by Texe Marrs
Indeed, the second, unyielding rule of all New Age cults and religions is simply this: God is what or whom you personally wish him (or her) to be. This is also the same rule so vigorously enforced by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Indeed, AA can certainly be classified as a New Age cult based on its occultic origins and its rejection of biblical Christianity. As his many biographies reveal, AA’s founder, Bill Wilson despised evangelical Christianity. Along with friends Aldous Huxley and Gerald Heard, he opened himself up to demonic contact by taking such hallucinogenic drugs as LSD. Eventually he died of debilitating emphysema—Wilson was a three pack a day cigarette smoker.
Actually, AA is perhaps the ideal New Age religion in that it denies being a religion at all while proudly boasting that it is a spiritual movement. There is even a Fundamentalists Anonymous to help people “escape” from such evangelical fundamentalist Christian churches as the Assemblies of God, Pentecostals, Southern Baptists, and so forth.
Moreover, AA has as one of its essential 12 steps the goal of turning over one’s life—that is surrendering—to “God as you understand Him.” It is not at all accidental that this universalist doctrine is exactly the same as that of the Hindus and their cousins, the Hare Krishnas, who quote Krishna as they tell their disciples “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me.” The question really becomes, who is the “Me?” To whom must the individual surrender his reason, his intellect and—quite frankly—his soul?
That is the question of questions, but the answer is not to be found in the literature of Alcoholics Anonymous or any of the other New Age cults and religions. While these groups offer us a wide range of different “gods” and “Christs” to be worshipped and adored, most are in agreement that it really just does not matter which god or which Christ one serves. To choose a particular god means that you are involved with religion, but in the New Age, imbued as it is with a doublespeak form of language deception; spirituality is in, religion is out. A “spiritual person,” it is taught, simply picks and chooses among the available deities—or he can even create his own.
Chapter 2: A New World Religion is Promoted
However, because contradictions in the New Age are not uncommon, we should not be at all surprised that many in the New Age, while insisting that we abandon all varieties of “religion,” go on to the absurd conclusion that while abandoning all varieties of religion, we should boldly go forth to establish a New World Religion. This is to be a unified religion which combines all of the spiritual aspects known to and practiced by man. Thus, we find a growing unity movement among the various New Age groups and sects and a monumental, almost superhuman effort to establish a New World Religion. This new world religious system, its leaders have proclaimed, is to be one that accepts all religions while denying that any is superior. In other words, the only acceptable religion will be a New World Religion that is syncretic, unified, and fused from a conglomeration of all the other spiritual ideas in existence on the face of planet earth.
Amusingly, or sadly, whichever is your perspective on the matter, the proponents and advocates of this New World Religion deny that it is a “religion” since it does not have an exclusive basis but is universalist; it is not separative but is accepting and tolerant of all other faiths. Thus, the New Age is the religion of all religions and yet it is claimed not to be a religion.
As Brad Steiger, UFO expert and New Age channeller, writes in his book The Fellowship, the new “evolving religion ... will be structured to serve the spirit of the Oneness.” He adds, “Even the word ‘religion’ will not be used anymore ... Drop the term ‘religion’ and use the term ‘spirituality.’”
This seemingly contradictory effort by the New Age to promote spirituality while denouncing separatist religions becomes more understandable once we comprehend that the real goal of the New Age is to extinguish true, biblical Christianity. Since Christianity stands alone and is distinct from all other faiths, the clarion call of the New Age cults and religions is for mankind to rid itself of distinctions and separativeness and come together as one spiritual entity. Separate, exclusive religions are prohibited; a unified New World Religion is the goal.
