Without question, the growing popularity of “New Age” beliefs likely stems in part from fewer Americans following traditional religions. One could argue it proves that we’re all looking to believe in something greater than ourselves. Sadly, these beliefs–which are no more real than the tooth fairy–are held by many claiming to be Christians.
“The data suggests this is the fastest growing religious group in America, are people who don’t hold any firm religious beliefs,” says Ruy Teixeira, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, said Wednesday on Hill.TV’s “What America’s Thinking.”
“Perhaps these New Age beliefs are in a sense, at least partially, a reflection of more and more people not having an orthodox religious set of beliefs,” he added.
Teixeira was discussing a recent Pew Research Center poll that found 62 percent of Americans hold New Age beliefs, such as astrology, psychics, reincarnation, and the presence of spiritual energy in trees or mountains.
Seventy-eight percent of those who held at least one New Age belief said they did not affiliate with any particular religion.
The survey also found that those who identify as “Christian” were more likely than atheists and agnostics to hold at least one New Age core tenant. Sixty-one percent of Christian respondents said they held at least one New Age belief, compared with 22 percent of atheists and 56 percent of agnostics who said the same. Of the Christians, 67 percent of mainline Protestants, 47 percent of evangelicals and 70 percent of Catholics said they held a New Age belief.
For the Christian, or Jewish Messiah-follower, who places even a sliver of faith in these New Age pillars, I would highly recommend a spiritual reset beginning with repentance, prayer, and entering into a serious discipleship program so that, as we read in John 8:31-32,
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”