Have those who practice astrology, prophecies, lies, and hypocrisy replaced Almighty God? Have they truly become capable of reading the future and knowing the unseen? There is no doubt that in Lebanon, almost all the owners of media facilities (TV stations, radio stations, YouTube channels, newspapers, and online websites) neither fear Almighty God nor the hour of His last reckoning. They brazenly promote infidelity, hoaxes, and lies through programs that epitomize spiritual decadence. These programs—whose stars are alleged astrologers claiming to know and predict the future—are mere swindlers and hypocrites. Some of them are even linked to regional and local intelligence groups that use misinformation to propagate various conspiracies.This heretical media status is deeply flawed, sad, disgusting, and frightening. Many Lebanese media institutions have sunk into a mire of faithlessness and immorality.
To those responsible for these outlets—who promote the lies and trivialities of heretics practicing magic, astrology, and false prophecies—we ask: Do you fear God?
Do you believe in the Holy Scriptures? Are you aware of the dire consequences awaiting those who engage in such satanic practices, condemned by Christian, Jewish, and Islamic teachings alike? We also ask Lebanese religious authorities: Why do you not take a firm stand against every media outlet that promotes infidelity and Satanism through programs of predictions, prophecies, and claims of knowledge of the unseen? These programs blatantly defy all heavenly laws. Similarly, we question the inaction of MPs, ministers, and other state officials: Why have you not enacted laws to prevent these heresies, which are sinful according to all monotheistic religions?
For those who follow the heresies promoted by most Lebanese media during the New Year—whether in the homeland or the diaspora—this situation evokes memories of the sinful eras of Sodom, Gomorrah, Noah, and Nimrod’s arrogance. Have astrologers, false prophets, and hypocrites replaced God Almighty, claiming to read the future and uncover the unseen? Do clerics, politicians, media professionals, and heretics not understand that only God knows the future? Even the prophets and messengers were not granted this grace. The holy books of monotheistic religions unequivocally condemn practices such as spirit preparation, sorcery, divination, astrology, and the reading of horoscopes. These are considered satanic acts, and believers are urged to reject and avoid anyone who engages in them. Such practices divert believers from God, leading them toward darkness and deception.
In Islam, astrology and all forms of fortune-telling are explicitly prohibited and forbidden (haram). As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated in Sahih Muslim: “Whoever goes to a fortune-teller and asks him about anything, his prayers will not be accepted for forty nights.” If merely consulting a fortune-teller results in such consequences, what fate awaits the fortune-tellers themselves?
Christianity and Judaism similarly denounce these practices. The Bible teaches that Satan often masquerades as good, using astrologers, magicians, and fortune-tellers to deceive people and lead them astray. Those who fall into these traps risk distancing themselves from God and embracing satanic deception. Astrologers and fortune-tellers often become victims of their own delusions, unknowingly serving as tools of Satan. As humans created in God’s image, we are called to seek His will through prayer, faith, and adherence to His teachings, not through sorcery or astrology.
Anyone who believes in the false claims of astrologers and fortune-tellers commits a grave sin, as these acts defy the core tenets of all monotheistic religions. It is no wonder our country faces tribulations, hardships, and divine wrath. As our society mirrors the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, it should come as no surprise that we endure God’s righteous judgment.
In conclusion, all who practice astrology, divination, and similar acts stand in direct opposition to the teachings of heavenly religions. They defy God’s will, becoming tools of Satan and slaves to sin, infidelity, and ingratitude. Those who believe in or promote such practices are complicit in these acts and share in their guilt. We end with a verse from Leviticus 20:27 (Old Testament): “A man or a woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.”
Cautions From Occult Practices Deuteronomy 18/9-22/When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God. The Prophet The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so. The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. For this is what you asked of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the Lord our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die.” The Lord said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.”You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.
