What Is New Age - Research Paper Example

What Is New Age? The New Age is a movement which dates back to the 19th century, but became popular in the late 20th century. The New Age movement can include, but is not limited to, beliefs like channelling spirits, astral projection, psychic occurrence, environmentalism, meditation, or holistic medicine. The New Age movement can be defined as a lifestyle or a spiritual philosophy. The aim is to head back to a more natural aspect of life through self-awareness. Institutionalized religion and church doctrines are disregarded by those who practice and believe in the New Age. Aspects of the New Age can also include the belief in aliens, crop circles, ancient pagan religions, and astrology. Since the New Age is about self-awareness, no set definition can be applied but one can try. The practices of the New Age are individual journeys that can sometimes constitute an organised church or movement. New Age and/or New Religious Movements (NRM’s), also popularly known as cults, can have a great impact on the family. Oftentimes these cults rely on community organization, seeking recruits, and creating a new reality for participants that can be detrimental to the structure of the family. This is of great interest to the people studying in the area of social psychology. New religious movements form the backbone of many religious institutions. A new religious movement is basically defined as a movement which is spiritual or faith-based in nature. New religious movements may also have a basis in ethics, theology, philosophy, or religion to some extent. Usually, but not always, new religious movements are part and parcel of Christianity. Groups such as the Branch Davidian cult is one example. Cults need not be destructive in nature, however. Many people who study social psychology have adopted the term “new religious movement” as a way of describing cults or New Age-y organizations in neutral language. New religious movements may be communitarian, or they may be specifically spiritual or religious in nature. Usually what separates new religious movements from other religious movements in society is their unique ability to isolate people from other social networks. This is where social psychology plays a crucial role. Since the family is deeply intertwined with society, the psychology of such groups affects one’s psyche. New religious movements are part of the dominant culture. Usually, however, new religious movements are on the fringe of society. Cults became popular in the late 19th century. By the 1970s, new religious movements had received a bad name. New religious movements had connotations of brainwashing. Several people are still wont to call new religious movements “cults” because that term is still more popular than the term “new religious movement.” There is still no formal criteria for what a new religious movement constitutes. However, in general the group which is a new religious movement is somewhat new (obviously), and it is set apart or distinct from other religions. There is much controversy over what constitutes a “new” religious movement. Some people use certain dates as benchmarks for saying a religion is new—for example, a religious movement that has occurred within the last 20 years or so. People generally also have come to realize that what constitutes the stipulation of being distinct from other religions as difficult to empirically analyze. Generally, however, the distinction between new religious movements and established religions is that although the religious movement may be seen as part of an existing faith tradition, it meets with some type of clash within the religion for its varying belief systems—and thus is not an accepted branch of that religion. Take Christianity, for example. There are many fringe groups in Christianity that are not considered “Christian,” for the very sake of the fact that they do not share certain core beliefs central to the main theme of Christianity. These new religious movements could include Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and prosperity movement churches. These movements are designed to be part of Christianity. However, because of some of the radical beliefs in each of these new religious movements (considered by many Christians to be cults), the movements are not accepted as valid faith communities. Therefore, the fact that these communities are not accepted in mainstream society can have a great deal of impact on the families involved. Introduction The New Age movement picked up popularity during the late 20th century, but can be dated back to the early 19th century. Lewis and Melton [1992: 31] reported that Phineas Quimby, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Mary Baker Eddy contributed to the New Age profoundly. These earlier pioneers of the New Age focused on holistic healing and mind, body, and spirit balance. The idea that the mind could control pain or even heal the body was intriguing to these individuals. Their writings helped contribute to the New Age movement. Phineas Quimby [2009: 79] began holistic healing and mesmerism after doctors could not cure his consumption as a child. He found adrenaline rushes temporarily cured his pain. First he saw someone hypnotised. He started practicing mesmerising crowds with a particularly susceptible young woman. His practices were healing through the subconscious. The individuals he healed all believed in him. Some he hypnotised; others Quimby coached to make themselves better through thought. This self-actualisation was one of the first pain managing techniques in the West. Ralph Waldo Emerson focused on the mind, body, and spirit like Eastern religions. Holmes [2007: 50] explained Ralph Waldo Emerson felt that the religions in the East like Buddhism, Confucianism, and mysticism were more advanced than Western religions. Whereas the West calls self-actualisation “New Age,” these techniques have been used in the Eastern countries of Asian and India for centuries. Buddhists, Taoists, and Hinduism all focus on the philosophy of thought, cosmic energies, and herbal remedies. Instead of dismissing these practices, Emerson embraced them. Mary Baker Eddy had an interest in self-healing, but