Why are the New Age movement and other exotic ideas so attractive?

[rinnie]

You are actually getting closer to figuring it out Benedictus. If you read back a few more times it’ll come to you. I am not being a wise guy. Some people have to work things out on their own, and I think you are doing that. I can tell you, but you won’t get it. It has to “dawn on you” as they say. It’s all about the experience.

Your friend
Sufjon

See where I believe we differ greately Sufjon is you seem to believe that truth comes from within and we hold the key to truth and happiness.

We believe that truth comes from Christ and he holds the keys to truth and happiness.

We have learned from life that sometimes our TRUTH can get us into big trouble. Simply because if we want to sin greatly enough we can find a way for us to accept our own truth. But see God does not play that game. There is only ONE truth and it is entirely HIS not OURS. Do you see what I am saying?

As much as we HATE to admit it we have both good and evil in us. No matter who we are. When we choose GOD we choose truth, when we choose evil we choose the devil. Its really quite simple.

Because think about this if you were honest you have to admit you have some bad in you. Simply because you cannot tell me you have not sinned. So if you were to rely on yourself for the truth you will fail. You actually have already failed.

But we must rely on GOD and his truth to lead us. Not our truth. Our truth can not be truth after all. How many times have you truly believed in your heart something to be the truth and the right thing, and to see you were wrong. Are you understanding what I am saying?

 

[Sufjon]

All I’ve “figured” in that post was the flaw in Hinduism. So it seems you see the same flaw.

Hi Benedictus:

Actually, I don’t see the flaw, but I’m glad you have satisfied yourself. I explained the answer to your question a number of times on this post and if you still can’t comprehend it, it’s really no matter to me. You have your path to God and what you think of mine is of little consequence to God or to me. I think God would want you to focus on following yours well rather than casting dispersions on mine, but that’s your issue to deal with as you like.

Interesting. I wonder then why you remain Hindu.

I guess that’s something that’ll forever have to remain a mystery.

And interestingly, you have not given any answer to any of the questions I’ve raised.

-I am satisfied that I have, but for the sake of letting you win the argument so I can get back to grown folks conversations, then you win.

Your friend
Sufjon

 

[PRmerger]

-I am satisfied that I have, but for the sake of letting you win the argument so I can get back to grown folks conversations, then you win.

Your friend
Sufjon

You know, Sufjon, this type of comment is unnecessary.

When you first came to the CAFs I was intrigued by your extremely polite persona. It gave me pause–you were so polite, even to the point of being obsequious--that I wondered, “Is this guy for real?”

Now, I don’t know if this humble, polite fellow who once appeared here is the true Sufjon, and being here has made you quickly devolve into a person who posts insults…

Or if this persona you’re demonstrating today is the real Sufjon.

At any rate, I didn’t really buy the smarminess in the first place.

 

[Sufjon]

See where I believe we differ greately Sufjon is you seem to believe that truth comes from within and we hold the key to truth and happiness.

We believe that truth comes from Christ and he holds the keys to truth and happiness.

I would have to say that you’re right as to the difference. I believe that Christ is within us and all around us, and therein the truth is to be found. The Way, the Truth and the Life are both nearer than the breath, and farther than the most distant galaxy. You are free to see it however you like, and you should do your very best to act in accordance with what you see and what you feel is right. Similarly, I am certain of what I see and am doing the same. If you focus your adoration on Jesus (as I am sure you do), you will eventually start to see Him in others, and I mean really see Him in others. Once you see Him in others, you will see Him everywhere, and when you start to see Him everywhere, you will see where truth and happiness are to be found. Not in some far away Jesus, or a Jesus who lives in a tabernacle on an altar. Rather, you will see a Jesus who resides in the tabernacle of the inmost self of every being, as well as a tabernacle on the altar, as well as floor of the ocean, the rocks of the moon and beyond.

Your friend
Sufjon

 

[benedictus2]

Hi Benedictus:
Actually, I don’t see the flaw, but I’m glad you have satisfied yourself. I explained the answer to your question a number of times on this post and if you still can’t comprehend it, it’s really no matter to me.

Actually you haven’t. It’s not a matter of me not seeing it, it’s a matter of you not explaining it satisfactorily.

**You said that afthomercy made a “great post” without qualifications and when I call it into question, then you say not it is not like that at all.

** Either you agree with afthomercy (which is why you said it was a great post) or you don’t. You have to make you mind up sometime. Perhaps that is what you need to do first .

You have your path to God and what you think of mine is of little consequence to God or to me.

So why are you in this thread?

By this you are showing that you are a relativist and I presume that stems from your Hindu belief.

Well, relativism is the greatest evil because it becomes the root of a lot of evils. Relativism is the child of the father of lies.