Great Analysis addresses the above commentary
The Phenomenon of New Year Predictions: Between Superstition and Social Decline Salam El Zaatari/This is Beirut/January 02/2025 As every New Year’s Eve approaches, Arab, and particularly Lebanese, television screens transform into stages for predictors, fortune-tellers and astrologers. These self-proclaimed “seers” flood the airwaves with vague prophecies, feeding millions of viewers a cocktail of fear, hope and illusion. However, behind this spectacle lies a deeper societal crisis—one where people, desperate and disillusioned, cling to hollow words rather than face harsh realities. Centuries ago, historian and philosopher Ibn Khaldun warned of the societal decay that accompanies the rise of fortune-tellers and charlatans. In his renowned Muqaddimah, he described how societies on the brink of decline become obsessed with astrology and prophecy, seeking refuge in the supernatural as a response to fear and helplessness. Ibn Khaldun wrote, “When astrologers multiply, and people flock to them, know that the state is on its way to collapse.” This statement feels eerily relevant today. How can a nation drowning in political, economic and social crises believe that a few predictions on a television show will provide answers? This phenomenon is not about entertainment, it reflects a collective surrender—a society seeking solace in illusions rather than confronting the brutal truths of its condition. All Abrahamic religions stand firmly against fortune-telling. In the Quran, Allah states, “Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen except Allah.” (Surah An-Naml: 65) Similarly, the Bible warns in the Book of Deuteronomy, “Let no one be found among you who practices divination or interprets omens… for whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) The message is clear: Seeking knowledge of the unseen through fortune-tellers is not just morally questionable, but spiritually corrupt. Yet, despite these clear warnings, millions across the Arab world eagerly tune in to hear what the stars—or rather, the charlatans—have to say about their future. So Why Do People Believe? The human attraction to fortune-telling is not new, but it becomes amplified in times of crisis. Economic despair, political instability and social fragmentation drive individuals to seek certainty in uncertain times. Predictions offer quick, effortless “answers” to complex problems, while true solutions—education, critical thinking and systemic reform—require time, effort and sacrifice. Additionally, today’s society suffers from a culture of superficiality. The pursuit of meaningful knowledge has been replaced by instant gratification, and few are willing to question or analyze what they are being told. It’s sad to witness how, year after year, the media is fueling the illusion. Mainstream media, particularly in Lebanon, has played a central role in normalizing and amplifying this phenomenon. Television networks dedicate hours to airing these prediction shows, often knowing full well that the content is fraudulent. Yet, they continue to do so, driven by one thing: ratings. But here’s the irony—ratings in Lebanon don’t translate into financial gain. The country’s economic collapse has crippled the advertising industry, rendering television viewership numbers practically meaningless. So why persist? The answer lies in a toxic mix of laziness, sensationalism and a misguided obsession with staying “relevant” in the public eye. Rather than serving as platforms for awareness and enlightenment, these networks have become megaphones for superstition and fear, and in that broken compass lies the danger of collective delusion The real danger isn’t in the predictions themselves, but in how they shape public consciousness. When a society begins to believe that its political crises, economic downturns or even personal struggles will be magically resolved in the coming months because an astrologer said so, it stops taking action. This reliance on false hope paralyzes initiative, fosters complacency and breeds collective resignation. It’s a cycle of delusion, reinforced year after year on New Year’s Eve. I keep thinking of that inner struggle: Why are we so easily misled? Deep down, every individual knows that fortune-telling is a lie. Yet, people continue to indulge because it soothes their inner fears. In a world plagued by uncertainty, predictions offer a fleeting sense of control. But this comfort is deceptive—it comes at the cost of clarity, reason and self-reliance. The human mind, when confronted with hardship, often chooses the path of least resistance. Why fight for change when a “prophecy” promises that everything will be fine next June? Societies that place their fate in the hands of charlatans are doomed to stagnate. The results are in front of our eyes, but we refuse to see or change. The obsession with fortune-telling isn’t merely a cultural quirk—it’s a symptom of a profound societal illness. Change begins with accountability. Media outlets must recognize their role in perpetuating this cycle of deception. Governments and educational institutions must prioritize critical thinking and media literacy. And individuals must confront their own susceptibility to false hope. As Ibn Khaldun taught us, societies fall not just because of external enemies, but because of internal decay—when reason is abandoned and illusion takes its place. The new year shouldn’t be marked by hollow predictions and false prophets. It should be a time for reflection, accountability and genuine hope, which is not built on vague words from a televised fortune-teller, but on action, resilience and collective willpower. It’s time to stop chasing shadows and start building a tangible future. The clock is ticking.
