Thoughts On New Age Religions

[The Felonius Pope]

The people who moved into the house next to mine are, I was shocked to find out, new age believers. They aren't neo-
pagans, Scientologists, or the type of people who commit suicide when the astronomical signals are just right. They do, however, pray to a unnamed deity, believe in reincarnation, and have a wooden pyramid in their backyard (I think it has something to do with channeling energy or something). It seems to me that these people are simply taking the negative concepts out of the major world religions and inserting the good parts into a warm, fuzzy, and poorly defined belief system. I am not knowledgeable on the subject of new age religions at all, but I thought I get some other peoples opinions on the matter.

 

[Duvelthehobbit666]

warm, fuzzy, and poorly defined belief system.

You know more about it than you think. When it comes to the bottom line, that is really what New Age religions are.

 

[The Felonius Pope]

That is what I suspected, but my neighbors don't seem to be wacky at all. In other respects, they seem like an everyday senior citizen couple.

 

[Laurens]

New Age religions are basically just a pick and mix of beliefs. I don't think it is a very clearly defined set of beliefs, the central tenant of New Age beliefs is 'believe whatever spurious nonsense you like'.

 

[The Felonius Pope]

I agree that new age beliefs are quite nonsensical, but its hard for me to think so poorly of my neighbor's beliefs, especially because they are so nice. I have the same problem with Mormonism. A good portion of my family is Mormom, but their beliefs are so wacky as to be humorous.

 

[Laurens]

I agree that new age beliefs are quite nonsensical, but its hard for me to think so poorly of my neighbor's beliefs, especially because they are so nice. I have the same problem with Mormonism. A good portion of my family is Mormom, but their beliefs are so wacky as to be humorous.

Well, you can be nice and believe nonsense, one doesn't preclude the other

 

[The Felonius Pope]

I understand that nice people can believe some pretty crazy stuff, but I suppose my shock comes from the fact that my neighbors seem so, you know, normal. I guess you can't judge a book by its cover. Along these lines, do you feel that the whole new age, psychic fad is more dangerous than normal religious belief?

 

[Anachronous Rex]

New Age Religion strikes me as a completely vacuous term. It doesn't mean anything, it's just a catchall for any strange, wishy-washy sort of belief that someone might have.

I could only deal with these beliefs individually, as a category there is no criticism that could be leveled and make body contact, because there is nothing distinct to hit.

 

[The Felonius Pope]

I suppose a good example of one of those belief is the whole energy flow-pyramid sort of thing. Where does something like that even come from? By the way, you mentioned the Magyars on my Kievan Russia thread. I attempted to find a good book on the subject on the interwebs, but unfortunately my search was in vain. Might you recommend some books to me?

 

[Anachronous Rex]

I suppose a good example of one of those belief is the whole energy flow-pyramid sort of thing. Where does something like that even come from? By the way, you mentioned the Magyars on my Kievan Russia thread. I attempted to find a good book on the subject on the interwebs, but unfortunately my search was in vain. Might you recommend some books to me?

Whenever I'm starting to learn about a specific region or nation I always try to find a historical atlas from Penguin or some-such. I find that the brief overviews combined with the maps always help me to gain an overall perspective, so that I'm not completely lost when I try to learn in more detail later on. In this case I recomend this book as an introductory text. I'm not sure if it's the best, but it worked for me.

And, of course, you don't typically go wrong with whatever Cambridge publishes on the subject. Sometimes they do "concise histories," which I would recommend; the giant volumes tend to bog people down.

 

[The Felonius Pope]

Thanks for the heads up. I too find maps to be of great value.

 

[Nemesiah]

The people who moved into the house next to mine are, I was shocked to find out, new age believers. They aren't neo-
pagans, Scientologists, or the type of people who commit suicide when the astronomical signals are just right. They do, however, pray to a unnamed deity, believe in reincarnation, and have a wooden pyramid in their backyard (I think it has something to do with channeling energy or something). It seems to me that these people are simply taking the negative concepts out of the major world religions and inserting the good parts into a warm, fuzzy, and poorly defined belief system. I am not knowledgeable on the subject of new age religions at all, but I thought I get some other peoples opinions on the matter.

It seems to me that these people are simply taking the negative concepts out of the major world religions and inserting the good parts into a warm, fuzzy, and poorly defined belief system.

To me the problem with these religions (as with all religions) lies in the basic premise of "lets believe bullshit with no logical backing just so we can feel better about ourselves, huzza!"

If they are a peacefull bunch then it is not so bad.

 

[The Felonius Pope]

I can't say there is any logic to energy pyramids or evidence for reincarnation, Nemesiah, but they are pretty nice folks. On an unrelated matter, how are you holding up in Mexico? Heard on the news that they just found 15 tons of meth down there.

 

[CommonEnlightenment]

Here are my general thoughts on the subject:

1. If the group wishes to share their ideas in a non-coercive, non-manipulative manner then I have no major qualms. If they push their beliefs and try to 'force' change individuals through mobbing or ostracizing means than I shall use my right to spend and/or converse as little as humanly possible with said group(s).

2. If the said group receives some sort of 'inner' peace through the objects or principles they practice then it is really of little concern to me. If the group begins to use the tactics as described in one above, meaning they use coercive and/or manipulative maladaptive behaviors, then I will take appropriate measures to come to a mutual resolution first and then a personal resolution second. This resolution will usually start with the most rational means and methods first and then will escalate as needed. The final step would be something akin to physically removing myself from the situation, if at all possible for my own sanity, and possibly finding a different geographical location to call 'home'.




Carry on and have a fantastic day.

 

[The Felonius Pope]

Carry on and have a fantastic day

I think I will!

 

[)O( Hytegia )O(]

HEY GUYS WHAT'S GOING ON IN THIS THREAD?!

Anywhoozle, New Age itself isn't a religion per se. It's more of a general practice of things with a vague metaphysical construct - a mish-mash of different things in order to obtain some kind of earthly benefit. The funny thing about most New Agers is, if you asked them the intricate details about what they believe, it's a vague and broad range of nonsense that many times is simply incompatible in different belief systems that has been meshed together in such ambiguous terms and so far out of context that it sounds like a bunch of mindless babble.

I'm a neo-Pagan, but I know very well the hard influx of the New Age movement. My favorite part was when I met one that thought they knew what I was talking about but began interjecting all sorts of nonsense. It's like inserting Catholicism into Southern Baptist - it was absolutely awkward and facepalm-worthy.