she sought this through studying the Christian Bible. The Mary Baker Eddy library [2010: 1] revealed: “Following a serious accident, Eddy had a profound healing experience that provided important insights into the spiritual nature of life and health…which she had been seeking for many years. She later called that experience a ‘discovery’ and soon sought to understand, replicate, make notes on, and teach this…” These insights led to holistic healing through Biblical interpretation. Even though she was a Christian, some of the New Age concepts were interwoven into her Christianity. This allowed Mary Baker Eddy to be the founder of Christian Science movement. By the 1970s many individuals felt that Christianity and other organised religions had failed society. The Findhorn Community and Wrekin Trust were founded in England during this time [Robinson 2006: 1]. Soon internationally the New Age movement was spreading. Neo-pagans, Gnosticism, Astrology, use of crystals, Wicca, and other practices became the practice of those disappointed in organized religion. All of these practices were lumped together as New Age practices. New Age Fundamental Beliefs When individuals think about New Age practices, séances, the occult, and astrology are the first thing to pop into their minds. While some practice these beliefs, not all New Age individuals practice these ways. Statistics [Robinson 2006: 1] reveal: 8% believe in astrology as a method of foretelling the future 7% believe that crystals are a source of healing or energizing power 9% believe that Tarot Cards are a reliable base for life decisions Further, Robinson [2006: 1] shows that: about 1 in 4 believe in a non-traditional concept of the nature of God which are often associated with New Age thinking: 11% believe that God is "a state of higher consciousness that a person may reach" 8% define God as "the total realization of personal, human potential" 3% believe that each person is God. Although some New Age beliefs are based on the mystical, most are incorporated into an individual’s religion. Robinson [2006: 1] state 1 in 4 lean toward the mystical or non-traditional religious customs which means that leaves 3 in 4 individuals practicing New Age ways believing in a mainstream or organized religion. The New Age individuals that practice only New Ageism all believe in fundamental concepts. The other individuals practicing organized religion incorporate some or all of these beliefs into their own religion. Robinson [2006: 1] reports the New Age beliefs as: Monism: All that exists is derived from a single source of divine energy. Pantheism: All that exists is God; God is all that exists. Panentheism: God is all that exists. God is at once the entire universe, and transcends the universe as well. Further, Robinson [2006: 1] reports that New Age beliefs also consist of: Reincarnation: After death, we are reborn and live another life as a human. Karma: The good and bad deeds that we do adds and subtracts from our accumulated record, our karma. An Aura is believed to be an energy field radiated by the body. Personal Transformation A profoundly intense mystical experience will lead to the acceptance and use of New Age beliefs and practices. Finally, Robinson [2006: 1] connotes that New Age beliefs additionally consist of: Ecological Responsibility: A belief in the importance of uniting to preserve the health of the earth, which is often looked upon as Gaia, (Mother Earth) a living entity. Universal Religion: Since all is God, then only one reality exists, and all religions are simply different paths to that ultimate reality. [Robinson 2006] New World Order: As the Age of Aquarius unfolds, a New Age will develop. The practices of New Age are different for each individual which makes the whole concept hard to define since the definition is unique to each one. Group or Individualism? People that engage in New Age ways are looking to find their individual path. However like many other philosophies, religions, or sciences, the New Age movement does have a community to exchange ideas. “In turbulent times, in times of great change, people head for the two extremes: fundamentalism and personal, spiritual experience...With no membership lists or even a coherent philosophy or dogma, it is difficult to define or measure the unorganized New Age movement” [Robinson 2006: 1]. Further, “…in every major U.S. and European city, thousands who seek insight and personal growth cluster around a metaphysical bookstore, a spiritual teacher, or an education center” [Robinson 2006: 1]. The community relies on each other to exchange ideas. No hierarchy or strict rules apply to this movement, but those few fundamental beliefs listed above exist. Some individuals believe that the New Age customs can be incorporated into a group effort. An example of someone who believed this would be H.G. Wells. The author of The Time Machine and War of the Worlds was a socialist, but had distinct New Age beliefs. The one New Age belief H.G. Wells was that a new world order would eventually take place. His writings predicted a new world order in the future. Despite his New Age theories and beliefs, Wells still felt that a socialist society would be a virtual utopian culture. His goal was to merge New Age beliefs with a whole society. Wells did not want to follow the New Age ideology individually. J. Gordon Melton is another individual who believes that forms of New Age movement could grow into a more mature occult community. A community that might grow into a faith group like organized religions was his ideal. That New Age practices of channeling, occultism, earth worshipers, and others could exchange ideas and become a group was also a possibility for Melton. The difference between Wells and Melton was one promoted a socialist society, while the other believes this group can happen in a Western democracy. Members of the New Age that believed more in the individual path were like Hanegraaff, and Heelas. These men believed that New Age thought has to do with more individualistic concentration to achieve their goal. Heelas [1996: 192] thought that the New Age makes a positive difference in an individual’s life. The ultimate goal is to achieve an inner