The "New Age"

[BluLumin]

The "New Age" label lately has been loosely applied to a lot of ideas or way of thinking even such ideas that can be clearly labeled "wiccan", "Buddhism" or some other religion. When you as a Christian think of what "New Age" is, what comes to mind exactly?

 

[kenmaynard]

The "New Age" label lately has been loosely applied to a lot of ideas or way of thinking even such ideas that can be clearly labeled "wiccan", "Buddhism" or some other religion. When you as a Christian think of what "New Age" is, what comes to mind exactly?

I think of the things you just described. Those are the only kind of books that are on the new age section in Barnes and Noble.

 

[BluLumin]

Well I know Buddhism has it's ownsection at Barnes and Noble. Wicca tends to be in the New Age section. I was wondering what comes to your mind personally when someone says something is "New Age." I find that it is used too loosely.

 

[Fembot]

Buddhism isn't New Age. New Age is more like what people have come to depend on by their own reliance on nature and their own bodies, minds and at times demons and spirits. Leaving God out of the mix...

 

[turnorburn]

New Age: A Collection of Thought Systems

New Age is a compilation of metaphysical, Eastern-influenced thought systems. These thought systems unite theology, nature, and philosophy. This movement comprises countless "theologies" that often center on religious tolerance and moral diversity. The main phrases (or "isms") that reveal the focal point of New Age thought are "feel-goodism" (do whatever feels good, as long as you are not hurting someone else), "moral relativism" (situational ethics), and "pluralism" (universal tolerance). The phrase "New Age" refers to the "Aquarian Age" which, according to New Age supporters, is now beginning. This Age is expected to bring in peace and enlightenment, as well as reunite humans with "god." New Age doctrine says that humans are currently estranged from god due to a lack of insight concerning god's real nature and reality. In New Age understanding, mankind is central. Humans are considered to be divine, as co-creators, and as the ultimate hope for the future of the world. Although New Age is generally tolerant of almost any world religion or philosophy, it is opposed to the "narrow-mindedness" of Christianity that teaches Jesus Christ is the only way to eternal salvation. New Age philosophy is complicated to define because there is no centralized hierarchy, doctrine, or membership. At its foundation, the New Age movement is a religious system with two main doctrines: Evolutionary Godhood and Global Unity.

New Age: The Doctrine of Evolutionary Godhood

Generally, New Age thought supports the theory of organic evolution, but extends the concept to the evolution of the spirit. This is the concept of "Evolutionary Godhood," where the next step in evolution won't be physical, but spiritual. The principles of evolution are constantly moving mankind toward god-consciousness, where man and reality connect in unified enlightenment. The "fittest" already understand this reality, while the "unfit" (such as Christians and other proponents of dogmatic worldviews) act as a hindrance to evolutionary forces. Many New Age practices are designed to accelerate the evolutionary push into the spiritual realms. These practices include: (i) astral projection, which is training your soul to leave your body and travel around; (ii) channeling spirits, so they may speak through you or guide you; (iii) crystal usage, which purifies the energy systems of your body and mind; and (iv) visualization techniques, which include everything from basic mental imagery to role playing of animals or divine creatures. In a nutshell, Evolutionary Godhood means that mankind will soon see itself as god. This is often referred to as the "Christ principle" or "Christ consciousness." New Age teaches that we are basically good and inherently divine, and ultimately, we can create our own reality.

