What is the definition to "New Age" spiritual groups?

Question

Is it called new age because of "new" ideas of peoples thoughts who are not following scripture from the Bible? Are these people who form these groups actually cults? I belong to a loving, encouraging, and uplifting church. Can you tell me some of the names of these groups or peoples names so I can tell others that I care about to avoid. I suppose I am naive in this area because I've been blessed to belong to a church where I can hear the word of God and grow and learn in my faith. Thank you and God Bless to those who have been touched by the Holy spirit and for all of the unbelievers that we pray for who won't be mislead and know the truth which is God's Holy word. I thank you in advance for those who take this question with great care and concern like mine.

Answer 1

New Age encompasses a very broad variety of beliefs. Everything from simple meditation to "aura cleansing circles" - all kinds of stuff. Drumming groups. Some people consider pagans "new age" but I personally think that's a whole other ball of wax because at least the pagans have structure. New Agers tend to be a "catch all." A sort of cafeteria belief system where they dabble in all faiths but essentially have none.

You'll find things like:
Astrology
Geomancy
Crystals and crystal healing
Out of body experiences
"trance" meditation
Transcendental meditation (which from a christian perspective can lead to possession)
Channelling
Healing Circles
Drumming Circles (NOT the Native American kind)
Chakra work
Inner child work
feminist goddess worship (as opposed to Wicca)

stuff like that.

Answer 2

Many years ago, a man by the name of Pope Gregory had two Franciscan monks write a work for him called, "Malleus Maleficarum." This is the document that ushered in the Inquisition which lasted over 200 years and resulted in the death of millions of innocent people. It is estimated that over 80% of those deaths were inflicted upon women. Why did this happen?

This took place at the time when the church was converting Western Europe. The cultures of each European country had their spiritual roots in paganism. They believed in many gods and goddesses, were sensitive to the earth and they were far from what they have been described as - evil. They were in fact farmers and village people who planted according the things like the cycles of the moon. Some among them were considered Wise Women. These women were adept in the arts of healing with herbs and the like. When a villager was sick, instead of going to his parish priest, he would go to the local Wise Woman for help.

The church did not like this. It took power away from the parish priest. People were going to Wise Women rather than have their parish priest pray for them. Consequently, Pope Gregory decided to put a stop to these pagan practices and the people who were learned and practiced them. Enter the Inquisition. Enter vast, all encompassing murder. Enter a gentle group of people being forced to hide their beliefs and moving everything underground.

Where it stayed until the 1950s. Since that time, there has been a resurgence of the Old Religion and the Old ways. And as different people researched, they gave it the name, "New Age." These beliefs are now finding a New Age of discovery and practice.

It is no more evil now then it was back during the days of the Inquisition. Herbal therapies and the like are no more evil now then they were 500 years ago. The only real evil perpetrated was the evil of desiring power at any price. And finally...

It is no more a cult than you and your lovely church are a cult.

I do hope this explanation helps you.

Answer 3

theyre cults that dont believe the trinity