I think God would want you to focus on following yours well rather than casting dispersions on mine, but that’s your issue to deal with as you like.

What God wants both you and me to follow is the Truth. At the moment you are following a lie. And I have shown it for the lie that it is.

I mean just extend your belief that “everything is God and it is all about the experience.”

So therefore, Hitler, Stalin, Polpot, Mao, Dahmer, Bundy,etc are all god.

• If so, god must be evil and good at the same time - (good because he must also be Mother Theresa, St John of the Cross, etc)
• If so, god became Stalin, Hitler and Polpot to be able to experience what it is like to be truly evil. Apparently he is not enlightened enough that evil is wrong. He sounds like one of those psychopaths who torture, maim and kill people just to find out what it feels like to torture, maim and kill people.
• If so we should not stop any evil person from perpetuating his evil because after all this is just god trying to experience what it is like to be evil.
• If so we should not help the down trodden and feed the poor because this is just god choosing to be poor so that he can experience what it is like to die from hunger and thirst. Far be it for us (other gods) to stop this god from pursuing the course he has chosen.
• I could go on and on with more examples if you like.

Which - interestingly - makes no sense of karma at all.

So… that may be your god, but praise the Good Lord, He is not like that.

-I am satisfied that I have, but for the sake of letting you win the argument so I can get back to grown folks conversations, then you win.

No you haven’t. Not one single bit. And it is as plain as day for all to see on this board.

As for grown folk conversations, there is a requirement.

One must be able to keep track of what one has written so one does not say “yes, that is a great point” then in the next breath proceed to say (of the same great point) “not that is wrong”. That’s talking with a fork tongue.

 

[benedictus2]

Hi, Benedictus2,

Apparently we are seeing new agers providing a range of human failings being attributed to God - no too dissimilar to those of the Ancient Greek gods. There is forgetfulness and lack of coordination (having god-like particles separate for god - now, what kind of control is that?!) What made the Greeks so interesting is that they would take such a statement and sure-enough, a new Greek hero would acquire a wantering particle - and now you have another Achiles or Hercules or Theseus!

And, now it appears that creator of heaven and earth does not have all he answers - but, must seek (from who? through what?) enlightenment. It appears that, if this were a computer progr;am, someone would think they are lost on an endless loop! There just does not seem to be much promise from super beings with all-too-human failings!

Seriously, every explanation seems to lead to more discouraging answers - except the ones that reinforce the “It’s all about me” philosophy. This is ultimately discouraging, but it will take a while to get there - and, who knows, maybe one will be reincarnated into a dog or cat before one gets the realization that this just isn’t working! But, then it would probably be too late.

God bless

Yes, it is strange this self-combusting God. One wonders if there is any particle left that has not wandered off

 

[benedictus2]

You know, Sufjon, this type of comment is unnecessary.

When you first came to the CAFs I was intrigued by your extremely polite persona. It gave me pause–you were so polite, even to the point of being obsequious--that I wondered, “Is this guy for real?”

Now, I don’t know if this humble, polite fellow who once appeared here is the true Sufjon, and being here has made you quickly devolve into a person who posts insults…

Or if this persona you’re demonstrating today is the real Sufjon.

At any rate, I didn’t really buy the smarminess in the first place.

Never bought it either.

I think it would advance discussion if people would stick to rational arguments and keep to the minimum the smoochy woochy.

Or maybe they hope the smoochy woochy will cover up the dearth of logic in their arguments.

 

[JPtheGREAT]

Dear Spiritual Wrrior,
In your post you spoke about a sister that is getting further and further into New Age practices. I have never got sucked into that, thank God but I know that many people are getting duped. If Oprah Winrey keeps okaying all these complete numskulls like TOLLE and other new age practioners then of course people will get sucked into it. Anyway I’m writing this because there is an EXCELLENT EXCELLENT resource for you to read and hopefully give it to your sister. The book is called "rarnsomed from darkness’ and is written by Moira Noonan. Here is the website…spiritbattleforsouls.org/
She came to speak at our local parish and it was incredible. She was involved HEAVILY in a LOT of these practices. She needed months of exorcisms but now she goes everywhere and speaks about the lies and evil of the new age movement!

Just an aside note. Buddhism is not a ‘cool’ way of life that we can add to our catholic faith (I’m not saying this to you but hopefully to anyone else who will read this). Everything it teaches goes against what we believe and there is no way to reconcile the two. Same with YOGA, there is NO SUCH thing as christian yoga. Its like a muslim coming into our church and taking the Eucharist and saying ‘oh I just was hungry’. The same as ‘I just do yoga for the exercises’. BULL DOODLE!!! Its called syncretism and is a heresy!! I’m sorry its just people have there heads buried in the sand and think everything is fine and everyone is going to heaven la di da!!! NOT!!!