Truths of the New World Religion
This drive for a New World Religion has been reported in a number of authoritative sources. For example, in a Long Beach, California Press-Telegram newspaper (July 7, 1990), the religion page carried a feature article with this headline: “New World Religion Combines Eastern, Western Ideals.” In the article, reporter Dana Drake wrote: “A New World Religion is abroad. It is nameless as yet, but it is a synthesis of the Eastern and Western approaches of God and is based upon six truths.” The first truth, said Drake, involves the existence of God as both transcendent and immanent; that is, God is both outside of us and yet is within every person. A second truth, said Drake, is that God is greater than the whole yet present in each part. This, she explained, comes from the Bhagavad Gita, the Hindu scriptures, in which the god Krishna is quoted as exclaiming, “Having pervaded this whole universe with a fragment of myself, I remain.”
Another “truth,” or belief, of the New World Religion is the denial of Christ as the God of the Bible. Instead, as Drake suggested, in the New World Religion, Christ is simply the eldest of a great family of brothers. What’s more, each of us is treading the Path of Evolution, eventually to become divine in our own right. This Path of Evolution involves beliefs of both reincarnation and karma, the methods by which man becomes a perfect deity.
Yet another belief or truth in this New World Religion, Drake reports, is the coming of a World Teacher or Savior who upon his appearance will bring new revelation to man. This is not referring to the Jesus Christ of the Bible, but to a different “Savior”—one far, far different. In the New World Religion, for example, Buddha, who taught that God is light and showed the way to illumination, is as much in favor as is the Jesus of the Bible for “All are men made perfect.” Yes, we are all simply part of the whole. But some are more advanced on the Path of Evolution, because another “truth” of the New Age World Religion is that those of us who become enlightened and perfect become members of the elite spiritual hierarchy known as the White Brotherhood.
Astara, a religious group covered in this book, is an exemplar of this New World Religion. In one of its publications, Astara insists that its teachings are a “complement to any religion.” Furthermore, Astara is said to be perfect “for those who profess no specific faith (for) it is a compendium of them all.” In Astara’s guidelines we find this statement describing their membership: “Here, in a common wave of souls seeking Light, are to be found Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and the adherent of many other faiths as well as the non-member of any.” “If your needs and goals run parallel to these,” the publication continues, “then you are indeed a New Age Seeker—and Astara may very well be the ideal channel, arriving in your life at the ideal moment.” (From the publication If You Are A Seeker ...).
A New Religion Called “Networking”
If a group, cult, church, or organization will simply profess that all belief systems are essentially the same, and that at the core of each is a common basis for understanding and cooperation, that group thereby makes itself an eligible and desirable participant in the overall New World Religion. This is why so many of the New Age cults and religions described in this book are now working closely together, weaving their universal teachings into a mosaic of views acceptable to all. Theirs’ is what one of their leaders, Marilyn Ferguson, in her book The Aquarian Conspiracy, has called an “open conspiracy.”
Another leader, Jose Arguelles, who masterminded the worldwide Harmonic Convergence of August, 1987, in an interview in Magical Blend magazine frankly stated, “We are almost at the completion stage of bringing all the thousands of New Age groups, organizations, and churches together.”
Ken Keyes, yet another New Age leader whose group is also featured in this book, has declared: “We are at the final world stage of putting it all
together. It is a New Religion called ‘Networking’ ... The New Age Wave is now entering social change.”
The future of the New Age cults and religions is that of a growing unity amidst diversity. Indeed, one New Age group promoting this goal is an organization appropriately named the Unity-and-Diversity Council.
In recognizing that each of their groups, cults, or religions is part of the whole—only one unit in the cafeteria-style spiritual conglomeration that makes up the New World Religion, each New Age cult leader nevertheless clings doggedly to his own special variety of teachings, and, of course, to his own closely held financial assets. Yet, while most people involved in the New Age freely acknowledge and recognize that they are all part and parcel of a consolidated spiritual movement—even a New World Religion—most deny that they are “religious!”
A prime example of this inconsistency is the wording of the official petition for incorporation of the Theosophical Society, published in founder Helena Blavatsky’s The Key to Theosophy. The author states: “The petitioner (the Theosophical Society) is not a religious body. I report this negative finding for the reason that the word ‘theosophical’ contained in petitioner’s names conveys a possible religious implication ... Merely to teach a religion ... is not ... religious work.”
