"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.
The judges also took on record an affidavit submitted 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 Megical Remedies Act (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
It will be interesting to know on what basis does such a court has used to rule that it is a science, other than simply based on its "history". If we use that twisted logic, all religions should also be ruled as "science" as well.
Too bad the fact that predictions of major disaster from the last eclipse event didn't count as counter evidence that these things are often glaringly wrong.
Zz.
3 comments:
I am an Indian and I feel pretty sad about it. Although it is a shameful decision, it did not surprise me. The reason is straightforward, in India, when it comes to "Astrology", it is understood to have two parts: one is called "Jyotish" and the other "Fal-Jyotish". Jyotish is plain astronomy, which deal with calculating the trajectory of planets, timings the eclipses and so on. However it is so intricately coupled with Fal-Jyotish (which deals with predicting the effects of astronomical phenomenon), that there has never been a separate, distinct branch as stand alone Astronomy. So obviously when it comes to court (which is said to be 'blind'), it would be impossible for court to dismiss entire branch as non-scientific.
Nonetheless its a pity that astrology becomes the authorised 'science' and is allowed to be taught in schools!:(
well, i suppose if courts could rule that ID "isn't" a science, another court could rule that astrology *is* a science.
both bother me, in that a courts are not the proper way to decide scientific questions.
excuse me, i have to go pay my anthropogenic global warming in a school zone fine.
Well sure, but in this case, the comparison doesn't quite work because they each were decided by courts under different systems. I highly doubt that a court in the US will call astrology a science. As faulty as the US judicial system is, in most cases, judges tend to side with the prevailing scientific opinion based on expert testimony. One would question whether the Bombay Supreme Court had those same philosophy.
Zz.
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