Weather Forecast/Prediction, is it a form of Fortune Telling?

[forgiveall]

OK, I have one for you all.

The bible teaches us that it is a sin to go to a fortune teller to see what the future beholds.

So I ask you:

Is it a sin to watch the news weather forecast/predictions. Isn’t that the same as going to a fortune teller and asking them what the future beholds. I know that a meteorologist studies the atmosphere etc, and astrologers study the stars etc. They both
give predictions, which does always seem to happen.

The word **Prediction **means - a statement or claim that a particular event will occur in the future.

What do you think?

 

[Jennifer_G]

OK, I have one for you all.

The bible teaches us that it is a sin to go to a fortune teller to see what the future beholds.

So I ask you:

Is it a sin to watch the news weather forecast/predictions. Isn’t that the same as going to a fortune teller and asking them what the future beholds. I know that a meteorologist studies the atmosphere etc, and astrologers study the stars etc. They both
give predictions, which does always seem to happen.

The word **Prediction **means - a statement or claim that a particular event will occur in the future.

What do you think?

I think it’s slightly scruptulous… It’s no more “fortune telling” than watching dark storm clouds roll in during the summer and saying “It looks like it’s gonna rain.”. Weather forcasts are just that - watching where the clouds, wind and rain are going.

A fortune teller is different. They try and conjure up the future by using the occult, or making stuff up.

 

[BeeSweet]

I think Jesus thought it was just fine to predict the weather:

Luke 12:54-57

He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, A shower is coming'; and so it happens. And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, There will be scorching heat’; and it happens.
You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
"And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

Fortune telling puts faith in charms, talismans, crystal balls, tea leaves, cards, all sorts of things that are worldly. Your faith should be in God, not fortune tellers.

 

[redrosetea]

There is a big difference in watching storms gather and warning people they are under a tornado watch, than telling someone that you know what their future holds for them

God alone knows the future, science only reads the weather conditions, it doesn’t tell someone that their home will be destroyed next Tuesday at 1 PM

 

[PoliSciProf]

Of course weather forecasting is NOT a form of fortune telling. Weather predicition is a scientific empirical study of probabilities. It is no more fortune telling than a medical doctor telling you that high blood pressure or being overweight is likely to have harmful consequences.

 

[thistle]

OK, I have one for you all.

The bible teaches us that it is a sin to go to a fortune teller to see what the future beholds.

So I ask you:

Is it a sin to watch the news weather forecast/predictions. Isn’t that the same as going to a fortune teller and asking them what the future beholds. I know that a meteorologist studies the atmosphere etc, and astrologers study the stars etc. They both
give predictions, which does always seem to happen.

The word **Prediction **means - a statement or claim that a particular event will occur in the future.

What do you think?

I think its absolutely ridiculous for anyone to claim weather forecasting has anything to do with fortune-telling. Can’t we come up with a sensible discussion topic!!!

 

[forgiveall]

I think its absolutely ridiculous for anyone to claim weather forecasting has anything to do with fortune-telling. Can’t we come up with a sensible discussion topic!!!

This is a question that could be asked by anyone. Let’s not call it rediculous. It could be asked by a child, or someone who doesn’t understand. Remember there is no “stupid questions”.

Good answers, from all of you.

God bless all you do in the name of Jesus!

 

[water]

This is a question that could be asked by anyone. Let’s not call it rediculous. It could be asked by a child, or someone who doesn’t understand. Remember there is no “stupid questions”.

Good answers, from all of you.

God bless all you do in the name of Jesus!

Actually, it is a good question. Although I, myself, know the answer, I just don’t know how to put into words. Thanks to those who reply. So, I am learning something here.

 

[LRThunder]

Actually, in the past, I doubt weather forecast could have been considered fortune telling considering how wrong forecasts used to be and can still be.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

Weather forecast = prediction = fortune telling = Did I ever tell you the one about…

 

[LRThunder]

For some meteorologists, forecasting isn’t a breeze. Ok, bad pun.

Seriously, hurricanes can be quite difficult to predict and they’re easier to forecast than most storms (especially summer storms that pop up within a couple of hours). Hurricanes might seem to go one direction, then go completely a different direction.

 

[water]

Last night, if the meteorologist had not had the forecast, my car would be in big trouble. We had hail with the size bigger than a golf ball!

 

[RichT]

I live in the Phoenix, AZ area. This morning the forecaster said it was going to be getting hot soon. Not sure how much science went into that forecast.

No it is not fortune telling.

 

[CatsAndDogs]

OK, I have one for you all.

The bible teaches us that it is a sin to go to a fortune teller to see what the future beholds.

So I ask you:

Is it a sin to watch the news weather forecast/predictions.

