Week 9- Natalie Velazquez

This weeks reading "New Age Commodification and Appropriation of Spirituality" by Michael York explores the new age movement which is a response to the decline of traditional religion in the west. New age religions are less private and are now public property. According to the article the "sacred becomes commodified" it can be sold and consumed according to free market principles. Thus, the article explores New Age rationale for spiritual commercialization and the clashes from traditions which it appropriates with. The article points to questions of religion and ownership as spirituality in this new age is more of a public domain as it is freely accessible to anyone. In previous centuries people defined themselves by the religion they were born into now religious institutions and traditions have declined. One is now confronted with an awareness of different religions and religious movements beyond one's birth religion. As print and media have expanded one's knowledge of different spiritual practices. Some questions I have relating to this article are, in what ways does being spiritual and religious differ? Considering we are religious consumers can spirituality be made up of different religions? If there wouldn't have been an elimination of religious teachings in public schools would there be more religious awareness or should the study of religions be left open to higher institutions such as universities?