The New Age Movement Essay -- essays research papers

The New Age Movement Although the New Age movement is not technically a religion , eight to nine percent of people that do not believe in organized religion find the New Age as their replacement. The New Age movement is very difficult to describe although not impossible. It is a complex sociological phenomenon that can be perceived in many ways. Basically, what another person sees, the other may not. The New Age movement is best understood as a network of networks. A network is an informal, loosely knit organization which is very different in both structure and operation than other types of organizations. Networks are spontaneously created by people to address problems and offer possibilities primarily outside of established institutions. Networks tend to be decentralized, often having no single leader of headquarters and with power and responsibility widely distributed. Networks also see through many perspectives. The New Age movement is an extremely large and structured network of organization and individuals that are bound together by common values. These values are based on mysticism and monism which is the world view that "all is one". The New Age movement is not a cult by any accepted sociological definition. Although there are several cults which could be classified within, such as the Transcendental Meditation and the followers of deported Indian guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Cult membership is by far the exception and not the rule for New Agers. New Agers tend to be eclectic which means that they draw what they think is the best from various sources. Exclusive devotion to a single teacher, teaching or techniques is not long term. They move from one approach to "wholeness" to another in their spiritual quest.(Miller. 1989. P.18) New Agers consider spirituality much more a matter of experience than belief. Some New Agers do not believe that their beliefs are universal. Beliefs are often portrayed as direct impediments to enlightenment. As I stated before, all New Agers believe that "all is one". A second assumption is that this Ultimate reality is neither dead matter nor unconscious energy. In other words, it is Being and Awareness. New Agers believe that man is separated by God only in his own conscious and awareness. Therefore he is the victim of a false sens... ... In comparison to the Christian religion their difference lies in the belief that all is one (god), therefore there could be no sin and no death. The death of Christ for our sins becomes meaningless. Although the New Agers will agree that Jesus Christ is God, his world view will always compel him to say that Jesus is no more God than anyone else. In the Christian religion, Jesus is separated from the rest of humanity in fact that he is demonstrated as divine. In my opinion, I do not think that I could consider myself as equal with God or Jesus, therefore I personally did not believe in some aspects of this religion. (Lewis. 1992, p.48) In choosing this religion as my area of research, I never realized the complexity of the topic. Through extensive research I have developed a keen understanding of this topic. There are some things that I strongly agree with while others need to be put to the test. WORK CITED Chandler, R. 1988. Understanding The New Age. Word Publishing. Dallas Miller, E. 1989. A Crash Course On The New Age Movement. Baker Book House. Michigan. Lewis, J. 1992. Perspectives On The New Age. State University of New York Press. Albany.