Post by CherieKropp on Aug 14, 2007 15:02:48 GMT -5
I have been attempting to learn more about the New Age Movement. I found this interesting description of it. Does anyone have any comments or experience or insight to share with us on this subject? It is located at:
www.4truth.net/site/c.hiKXLbPNLrF/b.2904219/k.91A1/New_Age_Movement__Overview.htm
New Age
Name: The New Age Movement can be described as a Westernized form of Eastern religions' beliefs combined with occultic practices, self-help, holistic medicines, and forms of astrology. The New Age Movement is not a single organization. The term "New Age Movement" refers to a large number of autonomous groups and individuals. There are hundreds of groups and religious leaders in North America that could be described as New Age.
Nature: The New Age Movement desires a change in society's collective consciousness. The term "new" does not refer to time but to its differences from traditional Western beliefs. New Age beliefs have been held by Eastern religions for thousands of years. The New Age Movement does not approach spirituality from a Christian perspective. Not every New Age group admits that its beliefs and practices are religious. Many depict their tenets as secular, scientific, or self-help philosophies.
Date of Beginning: The New Thought Movement, Spiritualism, and the Theosophical Society first introduced New Age beliefs and practices to America in the 1800s. These ideologies gained popularity during the counterculture of the mid-sixties and early seventies.
Headquarters: The New Age Movement has no central headquarters or leadership. The movement is an informal alliance of individuals, groups, and businesses.
Adherents: It is impossible to determine the number of people involved in the New Age Movement. There are hundreds of New Age groups and spokespersons. However, most of these organizations do not have formal memberships. Many who espouse New Age beliefs do not identify with a specific group. Religious surveys indicate that 20 percent of Americans accept at least some New Age beliefs but most do not consider themselves New Agers.
Assumptions: The New Age Movement contains great diversity. However, the following ideas characterize most New Agers. (1) Pantheism-God (god/goddess) is All and All is God (god/goddess). (2) Monism-All is One. (3) Reincarnation-After you die you will be reborn as a baby and live another life. (4) You are God, and must discover your divinity. (5) Good and evil do not exist, therefore, there are no absolutes in morality. (6) Separate the historical person of Jesus from the Christ Spirit. (7) A New Age of enlightenment and transformation is coming.
New Age groups and practices rarely identify themselves as New Age. Their beliefs and occult practices identify them. This Belief Bulletin examines these New Age beliefs and offers a Biblical response.
www.4truth.net/site/c.hiKXLbPNLrF/b.2904219/k.91A1/New_Age_Movement__Overview.htm
New Age
Name: The New Age Movement can be described as a Westernized form of Eastern religions' beliefs combined with occultic practices, self-help, holistic medicines, and forms of astrology. The New Age Movement is not a single organization. The term "New Age Movement" refers to a large number of autonomous groups and individuals. There are hundreds of groups and religious leaders in North America that could be described as New Age.
Nature: The New Age Movement desires a change in society's collective consciousness. The term "new" does not refer to time but to its differences from traditional Western beliefs. New Age beliefs have been held by Eastern religions for thousands of years. The New Age Movement does not approach spirituality from a Christian perspective. Not every New Age group admits that its beliefs and practices are religious. Many depict their tenets as secular, scientific, or self-help philosophies.
Date of Beginning: The New Thought Movement, Spiritualism, and the Theosophical Society first introduced New Age beliefs and practices to America in the 1800s. These ideologies gained popularity during the counterculture of the mid-sixties and early seventies.
Headquarters: The New Age Movement has no central headquarters or leadership. The movement is an informal alliance of individuals, groups, and businesses.
Adherents: It is impossible to determine the number of people involved in the New Age Movement. There are hundreds of New Age groups and spokespersons. However, most of these organizations do not have formal memberships. Many who espouse New Age beliefs do not identify with a specific group. Religious surveys indicate that 20 percent of Americans accept at least some New Age beliefs but most do not consider themselves New Agers.
Assumptions: The New Age Movement contains great diversity. However, the following ideas characterize most New Agers. (1) Pantheism-God (god/goddess) is All and All is God (god/goddess). (2) Monism-All is One. (3) Reincarnation-After you die you will be reborn as a baby and live another life. (4) You are God, and must discover your divinity. (5) Good and evil do not exist, therefore, there are no absolutes in morality. (6) Separate the historical person of Jesus from the Christ Spirit. (7) A New Age of enlightenment and transformation is coming.
New Age groups and practices rarely identify themselves as New Age. Their beliefs and occult practices identify them. This Belief Bulletin examines these New Age beliefs and offers a Biblical response.