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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Solar eclipse pits superstition against science
by Phil Hazlewood – Sun Jul 19, 10:23 pm ET
MUMBAI (AFP) – Indian astrologers are predicting violence and turmoil across the world as a result of this week's total solar eclipse, which the superstitious and religious view as a sign of potential doom.
But astronomers, scientists and secularists are trying to play down claims of evil portent in connection with Wednesday's natural spectacle, when the moon will come between the Earth and the sun, completely obscuring the sun.
In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to "swallow" the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable.
Pregnant women are advised to stay indoors to prevent their babies developing birth defects, while prayers, fasting and ritual bathing, particularly in holy rivers, are encouraged.
Shivani Sachdev Gour, a gynaecologist at the Fortis Hospital in New Delhi, said a number of expectant mothers scheduled for caesarian deliveries on July 22 had asked to change the date.
"This is a belief deeply rooted in Indian society. Couples are willing to do anything to ensure that the baby is not born on that day," Gour said.
Astrologers have predicted a rise in communal and regional violence in the days following the eclipse, particularly in India, China and other Southeast Asian nations where it can be seen on Wednesday morning.
Mumbai astrologer Raj Kumar Sharma predicted "some sort of attack by (Kashmiri separatists) Jaish-e-Mohammad or Al-Qaeda on Indian soil" and a devastating natural disaster in Southeast Asia.
An Indian political leader could be killed, he said, and tension between the West and Iran is likely to increase, escalating into possible US military action after September 9, when fiery Saturn moves from Leo into Virgo.
"The last 200 years, whenever Saturn has gone into Virgo there has been either a world war or a mini world war," he told AFP.
It is not just in India that some are uneasy about what will transpire because of the eclipse.
In ancient China they were often associated with disasters, the death of an emperor or other dark events, and similar superstitions persist.
"The probability for unrest or war to take place in years when a solar eclipse happens is 95 percent," announced an article that attracted a lot of hits on the popular Chinese web portal Baidu.com.
Sanal Edamaruku, president of the Indian Rationalist Association, dismissed such doomsday predictions.
"Primarily, what we see with all these soothsayers and astrologers is that they're looking for opportunities to enhance their business with predictions of danger and calamity," he told AFP.
"They have been very powerful in India but over the last decade they have been in systematic decline."
Astronomers and scientists are also working to educate the public about the eclipse.
Travel firm Cox and Kings has chartered a Boeing 737-700 aircraft to give people the chance to see the eclipse from 41,000 feet (12,500 metres).
Experts will be on board to explain it to passengers, some of whom have paid 79,000 rupees (1,600 dollars) for a "sun-side" seat on the three-hour flight from New Delhi.
The eclipse's shadow is expected to pass over the aircraft at 15 times the speed of sound (Mach 15), said Ajay Talwar, president of the SPACE Group of companies that promotes science and astronomy.
"It's coming in the middle of the monsoon season. On the ground, there's a 40 percent chance of seeing it in India. On the aircraft you have almost a 90 percent chance of seeing the eclipse," he added.
Siva Prasad Tata, who runs the Astro Jyoti website, straddles the two worlds.
"There's no need to get too alarmed about the eclipse, they are a natural phenomenon," the astrologer told AFP.
But he added: "During the period of the eclipse, the opposite attracting forces are very, very powerful. From a spiritual point of view, this is a wonderful time to do any type of worship.
"It will bring about good results, much more than on an ordinary day."
MUMBAI (AFP) – Indian astrologers are predicting violence and turmoil across the world as a result of this week's total solar eclipse, which the superstitious and religious view as a sign of potential doom.
But astronomers, scientists and secularists are trying to play down claims of evil portent in connection with Wednesday's natural spectacle, when the moon will come between the Earth and the sun, completely obscuring the sun.
In Hindu mythology, the two demons Rahu and Ketu are said to "swallow" the sun during eclipses, snuffing out its life-giving light and causing food to become inedible and water undrinkable.
Pregnant women are advised to stay indoors to prevent their babies developing birth defects, while prayers, fasting and ritual bathing, particularly in holy rivers, are encouraged.
Shivani Sachdev Gour, a gynaecologist at the Fortis Hospital in New Delhi, said a number of expectant mothers scheduled for caesarian deliveries on July 22 had asked to change the date.
