They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and in certain cases this is true. However, when it comes to impersonating another's religion, your flattery could come across as thoughtless and insulting. The New Age religious movement is concerned with defining a new kind of spiritualism for modern Americans by capitalizing on other more prominent, traditional and recognized religions. New Agers think of themselves as being open-minded, free-thinking, creative and all those other seemingly compassionate attributes that make people accepting and spiritual. New Age thinkers can be found buying books on spiritualism at Books a Million, investigating local environmental movements with mindless vigor and harassing people of oppressed cultures for recognition and acceptance. I know that sounds like a lot, but they actually accomplish absolutely nothing except attempting to create a selfish and pretentious religion that serves only the needs of those involved.
I recently read an article written by a Native American woman who is finally tired of New Age followers intruding on her religion in order to satisfy their own needs. People identifying themselves as feminists and New Age thinkers are taking their hippy-happy practices onto sacred land and declaring their right to bang their bongo's and sing inharmoniously to ancient Gods they know nothing about. Some of these New Agers even believe they are inherently Native American and have a divine right to take what they want from the Native American religion.
For those of you who are curious and aren't affiliated with a Native American tribe, you're are not Native American. If you were Native American in another life or your great-grandmother supposedly had one-tenth Cherokee blood, you still don't qualify as a Native American. If you had a visceral, life-altering experience while smoking wacky-weed with Jim Morrison in the southwest, you are special, but you are not Native American. If you are reading this and questioning whether or not you are Native American, you are not Native American.
I understand that many of these New Agers think they are doing a great thing by lending some attention to the underappreciated minorities of this country while pursuing their personal nirvana. These are noble intentions, but the results are devastating to people who are traditionally and genuinely rooted in their culture. If you have a real interest in another religion, don't go blazing into their place of worship like John Wayne on a wild spiritual goose chase. This kind of action seems not only to perpetuate stereotypes but it also degrades religions by exploiting certain sacred practices. You may think because you are white and wealthy, you are doing people who have less power and money a big favor by wanting to imitate their beliefs and represent their culture. It's possible New Agers are experiencing a lack of personal identity or feeling guilty for their own heritage that may have participated in racism and discrimination. Attempting to cleanse oneself or find oneself by getting involved in a new religion may not be a bad idea, but claiming it as your own and giving it a "new" name is disrespectful to followers and the true religion. If you want to make a difference in the New Age, go find out what you can contribute to a beautiful and interesting religion, not what you can take from it.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
