Product Description
Recent years have seen a spectacular rise of the New Age movement and an ever-increasing interest in its beliefs and manifestations. This fascinating work presents the first comprehensive analysis of New Age Religion and its historical backgrounds, thus providing a means of orientation in the bewildering variety of the movement. Making extensive use of primary sources, the author thematically analyses New Age beliefs from the perspective of the study of religions. While looking at the historical backgrounds of the movement, he convincingly argues that its foundations were laid by so-called western esoteric traditions during the Renaissance. Hanegraaff finally shows how the modern New Age movement emerged from the increasing secularization of those esoteric traditions during the nineteenth century. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Esotericism in the Mirror of Secular Thought
Private symbolism and the dissipation of mystery are indeed connected. The New Age movement tends to make each private individual into the center of his or her symbolic world; and it tends to seek salvation in universal explanatory systems which will leave no single question of human existence unanswered, and will replace mystery by the certainty of perfect knowledge. The reader of this study will have to make up his or her own mind about whether the attainment of such knowledge would save the world or, instead, deprive it of all meaning.

Thorough and compelling research of new age religion
I have just finished reading this lengthy book after a month of heated night readings.
This one is really a milestone in the research of the new age phenomenon, as it is the first (and up until now the only) book to seriously and exhaustively research the variety of new age ideas, their inter-connectedness and their origins.

Haanegraaf doesn't leave the discussion on a sociological level, as other authors on the new age have frequently done. He isn't satisifed until he enters the core of every doctrine and theory and explains it thoroughly to the reader.
Haanegraaf covers an unusal amount of material over the 525 pages long primary text of the book. He presents ideas and comments about them briefly and concisely but also profoundly and always in an interesting and intelectually stimulating way.

The different observations and structures Haanegraaf presents in this work are bound to become a basis for future research of the new age phenomenon.

This is one of the best books i've read in a while, and a must for anyone interested in New Age.

A must read!
This book is a MUST READ for any student of religious studies. Its provides a consolidation and analysis of the new age literature. Extensive use of references and footnotes - you won't be disappointed... ... Read more

Product Description
Across America and the world dangerous New Age cults andreligious groups are growing in strength and numbers. As many as 50million Americans are now New Age cultists while millions of othersare unwittingly dabbling and experimenting in the occult throughdirect or indirect involvement with New Age religious and politicalorganizations.

This is the first authoritative guide to the New Age cults andreligions infecting and threatening our society. This outstanding workcarefully analyzes these groups, revealing substantial, detailedinformation to convincingly answer the questions most asked. Itclearly contrasts the false--sometimes bizarre--and unorthodoxteachings and practices of the New Cults with the Living Truthscontained in the Holy Bible. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

atta boy...strangers in the boo-goo land of religions...
it may be
the most important book
ever written...
unparalleled...
stunning expose
that is what
Texe Marrs says
about
New Age Bible Versions
of G.A.Riplinger

and that's how
i came to say
the same
for his own work
giving a kick
into my Christian butt
lest i forget
the God The Father
the Lord The Saviour
and Holy Ghost The Paraclete

just to remember
satan is lower case
backdoor man
nice person
like commie
before the season
of making friends
is over
and shoot
to kill is on

Mr Marrs view
on total disregard
of threat of the unknown
invisible by practitioners
to be so and so
and letting our beings
be invaded and pass on others
the unholy
as we are being forewarned
by prophets and our Saviour

Lacking
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2HJPG4QWOXZ5E A 5minute video review concerning Texe Marrs Book of New Age Cults & Religions. The purpose of this video is to illustrate some weaknesses in the book which are important for the reader to know. One thing which was forgotten to mention was internal inconsistency concerning Krishnamurti: "Dejected and embarrased Krishnamurti sailed back to India where, in 1929, he broke away from his sponsors in Theosophy and, in fact, repudiated all connections with organized religions and ideologies." (233) and "Finally, in 1931,a dejected Krishnamurti himself abruptly renounced his title of "Christ" and became an independent guru..." (317).

Welcome to a Land of Make-Believe
My brother received this book, along with L.U.C.I.D., Marrs' crackpot exposé of the satanic mind-control conspiracy controlling the world, from a deranged lunatic calling himself "Christ."This in itself should speak volumes about the type of individual who would take this stuff seriously and at face value.