"This is a belief deeply rooted in Indian society. Couples are willing to do anything to ensure that the baby is not born on that day," Gour said.
Astrologers have predicted a rise in communal and regional violence in the days following the eclipse, particularly in India, China and other Southeast Asian nations where it can be seen on Wednesday morning.
Mumbai astrologer Raj Kumar Sharma predicted "some sort of attack by (Kashmiri separatists) Jaish-e-Mohammad or Al-Qaeda on Indian soil" and a devastating natural disaster in Southeast Asia.
An Indian political leader could be killed, he said, and tension between the West and Iran is likely to increase, escalating into possible US military action after September 9, when fiery Saturn moves from Leo into Virgo.
"The last 200 years, whenever Saturn has gone into Virgo there has been either a world war or a mini world war," he told AFP.
It is not just in India that some are uneasy about what will transpire because of the eclipse.
In ancient China they were often associated with disasters, the death of an emperor or other dark events, and similar superstitions persist.
"The probability for unrest or war to take place in years when a solar eclipse happens is 95 percent," announced an article that attracted a lot of hits on the popular Chinese web portal Baidu.com.
Sanal Edamaruku, president of the Indian Rationalist Association, dismissed such doomsday predictions.
"Primarily, what we see with all these soothsayers and astrologers is that they're looking for opportunities to enhance their business with predictions of danger and calamity," he told AFP.
"They have been very powerful in India but over the last decade they have been in systematic decline."
Astronomers and scientists are also working to educate the public about the eclipse.
Travel firm Cox and Kings has chartered a Boeing 737-700 aircraft to give people the chance to see the eclipse from 41,000 feet (12,500 metres).
Experts will be on board to explain it to passengers, some of whom have paid 79,000 rupees (1,600 dollars) for a "sun-side" seat on the three-hour flight from New Delhi.
The eclipse's shadow is expected to pass over the aircraft at 15 times the speed of sound (Mach 15), said Ajay Talwar, president of the SPACE Group of companies that promotes science and astronomy.
"It's coming in the middle of the monsoon season. On the ground, there's a 40 percent chance of seeing it in India. On the aircraft you have almost a 90 percent chance of seeing the eclipse," he added.
Siva Prasad Tata, who runs the Astro Jyoti website, straddles the two worlds.
"There's no need to get too alarmed about the eclipse, they are a natural phenomenon," the astrologer told AFP.
But he added: "During the period of the eclipse, the opposite attracting forces are very, very powerful. From a spiritual point of view, this is a wonderful time to do any type of worship.
"It will bring about good results, much more than on an ordinary day."
Monday, July 13, 2009
Angel Quotes
The more materialistic science becomes, the more angels shall I paint; their wings are my protest in favor of immortality of the soul. -- E.C. Burne-Jones
'Tis only when they spring to Heaven that angels
Reveal themselves to you. -- Robert Browning
We should pray to the angels, for they are given to us as guardians. - St. Ambrose
The angels are so enamored of the language that is spoken in heaven that they will not distort their lips with the hissing and unmusical dialects of men, but speak their own, whether their be any who understand it or not. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson from the Quote Garden
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. -- Daniel 6:22
If there is anything that keeps the mind open to angel visits, and repels the ministry to evil, it is pure human love. -- N.P.Willis
If you woo the company of the angels in your waking hours, they will be sure to come to you in your sleep. -- G.D. Prentice
The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. -- The Lord's Prayer, The Book of Common Prayer
Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth
Unseen, both when we wake and when we sleep. -- John Milton
Friday, July 10, 2009
Heaven Proverbs and Quotes
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. -- Matthew 18:3
Narrow is the road and wide is the gate that leads to heaven. -- Anonymous
The road to hell is paved with good intentions; the road to heaven is paved with good deeds. -- Anonymous
Heaven send us misfortunes as a moral tonic. -- Lady Blessington
Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads. -- Henry David Thoreau
Heaven is not to be looked upon only as the reward, but as a natural effect, of a religious life. -- Joseph Addison
Where the unveiled glories of the Deity shall beat full upon us, and we for ever sun ourseves in the smiles of God. — Ezekiel Hopkins from Inspirational Christian Quotes
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. -- Mark 13:31