New Age: The Doctrine of Global Unity

The second major doctrine of the New Age movement is "Global Unity." This concept typically consists of three parts:
Man Unified With Man. One New Age principle is that we will all realize our proper divine relationship with one another and achieve pure harmony through the acceptance of this divine knowledge. With relational harmony comes economic unity. With economic unity, we can achieve political unity (a single world government) and spiritual unity (a one world religion). Man Unified With Nature. Another New Age principle is that god is everything, and everything is god. Therefore, nature is also part of god. We must be in harmony with nature. We must nurture it and be nurtured by it. Mankind is no different than any other animal. We must live in harmony with them, understand them, and learn from them. Actually, many in the New Age movement refer to the union of earth and nature as "Gaia." Gaia is revered, respected, and even worshipped as a god by some. American Indian rituals are also popular in the New Age movement because they focus on the elements of nature and man's relationship to them. Man Unified With God. Since man is divine by nature, all people can realize their "divinity" and contribute to the unified purpose of man, earth and nature. The ultimate goal in life is to fully realize our own divine goodness. The New Age god is impersonal and omnipresent. He (it) has not revealed himself (itself) to mankind, and therefore, mankind is not accountable to any notions of moral law or absolute truth. There is no objective morality in the New Age philosophy. We should have tolerance for all systems of truth, meaning and purpose. We should create a world of pure relativism, where morality and religion are strictly relative to each person's individual notion of reality itself.

http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/new-age.htm


turnorburn

 

[Ed the Ned]

The "New Age" is linked to eastern religions and has many different roots. My personal belief is that it is being used to erode the christian foundation that was laid by the apostles and because of its not clearly labelled it can worm its way into almost anything. I think the fundermental standing of the new age beliefs is that "we are gods" and that god is universal and in everything. You only need to read some of the posts and you will find new age beliefs from many who are Christian, or who claim to be.

 

[Lance_Iguana]

The "New Age" is linked to eastern religions and has many different roots. My personal belief is that it is being used to erode the christian foundation that was laid by the apostles and because of its not clearly labelled it can worm its way into almost anything. I think the fundermental standing of the new age beliefs is that "we are gods" and that god is universal and in everything. You only need to read some of the posts and you will find new age beliefs from many who are Christian, or who claim to be.

Considering Confucius and Buddha had similar teaching to Jesus, I'm not surprised.

 

[Ed the Ned]

Considering Confucius and Buddha had similar teaching to Jesus, I'm not surprised.

I'm a bit confused now, could you please explain how Buddha's teaching is remotely similar to Jesus's teachings? I don't know confucius teachings, but what I know about Buddha, I don't see any similarities.

 

[Lance_Iguana]

Considering Confucius and Buddha had similar teaching to Jesus, I'm not surprised.

I'm a bit confused now, could you please explain how Buddha's teaching is remotely similar to Jesus's teachings? I don't know Confucius teachings, but what I know about Buddha, I don't see any similarities.

Buddha taught that the relinquishing of your worldly possessions is a step to enlightenment. Jesus used one of his parables about Lazarus to teach us that Rich men aren't likely to get into heaven.Jesus lived a life of poverty and taught us not to be worldly or place our belief in Idols ( worldly devices can be used here).

Buddha taught us that deep contemplation and limiting ourselves to the acts of violence will lead to inner peace and enlightenment.
Jesus taught us to recognize our own sin and then cast it off, even made statements to Turn the Other cheek, and said " he who lives by the Sword Dies by the Sword".

Both gave up lucrative opportunities in order to dwell amongst the poor. Both where of royal heritage. Both taught about denying Evil. Both took time of inner contemplation to better know themselves. Jesus in the Desert and Buddha under the tree.

Both when asked would say they where only men and not God. Buddha told his followers that he was not God, and that they to can reach his position, if not pass him. Jesus Taught ( before the crucifixion) that is but a man, and the Father is who they should look to, but by following him, they could obtain eternal life.

The main difference between the the 2 was that Jesus came saying he was the truth, while Buddha told us to seek the truth. Jesus taught us to submit to the Father. Buddha told us to Surpass the Father/teacher ( in a symbolic way of killing the master).

Jesus was a pretty Zen Dude.

 

[Free]

I would say that the main difference is that Jesus taught that it was only through belief upon his name that one could be saved. This was proved through his death and resurrection. If Jesus was asked, he would say he was the God-man.

While there are some similarities in teaching, the reasons behind those teachings and their purpose can be vastly different.

 

[jasoncran]

zen is a philosophy in which nothing is good or evil, it just is, I have a friend (several) that are into that zen thing.

Buddhist claim that buddhism are not the way to salvation

jason

 

[Lance_Iguana]

zen is a philosophy in which nothing is good or evil, it just is, I have a friend (several) that are into that zen thing.

