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Prakash Yedhula (Lawyer)     05 February 2011

Astrology is a science: Bombay HC

Astrology is a science: Bombay HC - Your Comments




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 57 Replies


(Guest)

Please give complete text and name of the Judge to have a right comment.  Like to add that "Yes Astrology is a science. But, since, here in India it is wrongly propagated that Astrology is a part of a so called religion. The SUN and MOON are not a matter of religion in India but these are a part of universe and all the countries are working on this subject treating it a science. 

Swami Sadashiva Brahmendra Sar (Nil)     06 February 2011

Rightly held. But it is a vanishing field of knowledge.

So far it's utility is concerned, I think it is like a weather forcast. Happenings can not be changed but it's effect can be avoided or diverted to some extent. One can remain in his home when  there is possibility of rain. If  one has to go for urgent works, he may take an umbrela with him for  safety. But rain can not be stoped.

1 Like

Adinath@Avinash Patil (advocate)     06 February 2011

YES ASTROLOGY IS SCIENCE.

sachin sethi (Advocate (Crimial Law))     06 February 2011

It may be a science,,,but what is the use of it....especially when Courts of Law in India do not wish to rely upon the scientific evidence,,,and gives primacy to oral deposition of the parties to a procceding over science,,especially over Medical Science.....It must be borne in mind that in complex era of today it is the scientific evidence which should be given primacy over oral deposition in order to shift the grain from chaff......Scientific things may be wrong but there are more chances of a witness being false........

1 Like

Ambika (NA)     06 February 2011

very controversial ...

Ambika (NA)     06 February 2011

very controversial for tilting a decision in one's favour ...

Can the husdgement be posted here?

Ambika (NA)     06 February 2011

 

Here is the judgement 

 

Astrology is a time-tested science: High Court rules

  • February 5th, 2011 3:29 pm ET

Though astrology hasn’t been considered a science for thousands of years, on Thursday, February 4th, 2011, the Bombay High Court in India reaffirmed that it is indeed a “science” when it dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenged astrology as science.

The 100 page PIL was filed by Janhit Manch, a judicial activist NGO in India, that sought action against “fake” astrologers, tantrics and practioners of Vastu shastra (for Westerners think “Feng Shui”). The document cited points such as Indira Gandhi and Charan Singh becoming prime ministers, despite opposite astrological predictions.

Representing the Union government, advocate Advait Sethna told the court:

"So far as prayer related to astrology is concerned, the Supreme Court has already considered the issue and ruled that astrology is science. The court had in 2004 also directed the universities to consider if astrology science can be added to the syllabus. The decision of the apex court is binding on this court," observed the judges. “

Advocate for Maharashtra government, Bharat Mehta too supported the stand taken by the Union government.

The Centre had in its affidavit stated that astrology is 4000 years old 'trusted science' and the same does not fall under the preview of The Drugs and Magical Remedies Act (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

"The said Act does not cover astrology and related sciences. Astrology is a trusted science and is being practiced for over 4000 years," said an affidavit filed by Dr R Ramakrishna, deputy drug controller (India), west zone.

"The said Act is aimed at prohibiting misleading advertisements relating to drugs and magic remedies. The Act does not cover and / or relate to astrology and / or allied sciences like Palmistry, Vaastu Shastra etc. In view thereof, a purported ban on practices promoting astrology and related sciences sought by the petitioner, which is a time tested science more than 4000 years old is totally misconceived and unjustifiable." The Times of India

The law and astrology

The first time that astrologers and Astrology appeared in the law any place was in England in the 16th Century.

The British enforced the British Vagrancy Act which was supposedly focused on protecting people from gypsies, but that act marked the first unfortunate identification of astrologers with “fortune-telling” and the illegality of the practice took root .

“In that act, it became illegal to perform any form of fortune telling using cards, tea leaves, crystal balls and, unfortunately, the movement of the heavenly bodies.

"Now, the people that were involved were not Astrologers. They were gypsies and fortune tellers, and that’s all they were, without any real credentials. There was no understanding on their part of the true meaning of the horoscope, and the fortunes they told were pure guess. In the British Vagrancy Act, the word “Astrologer” and “horoscope reader” appeared and we had the first statement that it was illegal to tell fortunes by horoscopes. Unfortunately, the law in England was followed in the United States and the colonies adopted the English law applying to vagrants and subsequently many states did, using the same language.” Astrology and The Law, Dr. Walter Coleman

From then on, it was all downhill for astrologers.

