New Age Lies
NEW AGE LIES
David W. Pentrack
Definition
The "New Age" Movement (NAM), sometimes also referred to as the "Human
Potential Movement", is a loosely connected network of people, groups, activities and
practices which, according to its adherents, purportedly foster and produce a vast array
of beneficial results such as "spiritual" and personal growth, financial success,
improvement in relationships, physical and psychological healing, individual and
global peace, stabilization of the environment, etc.
Background
The NAM was born in the U.S. during the rebellious 1960's when all traditional
institutions and values, especially in relation to the Church and the family were under
attack. The forerunner and vanguard of the New Age was the "Peace Movement" of the
1960's which condemned traditional morality. The NAM also drew from Radical
Environmentalism, Radical Feminism and Feminist spirituality of the 1970's while it
gained popularity around the world. Today the NAM has been able to successfully
infiltrate almost every major institution, both religious and secular.
Appearance of Good/Reality of Evil
The NAM, on the surface, appears to be a good thing. It promises global peace, health,
personal and spiritual growth, and environmental stability. However, the methods it
promotes to achieve these goals are cleverly hidden beneath this benevolent surface
appearance. A closer scrutiny reveals a dark, sinister methodology for drawing people
away from the Jesus Christ and towards individualism, and the religious practices of
pagans, belief in reincarnation, and the power of the "Self".
Nevertheless, the NAM, on the surface, does not deny the existence of Jesus Christ - to
do so would scare off most Christians in an instant. Instead, clever syntax is applied,
while traditional aspects of our faith are redefined. Jesus Christ becomes less than
what He is, God, and instead is relegated to becoming one of a number of "Spiritual
Guides" or "Ascended Masters" who were mere humans who "evolved" into higher
beings after discovering and using "ancient wisdom." Indeed, the NAM promises that
any individual can attain this status through "Self Realization" or "Higher
Consciousness" of the fact of one's own "Higher Self", "God-Self", or "Divinity".
Essentially, each individual can become God.
Forbidden Fruit
The NAM is riddled with occult and other forbidden practices which make up the
"ancient wisdom", including mediumship, channeling, divination, astrology, consulting
spirits of the dead, tarot cards, crystals, palm reading, ouija boards, psychic powers,
Yoga, transcendental meditation, rose poetry, past-life regression, etc. God spoke to
Moses about such practices:
"Let there not be found among you anyone who immolates his son or daughter in the
fire, nor fortune teller, soothsayer, charmer, diviner, or caster of spells, nor one who
consults ghosts and spirits or seeks oracles from the dead. Anyone who does such
things is an abomination to the Lord" (Deut 18:10-12)
"Do not turn aside to idols, nor make molten gods for yourselves. I, the Lord, am your
God." (Lev 19:4)
"The Spirit says clearly that some men will abandon their faith in later times. They
will obey lying spirits and follow the teaching of demons." (1 Timothy 4:1)
Despite the clear implications of such practices, an increasing number of people are
abandoning their true faith to follow some or many aspects of the NAM. People today
are replacing God with evil spirits and pagan gods, just as the ancient Israelites and
Egyptians did during the time of Moses. The seductions are subtle, but at its core is
Satan himself. He is promising, just as he did in the Garden of Eden, that the forbidden
fruit will make us gods.
"No Sin, No Hell"
The concepts of sin and hell do not exist in the NAM. Reincarnation and "ascension"
are the explanations given by the NAM. "Original blessing" replace the concept of
original sin, and Man's fall from grace is now termed Man's "ascension". The
redemptive power of the cross is no longer needed, and in this way Jesus' Crucifixion is
no longer meaningful and can therefore be totally ignored. Some aspects of the "New
Age" depersonalize Jesus Christ by referring to a "Christ Consciousness" (Eckankar) -
who came through various persons throughout the ages, or a "Cosmic Christ"
(Rosecrusianism).
Evil Spirits in Disguise
Satan, as well as the other evil spirits, are fallen angels who turned away from God.
Yet they have the power to appear to people as benevolent. Saint Paul warns
"Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." (2 Cor 11:14)
What appears to some New Agers to be a "Divine Light" is, in reality, the "Shining
Darkness" of Satan. Despite the attractiveness, and apparent concern shown by these
"Spirit Guides", these spirits will ultimately lead to spiritual oppression and other
forms of spiritual destruction here on Earth, and possibly serious consequences in the
life to come.
Truth=Jesus Christ
Catholics and other Christians need to become more aware of the lures and traps of the
NAM in order to avoid them. We must reject the lies and false promises of Satan's
NAM, and give ourselves completely to the Truth that is Jesus Christ. Satan wishes to
rule the world, but God will ultimately triumph. He alone is our hope and our
salvation.
