J
Jack007
Guest
I have an opinion. The beliefs from wikipedia are heterodox. And see also part two of christ the water bearer of life.
- Status
M
Mystical_Seeker
Guest
Thank you for the reply. I guess I didn’t understand why you brought Wikipedia in on a discussion of church teaching, especially if they are not in line with her.
I
ialsop
Guest
Im so lost in this discussion…I have no idea what we are talking about anymore.
So lets return to the original claim: The new age movement is satanic at its core.
True? False? What do you think? Why?
So lets return to the original claim: The new age movement is satanic at its core.
True? False? What do you think? Why?
L
Lost_Wanderer
Guest
It’s false on the mere basis that even the Church’s official primers on New Age are obscure on defining the subject. This is hardly helpful to both the scrupulous and those who feel that the Church is merely scaremongering its own flock to keep pews filled with ‘the faithful.’
M
Mystical_Seeker
Guest
It appears that some practices typically associated with “new age” are condemned by the Church. I will accept that as a given.
But saying “the new age movement is satanic at its core” is IMO a meaningless generalization, the kind I would expect from people who are driven more by fear than information.
I have FB friends that used crystals, tarot cards, etc. But regardless of their techniques, they were in an honest quest for truth, as far as they knew how to seek it. Who knows what gave them that idea, or what convinced them to try those things. I have some ideas but they are not central to my point for this post.
I would watch these kids, and they would actually share memes of Jesus quotes, right before and after they might post a video on someone laying out crystals, or a meme that talks about being star babies or whatever.
Remember what Jesus said, let the weeds and the wheat grow together. Meanwhile, I was an “enemy” of the Dark Forces, in that every time I got a chance, I would inject a Bible quote. They trusted me because I didn’t judge them but instead of telling him how wrong they all were, I stayed “under the radar” as it were – I did that in accordance with Paul’s strategy in 1 Cor 9. Go in under the radar, and plant seeds when I got a chance.
To keep their trust, I did not attempt to convince them that the Gospel is binding upon them because if I tried to “shove it down their throat” they would simply unfriend me, and go on with their darkness. Instead, I would qualify it which would both give them the option to receive it as a gift rather than a mandate (which keeps them from becoming defensing and closing their eyes, ears, and hearts to the Good Seed) like so:
For example:
What if they wrote something about looking into someone’s eyes and seeing their soul? I might write something like this:
In my Christian tradition, Jesus had a similar idea. He said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”
Then they would see how awesome it was, and “Like” the post, and sometimes comment further about it. Does anybody else but me see what a victory that can be for Jesus? When you offer Good Seed on a plate rather than a hammer, they are only too anxious to Taste and See the goodness of the Lord.
In my view and with my experience over about the last three years with these FB friends, there is nothing dangerous or satanic about these people, except they have fallen into error in their honest quest for truth. Rather than go in there like gangbusters and telling them they are all going to hell, I chose to befriend them the way I believe Jesus might advise, and then whenever there is an opportunity, plant some Good Seed, and let the Holy Spirit take it from there.
Don’t be afraid to be a light amid darkness. That is where the light is most needed.
MS
I
ialsop
Guest
Very interesting points from both of you…makes sense.
J
Jack007
Guest
It appears that some practices typically associated with “new age” are condemned by the Church. I will accept that as a given.
But saying “the new age movement is satanic at its core” is IMO a meaningless generalization, the kind I would expect from people who are driven more by fear than information.
I have FB friends that used crystals, tarot cards, etc. But regardless of their techniques, they were in an honest quest for truth, as far as they knew how to seek it. Who knows what gave them that idea, or what convinced them to try those things. I have some ideas but they are not central to my point for this post.
I would watch these kids, and they would actually share memes of Jesus quotes, right before and after they might post a video on someone laying out crystals, or a meme that talks about being star babies or whatever.
Remember what Jesus said, let the weeds and the wheat grow together. Meanwhile, I was an “enemy” of the Dark Forces, in that every time I got a chance, I would inject a Bible quote. They trusted me because I didn’t judge them but instead of telling him how wrong they all were, I stayed “under the radar” as it were – I did that in accordance with Paul’s strategy in 1 Cor 9. Go in under the radar, and plant seeds when I got a chance.
To keep their trust, I did not attempt to convince them that the Gospel is binding upon them because if I tried to “shove it down their throat” they would simply unfriend me, and go on with their darkness. Instead, I would qualify it which would both give them the option to receive it as a gift rather than a mandate (which keeps them from becoming defensing and closing their eyes, ears, and hearts to the Good Seed) like so:
For example:
What if they wrote something about looking into someone’s eyes and seeing their soul? I might write something like this:
In my Christian tradition, Jesus had a similar idea. He said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole body will be filled with light; but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be in darkness. And if the light in you is darkness, how great will the darkness be.”
Then they would see how awesome it was, and “Like” the post, and sometimes comment further about it. Does anybody else but me see what a victory that can be for Jesus? When you offer Good Seed on a plate rather than a hammer, they are only too anxious to Taste and See the goodness of the Lord.
In my view and with my experience over about the last three years with these FB friends, there is nothing dangerous or satanic about these people, except they have fallen into error in their honest quest for truth. Rather than go in there like gangbusters and telling them they are all going to hell, I chose to befriend them the way I believe Jesus might advise, and then whenever there is an opportunity, plant some Good Seed, and let the Holy Spirit take it from there.
Don’t be afraid to be a light amid darkness. That is where the light is most needed.
