bethlehemstar.net/

It will be shown (as an Adult Ed offering) at my church soon. Good, harmless, or something to steer people away from?

Allan Harvey, ASA Member

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Received on Sat Nov 21 12:56:32 2009