Buddhist claim that buddhism are not the way to salvation

jason

Is your friend a Taoist? I was always taught that zen was balance, and finding the good and bad in everything and being content in finding said balance.

I have a ying yang pendant because I love the concept of balnce and how their can be no good without evil and how their must be a balance to find peace.


Of course a Buhhdist wouldn't claim salvation, since depending on the branch, their is not heaven or hell. Only cycles of life to reach enlightenment and progress through spiritual castes systems.

eastern religion and philosophy is very enigmatic. Probably why Christianity didn't' make such a huge dent in Asia. When the missionaries went their they had to compete with the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism,jainism, Shinto, Taoism, Karma, and Hinduism.

Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Cabala, and Zoroastrianism all dealt with Blacks and Whites while Eastern philosophy and religion dealt with shades of Gray.

Both sides would see the opposing side as a aloof and out there.

 

[jasoncran]

zen is a philosophy in which nothing is good or evil, it just is, I have a friend (several) that are into that zen thing.

Buddhist claim that buddhism are not the way to salvation

jason

Is your friend a Taoist? I was always taught that zen was balance, and finding the good and bad in everything and being content in finding said balance.

I have a ying yang pendant because I love the concept of balnce and how their can be no good without evil and how their must be a balance to find peace.


Of course a Buhhdist wouldn't claim salvation, since depending on the branch, their is not heaven or hell. Only cycles of life to reach enlightenment and progress through spiritual castes systems.no, ever heard of the concept of mushindo (no mind), its in the martial arts and it's from zen, it relates to accepting neither good or bad, in fightinf it means if it works use it!

i didnt say id agree with it, but that what i'm told.

jason

 

[Panin]

The "New Age" label lately has been loosely applied to a lot of ideas or way of thinking even such ideas that can be clearly labeled "wiccan", "Buddhism" or some other religion. When you as a Christian think of what "New Age" is, what comes to mind exactly?

That we are gods. This is at the root of the New Age, and there is nothing new about. It is a luciferian religion and luciferians believe that satan aka lucifer the light bearer was coming to save us form the evil God yahweh in the Garden of Eden.

Their favourite biblical scripture is "The kingdom of Heaven is within you" They also love to use the term Christ consciousness. But none of them can explain to you what that means.

Many of them have spirit guides AKA demons who guide them, and they have unknowingly and unwitingly invited these demons (plural) into their lives. A not too well nown fact is that many of these people have inherited demonic influence in their lives, passed on from their parents at birth. These people can not be evanaelised with the gospel like most other people. But they can be evangelised and they can be saved. Many of them appear to be caring individuals who mean well and they feel themselves to be very deeply "spiritual" people.

There is a lot of useful information on how to share the gospel with people like this on the web, should you ever be used of the Lord to speak with one of them. But be very careful because in my opinion you may be dealing with a truely demon possessed person. Many of them are witches and they have powers and they can cast spells and curses. Dont get involved with out a lot of prayer support and cover.

 

[jasoncran]

or in person as well panin, i have made that mistake, we must cautious when dealing with those types of possesed persons. pray and fast with a group.

 

[Panin]

or in person as well panin, i have made that mistake, we must cautious when dealing with those types of possesed persons. pray and fast with a group.

Darn right.

I was on a forum were a lot of these people where for about a year. I'm sure a spell was cast on me. Obvioulsy I cant prove it (and Im not the type to buy into stuff like that) but I got a serious case of the head spins with vertico like symptoms for about a week, it was really horrible. I dont go there now.

 

[Lance_Iguana]

That we are gods. This is at the root of the New Age, and there is nothing new about. It is a luciferian religion and luciferians believe that satan aka lucifer the light bearer was coming to save us form the evil God yahweh in the Garden of Eden.

Their favourite biblical scripture is "The kingdom of Heaven is within you" They also love to use the term Christ consciousness. But none of them can explain to you what that means.