Please excuse the rant. I’m upset because a priest recommended me to a ‘catholic’ doctor and when I got there he had buddha statues and other hindu type of statues. Then he tried to hypnotize me thru some visualization exercises…this is totally against our religion. I also happened to read that there was a mystic that God gave a message to…He said that Buddha turned away from God and wanted to do what he wanted. He is portrayed as fat because he was so lustful and has led many people astray. This is why he has ended up in the first level of hell".

thanks for reading and God bless you.
I’ll pray for your sister. Please pray for my family.
JPII fanatic

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Its like a muslim coming into our church and taking the Eucharist and saying ‘oh I just was hungry’. The same as ‘I just do yoga for the exercises’. BULL DOODLE!!!

False comparison. A better one would be a Muslim asking for the recipe of a Eucharist wafer cuz he wants them for breakfast cereal. Religious elements can be separated from objects FYI.

Please excuse the rant. I’m upset because a priest recommended me to a ‘catholic’ doctor and when I got there he had buddha statues and other hindu type of statues.

Having Buddha statues in your office doesn’t make you a Buddhist anymore than having the Last Supper on your wall makes you a Catholic.

Then he tried to hypnotize me thru some visualization exercises…this is totally against our religion.

Actually, hypnotism can be valid for therapy granted that the person giving it is qualified.

 

[benedictus2]

False comparison. A better one would be a Muslim asking for the recipe of a Eucharist wafer cuz he wants them for breakfast cereal. Religious elements can be separated from objects FYI.

Actually No. He’s spot on. These practices were homage to to false Gods so again there is no need for them.

Having Buddha statues in your office doesn’t make you a Buddhist anymore than having the Last Supper on your wall makes you a Catholic.

Why would a Catholic display a Buddha in his/her workplace unless he/she inclines that way? At the very least, this supposedly “Catholic” doctor is syncretist in which case hardly really Catholic.

There is nothing in Buddhism that has not been perfected in Christianity so there is absolutely no need for Buddha or anything to do with Buddhism.

Actually, hypnotism can be valid for therapy granted that the person giving it is qualified.

Why would you allow someone to put you under their will?

 

[rinnie]

I would have to say that you’re right as to the difference. I believe that Christ is within us and all around us, and therein the truth is to be found. The Way, the Truth and the Life are both nearer than the breath, and farther than the most distant galaxy. You are free to see it however you like, and you should do your very best to act in accordance with what you see and what you feel is right. Similarly, I am certain of what I see and am doing the same. If you focus your adoration on Jesus (as I am sure you do), you will eventually start to see Him in others, and I mean really see Him in others. Once you see Him in others, you will see Him everywhere, and when you start to see Him everywhere, you will see where truth and happiness are to be found. Not in some far away Jesus, or a Jesus who lives in a tabernacle on an altar. Rather, you will see a Jesus who resides in the tabernacle of the inmost self of every being, as well as a tabernacle on the altar, as well as floor of the ocean, the rocks of the moon and beyond.

Your friend
Sufjon

Hi Sufjon, While I agree that when we find Christ in ourself and in others great happiness and love can be found, there is still a big difference between that and feeling the truth is deep in ourself.

What I mean by that is without Christ as I said earlier there is no truth. The answer is finding Christ in ourself and others and yes then truth can be found and love and happiness also.

But when people as this new age movement are searching they are not searching for Christ. They are telling you to find peace within oneself. It is all about One-self. It is not seaching for Christ. How can we know this? Simple you will not find Christ outside of his Church.

Christ gave us Revelation for one reason. So we could know. He revealed himself IN THE CHURCH. It is IN CHIRST that happiness and peace and truth are found.

While Christ can reveal himself many ways which I agree, we know from him comming that he is in the Church.

While by the power of the Holy Spirit and through the great gifts of the Sacraments we can become one in Christ and live our life with him and in him, we can see this in others that still does not quench the need to be with him every Sunday or day if possible in the Eucharist and daily prayer.

When we pray we are seeking HIM not ourself. What I am saying it is wonderful to see him working through others and ourself and yes by peace of mind and happiness this can be found.

But it is still not a self-seeking adventure we are on. We need to be Christ seeking to find true happiness. If all of the answers were in ourself why would we even need Christ. We would be our own God, have our own answers. Why would we need the revelation of the Church and the truth if it was buried deep inside of us.

But Christ felt differently. He came here and started a true Church to reveal to us HIS truth, the truth that we need to follow to acquire eternal life. He never told us to seek the truth outside of him and look for it in ourself.

True Revelation can be found in the CC that he started because he wanted us to have HIS truth. While I agree I am free to find the truth and make the truth whatever I want, that does not change the fact that it is not the truth that has been revealed to me by Christ.

