No offense, but New Age spiritualism seems dreadfully boring

[DerekG]

Mind you, I'm not knocking this movement on a theological level; this is just an observation from someone who has an eye for drama. So my problem with New Age boils down to the fact that it's too tidy, too painless, too loving. New Age is like Star Wars without "Sith" and "Empire."

There's no sin.
No sacrifice.
No hellfire.
No inhibition regarding sexuality, and a lot towards violence (c'mon, you'll never develop neuroses with *that* attitude).

Say what you will about the Abrahamic tradition...and least it gave us Dante, Milton and those morbid Grimm brothers.

So ditch Marianne Williamson. Cause you're not okay, and neither am I.

[knowbody0]

1. the thing i like about it

is you can't say "Satan made me do it"
personally, i love being a part of the universe, connected to all life energy and realizing that my thoughts create my reality. try it! you may just like it.

[bliss_eternal]

2. So much of the philosophy

is so beautiful and so loving. I dig that!

Having grown up with religions based on guilt and/or making people feel badly about themselves--I love that there are other options that embrace people just as they are.

[knowbody0]

3. me too, raised full of guilt by the Catholic Church

i went to bed feeling badly every night clutching my Rosary.

[bliss_eternal]

8. I know that feeling...

I got it from two ends--Catholic guilt, and the hell and brimstones of Christian Baptists. I don't know which is worse--they were both pretty bad.

I'm sorry you went through that and have found something that brings you peace and serenity. :hug:

[Az]

4. There is no denying the beauty of much of new age thinking

But the problem comes from whether it relates to reality or not. There are a lot of imaginary things that are beautiful. Beauty may have value but it need not be reality. But reality can be beautiful.

One of my favorite references regarding this situation comes from a conflict between Newton and Keats. Newton had recently discovered the properties of light by splitting it into a spectrum by passing it through a prism. Keats complained that he had destroyed the beauty of the rainbow by unweaving it.

But its not true. The rainbow is still there and it is still beautiful. And from what we have learned about light we have discovered entire new realms of beauty.

[knowbody0]

14. and i love

that without darkness there would be no light

[ZombieNixon]

5. Star Wars w/o ROTS and TESB?!?

That leaves what? Jar-Jar and Ewoks? :scared:

[DerekG]

6. Yes, I'm afraid it does

So while the New Agers are stuck in that ewok village singing that bloody "yub yub" song; the Jews, Christians and Muslims get that nice piece of opera, "Duel of the Fates."

It's all about the drama, baby.

[ZombieNixon]

7. I totally agree.

I can't buy New Age philosophy because it makes me itch. It's too...happy. My parents often dragged my off to "parties" hosted by New Age friends, who, while they were wonderfully good people, were far too touchy-feely for my taste.

To me, holding hands around a table while singing "Kumbaya" does not seem to be an effective way of bringing about social change.

Without evil, how would we know what good is?

Jus' my thoughts...

[bliss_eternal]

9. No one thing is for everyone...

That's the great thing, in that everyone is free to select a spirituality or religious system that they enjoy and derive fulfillment from.

What's airy fairy, and touchy feely for you may not be for the next guy.

I don't think there is a right or wrong. I believe that is the problem with so many traditional religious belief systems--too much right and wrong. Much of it, man made implications to control others.

I understand what you guys are saying. I personally am mistrustful of systems created by man to control others and make them feel badly about themselves...but that's just me. :hi:

Interesting thoughts to consider though all around...

[ZombieNixon]

10. ...or to not select any system.

I do not subscribe to any belief system, and I doubt I ever will. I choose to search for my own answers, and I find a New Ager trying to push their beliefs on me as offensive as a Mormon or a Jehovah's Witness. I'm quite happy with the God I have, thank you.

I do not believe that faith is a community matter, as that will inevitably lead to factionalism and cliquishness, which I got enough of in high school. The only people I will share my faith with are my eventual soulmate; that person who I choose to spend my life with, and my children.

[bliss_eternal]

11. Absolutely--

or to NOT select any system.

While I commented on the aspect of the 'new age' beliefs that I find appealing, I haven't really stated one way or another WHAT I subscribe to. Because as you said, it's a personal issue.

I like to discuss religion and belief systems this way--as an open discussion. I don't like that today it seems to be some way of 'categorizing' people.

I sincerely miss the days when it was considered rude to ask about others belief system, as well as it was to 'preach' to others about religion. I know that some religions demand this of their members--I just find it inappropriate.

[ZombieNixon]

12. That's exactly it.

I absolutely love my religious studies class here at DePaul because we have to leave our religious affiliation at the door in order to look at ethical issues in an objective manner. Our class is a very diverse group, but we manage to have amiable discussions because we leave all identification behind. It's great!

[bliss_eternal]

13. Sounds like a great class!

Several years ago, I rode the 'el' past your school, at least a few times a week--when I lived there--briefly. Came back to CA--allergies didn't like the weather extremes. :(

[ZombieNixon]

15. I always seem to get stuck in the car with the crazy-preacher types...

:(

Always trying to shake your hand and tell you you're a sinner. :mad:

[ikojo]

16. The Jews also get bagles and lox

which are quite delicious!!!

[hippiechick]

17. Wow, if that's what you think ....

:shrug: Cause there IS bad, there IS sin, there IS pain ... New Agers just don't feel the need to carry it around on their backs, or use it to blame themselves and judge everyone else.

Peace of mind is a good thing. Try it sometime. O8)