One imposing religious trend on the rise all around us is the New Age movement. It is a rather bizarre assortment of diverse beliefs and practices, but it begins with the core assumption that all human ills stems from an ignorance or inability to see ourselves as god.
Their philosophy, ritual and lifestyle is based on a "spirituality" that places primary importance on discovering your own divinity. Once they lead their candidates to discover their own divinity, they are encouraged to nurture and use their new powers in a variety of ways. Of course, there is a biblical response to all of this:
1. The essence of God and the essence of man
are not one and the same. See, Rom. 1:25-26;
Eccl. 5:2; Ezek. 28:1,2; Deut. 4:35;
1 Cor. 8:6.
2. Human begins do not enjoy
unlimited potential. See, Prov. 3:5;
Jer. 10:23.
3. There are moral absolutes. See, Jer. 10:23;
Psa. 19:7-11.
4. In the Bible, there is resurrection, not
reincarnation. See, Heb. 9:27,28;
Jno. 5:28,29.
5. Pantheism is not the biblical concept
of deity. Isa. 6:3; Rom. 1:23,25;
Psa. 83:18.
6. GENERAL STATEMENTS AGAINST NEW
AGE: Isa. 2:6; Isa. 8:19,20;
Jno. 14:6; Col. 3:17; Acts
13:4-12; Rev. 21:8.
Where would you expect to find these influences? California, a counter-culture village in New Mexico, or in a showcase center in Baca, Colorado (financed by Shirley MacLaine)? How about DISNEYLAND?
Ferrell Jenkins sent me this clip from THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, Europe. Additional comments follow the article.
From THE WALL STREET JOURNAL EUROPE
(Friday, Saturday, Mar. 17-18, 1995,
p.#3)
Disney Switches
Its Focus to Adults
In 'New Age' Resort
BY EBEN SHAPIRO
Staff Reporter
NEW YORK - Walt Disney Co. is going New Age.
In a jarring departure from its Mickey Mouse traditions, Disney unveiled plans for the Disney Institute, a new resort that will offer guests workshops on self-discovery and "reclaiming family stories." Sessions on hydroponic gardening and relaxation techmques are among the 80 other courses that will be offered each week. The $35 mil lion Disney Institute is scheduled to open next February on Disney property in Orlando, Florida.
Disney's move is one of the first big attempts by a major corporation to cash in on the New Age movement at a time when spiritual manifestos are crowding best-sell er lists and workshops on male bonding are Jammed.
The new resort comes just as Disney is ex panding beyond its traditional theme resorts in a bid to attract more grown-ups. The com pany, which is also building an amateur sports complex in Orlando, has recently begun aiming new ads at what it calls " prefamilies" and "postfamilies."
Further Comments:
The New Age Movement continues to quietly gain momentum, and now, we can no longer have confidence in or trust the innocence of
What ashamed, that we are at a place now where we can no longer trust the innocence of an American institution like Disney, and Mickey Mouse. Why would Disney powers jump on to the New Age bandwagon? I can think of two possible reasons:
(1) MONEY! Many of those who are intoxicated by New Age philosophy are yuppies; you know, upwardly mobile, good incomes, "sophisticated" children. Reporter Shapiro is accurate; this is a major corporation cashing in on something that attractive to the folks who have some lesiure time, money and credit lines.
(2) INFLUENCE. If we were to look into this, and do some investigating, we might discover that some of the young executives who were part of this decision were sent to a New Age training seminar for management; or, they've been reading the New Age books, or going to a New Age therapists.
But whatever the reasons, let the buyer (and parents) beware: the next time you go to Orlando, Mickey may tell you about his past life, or whisper his mantra in your ear. Remember the biblical response.
"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." (1 Corinthians 8:6, KJV).
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---> For a free tract on the New Age Movement, send your name and mailing address with request for the tract to: WEB47@AOL.com
