New Age vs. Religion

Yeah, I think you're young. This "New Age" was only recently proclaimed -- if for you 1968 seems recent. That was the year the play 'Hair' arrived on Broadway and announced the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. This is the New Age being referred to. In the 70's I could get crystals and Tarot decks and incense in the New Age Shoppes. I could also get incense in the head shops, but that's a different story. So if it has to do with religions that don't use a brick and mortar church or temple or mosque, it is part of the New Age movement. My religion of Stregheria is ancient as well, predating the founding of the Roman Empire (prehistoric Italian village paganism). But I don't mind being dragged into the 21st century or buying supplies at a place named after a 20th century spiritual awareness movement. :-)

I'm going to agree that "religious books" seem to only refer to those with a Biblical background...Judeo-Christian. New age does not seem to fit with the other ancient (or at least old) but non traditional "religions". My thoughts are people in general view those religions as spiritual rather than religious like Christianity. They are so caught up in labels and traditions that they can not bring themselves to call anything a religion that they do not consider to be religious. I find this to be narrow-mindedness caused by the altering of the intended purpose of Christianity. The thing is I don't think those other religions belong in the "religion" section either. "New Age" may not be appropriate but these alternative beautiful religions do not belong next to the commercialized and often corrupt religions. I also think that some of the problem might be that traditional Christians would be very offended to find anything but Christian books in the "religion" section.

I think part of it is the simple fact that a lot of the "Judeo-Christians" are taking part in the "New Age" practices and by NOT calling them religion, they think they are "OK". If they actually called these "New Age" books religion; then, they would feel that they were breaking with their "religion" and should not have them, buy them

Hi again... I think this is a great observation and I have also wondered why many of the ancient teachings come under 'new age.' Unless they assume that they are going through a Renaissance and therefore coming into a New Age of Discovery. I also think that many of the traditional religions would protest to the idea that what falls under their interpretation of the occult being side by side with their dogmatic approach to religion. There are references in Biblical text that the occult practices are to be avoided. I have wondered if it is because spirituality empowers the individual...and that is often discovered through ancient and yes 'occult' connections to Source, deities and Nature. Churches want to maintain control over the congregation and convince them that without adherence to their 'rules' and tithing to keep it going...they might lose their followers. With that in mind there is no way they would want view like ours to be available in a side by side display...oh my goodness...imagine if someone read a book that helped them awaken to the possibility that there might be more than than what they have been 'shaped' into believing as the only true path? So, where I am going with this...(and they are just my 'theories') is that religious bias towards anything but what THEY preach cannot be shared with something as 'ungodly' (in their dogma) as any new age material. In my view the least they could do is create a spirituality category where many of the things we and others believe to be a more Universal approach to growing one's soul and achieving a more illuminated way of living. Oh well... in the meantime countless light workers around the planet will continue to walk their path in quiet confidence...and herein lies our strength. Another great topic..thanks for posting it. Hope things are going well for you and your precious boy. Warm regards and many light filled blessings, Raia

Religion has many connotations nowadays. I guess, it depends on one's faith. There are things which people categorically put under religion. But to some, it should not be. New or old ages, what important most, for me, is you continuously cultivate your faith. It helps you grow and do good things.

I think they just dont want to get in trouble. Without research and statistics I would say that there are way more christians and catholics so its safer to not offend them versus you.

new age is more my style

I'll never understand it either lecanis...I mean to me ALL religions should fall under the "religion" section of the libraries, bookstores etc etc but in reality only the "mainstream" religions end up there...the non-mainstream seem to either get crammed in "occult", "new age" or sometimes "metaphysics" none of which IMO make any flipping sense at all...OR sometimes you'll find them tucked in a far back corner with no "label" at all almost like it's hoped they'll never be found :-/ Stupid really...but sadly its the masses who 'rule' and lets face it the masses are a$$es ;-)

My personal belief is that New Age is a concept. It's a spiritual search without a name. It encompasses many aspects of many religions but doesn't adhere to any particular faith. Kabballah is a spirtual practice that I would consider today's new age, because it mimics true kabalah, but doesn't quite get there. Yours is simply a matter of ignorance. Lack of knowledge about ancient faiths that deserve more respect than they get is the reasoning behind placing them into new age or occult. People only recognize mainstream. Of course, if it were me, I would write and call the owners of said bookstores and set them straight. But that might be why the people in my town think I'm a bit nuts. LOL

Tell you the truth, I'd never really thought about it. I will say that when I was younger the seperation of the two sections probably prevented me from causing a scene by educating some bible thumper. I had enough of a problem from the people that knew me to put up with it from a stranger.

All the "New Age" books are on religions that are so much older than Judaism or Christianity.They are only "new" to Americans.It is sad. If it isn't Jewish or Christian it is new.I would take it as an insult if my religion was called a cult or a "new age" movement or a fad.

I have seen that, myself, in the bookstores, and have often wondered. I consider New Age to be a general religion, and its subcategories to be, in and of themselves, religious. Some people do not consider divination and the occult to be religious. But, I do, because they might be used in some religions. If I were the owner of a bookstore, I am not sure what I would do. I guess I'd put it all in the Religion section unless I were pressured to do otherwise. I wonder, what classifies as religion, and what doesn't, when it comes to matters like this? Good discussion!

I think n"New Age" covers it very well. Years ago religion was religion and there were no options, Nowdays many people are seeing the light and moving away from the traditional. There are no child molesters in a Spiritual belief. Also the church does not recognise science as part of Life. Hence we have the label, "New Age" where those people not satisfied with the traditional, can find an alternate belief system.

Don't feel bad you're not the only person it bothers. It bothered so many people out here that the Boders books I shop at has it in a section that I can't really aruge with. Its titled Metaphysical Philosophy, I mean it really is hard to aruge with that. I know that some Barns and Nobles stores still have many of the books under Religion, the stuff in the new age area are mostly Astrology or dream interpritation. They also have all the Vampire and Werewolf stuff there too.

religion is just superfiical line to bind the human being into more social and moral values of life,in my view whatever makes yu feel happy and contempt that is religion,i dont necessry have to find any other kinds of neo religion and cult to satisfy my inner self!

i dont really have an opinion on that...srry but good luck for you in the future!