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Okay but what exactly is New Age? What makes a religion New Age? Why is New Age criticized harshly?

I really don't know what New Age is exactly. I mean I have a bit of an intuitive idea of what it is but nothing defining where I could say "that there is new age".

I think it's more along the lines of spirituality concerned mainly with the ascension of the human mind to a higher plane of existence, through use of "ancient" means and tools, and a connection with the life all around.

Of course, most of those terms are debatable, and most New Age religions and movements use terms from Eastern religions interchangeably and in combination with predominately Christian terms. Occasionally with scientific terms (often used inappropriately or with only cursory knowledge of the subject).

For instance, I once read in a New Age magazine about this woman who attended a revival put on by a group that was famous (at least in her circle) for faith healings and things of that nature. So, she was chosen from the audience, even though she didn't need to be healed, to receive this healing. She said that the woman doing the healing didn't heal her, but passed the ability on to her through (I'm not sure if I'm using the correct modifiers) shakti, which she said looked and felt like a lightning bolt between their heads. So the woman told her that she now has the ability of "magnetic healing". That is, she uses the healing to attract bad stuff and pull it out of people.

New age generally refers to the spiritual movement and the term "New Age" is likely based on Aleister Crowley's "New Aeon".

It usually refers to modern spiritual movement, taking old ideas and repackaging them for housewives. Er- sorry, it's too easy to make fun of.

I usually think of astrology, crystal healing etc. Although I admit I take part in meditation and herbology myself. Herbal remedies are a soft science, but there is some merit behind it. I actually use gingko and maca to counteract the side-effects of some medicine I take.