The New Age Movement Essay -- essays research papers

The New Age MovementAlthough the New Age movement is not technically a organized religion , eight to ninepercent of people that do not rely in organized religion find the New Age astheir replacement. The New Age movement is very diffi fury to describealthough not impossible. It is a complex sociological phenomenon that can beperceived in some ways. Basically, what another(prenominal) person sympathises, the other may not.The New Age movement is best understood as a network of networks. A network isan informal, in the main knit organization which is very different in both structureand operation than other types of organizations. Networks are spontaneouslycreated by people to address problems and bring home the bacon possibilities primarily outsideof established institutions. Networks tend to be decentralized, often having nosingle leader of headquarters and with power and responsibility widelydistributed. Networks also see through many perspectives. The New Age movementis an ext remely large and structured network of organization and individualsthat are bound together by plebeian values. These values are based on mysticismand monism which is the world view that "all is one".     The New Age movement is not a cult by any accepted sociologicaldefinition. Although there are several cults which could be classified within,such as the Transcendental Meditation and the followers of deported Indian guruBhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Cult membership is by far the exception and not therule for New Agers. New Agers tend to be eclectic which means that they drawwhat they esteem is the best from various sources. Exclusive devotion to asingle teacher, teaching or techniques is not long term. They move from oneapproach to "wholeness" to another in their spiritual quest.(Miller. 1989. P.18)     New Agers consider spirituality much more a matter of experience thanbelief. Some New Agers do not believe that their beliefs are universal.Beliefs are often portrayed as direct impediments to enlightenment. As I statedbefore, all New Agers believe that "all is one". A second assumption is thatthis Ultimate reality is neither dead matter nor unconscious energy. In otherwords, it is Being and Awareness. New Agers believe that man is stray byGod only in his own conscious and awareness. thitherfore he is the victim of afalse sens... ... In comparison to the Christian religion their difference lies inthe 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 pass on agree that Jesus Christ is God, his world view will always compel him tosay 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 asdivine. In my opinion, I do not think that I could consider myself as equalwith God or Jesus, therefore I personally did not believe in some aspects ofthis religion. (Lewis. 1992, p.48)     In choosing this religion as my area of research, I never realized thecomplexity of the topic. Through extensive research I have developed a keenunderstanding of this topic. There are some things that I strongly agree withwhile others need to be put to the test.WORK CITEDChandler, R. 1988. Understanding The New Age. Word Publishing. DallasMiller, E. 1989. A flash 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.