ÿþ<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>New Age Religion</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> <P> <H1>Toward a definition of New Age religion</H1> (adapted from entry submitted to <I>Encyclopedia of American Politics and Religion</I> in 2002)<BR> <BR> <H2>New Age religion</H2> <P> Simultaneously a look to the future and a reach into the primordial past, New Age religious movements claim ancient roots for modern manifestations of spirituality often heavily infused with environmental concerns. These communities differ from other new religious movements in that the former have their origins in Western culture, and draw upon Western religious traditions. The latter generally are sectarian offshoots of Old World Religions (including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam), and operate as institutionalized congregations. While their roots are Eastern, their membership is Western. Many American Buddhist communities consist entirely of Caucasian converts; other examples include Hare Krishna and the Unification Church. While members of new religious movements often are described as restless young adults, members of the various New Age groups are usually described by observers as somewhat older, mostly white, college-educated, middle-class adults. </P><P> New Age religions can be seen as emerging from the social upheavals of the 1960s and early 1970s - the natural conclusion to the Age of Aquarius. However, what is termed New Age is not new to North America. The roots of what is now described as New Age can also be seen in the late 19th Century. It can be argued that Theosophy and other forms of spiritualism are the underpinnings of movements gaining adherents a century later. Christian Science, another 19th Century denomination, also combined spirituality with healing. </P><P>Although it might appear that the popularity of New Age religions has peaked, their absence from the media is misleading. Because of their marginalized status and relatively small numbers, New Age communities generally operate outside the view of mainstream America. There are many such organizations, ranging in size from (literally) a handful of adherents to several thousand. There is no national organization, no sanctioning body; most local groups are autonomous. The best sources of information usually are alternative news publications (especially those focusing on the intersections among health, environment and spirituality). </P><P>In the early 21st century, the list of religious communities usually described as New Age is fluid. It includes everyone from the Ásatrú (allied with the Old Norse pantheon) to those whose spirituality centers on their personal connections with guardian angels. There s the Bear Clan, Society for Ascension, Crystal Connection, SETH readers, Coven of the Goddess, Temple of Natural Science, Psychic Science Church, Self-Realization Fellowship, Edgar Cayce study groups, at least seven major categories within Wicca -- and many, many more. Some prefer to be labeled pagan or neo-pagan, while others include a medley of religious belief and practice, incorporating (for example) Buddhist meditation techniques with prophecy traditions and Native American ritual. Wiccans gained headlines in the late 1990s by demanding freedom to practice their religion in the military and in prisons. </P><P>The designation New Age is broad enough to include the occult, extraterrestrial contact and other non-mainstream beliefs (for example, Heaven s Gate). The worldview includes a wider range of supernatural beliefs than Old World religions, and therefore séances, channeling sessions, and past-life regressions can be included. </P><P>New Age religions typically include an emphasis on the complex interrelationship of spirit, mind and body, and many practices once confined to  alternative lifestyles have found their way into mainstream America - from spiritual retreats and labyrinth walks to natural foods and healing imagery. At-home birthing, dream interpretation, yoga classes and arranging one s home with the help of a Feng Shui practitioner also have crossed over from New Age to ordinary. Astrology columns are in every newspaper. Ayurvedic medicine has joined acupuncture in the acceptable range of medical treatments. Kinesthetic reflexology, Rolfing and therapeutic massage are becoming routine. The new field of life coaching (also called motivational coaching) has emerged from the New Age worldview, which emphasizes the possibility of personal transformation. </P><P>Laws at all level of government concerning New Age movements can be seen as an attempt to protect the gullible from charlatans using magic or the occult to swindle their victims. </P><P>Some common  buzz words in New Age movements include: balance (as in balancing one s electromagnetic fields), auras, channeling, potential energy, synchrodestiny and whole-life living. The material culture includes Tarot cards, crystals, pyramids, images of angels and Native American dream catchers. New Age practitioners often are vegetarians who prefer organically grown food. They also tend to belong to environmental action and peace groups, believing that the natural environment plays a key role in the development of human consciousness, identity and health, and that world peace begins with inner peace.<BR> <I>By Susan McKee</I><BR> </P> <HR> References:<BR> <A HREF="http://www.bloomington.in.us/~pen">www.bloomington.in.us/~pen</A>: Pagan Educational Network website<BR> Margot Adler, <I>Drawing Down the Moon</I>, Boston: Beacon Press, 1979. <BR> <BR> <HR> (created March 2002)<BR> (revised 25 April 2002)<BR> </BODY> </HTML>