balance. These paths are for individuals trying to walk down a more Eastern path. Normally individuals practicing this type of New Age follow certain concepts. These include Buddhist influences, believing in karma, the discipline of yoga, and other Eastern practices. Atlantis, Aliens, and Circle Crops Some people like Hanegraaff [1996: 210] believed Atlantis, Lemuria, Mu, and other lost lands existed. While Christians, Jews, and Muslims laugh, the New Age individual would point out the belief in God, Allah, or Yahweh is just as laughable. If the Biblical lands of Eden, Sodom, and Gomorrah existed, why not other lost lands? Atlantis was an island mentioned in Plato’s writings. The story is, that, after failing to defeat Athens, Atlantis sank into the sea. This underwater sea is also held to be a sacred place. Atlantis was a mythical concept. Atlantis is important to individuals that believe in the existence of the lost city. Age of Aquarius Lewis and Melton [1992] explained Horoscopes and the Zodiac. They are used in understanding, interpreting, and organizing information about personality, human affairs, and other terrestrial matters. Circa 1st century CE, Christianity was an emerging religion, and many individuals changed from animal sacrifice in the Jewish temple to embracing the teachings of Christianity. The church's prime symbol at the time was the fish. According to Robinson [2006: 1]: Therefore, Pisces (the fish) was regarded as a particularly cogent symbol to be used in astrology. Secondly, the sign from Taurus to Aries the ram (circa 2,000 BCE) developed at a time when the Jews engaged in widespread ritual sacrifice of sheep and other animals in the Temple. Thirdly, the sign from Gemini to Taurus the bull (circa 4,000 BCE) developed when worshiping of the golden calf was common in the Middle East [Robinson 2006: 1]. Controversy While Christians accused the New Age movement of being a cult, the New Age- practicing individuals pointed out the cult aspects of Christianity [Chryssides 1999: 50]. While Jonestown in Guyana and David Koresh’s Mount Carmel in Waco proved that Christianity could be a cult in the sense wherein “…many cults…provide a sense of belonging to members” [Rhodes 2001: 38]. Jehovah’s Witnesses, which are one example of a new religious movement, which focuses on the idea of Christ’s impending return. While most Christian groups do not accept Jehovah’s Witnesses as legitimate adherents to Christian doctrine (i.e., Christians consider Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult), it is possible that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are probably considered by some sources to be a legitimate religious organization. Christians, on the other hand, pointed out the Heaven’s Gate suicide cult members and the members of the Japanese group that bombed the subways with nerve gas were examples of the evils of the New Age. “From a sociological perspective, the New Age Movement differs significantly from the cults of the 1960s that were a refuge for rebellious youth turning their backs on their middle-class families and sacrificing all to live in dingy communes and to work long hours for the cause” [Tucker 2004: 320]. Cults, or new religious movements, can be devastating to families. Not only do these cults organize within the community, but they also recruit and try to create an alternate perception of reality that can decimate the life of its adherent. New religious movements, therefore, should always be scrutinized and their teachings should be taken with a grain of salt. There are three ways in which people can leave cults. They can either: 1) leave through their own volition; 2) leave through being forced out of the cult; or 3) go through deprogramming and/or exit counseling of some sort. All of these options are rather unfavorable, as they all involve the adherent receiving some kind of debriefing after having left the cult. Leaving can be so difficult for some cult members that it may constitute psychological trauma. Reasons for trauma include but are not limited to: the social and operant conditioning inherent in the religious believes of the cult; the avoidance of real-life responsibilities; having had good experiences with the cult; devotion to the leaders of the cult; investments of having put time, money, and resources into the cult; having fear of losing one’s status or salvation; having good interactions with other cult members; realizing that one’s time was wasted; and the new world one may have to face living without the cult. These are all genuine reasons people leaving a cult may feel, as though they are in severe psychological distress. There are many reasons may deter an adherent from leaving a cult even if the person involved in the new religious movement realizes something is wrong with the new religious movement in which they are embedded. New Age and/or New Religious movements focus on community organization, seeking recruits, and creating a new reality for participants. REFERENCES Bloom, W., ed. (1991). The new age. London: Rider. Chryssides, G. (1999). Exploring new religions. London: Cassel. Hanegraaff, W.J. (1996). New age religion and western culture: esotericism in the mirror of secular thought. Boston, MA, US: Brill Academic Publishers. Heelas, P. (1996). The new age. Oxford, Blackwell. Holmes, O.W. (2007). Ralph Waldo Emerson. USA: BiblioBazar. Hughes, R. (2009). Phineas Parkhurst Quimby: his complete writings and beyond. New York: Phineas Parkhurst Quimby Resource Center. Lewis, J.R, & Melton, J.G, eds. (1992) Perspectives on the new age. Albany: NY Press. Mary Baker Eddy library. (2010). Science & health with key to the scriptures. Accessed 15 February 2010 from http://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/mary-baker-eddy/writings/science-and-health Rhodes, Ron. (2001). The challenges of the cults and new religions. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Robinson, B.A. (2006). New age spirituality. Religious tolerance. Accessed 15 February 2010 from http://www.religioustolerance.org/newage.htm Tucker, Ruth A. (2004). Another gospel: cults, alternative religions, and the new age movement. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Read More