New Age Fundamentalism?
Is it possible to move forward without bringing along vestiges of what we wish to outgrow? How much
“alternative” or “progressive” spirituality covertly echoes the beliefs of religious fundamentalism?
Ideas, images, oracles are to be taken literally. Texts, icons, prophecies are to be taken literally. Mental illness is caused by higher spirit guides. Mental illness is caused by angels and demons. We fall ill because we stray from our path. We fall ill because God punishes us for disobedience. We are victimized to teach us a divine lesson. We are victimized to teach us a divine lesson. We are therefore to blame for whatever befalls us. We are therefore to blame for whatever befalls us. Medication is bad for spiritual awareness. Medical interventions show distrust in God’s plan. Good intentions reshape reality. Prayer is pleasing to God, who grants favors. The universe watches out for me to keep me safe. The universe watches out for me to keep me safe. Negative energy from others requires cleansing. Blessings counter curses by those in league with Satan. Crystals and pendants can ward off bad energies. Crosses and icons can ward off demons. This world is illusion; we come from other realms. This world is illusion; we come from other realms. We descend here from the astral plane (Pleides, etc.). God kicked us out of the Garden of Eden (“the Fall”). Aliens built crop circles and the Pyramids of Egypt. Angels trumpeted down the walls of Jericho. Key concepts: purity, wholeness, self-realization. Key concepts: chastity, perfection, personal salvation. Spirit guides and rituals keep us on course. Angels, saints, and prayers keep us on course. The world will end in 2012 (or Aquarian Age, or…). The End of Days will carry believers into Heaven. Intention and meditation matter more than action. Prayer and good thoughts matter more than action. “Negative” thinking invites in negative forces. “Negative” thinking invites in watchful Satan. Changing oneself matters more than outer change. We must adapt inwardly to what God inflicts on us. The Sacred Feminine models the passive/dark/yin. Mary was meek and mild, as women should be. The Sacred Masculine is active/bright/yang. Men are “naturally” suited to action, will, and decision. Everything that happens to me is a synchronicity. God teaches me through signs and wonders. The purpose of the universe is personal instruction. The universe was built solely for mankind. Gurus are here to tell us how to self-realize. Clerics and pastors are to be followed and obeyed. Anger is a negative force that should be cleansed. Anger is a negative force that should be cleansed. People who harm and deceive us should be forgiven… People who harm and deceive us should be forgiven… …..no matter how many times they hurt us. …..no matter how many times they hurt us. It is not others who upset us, but only ourselves. Others upset us to show us our own sinfulness. Life is a series of evolutionary stages upward. Life is a Pilgrim’s Progress via levels of purification. The purpose of life is to become pure Light. The purpose of life is to abandon the body for Heaven.