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New Age Religion and Western Culture

Wouter J. Hanegraaff

November 20, 1997 DOI: 10.1163/9789004378933 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper
Key points Argues that the New Age movement, despite its diversity, is a distinct form of religion rooted in traditional esotericism and shaped by secular thought. Proposes a historical framework to understand its development and relationship to earlier esoteric traditions.

Abstract

Part 1: Orientation: Major Trends in New Age Religion. Preliminary Demarcation of the Field - Channeling - Healing and Personal Growth - New Age Science - Neopaganism - New Age in a Restricted and in a General Sense. Part 2: Exposition: The Varieties of New Age Experience. The Nature of Reality - Meta-Empirical and Human Beings - Matters of the Mind - Death and Survival - Good and Evil - Visions of the Past - The New Age. Part 3:

Interpretation: New Age Religion and Traditional Esotericism. Towards a Historical Perspective on New Age Religion - A Historical Framework - The Mirror of Secular Thought -

Conclusions: The New Age Movement and the Nature of New Age Religion.