zlacker

I'm muslim but I never understood why that is the case. Surely the lunar calendar/phases/characteristics must be easy to reliably predict?

>>mardif+(OP)
I and many others use calculations but some folks prefer the traditional method

>>mkouba+U
lunar groundhog day!

>>mardif+(OP)
Moon 'sighting' is much earlier than the Islamic tradition. It's discussed in the Mishna, so it was at least debated in the 2nd century CE: https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Rosh_Hashanah.2?lang=bi

The charitable case is that while something might be predictable, it's our conscious interaction that's important to these religions, not the theoretical knowledge.

The uncharitable case is that religions derive a lot of power from being able to fix time, and this demonstrates their sovereignty over people's lives in this sphere.

>>mkouba+U
Ah so it is just a preference? Is there usually an actual difference on when Eid is between the final "traditional" observation and the predicted calculations?

>>mardif+04
There are no official Muslim institutions, most people follow their congregation or teacher. The choice of who or what to follow is also a personal preference.