I as you stated CAN live in myself and do what I want, what I think, however I WANT!! But that is not what Christ said. HE said that HE is the WAY the TRUTH and the LIGHT, NOT ME! He told ne to follow HIS truth, his way to eternal life.

That is where this new age and Christ become a battle a great battle. Because when you follow yourself, which is more or less what this new age teaches it is self-seeking. And that is why it does not work. We are human and do not have the divine power to know if our truth is right, that is why our truth fails. There is no self-truth, self-seeking. This is Christ-truth, Christ-seeking. It is then and only then when true contentment and happiness comes.

 

[rinnie]

Col 2:7

We are taught to be rooted in Christ and establish our faith as we WERE TAUGHT. We are told to not let anyone captivate us with empty seductive philosophy according to human tradition, according to the elemental powers of the world and not according to Christ.

We are taught that it is in Christ dwells the whole fullness of deity bodily and we share in this fullness IN Him who is the HEAD of every PRINCIPALITY AND POWER.

We are buried with him in Baptsim and raised up by him by the power of God.

If you died with Christ to the elemental powers of the world why do you submit to regulations as if you were still living in the world. Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch. THese are all things destined to PERISH with use, the accord with HUMAN Precepts and Teachings.

While they have a RESEMBLANCE of wisdom in rigor devotion and self-abasement and severity tot he body they are of NO VALUE of gratification of the flesh.

Sound familiar!!

 

[Eric_Hilbert]

Almost at the magic 1000 limit guys.
Wrap it up.

 

[benedictus2]

An Excerpt from Absolute Relativism - the New Dictatorship by Chris Stefanick

It seems that most people today are under the false impression that if something is scientifcally verifiable, it is objectively true, whereas everything else is only “subjectively true” that is, sentiment or opinion. Such a belief reduces God from the status of actual living Being to personal sentiment that can legitimately vary from person to person.

Because of this demotion, relativists are able to say thing like “jesus is God for you, but Vishnu is God for someone else”. By this, they mean, not only that people see God differently but that God is, in fact, different for each person, as if each person is able to create his or her own deity based on his personal tastes, much in the same way that he would craft his own drink at Starbucks. There’s a joke that the main difference between humans and God is that God never thinks He’s us. By subjectifying God, relativism sets us up as creators of God rather than God as the Creator of us.

This idea is incompatible with the notion of God as actual being. If God is someone or something that each person creates - rather than someone we discover or someone who seeks us out - then he is no more real than a creation of a person’s imagination. He is reduced to a mere projection from the mind of the believer, or group of believers. However, if an intelligent and personal God really exists (as over 95% of the world’s population would contend) then he has attributes that our individual or collective opinions don’t create or change, just as you have attributes that aren’t changed by what people believe about you. Unlike make believe characters, a real God would be a Being who exists indepent of what we think of Him and with attributes that our beliefs don’t affect. This means that some people believe things about God that are wrong.

 

[benedictus2]

I would have to say that you’re right as to the difference. I believe that Christ is within us and all around us, and therein the truth is to be found. The Way, the Truth and the Life are both nearer than the breath, and farther than the most distant galaxy. You are free to see it however you like, and you should do your very best to act in accordance with what you see and what you feel is right.

I think what I have highlighted in your posts is a validation of the rationalizations that evil people make to excuse their evil.

If you feel it is right to molest children you should.

If you feel it is right to cheat you should

If you feel it is right to cling to your money while the half the world starves, then you should.

You must always act according to what you “feel” is right.

 

[GEddie]

Actually No. He’s spot on. These practices were homage to to false Gods so again there is no need for them.

Why would a Catholic display a Buddha in his/her workplace unless he/she inclines that way? At the very least, this supposedly “Catholic” doctor is syncretist in which case hardly really Catholic.

There is nothing in Buddhism that has not been perfected in Christianity so there is absolutely no need for Buddha or anything to do with Buddhism.

Agreed.

Why would you allow someone to put you under their will?

While I, personally will never do that (nothing but death or anesthesia is going to take my mind from me!), I can see why someone would undergo hypnosis, as part of a police investigation, say, or for medical therapeutics.

ICXC NIKA

 

[rinnie]

Yes I agree why would a Catholic display Buddha in their yard and not the Blessed Mother.

Unless of course they do not understand these things.

Many people see this as being in style etc, and do not understand the meanings they are displaying.

Unfortunately my FIL was a mason. My MIL still has the sign in her home made out of silver dollars, 50 cent pieces, nickles etc. The moment she leaves this world or that comes into my care its getting torn apart and the money given to the Church Basket that sunday.

 

[Ahimsa]

Yes I agree why would a Catholic display Buddha in their yard and not the Blessed Mother.

Why not both?

 

[Eric_Hilbert]

Thanks to all who participated.
Thread closed