MS
R
Rosarydevotion
Guest
New agers don’t realize that their teachings are rooted in satanic dogma. Such as the glorification of man.
It seems that people feel that since no one can define new age, then we shouldn’t judge it for it’s harm. Well that’s where new age gets away with witchcraft, occult, and satanic practices. People are innocent, they don’t understand how engaging in these practices opens up the door to demonic influence, but it does. It seriously does.
New age is nothing more than occultism, placing god like value on man and not on God through Jesus Christ. You cant serve two masters, and this is why you cant follow both Christ and Horoscopes.
It seems that people feel that since no one can define new age, then we shouldn’t judge it for it’s harm. Well that’s where new age gets away with witchcraft, occult, and satanic practices. People are innocent, they don’t understand how engaging in these practices opens up the door to demonic influence, but it does. It seriously does.
New age is nothing more than occultism, placing god like value on man and not on God through Jesus Christ. You cant serve two masters, and this is why you cant follow both Christ and Horoscopes.
M
Mystical_Seeker
Guest
Why can’t we just say that witchcraft, satanic rituals, etc. are evil?
Why do we have to have a collective name for it anyway? We can say there are murders, thieves, vandals, etc. and give them the collective name of “criminal” because they are well-defined and the category describes them.
But with “new age” it’s like saying “modern music is bad.” Maybe all of the music I’ve heard that I call “modern,” I don’t like. But is that classical, rock, hymns written in the last 50 years? It’s not a useful title but it works for those who like to paint with broad brush strokes.
Why do we have to have a collective name for it anyway? We can say there are murders, thieves, vandals, etc. and give them the collective name of “criminal” because they are well-defined and the category describes them.
But with “new age” it’s like saying “modern music is bad.” Maybe all of the music I’ve heard that I call “modern,” I don’t like. But is that classical, rock, hymns written in the last 50 years? It’s not a useful title but it works for those who like to paint with broad brush strokes.
L
Lost_Wanderer
Guest
If you ask me, your camp of self-styled spirit warriors seem more bent on the depreciation of man.
It’s also how the exorcist fanbase constantly sees the devil under anything that bears a pentagram, uses magic wands, and throws around the term wizard.
P
PRmerger
Guest
EDIT: well, except the part about the pentagram. That seems pretty one-sided satanic to me.
L
Lost_Wanderer
Guest
P
PRmerger
Guest
Okey dokey.You need to play more J-RPGs.
If you say so. I trust your word on it, rather than some of the reactionary types that are recusant to good common sense. Moderation is typically the best route, no?
However, I will say that some folks who have been in the occult world and left are quite unwavering in their opposition to even the most minimal and innocuous-appearing new age stuff. I give a nod to them, given what they have experienced.
L
Lost_Wanderer
Guest
I think it’s fair to respect their decision and their bad experiences. I just don’t think it gives anyone license to call others to do the same when their experience is radically different. That’s just annoying.
I mean, despite my criticism, I for one don’t really call others to abandon their Catholicism. They value their faith. I felt mine just didn’t help so I demoted it. It’s that simple.
P
PRmerger
Guest
True, dat.
Wait…what???I mean, despite my criticism, I for one don’t really call others to abandon their Catholicism. They value their faith. I felt mine just didn’t help so I demoted it. It’s that simple.
NOOooooooo!
Your faith “just didn’t help”?
So what?
It’s not about what “helps” (although that’s a nice, natural fringe benefit).
It’s about Truth.
Either Catholicism is true or it’s not.
And I can’t imagine what you find in Catholicism that ain’t true.
L
Lost_Wanderer
Guest
It’s a long story. Although, if you’ve encountered the following citations before, it just goes to show that even Catholics know that having a claim to the Truth doesn’t always prove anything:
P
PRmerger
Guest
Can you fill me in?
Either Catholicism is true or it’s the most monstrous thing in the world. (And why would you claim it on your Profile?)
So what’s the lie that the faith that’s been indelibly placed on your soul has proclaimed?
I don’t know what that even means.
Truth matters. It trumps everything.
L
Lost_Wanderer
Guest
Nah. Just pray someone in the Church can get close enough to me to care.
There are some things online apologetics cannot do.Just read the link I posted. It expresses at least several of my more thread-relevant issues with the Church. (And the best part, the priest who wrote it is practically in agreement with me.)
P
PRmerger
Guest
Will do. Done. Doing.Nah. Just pray someone in the Church can get close enough to me to care.
PM me your name, if you care to?
I read the link. It’s an awesome article. Everything in it I say
Not sure how that explains why you’ve “demoted” your Catholicism?
I see sinners in the Church. I don’t practice what I preach. There are some really mean people who are Catholics.
So what?
Why would that make me believe that the Church isn’t the Church Christ established?
L
Lost_Wanderer
Guest
About the name, sorry privacy thing. 
Though on the bright side, I suppose you’ve given me a good reason why I’d rather still be a reluctant, cafeteria Catholic rather than an out-and-out non-Catholic. Because really, I don’t always just reject everything the Church tells me to do.
Like my romantic situation, my relationship status with the Church is:
Uh, not exactly. It’s more like I’ve had a new, albeit selfish, criteria on what to do with any belief served to me.
Though on the bright side, I suppose you’ve given me a good reason why I’d rather still be a reluctant, cafeteria Catholic rather than an out-and-out non-Catholic. Because really, I don’t always just reject everything the Church tells me to do.
Like my romantic situation, my relationship status with the Church is:
- Status