Though there were never any federal laws which Congress has enacted (Senate and House of Representatives), or provisions in the United States Constitution that mentioned Astrology or astrologers, there are numerous state and community laws and restrictions on astrologers and the practice of Astrology.

“The laws astrologers object to include bonding requirements of up to $10,000, business license fees that range from $300 per year to as much as $100 per day, and even total prohibitions on the practice of astrology for a fee. Labeled “fortune-telling,” and lumped in with all manner of archaic “occult arts” and metaphysical practices — as well as the complete pantheon of New Age philosophies — astrological practice is restricted by many cities in most states in this “Land of the Free.” The Law and Astrology AFAN

The Case of Evangeline Adams

One of the most famous legal cases against an astrologer was the New York District Attorney’s office against Evangeline Adams in 1914, who was not only one of the most accomplished astrologers of that time but also billionaire J.P Morgan’s personal astrologer (famous for telling him “not to board the Titanic” among her many financial and business directives).

The entire case file can be read here: NEW YORK CRIMINAL REPORTS, VOL. XXXII. THE PEOPLE ex rel. ADELE D. PRIESS v. EVANGELINE S. ADAMS.

Evangeline Adam's counsel stated:

“Astrology is the science which describes the influence of the heavenly bodies upon mundane affairs and upon human character and life. It is a mathematical or exact science as it is based upon astronomy which describes the heavenly bodies and explains their motions, etc. It is an applied science in that it takes the established principles of astronomy as its guide in delineating human character, and all its judgments are based on mathematic calculations. It is an empirical science, because its deductions are based upon accurate data that have been gathered for thousands of years. Astrology is the oldest science in existence. It is not only pre-historic but pre-traditional, and must not be classed with fortune telling, or any of the many forms of demonology as practiced in ancient and modern times. Astrology is the science of the effects of the Solar Currents, on the living things of our earth, especially on human life. The earth in revolving around the sun passes through twelve different currents of Solar Fluid which also have twelve distinct parts, thus causing the great diversity in human life.”

The Judge stated:

The defendant has given ample proof that she is a woman of learning and culture, and one who is very well versed in astronomy and other sciences. Her chart here, as made out, may be verified, as she states, by those who may be disputatious on the subject of its accuracy in the books and records of astronomers for years. And when the defendant stated to the prosecutrix that these planets and their relative positions indicated this or that, and this or that ought to happen, if the signs meant anything, with the distinct understanding had between them that the defendant was giving no assurance that this or that eventually would take place, I say she violated no law.”
 

It is to be admitted that a certain class of fortune-tellers may be honest in their purposes and honestly believe the things they say to be true. There are people in this world who claim with earnestness that they have superhuman powers and that their specific means of reading the future are reliable; yet the law is not concerned so much with the good faith of the party pretending to possess this ability, as it is concerned with dealing in a human way with the things that are within human knowledge only. Common experience teaches many things; in fact, the science is predicated upon the fact developed in the affairs of the world as men have experienced them. No doubt many many years ago for anyone to have attempted to say that the conformation of the head of that the physiognomy of a creature determined the character of the individual and that such and such a type would someday turn out to be a criminal would have been guilty of fortune telling. But the history of specific cases has furnished us with a working basis. For these new theories that nowadays seem to be accepted by noted criminologists and the public in general.

"I am satisfied that the defendant has not pretended to tell fortunes, and she is accordingly acquitted.”

Things haven’t changed much since 1914; AFAN (Association for Astrological Networking) has made some strides in changing laws that restrict the practice of Astrology. A list of state-by-state actions concerning the practice of astrology can be found on their website as well as a legal information kit.

Scientific or not, it might be well to ponder the late Professor of Architecture, Mimi Lobell of the Pratt Institute’s words:

"The reason for astrology's popularity is that it offers people what science does not; a psychologically meaningful link between the individual and the cosmos.  To dismiss astrology, as superstition shows a lack of understanding of the primordial psychological need for a meaningful relationship with the cosmos ... It is a call for cognitive frames which describe not only the order of the universe, but also give the individual a sublime sense of participation in that order."