What do you think?

Uh… If observing the observable, such as looking both ways when crossing the street, is a SIN (“fortune-telling”), then I suppose I should have died of not doing that “sin” some time back!

BUT, you’ve done a good job of bringing the dangers of “hyper-literalistic interpretation” into bold relief! Thanks! I personally am MASSIVELY edified! Bravo to you!

 

[Spirithound]

Is it a sin to watch the news weather forecast/predictions. Isn’t that the same as going to a fortune teller and asking them what the future beholds. I know that a meteorologist studies the atmosphere etc, and astrologers study the stars etc. They both give predictions, which does always seem to happen.

I’d say no…to qualify as fortune telling, your success of prediction must be better than that of a monkey throwing a dart at a predictive dartboard

But seriously, no. Meteorology does not call on the supernatural, but rather it relies on previously-tested empirical data.

 

[bpbasilphx]

If there were anything to fortune tellers and psychics, they could make a killing as meteoroligsts!

Or winning the lottery.

 

[Mark_Robert]

The answer is very simple. Fortune telling is a sin because it involves the claimed use of occult powers to predict the future. It means using spiritual powers apart from God to achieve a certain effect (in this case predicting the future) . Reliance upon these powers is idolatry and is forbidden by God.
A weather forecast, on the other hand, is merely making a prediction about the weather based upon the latest technology available to the meteorologist. It’s based upon science through humanity’s creative ingenuity (talents given to us by God of course). God gave us a brain so we could solve all manner of problems including giving us some idea what the weather will be like tomorrow so we can plan our lives accordingly.
On a personal note, I can predict the future based upon careful observation, mere opinion, or drawing upon past life experiences that may apply to the proposed future event. In fact, this is something we do constantly in our lives. We predict the future by primarily drawing upon past life experience. For example, I know that if I drive down Hyland road here in Ames, Iowa at 10-15 miles above the speed limit, I’ll probably be pulled over and given a ticket. This prediction is based upon a past life event wherein I was given a speeding ticket in June of last year. I’ve also observed others being pulled over for the selfsame infraction. I’m drawing upon past events to predict the future hence predicting the future using the power of my brain. Using this rational function is not forbidden by God but encouraged. It’ll save me from burning my hand on the stove the next time I use it and I won’t sweat I’m committing a sin in the process.

 

[forgiveall]

The answer is very simple. Fortune telling is a sin because it involves the claimed use of occult powers to predict the future. It means using spiritual powers apart from God to achieve a certain effect (in this case predicting the future) . Reliance upon these powers is idolatry and is forbidden by God.
A weather forecast, on the other hand, is merely making a prediction about the weather based upon the latest technology available to the meteorologist. It’s based upon science through humanity’s creative ingenuity (talents given to us by God of course). God gave us a brain so we could solve all manner of problems including giving us some idea what the weather will be like tomorrow so we can plan our lives accordingly.
On a personal note, I can predict the future based upon careful observation, mere opinion, or drawing upon past life experiences that may apply to the proposed future event. In fact, this is something we do constantly in our lives. We predict the future by primarily drawing upon past life experience. For example, I know that if I drive down Hyland road here in Ames, Iowa at 10-15 miles above the speed limit, I’ll probably be pulled over and given a ticket. This prediction is based upon a past life event wherein I was given a speeding ticket in June of last year. I’ve also observed others being pulled over for the selfsame infraction. I’m drawing upon past events to predict the future hence predicting the future using the power of my brain. Using this rational function is not forbidden by God but encouraged. It’ll save me from burning my hand on the stove the next time I use it and I won’t sweat I’m committing a sin in the process.

I like this answer!!!

 

[MysticMissMisty]

I realize this is an older thread, but I did actually find the question intriguing.

So, then, prediction, in general, is not a sin? Is there any Scriptural/traditional evidence for this? I’m not talking pediction of the weather particularly, but prediction of the future of any kind. Is this permitted by God? Under what conditions would it not be permitted and why? And, here, I’m not talking about immediately evident predictions such as, “If I let go of a ball, it will fall to the ground”. I’m talking about less evident predictions such as are the case with weather forecasting and which were moreso in previous years.

Was fortune telling during the time of the OT biblical writings always done by relying on “deities”/"?spirits" other than God? Were “spiritual powers” considered to be at work? Or, rather, on what the people of the time would’ve then considered “scientific” methods (such as astrology?), even though today we might consider them bunk? Ifthe latter was the case, this could actually have implications for our question at hand.

Also, I realize that God has allowed us at times to “see” the future via His Prophets, but, I guess what I’m asking is, does He allow us to make our own future predictions, even if they are based on what we today define as “scientific” methods?