In other words, the Theosophical Society maintains that it is not a religion but rather, its purpose is “Merely to teach a religion.” This is, of course, pure nonsense; it is doublespeak. A group formed to teach a religion is indisputably a religious body. But this is an obvious fact that the Theosophical Society and most other New Age groups, vociferously deny.
Yet, there are some New Age leaders who readily admit their intentions to work toward a New World Religion. Lola Davis, in her book Toward A World Religion for the New Age writes, “An increasing number of people are ... preparing mankind for a World Religion that’s compatible with the New Age.”
Chapter 3: What is the New Age?
Up to now I have discussed the New Age Movement and its multifaceted cult organizational arrangement without completely defining the term “New Age.” In my book Dark Secrets of the New Age I noted that one important way to grasp the significance and meaning of the New Age is revealed in its vocabulary. I observed, for example, that when New Age representatives use such familiar Christian terms as God, Christ, Messiah, the Second Coming, born again, salvation, angel, heaven and hell, and the Kingdom of God, their meanings are radically different from those expressed in the Word of God. Below I have taken the liberty of listing several key terms familiar to Christianity which are also common in the New Age. But I have taken the further step of revealing the esoteric, or hidden and occultic New Age meaning of each.
God: An impersonal energy force, immanent in all things. To the New Age, “God” can be referred to either as she or he, mother or father, god or goddess. Most New Age teachers hold that Mother Earth, the sun, the moon, and the stars—indeed all of nature—can be worshipped as “God.”
Christ: A reincarnated avatar, messiah, or messenger sent from the “hierarchy” (see Angels below) to give the living on earth spiritually advanced revelation. The New Age contends that Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius, Jesus, and many others were “Christ,” but many contend that one greater than all of them will soon come to usher in the New Age. To the Christian, this coming New Age “Christ” is, in fact, the Antichrist.
Angels: Frequently called Ascended Masters, Masters of Wisdom, Ancient Masters, spirit guides, inner guides, spirit counselors, one’s Higher Self, the Self, Superbeings, aeons, muses, or walk-ins. Collectively called the “hierarchy.” Whichever term is used, the discerning Christian will recognize these shadowy entities not as “angels,” but as demons.
Born Again (Rebirth): Personal or planetary transformation and healing. The point at which a New Age believer “lets go” and allows his Higher Self or Inner Guide (translated: demon) to guide and direct his life. Some New Agers describe this as Kundalini, a Hindu term meaning “serpent power,” a moment of instant rebirth when the recipient is said to be transformed by a flash of light, receiving the benefit of higher consciousness as well as greater spiritual awareness and wisdom. Such a rebirth is said to convey “Christ Consciousness” on the individual.
The Second Coming: The New Age assigns two definitions to this phrase, each of which subverts the true meaning of the Second Coming of Jesus prophesied in the Bible. First, it is claimed that at the Second Coming a New Age believer achieves “Christ Consciousness,” an exalted, mystical, higher state in which he is spiritually transformed into a divine being. This phrase also can mean the appearance on earth of the New Age Messiah, or “Christ,” and his hierarchy of demons from the spirit world.
Heaven/Kingdom of God: The terms heaven and Kingdom of God are often indistinguishable to the New Ager. Each refers to a spiritually cleansed and purified earth in which mankind has achieved “Christ Consciousness” and has become akin to godkind. The New Age, or Aquarian Age, is expected to be the era when heaven and the Kingdom of God are realized on earth. The reincarnated “Christ” (the Antichrist) is to reign over the New Age kingdom, bringing in a One World Religion and consolidating all nations into one monolithic government.
Hell: New Agers deny the existence of a hell and a judgment. They also deny that sin and evil exist. God is alleged to be beyond good and evil, neither of which is a relevant term to the New Age. Evil is simply an illusion. The beliefs in reincarnation and karma reinforce the New Age’s rejection of the reality of hell, strengthening the false teaching that man is inevitably evolving into godhood.
