Why do some consider New Age spirituality worse or on the same level as atheism or agnosticism?

[fred_conty]

To me this question: “Why do some consider New Age spirituality worse or on the same level as atheism or agnosticism?” is easy to answer.

In atheism/agnosticism you know what you are dealing with … they are out in the open with both barrels firing at the same time.

With New Age ideas, it is a mishmash of cloudy thoughts that is difficult to pin down and see clearly. It mixes into our faith and camoflouges itself among our Christian ideas. It interweaves thru prayer and concepts to alter our truths.

 

[Edmundus1581]

This is an old thread, and when I saw it start up again yesterday I resolved to stay out, but what Fred posted is just so good I can’t resist!

To me this question: “Why do some consider New Age spirituality worse or on the same level as atheism or agnosticism?” is easy to answer.

In atheism/agnosticism you know what you are dealing with … they are out in the open with both barrels firing at the same time.

With New Age ideas, it is a mishmash of cloudy thoughts that is difficult to pin down and see clearly. It mixes into our faith and camoflouges itself among our Christian ideas. It interweaves thru prayer and concepts to alter our truths.

Exactly! I have read Catholic writers who respect atheism and agnosticism and debate them, because there is (or can be) some common ground - a love of objective truth. New Age, on the other hand, disavows objective truth. In morals it’s all about “Find yourself”, and in daily life its adherents will expect magic (eg. The Secret, or crystals, or whatever…) to achieve what is practically impossible. I was into it for a few years, and I went nearly crazy searching for the guru or technique which would get life to work for me. I really thought that I’d be able to fly one day, and live off water, air and sunlight (and it wasn’t just me).