(original post; Caroline Taitin - Melbourne, Australia
newspaper reply; Samoa Observer Editor)
Horoscopes on Samoa Observer
Dear Editor - As an avid reader of your online editions, I am greatly disappointed to find that you have now included a “horoscopes” section.
Needless to say, I am curious for any reasons why this has been included. Have you suddenly run out of intelligent writers that you now have to cut and paste what I would call a “space waster” from other sources? A simple search confirms a fact that you’re not paying your staff to produce this nonsense on their own accord.
For a country that has a Christian population of approximately 98%, it baffles me to see the inclusion of such ridiculous occult writings in your public paper.
When you’re wondering about whether to proceed with a particular business proposition or trying to make a decision on lifetime partnerships, I would expect that the nation of Samoa turns to the Almighty God for assistance rather that than so-called predictions that are so wishy-washy a grade fiver could have written them.
Instead of wasting bandwidth with these “horoscopes” how about being a 7-day-a-week Christian rather than just on a Sunday when you include your special “Sunday” readings? I’m sure there are probably plenty of like-minded people who would love to write some worthwhile spiritual devotions that are relevant to Samoa and this period of time.
You have the power of influence at your fingertips and with the medium of media, you can provide a discouraged nation with words of courage and hope from Scriptures.
As an “observer” of Samoa, it would be correct to say that what Samoa needs is a constant reminder of their “Foundation” – God. [Faa’vae i le Atua Samoa - isn’t that the way it goes?] God is our foundation that will never falter, yet it is us who move to rocky and sandy grounds.
From what I have been reading on your site, Samoa is being shaken left, right and centre by all sorts of events – economical, political etc. They need to be encouraged with words of “truth” that come from the Bible, not given a false hope through horoscopes.
I urge you to please go back to your roots and be not conformed to this evil world that will pass.
You do not need to “taint” your respectable paper and online service by including unnecessary writings that have no relevance or benefit to the people of Samoa.
Please consider removing it, for I’m certain no one is going to lose their job over it either. Be a blessing to others and through your service, let it not be a hindrance to those whom you have been called to serve.
Thank you for your service and patience in reading my opinion today. Take care and God bless.
Concerned sister in Christ,
Caroline Taitin,
Melbourne,
Australia.
ED’S NOTE: Thank you for your letter Ms Taitin. I respect your freedom to express your views, even if I don’t necessarily agree with you. First of all, Horoscopes are not just a “cut and paste” job off the internet as you seem to imply. This newspaper pays a lot of money on a monthly basis to a company called Atlantic Syndicate to supply us with our Horoscopes.
Secondly, I’m sorry you don’t like Horoscopes. Unfortunately, many of our readers have been reading the Horoscopes section for many, many years and they demand that we publish and have it available online.
You see Ms Taitin, this newspaper is not a church. We cater for people of all religions and all walks of life. True that Samoa is founded on God and that our people need to be encouraged with words of “truth,” but this is also a free country. This is a country where the Constitution guarantees anyone the freedom to believe whatever they want to believe.
In other words, our readers who like to read their Horoscopes should be given that freedom to do so. Just as Christians are keen to read a column called ‘Think a Minute’ which we publish free of charge, everyday.
Ms Taitin, if you don’t like Horoscopes online, we respectfully ask that you click on something else. God bless!
Screaming Tree: (time to bitch)
First of all : *cracks the f*** up laughing*
Second of all: Caro Taitin is an old “internet” friend, a young seventh day adventist who for the past few years has been travelling the world on humanitarian / christian (whatever) kinds of missions, the last personal contact was on MSN when she asked me if I could volunteer with the S.A.S (or something like that) with the firefighting efforts of one of Victorias last Bushfires. She’s got a good heart, and she genuinely brings her view across from a devout christian kinda way.
<b>My first letter is to Christianity girl,</b>
I am greatly disappointed that in your opinion Horoscopes is of the Occult. If you know how to read the Horoscopes, it is merely a form of guidance, or a lower-level of advice.
*about.com*The Bible states that the stars, along with the sun and moon, were created to give light to the Earth. God is the one who gives Christians advice. However, the stars can be quite useful, as in the case of the wise men needing to find the baby Jesus, in providing location. In this case, God used the star to light the way.