Chapter 4: Practices, Techniques, and Doctrines of the New Age
Understanding the special definitions assigned Christian words and phrases by New Age leaders, we see the subtle deceit and confusion employed.
The New Age can therefore be defined as a religious system composed of a large variety of cults, groups, organizations, and other entities, whether or not that group or entity admits that it is in fact New Age. The exact practices, techniques, and doctrines of the various groups within the New Age vary considerably. For example, a particular group may emphasize one or more of the following:
Eastern Mysticism
Mystery Teachings
Visualization
Globalism
Another “Jesus”
Universalism
Witchcraft
Atlantis and other “lost worlds”
Lucifer worship
Signs and Wonders
Ascended Masters
Goddess Worship
Man is God Doctrine
Hypnosis
Numerology
Divination
Reflexology
Wizards
Dragons
Swastikas and other Occult Symbols
Lord Maitreya
Networking
Karma
Reincarnation
An Occult Hierarchy
Paganism
Nature worship
Anti-semitism
The Jewish Kabbala
Sun God worship
Vegetarianism
Psychic Powers
Yoga
Holistic Health
Altered States of Consciousness
Shamanism
Human Potential
Magic
Crystal Powers
The Perennial Philosophy
Parapsychology
Tarot Cards
Spirit Channeling
Trance States
Psychic Forces
Astrology
Seances and Mediums
Rune Stones
Color Therapy
Aryan/Aquarian race theory
Mandalas
Mantras
Initiations
Jungian Archetypes
Chapter 5: New Age vs. True Christianity: A Contrast
All of these indications of New Age influence and teachings are labeled by the Bible either as abominations or they are cle
arly understood to be acts or behaviors of a dangerous nature prohibited to man by God. In effect, a vast number of the practices and teachings of the New Age are expressly forbidden in the Bible. For example, enchantments and sorcery are prohibited in Leviticus 19:26; II Chronicles 33:6; Isaiah 47:8-11; Daniel 1:20; Deuteronomy 18:10-12; II Kings 17:17; and Jeremiah 27:8. Spirit channeling, or conjuration of spirits from a realm beyond our physical senses, is shown to be an abomination and a sin in many passages, including Deuteronomy 18:11; Isaiah 8:19; I Samuel 28:1-25; and I Chronicles 10:13-14. Likewise, astrology, the divination of the supposed influence of the stars upon human affairs and terrestrial events, is seen to be a hoax and an unholy pseudoscience in such Biblical passages as Isaiah 47:12-15; Jeremiah 10:2; Daniel 5:7-15; and Deuteronomy 18:10-14.
For another example, we note that polytheism, the worship of many gods, and the false teaching that we can worship a god of our own understanding, are clearly seen to be lies once we read Exodus 20:3, which says we are to have no other gods before the God of the Bible. This is one of God’s commandments.
In respect to the New Age teaching that man should trust in his own intuition, his Higher Self, and that he himself is an evolving god, we read this admonition in Proverbs 28:26: “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool...”
Moreover, both the New Age doctrine of reincarnation and the theory that man can become a god are seen to be merely tricks of the Adversary that have ancient origins, as reported in the third chapter of Genesis. There, the serpent suggests to Eve that regardless of what God told her, she would surely not die if she ate the forbidden fruit; rather, the serpent said, if she would disobey God and eat the fruit, her eyes would be opened and she would be like God.
There Is Only One “I AM”
One of the New Age religious groups covered in this book calls itself “I Am.” In itself this is certainly a blasphemous statement, and in Isaiah 47 we see God’s judgment on such a blasphemous belief. According to that passage, the person who declares and says in his heart “I am and there is none other beside me” will, in spite of his or her many sorceries and great demonically inspired power, eventually be destroyed. And to those who would claim that they themselves are divine we have merely but to read Ezekiel 28:1-2:
