Environmental Ethics

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 75

honorary agents propagating that such and such astrologer or sooth-sayer makes correct prophesies. This has multiplier effect. Astrology attributes the same power to planets as assigned to one almighty unitary God, to various non-existent spirits, and numerous worshipped idols of deities which are superstitially believed to control and shape the lives of people. This negates and makes redundant individual efforts, good and bad deeds, which are really the causes for their effects good and bad. It is individual who shapes his destiny and not astrology, its planets, supreme God, spirits or idols of deities. Astrologers have admitted that they cannot predict mega calamities at macro levels such as Tsunami. As a matter of fact it should be easier to predict events at macro level then at micro level. It should be better and rational if people rely on their actions rather than on astrology.
Propitiation of various deities with superstitious beliefs:
The same is true for people going on pilgrimages to pay obeisance to various deities for asking various boons viz. children, money, promotion, success in litigation. Strangely those persons who survive in train or road accidents, propagate that they have been saved by the deity ignoring that others who died travelling with them were also devotees of the same deity. Likewise some people hardly a miniscule percentage get by chance or effort what they wished after visit to deity, they propagate and create multiplier effect. Psychologically people start making efforts to achieve desired goals and simultaneously beseach a deity and succeed, they attribute to the deity and not to the effort. There are cases of large number of people of all religions going on various pilgrimages to places of deities, saints or other holy places dying in accidents, fires, stampede, drowning etc. and deities and even all powerful God do not save them. Religions emphasise discipline which is most lacking at places of worships, pilgrimages, rituals and that is the main reason for deaths and injuries by fire, stampede etc. If a particular person is not harmed in the accident there are several factors viz. his position (place), genetic strength and impact
60