What Are Some Identifying Marks Of New Agers?
Are rainbows, unicorns, and crystals sure
marks of New Age involvement? How can we accurately identify New Agers?
We know that not everyone wearing a cross
qualifies as a Christian. Similarly, not everyone who sports rainbow
and unicorn decals, or owns crystals, is necessarily a New Ager. Remember
that these symbols had their origins long before the onset of the New
Age movement. In order to identify New Agers accurately, we must go
beyond superficial symbols and look at what they believe and practice.
First, New Agers hold to a view called pantheistic
monism -- they see everything as being one, and regard this One as divine.
Hence, New Agers believe everyone is god. They also believe that the
universe operates under the law of karma and its attendant doctrine
of reincarnation. The personal goal of New Agers is to achieve spiritual
enlightenment, and they commonly turn to so-called "ascended masters"
or spirit guides to help them in their spiritual evolution.
Second, to attain spiritual enlightenment,
New Agers typically engage in various occultic practices. These practices
include such things as astrology, magic, and psychic healing, as well
as ongoing mystical activities like meditation and out-of-body experiences.
Third, New Agers share a vision of a coming
New Age marked by global peace and spiritual enlightenment. Connected
with this vision is the fourth identifying trait of New Agers -- "networking,"
or cooperating with other New Agers in the free exchange of ideas and
in the attempt to mold society into what New Agers believe the world
should be.
Anyone who fits one or more of these four
traits can be said to have affinities with the New Age movement, while
not necessarily being a New Ager himself. However, if all four of these
criteria are true of that person, then we can be sure that he or she
is indeed a New Ager.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
On the subject of the New
Age movement, please consult Encyclopedia of New Age Beliefs by John
Ankerberg and John Weldon (B372/$20.00). This resource is available
through CRI. To place a credit card order, call toll-free (888) 7000-CRI.
For shipping and handling information, please call CRI or refer to our
Resource Listing. To receive a free copy of our Resource Listing, fax
us at (949) 858-6111 or write us with your request at P.O. Box 7000,
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-7000.
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