How new is new age? (ritual, reincarnation, beliefs, pagan)

Master Vigil · #1 01-08-2005, 12:08 PM

It seems that the only new part of new age is the UFO stuff. The rest seems to be taken from OLD times. Why don't they call it OLD age? Or am I wrong in my assumption?

Sunstone · #2 01-08-2005, 12:11 PM

I think a lot of new age tries to blend science into ancient beliefs. The science is new (sometimes it's even made up and fabricated) but the ancient beliefs may be old. It's an odd mix.

Holly · #3 01-09-2005, 12:52 AM

My understanding has always been that the modern New Age movement originated during the 60s and 70s. I may be wrong though.

linwood · #4 01-09-2005, 01:03 AM

Well I wanted this forum and am willing to discuss but someone is going to have to give me a definition of New Age first.

I realise it will be broad but I need something.

Holly · #5 01-09-2005, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linwood

Well I wanted this forum and am willing to discuss but someone is going to have to give me a definition of New Age first.

I realise it will be broad but I need something.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/newage.htm

Here's the dictionary definition:

New Age
adj.

Of or relating to a complex of spiritual and consciousness-raising movements originating in the 1980s and covering a range of themes from a belief in spiritualism and reincarnation to advocacy of holistic approaches to health and ecology.
Of, relating to, or resembling New Age music.

n. A style of modern music characterized by a relaxing or dreamy texture derived from quiet harmonies and drones, often incorporating synthesizers and acoustic and ethnic instrumentation.

Ok, maybe I was wrong. The dictionary says that it originated in the 80s. Also, check out the sticky at the top of the forum.

Dr. Nosophoros · #6 01-09-2005, 01:11 AM

I think the "new age" is basically a blend of the same stuff everyone else has been selling but it plays to the same "white light" philosophies and mentalities many seem afraid to alieanate themselves from- It's just across the street, but it is across the street- not too far.

It's nothing new, just old stuff morphed, made new again and the less palatable changed to be more so to turn a buck.

Bastet · #7 01-09-2005, 02:27 AM

'New Age' is an umbrella term for a wide range of personal and individual beliefs and practices influenced primarily by Eastern religions, paganism, and spiritism. Old stuff made new, like Dr. Nos. said.

pensive · #8 01-09-2005, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master Vigil

It seems that the only new part of new age is the UFO stuff. The rest seems to be taken from OLD times. Why don't they call it OLD age? Or am I wrong in my assumption?

Because "New Age" is not referring to the newness of the practices. New Age is referring to what many in the 60's and 70's were looking forward as the dawn of the New Age, the Age of Aquarius. New Age philosophy is philosophy about what things will help to carry us into that New Age and "humanity's greatness" that we are supposed to find in it.

michel · #9 01-09-2005, 08:38 AM

I think you're right; there is in fact nothing new. If you accept Erik Von Daniken's (Think thats the spelling), where he discusses stone age carvings and paintings in caves, I think UFO's are 'old hat' as well.

cardero · #10 01-09-2005, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Master Vigil writes: It seems that the only new part of new age is the UFO stuff.The rest seems to be taken from OLD times. Why don't they call it OLD age? Or am I wrong in my assumption?

I have to agree with Master Vigil. It is only called New Age because people have just discovered or were made aware of it within the past century and could not find a catagory to label this understanding. The theories of New Age are as old a