hi, as a 2nd yr architecture student we have to study Vaastu Shastra as an elective subject, as nowadays it is adopted in the construction of houses and buildings. will definitely try to get some solid information about Vaastu not merely as something superstitious but as a science, (otherwise we wouldn't be learning it in the first place.) will recommend some books to read in my next mail. love and prayers, michelle ex3:14 1cor1:25 Ravi Vaz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:Hi Joynetters, We have all seen the recent debate regarding astrology being a science or not , let us assume that they succeed in proving that astrology is a science , does it mean we have to accept it and start using it. You call it whatever u like ,be it Vaastu shastra or Feng Shui, yes the initial roots of these practices was scientific at least for those times. But not now , throughout the centuries , superstitious practices have crept into these practices and they have been converted into religious practices. The Hindus and the Chinese treat every thing with life and anything stronger than human beings as God hence the elements of Vaastu shastra and Feng shui are treated as gods or spirits or demons. Let us realise that there is a very thin line of difference between religion and culture especially in our country. A warning which proponents of inculturisation in the church ignore to their own confusion and leading to the confusion of others. Astrology, vaastu , feng shui are not culture but religious practices because they make us slaves of False Gods like nature, stars , moon , sun, planets, constellations etc. The reason why Vaastu or for that matter its Chinese counterpart Feng shui were invented is the same reason why Aesops fables are so famous among all. If you tell children that you should do your work slowly and correctly, they may not listen to you and forget it perhaps within 5 minutes. Tell me is there anyone among us who has not heard of the Hare and the Tortoise, we were told this same story when we were small, and we still remember it. This is Human Psychology, even jesus used a lot of parables or examples pertaining to everyday life. this was why this whole ritual was built around a few scientific truths known in those times, these scientific truths known then need not be valid today, As time progressed these rituals were stressed upon and the basic scientific fundas were forgotten, Now it is more religious in nature than scientific hence to be avoided. The First commandment says that we shall have no other Gods, We all know that the " Gods" refered here are anything which causes us to put it first in our lives. If our lives are conditioned by the stars and moon and planets then they become God for us. Same case if our living methods and activities are conditioned and bound by which direction we r facing or sitting in or sleeping in then we are making these directions our "Gods" . Paul say that Jesus died to make us free from bondage and when jesus makes us free we are really free. Let us realise that it is not the creation but the creator Himself who holds us in the palm of his hand and plans our future. Why look for your future in the palm of your own hands, when it is actuallly written in the hands of your Creator( " I have carved you on the Palm of My Hands"). The Wind , The Sea, The Fire , The Earth all obey him shouldnt we then concentrate on him who is stronger than all these elements which form the basis of Vaastu shastra and Feng-Shui. Love and Prayers Ravi Your Future is in Gods Hands, If U Dont Believe Just see His Palm
Jerry Panikulam wrote:Vastu Shastra" is a relevant topic brought out as we are more than 1000 in this wonderful net and if we are convinced, we can make others convince. I would like to share some of my thoughts as I was trying to find an answer on this as I was totally disturbed to see many of Christians going behind superstitions like Vastu Shastra, astrology, horoscope, etc etc. I was shocked to read one of our JesusYouth's statement " So you cannot turn away from Vasthushastra just because it is an Hindu way.Why not we adopt some of the Good aspects in it." I have got a Filipino Civil Engineer sitting next to me in my office. Once I noticed he taking an instrument to find the direction of north pole with him. When asked he told it is to find the location of his new flat entrance matching his & wife's stars. I admit I failed to convince this Catholic that he was doing a sin, when he wanted me to stop the conversation saying that we are not priests to live according to Bible. What I understood from him was he got this belief from Chinese who were working in construction of houses in Philippines. Now as we interact with Hindu's we also started adopting their ways. This is the main reason St. Paul restricts believers from interacting with Pagans as we may try to adopt such things if our belief in Lord Jesus is not firmly rooted. First of all let us come to Holy Word of God. Whenever we take the Bible in our hand let us keep two thoughts in our mind. Whatever is needed for our salvation is written in the Bible and whatever is not need for our salvation is not written in the Bible. If we believe that Bible is Word of God. God spoke through the prophet Zephaniah "I'll drive away those who kneel down the roof to worship the stars. (Zep. 1:5) In Ad62 the first century Church in Colossian was facing same crisis when some Christians where led by astrology and horoscope. Paul strongly says " If you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, let Him be your doctrine. Be rooted and built up in Him; ..See that no one deceives you with philosophy or any hollow discourse; these are merely human doctrines not inspired by Christ but by the wisdom of world. For in Him dwells the fullness of God in bodily form. He is the head of all cosmic power and authority, and in Him you have everything." (Col. 2:6-10) Stars & Planets may have power or not, that has nothing to do with us, as long as we believe in " God who revealed his almighty power in Christ when he raised Him from dead and had Him seated at His right hand in heaven, far above all rule, power, authority, domination, or any other supernatural forces that could be named, not only in this world but in the world to come as well. Thus has God put all things under the feet of Christ and set Him above all things .." (Eph. 1:20-22). Same message Peter writes in first letter 3:22. The question is -is our aim of life the wealth & prosperity of this life? Is it for that we are being Christian ? These "Vastu Shastra, astrology or horoscope" claims to give wealth & prosperity but will any of these claim to lead us to eternal life, which we are longing for. Are we believing in Jesus for any material benefits of this world. Some Christians in Corinthians thought of that , & Paul writes " If it is only for this life that we hope in Christ, we are the unfortunate of all people." (1Cor 15:19) Paul writes again "They only think of earthly things. For us our citizen ship is in heaven" (Philip 3:19,20) Jesus has promised to take care of all our needs if we live a life in Him, what do we want more than that? As Jesus says, before you ask God know what you want. In letter to Philippines Paul continues " God himself will provide you with everything you need according to his riches ."(4:19) We are not believing in a God among many Gods. We are putting our faith in one and only one true God. When I read Jesus words "I'm the way, the truth & the life" I always read it as "Jesus is the ONLY way, the ONLY truth & the ONLY life" So no need of looking into other religions because in Jesus there is fullness and His doctrine is perfect & complete. If not getting a good sleep no need to change the direction of the bed, if no success in studies no need to change the location of study room, for wealth & prosperity no need to bind ourselves to Vastu Shastra, never hesitate to come back after you started your journey if you forgot to take something , don't look at the time or day to start anything, don't be afraid if a cat crosses you on your way, Let astrology and horoscope not decide our future, .. .because Jesus is still alive and He is above all the power & authority. He has poured on us His spirit, He has given us the power over evil spirit. He has given us the greatest weapon HIS BLOOD. Let me conclude by 1Corinthians 8:5,6 " People speaks of other God in heaven and on earth and in sense there are many gods & lords. Yet for us, there is but one God, the Father, from whom everything comes, and to whom we go. And there is one Lord Christ Jesus, through whom everything exists & through Him we exists.s" Love in Jesus Jerry Panikulam Dubai U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive greatest hits videos http://launch.yahoo.com/u2 **************************************************************** This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. 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