Many of them have spirit guides AKA demons who guide them, and they have unknowingly and unwitingly invited these demons (plural) into their lives. A not too well nown fact is that many of these people have inherited demonic influence in their lives, passed on from their parents at birth. These people can not be evanaelised with the gospel like most other people. But they can be evangelised and they can be saved. Many of them appear to be caring individuals who mean well and they feel themselves to be very deeply "spiritual" people.

There is a lot of useful information on how to share the gospel with people like this on the web, should you ever be used of the Lord to speak with one of them. But be very careful because in my opinion you may be dealing with a truely demon possessed person. Many of them are witches and they have powers and they can cast spells and curses. Dont get involved with out a lot of prayer support and cover.

Wich New Age religion are you talking about? Neo Pagan? Wiccan? Eclectic? Uniterian? Lucifanerian? Shamanism? Or the ripped off version of Asian religions with new exciting names?

There are many religions. What you just described dosen't sound like any new age religion I've heard of, but a mixture of them.

Especially since Wicca has witches, Shamans and Neo Pagans have spirt animals, and the hindu/ buhhdist rip offs, actually dont' worship anythign in perticular.

I need some clarification here. ;)

 

[Panin]

That we are gods. This is at the root of the New Age, and there is nothing new about. It is a luciferian religion and luciferians believe that satan aka lucifer the light bearer was coming to save us form the evil God yahweh in the Garden of Eden.

Their favourite biblical scripture is "The kingdom of Heaven is within you" They also love to use the term Christ consciousness. But none of them can explain to you what that means.

Many of them have spirit guides AKA demons who guide them, and they have unknowingly and unwitingly invited these demons (plural) into their lives. A not too well nown fact is that many of these people have inherited demonic influence in their lives, passed on from their parents at birth. These people can not be evanaelised with the gospel like most other people. But they can be evangelised and they can be saved. Many of them appear to be caring individuals who mean well and they feel themselves to be very deeply "spiritual" people.

There is a lot of useful information on how to share the gospel with people like this on the web, should you ever be used of the Lord to speak with one of them. But be very careful because in my opinion you may be dealing with a truely demon possessed person. Many of them are witches and they have powers and they can cast spells and curses. Dont get involved with out a lot of prayer support and cover.

Wich New Age religion are you talking about? Neo Pagan? Wiccan? Eclectic? Uniterian? Lucifanerian? Shamanism? Or the ripped off version of Asian religions with new exciting names?

There are many religions. What you just described dosen't sound like any new age religion I've heard of, but a mixture of them.

Especially since Wicca has witches, Shamans and Neo Pagans have spirt animals, and the hindu/ buhhdist rip offs, actually dont' worship anythign in perticular.

I need some clarification here. ;)

In my opinion Lance they're all the same things mate.

 

[Lance_Iguana]

In my opinion Lance they're all the same things mate.

I really don't want to start a huge debate here. Especially since I just got out of one.


I'll just make this short and to the point.

Saying all New age religions are the same, is your opinion. Thats fine and all, but that is basicly just like saying Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are the same. Anyone who is familar with these religions knows thats not true.

So in short, an New Age Viking that treasures the traditions of Norse/Viking theology is vastly different from a newage Eclectic Veagen Wiccan who believe in peace and hugs.

Its better to know the basis of the religions, because its makes prostiltizing and evangelizing easier. Plus a Neo Viking might just kill you if you anounce your Christianity. ;)

 

[Panin]

In my opinion Lance they're all the same things mate.

I really don't want to start a huge debate here. Especially since I just got out of one.


I'll just make this short and to the point.

Saying all New age religions are the same, is your opinion. Thats fine and all, but that is basicly just like saying Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are the same. Anyone who is familar with these religions knows thats not true.

So in short, an New Age Viking that treasures the traditions of Norse/Viking theology is vastly different from a newage Eclectic Veagen Wiccan who believe in peace and hugs.

Its better to know the basis of the religions, because its makes prostiltizing and evangelizing easier. Plus a Neo Viking might just kill you if you anounce your Christianity. ;)

There are only two religions in the world. 1. Salvation through faith in Christ alone, 2. All the others.

One is from God, all the rest are of satan. You can slap what ever name ya want on it for all I care. No arguement here.