The Unscientific Nature of Astrology and Evil-Eye Myth

Some people claimed that astrology is science because it is based on observation and that it uses certain set of rules and principles to explain the nature. There is truth in such claim. After all astronomy also uses observation and deduction to explain the nature. The problem with astrology, however, arises because it has much more to do than just explain that which is observed. Astrology goes on to explain the connection that the stars have with the lives of people. And it is this aspect and similar ones that get astrology into trouble.  Here are some problematic features of astrology. 

First, the prediction that astrologers make is very general. For example, they will say that given that the stars are arranged in such and such manner, you will do well in the area of family or your job or that you will a good time while travelling. This kind of prediction is not really prediction. Without having anything to do with the stars, one can make such general prediction. And there can be one instance in one's life throughout any given month when such happy moment occurs. And this can be taken as fulfillment of the prediction. But this kind of prediction not what scientific prediction is about. Scientific prediction is much more specific. For example, it is something like under any normal condition, two hydrogen and one oxygen will produce water. Or that under normal condition, the gravitational strength of the body is proportional to the mass of the body. Scientific inquiry is about testable explanation. If an explanation cannot be tested under controlled condition, it cannot become a scientific explanation. Yes, there are exceptional condition when controlled condition cannot be obtained. For example Big Bang theory cannot be repeated under controlled condition nor is theory of evolution explanable under controlled condition. But the point is that scientific prediction is much more specific and is testable. 

Secondly,astrology tries to explain the influence of celestial bodies upon human lives. But this cannot be demonstrated. For example, astrology will say if you get married on this day because the stars are arranged in such and such manner, you will have good fortune. This is related to the former point. But what is good fortune and what is bad fortune? Since the the terms are too general, the connection between position of the stars and the fortune of the people cannot be demonstrated. Again this makes the subject impossible to be considered scientific. 

Third, the celestial bodies are not static bodies; the stars move away from each other at an astronomical speed each second. And given such movement, even determining the precise location of each star requires extraordinary training and technology. And astrologers have no way of precisely knowing the exact location of the stars. 

But how is the belief about evil eye unscientific? 

Now this belief says that so and so possess power to influence our lives for bad. 

First, how is it possible to determine that so and so possess power? There is no way to determine that a person possesses power to harm others. Well, one may say that the effect on another person is the evidence. But how does one determine that so and so is the reason for the effect (pain/suffering) on another person? There can be so many causes for the effect that is being seen on the person. It could be because of what she has eaten or some internal problem. How does one prove that this person is the cause, and not something else is the cause? Well,if this the cause and effect are repeatedly observed over and over again under controlled condition, then one establish that so and so is the cause for the effect. But without such repeated observation under controlled condition, it is not possible to determine the connection. The effect could have been caused by so many other factors.   And it is because of the absence of such connection between the so called cause and effect that the belief is just a myth, and not a scientific belief. 

Second, the one explanation that believers recourse to is to attribute it to the work of evil spirit. If prayer can heal, why not this as well?, reasons a believer. But prayer is not a scientific belief; it is a supra-science. Prayer recourse to what is 'beyond science' to explain the phenomena. Now can such recourse be taken to explain evil eye? Yes. But once that takes place, then one will have to admit that with those who believe in God this is not possible. Because God does not harm us, only evil spirit tries to harm us, by definition. And going by this logic, one will have to say that anyone who believes in God Jesus Christ will not and cannot be possessor of such evil spirit.

This leads us to the conclusion that those people who believe in such myth and therefore discriminate people are the real unbeliever in God and God's power. The problem is not with those so called possessor; the problem is with those who believe in this thing. 

PS: The explanation for evil eye can be traced back to pagan belief.