Love rules the camp, the court, the grove -- for love is Heaven, and Heaven is love.-- Lord Byron from Heavenly Quotes
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. -- Corinthians 15:48
Heaven must be in me before I can be in heaven. -- Charles Stanford
The generous who is always just, and the just who is always generous, may, unannounced, approach the throne of heaven. -- Johann K. Lavater
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. --Matthew 3:2
Narrow is the road and wide is the gate that leads to heaven. -- Anonymous
The road to hell is paved with good intentions; the road to heaven is paved with good deeds. -- Anonymous
Heaven send us misfortunes as a moral tonic. -- Lady Blessington
Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads. -- Henry David Thoreau
Heaven is not to be looked upon only as the reward, but as a natural effect, of a religious life. -- Joseph Addison
Where the unveiled glories of the Deity shall beat full upon us, and we for ever sun ourseves in the smiles of God. — Ezekiel Hopkins from Inspirational Christian Quotes
Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. -- Mark 13:31
Love rules the camp, the court, the grove -- for love is Heaven, and Heaven is love.-- Lord Byron from Heavenly Quotes
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. -- Corinthians 15:48
Heaven must be in me before I can be in heaven. -- Charles Stanford
The generous who is always just, and the just who is always generous, may, unannounced, approach the throne of heaven. -- Johann K. Lavater
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. --Matthew 3:2
Monday, July 6, 2009
Faith Quotes and Proverbs
Strike from mankind the principle of faith and men would have no more history than sheep.
-- Mark Beltare
Faith is a living and unshakable confidence. a belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake. -- Martin Luther
Not Truth, but Faith, it is that keeps the world alive. -- Edna St. Vincent Millay
Doubt springs from the mind. Faith is the daughter of the soul. -- J. Pete Senn
Beware of doubt — faith is the subtle chain that binds us to the infinite. -- E. 0. Smith
For we walk bt faith, not by sight. -- Corinthians 5:7
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. -- Timothy 6:12
Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe. -- Saint Augustine
For with God nothing shall be impossible. -- Luke 1:37
Some things have to be believed to be seen. - Ralph Hodgson
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. -- Hebrews 11:1
Faith leads us beyond ourselves. It leads us directly to God. -- Pope John Paul II
No cloud can overshadow a true Christian but his faith will discern a rainbow in it. -- Bishop Horne
The person who has a firm trust in the Supreme Being is powerful in his power, wise by his wisdom, happy by his happiness. -- Joseph Addison
I am one of those who would rather sink with faith than swim without it. -- Stanley Baldwin
Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. -- Helen Keller
Faith in God, faith in man, faith in work: this is the short formula in which we may sum up the teachings of the founders of New England,—a creed ample enough for this life and the next. -- James Russell Lowell
Let us have faith that right makes might; and, let us to the end dare to do our duty. -- Abraham Lincoln
-- Mark Beltare
Faith is a living and unshakable confidence. a belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake. -- Martin Luther
Not Truth, but Faith, it is that keeps the world alive. -- Edna St. Vincent Millay
Doubt springs from the mind. Faith is the daughter of the soul. -- J. Pete Senn
Beware of doubt — faith is the subtle chain that binds us to the infinite. -- E. 0. Smith
For we walk bt faith, not by sight. -- Corinthians 5:7
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. -- Timothy 6:12
Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe. -- Saint Augustine
For with God nothing shall be impossible. -- Luke 1:37
Some things have to be believed to be seen. - Ralph Hodgson
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. -- Hebrews 11:1
Faith leads us beyond ourselves. It leads us directly to God. -- Pope John Paul II
No cloud can overshadow a true Christian but his faith will discern a rainbow in it. -- Bishop Horne
The person who has a firm trust in the Supreme Being is powerful in his power, wise by his wisdom, happy by his happiness. -- Joseph Addison
I am one of those who would rather sink with faith than swim without it. -- Stanley Baldwin
Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. -- Helen Keller
Faith in God, faith in man, faith in work: this is the short formula in which we may sum up the teachings of the founders of New England,—a creed ample enough for this life and the next. -- James Russell Lowell
Let us have faith that right makes might; and, let us to the end dare to do our duty. -- Abraham Lincoln
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