Be informed on New Age/occult beliefs

by Lonnie Wilkey                                                                                     Vol. XVI, No. 1, January 2003

In order to reach out to individuals with alternative beliefs, one needs a working knowledge of what they believe, says Marcia Montenegro, head of CANA/Christian Answers for the New Age: A Ministry. "The New Age is an umbrella term for many beliefs based mainly on combinations of eastern religions, humanism, and occultic, esoteric teachings," according to Montenegro.

Montenegro provided a handout at this year's Tennessee Baptist Evangelism Conference detailing some general New Age/occultic beliefs. They include:

(1) The New Age/occult bases truth on subjective experiences and interpretations.

(2) The New Age/occult usually does not acknowledge absolute good or absolute truth.

(3) There is one force or energy permeating the universe; the cosmos, nature, animals, and man are all part of this force (monism).

(4) God is impersonal; God is an energy or force; God is the One, the Creative Source, the universe, the Divine, the universal consciousness; we are all part of God (pantheism); God is personal but does not judge.

(5) The New Age Jesus is usually seen as an advanced spiritual teacher who attained Christ-consciousness. That is, Jesus realized he is God and set the example for all of us to realize our innate divinity.

(6) People involved in the New Age do not call themselves New Agers. Often they say they have their own religion, spiritual path, or that they are into "spirituality."

(7) Witchcraft/Wicca/Neopaganism revere nature as sacred and often honor the goddess as a symbolic force of creativity and nurturing; they accept occult practices such as divination and casting spells.

(8) Neopagans and Wiccans usually adopt the creed: "As long as you do no harm, do what you will."

(9) Sometimes there is a belief in reincarnation (coming back after death into another body).

(10) There is no standard New Age/occult doctrine, so there are many variations in these alternative beliefs.

More information on Montenegro's ministry is available on the Internet at http://cana.userworld.com. [ABP]