The Bible is actually quite critical of astrologers, asserting that they cannot save people as God can. In Isaiah, the Bible points to this issue when God proclaims that Doom will come to Babylon and there is nothing the astrologists can do to save the people from it. However, in today’s era of generalized horoscopes, most Christians do not use astrology as a way to predict major events.
Genesis 1:16-17 – “God made two great lights, the sun and the moon, to shine down upon the earth. He also made the stars. God sent these lights in the heavens to light the earth.” (NLT)
Isaiah 47:13 – “All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. Here are no coals to warm anyone; here is no fire to sit by.” (NIV)
The point? Horoscopes are just for the advice and guidance, any normal Horoscope reader will not pick up the paper and pray day and night to it and thank the moon for its divine glory. It’s inclusion in the Newspaper is not going to burn down your Seventh Day Adventist church. And if it does, what does it say about your church? Where is YOUR faith in the divinity of your church, your god and your own belief system? Does this one little column in a Samoan newspaper threaten the ground that you walk on? OF COURSE IT DOESNT! its just a fucken Newspaper column, if you have any sense of Newspapers on an international level, I think my sweetie, you will find that its in 98% of global tabloid newspapers - oh wow, nearly as much as there are 98% of the hypocritical Christians that live in Samoa.
Funny that, because out of all the things about Christianity that you want to defend, why not go after our culture?! oh wait, you DONT go after our culture, because the 7th Day Adventist almost almalgamated forms of Samoan culture into the religion! that MUST be ok, since after all, you learnt that in church right? And your Christianity is perfect. So what then, become of the 98% Christian population that you quote from statistics that you recieved from? oh wait, you probably made that up to.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand where your coming from, wait, who am I kidding? No I don’t.
“When you’re wondering about whether to proceed with a particular business proposition or trying to make a decision on lifetime partnerships, I would expect that the nation of Samoa turns to the Almighty God for assistance rather that than so-called predictions that are so wishy-washy a grade fiver could have written them.”
Horoscopes are a guidance for life, get it, guidance, not a page of Gospel. I have never met anyone in my entire life who has ever look at horoscopes as the be all and end all of all existence. Who the fuck has the time to believe in what Saturn and Uranus are doing to Pluto? No one. 100% of people that I have met, look at horoscopes as a form of entertainment, which, for the most part is what it is.
To write a letter to a Newspaper and complain about the inclusion of a harmless peice of entertainment is like writing to the President of the United Nations to complain about the issue of stamp collecting. It has NOTHING to do with the Religious beliefs and the social corruption of a nation.
“Instead of wasting bandwidth with these “horoscopes” how about being a 7-day-a-week Christian rather than just on a Sunday when you include your special “Sunday” readings? I’m sure there are probably plenty of like-minded people who would love to write some worthwhile spiritual devotions that are relevant to Samoa and this period of time.”
Sorry, last time I checked. THIS IS what happens, there is daily scripture and gospel learning (or however they put it in pretty language) “Think A Minute” so your point, is useless. (and many devout Christians do read this) but hey? why can’t you all just read the bible and pray everyday? why does the Newspaper have anything to do with your Christian life? do you want every street sign also show you its relevance in the bible with an example of how far we are from Jerusalem? or would you like our cheap toilet paper from Frankies Molesi be covered in the names of Abraham? If you want a Christian Newspaper, GO GET ONE!
“You have the power of influence at your fingertips and with the medium of media, you can provide a discouraged nation with words of courage and hope from Scriptures.”
Are you SERIOUS?! So the CCTV and the daily scripture and pretty verses in the Samoa Observor, plus the multitute of SAMOAN LAWS & REGULATIONS which are founded on christianity, plus the church on every corner of every street in every village throughout the whole of Samoa is not enough, you are NOW relying on the 30 cms of Newspaper space to convert the nation? Sorry Sis, I love your Christian vibe, but Samoa is fucked.
No amount of Horoscope would ever incite the rapid decrease in Christianity, than church has done to itself.
I can list a multitude of OTHER reasons why people leave church. A Samoan Church.
Horoscopes?! Get REAL little darling.
The Editors Note
I commend the Editor for his/her response, but for an Editor of a Samoan Newspaper (And I have no doubt the Editor chose his/her words closely)
“This is a country where the Constitution guarantees anyone the freedom to believe whatever they want to believe.”
Then why the FUCK can’t we drink on Sunday?! and why the fuck do clubs close at 12am?
*smiles*