Resources:

The Law and Astrology by Jayj Jacobs

AFAN’s Legal Record State-by-state list of actions concerning the practice of astrology.

Astrology is a science: Bombay HC  Hetal Vyas The Times of India

 

 
Click here to find out more!
 

By Tima Vlasto

Tima Vlasto is a freelance writer and author of the children's book, Don't Feed the Animals. For more than 20 years, she has contributed regularly...

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Continue reading on Examiner.com: Astrology is a time-tested science: High Court rules - National Holistic Science & Spirit | Examiner.com https://www.examiner.com/holistic-science-spirit-in-national/astrology-is-a-time-tested-science-high-court-decides#ixzz1DAXCdv7v

Bhartiya No. 1 (Nationalist)     06 February 2011

No comment, 

 


(Guest)

Astrology is a science : "Bombay HC"

 

What is name of judge who has held this? Without going through his/her profile and evidence on the basis of which it held are needed to verify.

 

"Bombay HC" is a Building of Stones. Did these stones held it?

 

Some person is there who may held it so what is his/her personality by his/her profile and track regard in handling the cases and how many challenged in SC etc. many other things have to be checked before confirming any such thing.  OK, so as per astrology can this Judge know his expiry date? 

1 Like

Bhartiya No. 1 (Nationalist)     06 February 2011

 

Rishis did great work in the past, but we must do greater work.

Swami Vivekananda

 


(Guest)

 

I would have cross examined the oral evidence of the concerned SCIENTIST ASTROLOGER;

 

  1. When the next flood is to come in Mumbai?

 

  1. Did he/she know that the flood is coning in Mumbai on 26 July 2005, so why not told it to Government?

 

  1. Whether the building of Adarsh Society will be demolished or not? If it will be demolished so when? The date? Of week? Or month?

 

  1. When the RAM Mandir will be built on Ram Janmabhoomi?

 

  1. When the RSS-BJP will form a Government in Centre with clear majority.  

 

 

Please submit LABORATORY TEST DETAILS ON THESE QUESTIONS OF ANY ATROLOGY SCIENTIFIC LAB WITH THE NAME OF THE ASTROLOGY SCIENTIST.

 

1 Like

G.Nagarajeshwar Rao (Advocate)     06 February 2011

austrology is not a science. But it is a trust. When a person trust the prediction of the grha's it may be occured in his life or may not be occured in his life. Therefore the austrology can not be said as science.

1 Like

DEFENSE ADVOCATE.-firmaction@g (POWER OF DEFENSE IS IMMENSE )     06 February 2011

Negative can not be proved. The occult science do not claim to know all . IF does it will be ceased to be science.

I will give a few questions to cross your self.

1) Will you cross a street when a black cat crosses the path.

sciencetic reason- the cats have senses unknown to human beings .

A cat was taken blind folded by plane about three thousand miles away. And the moment she was released she just started runnning back to its destination.

Another cat was taken in a submarine few miles below in the sea and intruments attached to see the reaction. On the ground another batch killed an offspring and the cat under sea instantly showed voilent grief behaviour.

2) The Bombay HC has also refered Vastuu science. And  I ask doubting thomes on this site about this science to live in a house regigged from vaastu priciples.

On the other hand I will show hundreds who get instant benefit by just changing VAASTU.

The basic principle is by knowing these ancient occult sciences you can flow with the benfefical forces of the  UNIVERSE. If you do not follow still the life will go on but you have to strugal., face problems.

But there is a rider on all these suggestions , it you have will power and can make decisons and have guts to adhere to them nothing can bother you.  BUT IT IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE.SO JUST LIKE NAVIGATION WE NEED AND TAKE ASSISTANCE OF CELESTIAL FORCES.

 

1 Like

Y V Vishweshwar Rao (Advocate )     06 February 2011

Astrology is a subject connected with Nature , planets , whether , Time Circles , it has to  be studies in  particular Way  !     The Same is study of a  Science !  A Subject connected with nature etc how it can not be a science !


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