World Religions: New Age / Christianity
Across the world people of all ages and every walk of life seem to have an interest in religion. Which one is for you and what do they all mean? In this short study I have contrasted the New Age religion with Christianity for easy comparison.
New Age promotes the development of one’s own power or divinity. When referring to God, a follower of New
Age is not talking about a transcendent, personal God who created the
universe, but is referring to a higher consciousness within themselves.
A person in New Age would see themselves as God, the cosmos, the
universe. In fact, everything that the person sees, hears, feels or
imagines is to be considered divine. Highly eclectic, New Age presents itself as a collection of ancient spiritual traditions. It acknowledges many gods and goddesses, as in Hinduism. The Earth is viewed as the source of all spirituality, and has its own intelligence, emotions and deity. But superseding all is self. Self is the originator, controller and God of all. There is no reality outside of what the person determines.
New
Age teaches a wide array of eastern mysticism and spiritual,
metaphysical and psychic techniques, such as breathing exercises,
chanting, drumming, meditating...to develop an altered state of
consciousness and one's own divinity.Anything negative a person experiences (failures, sadness, anger, selfishness, hurt) is considered an illusion. Believing oneself to be completely sovereign over their life, nothing about their life is wrong, negative or painful. Eventually a person develops spiritually to the degree that there is no objective, external reality. A person, becoming a god, creates their own reality.
What is Christianity?
Many religions focus on a person's own spiritual efforts. With Jesus Christ, it is a two-way interaction between you and God because, as Savior, Jesus becomes the bridge between us and the Father. He welcomes us to come to Him. “Jesus is near to all who call upon Him and would call Him Lord." You can communicate with God, who will answer your prayer, give you greater peace and joy, provide direction, show you His love, and transform your life. Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and have it more abundantly." It will not mean that life will become perfect and free of problems. But, it does mean that in the midst of life, you can relate to God who is willing to be involved in your life and He is faithful in His love.
This
is not a commitment to a method of self-improvement like the Eight-Fold
Path or the Five Pillars, or meditation, or good works or even the Ten
Commandments. These seem clear, well-defined, easy-to-follow paths for
spirituality. But, they become a burdensome striving for perfection,
and connection with God is still distant. Our hope is not in following
laws or standards, but in knowing a Savior who fully accepts us because
of our faith in Him and His sacrifice for us. We don't earn our place
in heaven by religious efforts or good deeds. When we begin a
relationship with Jesus Christ, heaven is a free gift to us.The Bible teaches us that the things that we do, say or think in this life that are not Godly (this is sin) need to be forgiven by God. Would you like to be totally forgiven and personally come to know God's love for you or to learn more about world religions? God tells us that when we search for Him with all our heart we will find him.
Check out the helpful links on our Artscript Publications home page. If you have more questions about Christianity go to the following helpful website for answers.
Honest Answers to Tough Questions
You may also contact the author through our website.
Douglas W. Greenfield
Artscript Publications
Maggie M. Greenfield
Editor