Week 9 - Natalie Lortz
This sentences leads me back to our previous class discussion surrounding the misconceptions surrounding spirituality and related schools of thought, such as, Neo-Paganism and other New Age concepts. Further, who benefits from this phenomenon? In other words, who benefits from the dismissal of the New Age movement.
It seems the rise of the New Age, which has been described as "occult, neopagan, and Asian" triggers a response in the social dynamic that is worth exploring. For one, the adjective "Asian" sparks a larger conversation that is, yes, related to race. It's worth noting that the Asian ideals of Oneness, harmony, and reincarnation have been around for thousands of years before the "New" Age. That being said, who would object to Asian concepts permeating Western society. Normalizing beliefs from Asia could lead to more overall acceptance with Asian immigrants and a decrease in animosity towards them. Operating from the belief that race is a social construct, breaking down the intentional walls between "races" can only have a positive outcome by uniting human beings against causes that actually harm them, rather than distract them with political issues regarding race.
Michael York states, "The lack of moral consensus and legitimating sanction appears to be a direct result of the secular diminishment of religion’s former role in traditional society." Another aspect of the New Age movement is moving from a larger moral consensus to an individualized set of moral standards. This transition relinquishes some power from religions and loosens their control on laws and policies. A drop in control is enough ot make any human fly into a frenzy, and in this situation, the only sensible retaliation is to label the New Age Movement as "Crazy, superstitious", etc. in order to deter others from engaging in such beliefs.
It seems the rise of the New Age, which has been described as "occult, neopagan, and Asian" triggers a response in the social dynamic that is worth exploring. For one, the adjective "Asian" sparks a larger conversation that is, yes, related to race. It's worth noting that the Asian ideals of Oneness, harmony, and reincarnation have been around for thousands of years before the "New" Age. That being said, who would object to Asian concepts permeating Western society. Normalizing beliefs from Asia could lead to more overall acceptance with Asian immigrants and a decrease in animosity towards them. Operating from the belief that race is a social construct, breaking down the intentional walls between "races" can only have a positive outcome by uniting human beings against causes that actually harm them, rather than distract them with political issues regarding race.
Michael York states, "The lack of moral consensus and legitimating sanction appears to be a direct result of the secular diminishment of religion’s former role in traditional society." Another aspect of the New Age movement is moving from a larger moral consensus to an individualized set of moral standards. This transition relinquishes some power from religions and loosens their control on laws and policies. A drop in control is enough ot make any human fly into a frenzy, and in this situation, the only sensible retaliation is to label the New Age Movement as "Crazy, superstitious", etc. in order to deter others from engaging in such beliefs.
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