There's nothing like reviving an old thread, but there's a few very interesting thins said here and I have some questions and comments... Hope no one mind and I hope we've got some active New Agers by now...
I know many religious people, Hindus included, who use the maxim 'it is not a religion, it is a way of life'. I could never understand sayings such as that as well as 'I'm spiritual, but not religious'. I also couldn't ever find any satisfying explanation thereof. IMHO I think people use it because they're afraid of the negative stigma to the word 'religion'. In my own language religion simply means 'service to God'. Then again, maybe it is possible to 'be in spirit' (spiritual) while not giving 'service to God'...
I like this idea, that New Age is an umbrella term for many religions, just like Paganism is an umbrella term for reconstructed mythological religions (correct me if I'm wrong). The question I have then is what is these religions specifically called? And how do I recognize them from all the others? I do, however, agree that some New Agers belong to traditional religions while interpreting differently.
This is very interesting. What do you mean by 'style or approach to religion'?
I have a big interest in the Theosophical Society and am trying to join them. Are you saying that they are New Agers? If so, why?