Ban astrology

A last good hello. Thanks for your argument CON. First, before I begin with mine argument. I didn't mention even once to ban religion. But I agree that its very connected to astrology and related activity, because spirituality is a important part of these businesses. But freedom of religion is important. You mentioned that people simply want astrology, fortune tellers... I fully agree, to be honest. Because it has psychological origins. Its strange, but its quite similar to the neuropsychologic description of religion. People simply want to believe in something, because our logic-seeking brain needs explanation. Its the origin of religion as well. But the problem is that its quite connected to growing up, amount of scepticism and lacking the scientific method... As a matter of facts, its known that many people (especially the more cultured or less educated ones) rather rely on faith instead of their family, society, science..." "Empirical studies of many groups dealing with major life stressors such as natural disaster, illness, loss of loved ones, divorce and serious mental illness show that religion and spirituality are generally helpful to people in coping, especially people with the fewest resources facing the most uncontrollable of problems." Sounds familiar right? Both astrology and religion have got to do something with major life factors and stressors. "A growing body of research has linked these spiritual struggles to higher levels of psychological distress, declines in physical health and even greater risk of mortality." While other studies"ve showed that it actually good for mental health and a more positive life. But that's more religion than astrology, thus both are connected. At astrology, fortune telling, numerology people mostly search answers that they actually want to believe in it. And that's where this businesses come in place. They need someone to show them that their "belief" is right. I recommend watching the National Geographic"s Brain games episode about "superstition". The show explained things great. But what I"ve been arguing about is not ban religion, astrology... for non-profit uses. I"d like to ban the commercial use of these activities. So every profit organisation would be banned or at least regulated. A higher tax as you recommended is also a good option, and I agree if we cant ban it. Then we should set some basic limits to these activities. We"ve to mention the Church, especially the catholic church and its high incomes. The organised religious institutions have been often untaxed, "because they are something special." Lucky, today's governments are secularist. And many religious institutions are behaving like a business, however they seem or are non-profit. But could you imagine a profit-based spiritual institution or institutions grabbing money from the people. Its just like here. Ban the "profit-based" part of astrology, and you keep all the freedoms. But more in the next paragraph. In my logic at least, I think that businesses have to be regulated (to a healthy degree, of course), especially if they"re having bad parts of the business in it. For instance its just like the Food & Tobacco industry. They"ve been both (and the food industry still is) denying science and selling their products to the society (that needs them because of addicting additives) and in every case of regulation, the debate of "freedom" comes in. As a matter of facts, its good if we regulate businesses that hurt the society, however not take their freedom for food. About the economical part. Yes, we both know that the incomes of these astrological activities are different but they"re high. And regulating a big business is a big impact on the economy. Unlike many people I agree that the economy gets hurt after a mass regulation. Because the evidence is showing so. But I always prefer to look into two perspectives. China for instance, has since 1978 (the year of its economic liberalisation and market orientation) made a big economic growth. The second perspective however is Scandinavia, especially Sweden. The Nordic countries have made a big success with their social democracies. Aldue the Norwegian economy rose by the help of Oil. But progressive policies and regulation of food industry have lead to better health conditions in average. And while regulating, they keep the freedoms and the most of the success, meanwhile living great. As you might know, Denmark, Sweden and Norway are one of the best countries to live in according to many factors. Religion or spirituality or similar actually isn't that needed. Why? A quite secular, atheist or at least agnostic country/ organised society based on science works. China has a high atheism rate. And in Europe Sweden, France and the Czech republic have one of the highest atheist rates. While being one of the top countries. Especially China, Sweden and France keeping large economies. New Zealand is a country that I like to mention as well, because its irreligious grows quite linear. But the freedom of religion is important. Unlike the USSR"s idea of atheism that has influenced their socioeconomic system. I believe that regulating religious business is needed, but allowing the freedom of religion and freedom of choosing your beliefs. The industry of astrology, fortune tellers... is quite a big (but not that big) business. If they really think that their non-scientific version of astronomy, physics... is real. Then they should open their own non-profit organisations. After banning or regulating the business of astrology and related. People still can do astrology and related but not for profit. [something about the psychological influence #1]http://www.apa.org... [#2]http://www.examiner.com... Thanks for the debate Con, Good Luck. I cant write anymore (out of space)