I'm amazed that a university actually let this guy teach.Contrary to what some of these other reviews would have you believe, "New Age Cults and Religions" is in no way a scholarly work.Texe literally just makes things up and states them as researched facts.He frequently quotes people out of context and then makes outrageous assertions about what these folks are talking about; such as when he quotes Christopher Hyatt saying that the world seems to want more blood and violence before it changes, then rhetorically suggests that faithful Christians will be the target of this violence perpetrated at the hands of the Order of the Golden Dawn.He uncritically states that Buddhism is a violent unholy New Age cult.Nowhere does he offer any support of these sorts of claims.

His writing should remind you of a paranoid pothead teenager surfing the internet and keeping notes on every corny conspiracy theory he finds without checking the sources.The fact that he calls himself a Christian and quotes the Bible should give actual Christians pause to consider who is the real wolf in sheep's clothing.

Currently this book is sitting next to my toilet, where it can give me some laughs to ease my more difficult bowel movements.

The absolute best book written by T. Marrs, before he went off the deep end...
Former Christian Preacher Texe Marrs,
now a Patriot-for-Prophet [see: Bo
Gritz authored 'My Brothers Keeper'],
did an outstanding job here of iden-
tifying the Cults and Secret Societies
that plague our Western Civilization &
thus the world. Most of the other Texe
Marrs futurist 'Prophet of Doom' books
are all of the furturist 'gloom-and-
doom' "The end is coming soon" variety.
Here he sticks to facts and denotes a
good and careful synopsis of the groups
who seek to pervert our posterity, reli-
giously; Mormons, Jehovah's Sicknesses,
Sixth (not Seventh) Day Adventures, et, al.
I suggest that despite Marrs recent 21st
Century faux puas, get this book! Keep it
on the shelf with Mike Hoffman's 'Secret
Societies and Psychological Warfare' and
'Judiaism's Strange Gods'. Pick Up On It!

Classic Marrs
His critics dismiss Texe Marrs with the label "Fundamentalist Christian."So be it.But at least he takes a stand.At least he reads the Bible of his faith.At least he applies it to the world around him.

I like Marrs' books.They have the excitement of conspiracy theory.But grounded in Bible study.If you don't believe in the Bible (or are afraid your friends will think you're a nut if you do) you probably won't like his books.But if you're into Bible prophecy, and use the Christian Bible to guide your life, then I think you'll appreciate Marrs' perspective.

I'll admit, I try not to put any Christian writer on a pedestal.God is still the definitive Author.But there's a place for writers who use the Bible to comment on current events.I appreciate the work they do.Especially when it prompts me to go back and read Bible passages they've pointed out.

So, Mr. Marrs: I thank you for taking so much flak, yet still keeping the faith.And I eagerly await your next book. ... Read more

Product Description

Sarah Pike traces the history of New Age and Neopagan religions in the United States from their origins in the nineteenth century to their reemergence in the 1960s counterculture. She also considers the differences and similarities between the New Age and Neopagan movements as well as the antagonistic relationship between these two practices and other religions in America, particularly Christianity. Covering such topics as healing, gender and sexuality, millennialism, and ritual experience, she offers a sympathetic yet critical treatment of religious practices often marginalized yet soaring in popularity. Her book is a rich analysis of these spiritual worlds and social networks and questions why these faiths are flourishing at this point in American history.

Customer Reviews (2)

excellent, but mostly about the west coast
As a fellow academic in sociology and religion, I am familiar with Pike's work in general. She is an excellent scholar and one of the foremost authorities on alternative religion. However, I will spare you all the tedium of academic discourse and instead make one critique: the book is mostly about new age and neopagan religions as manifested on the west coast of the US. As a scholar of midwest alternative religion, I think her book would benefit greatly from a visit to Chicago and Detroit for example, where paganism and other forms of alternative religion are equally manifest--but with some significant differences. Other areas of the country likely exhibit unique characteristics as well. Still, I strongly recommend the book for academic readers as well as practitioners and other students of religion.

Highly Recommended for General and Student Readership
Sarah Pike's 2004 study is an accessible, enjoyable, very general overview of New Age and Contemporary Pagan religion in the United States. It is intended for students and interested non-students, rather than the religionist per se, and is written from a balanced, critical point of view. Her introduction provides a quick guide to most other major works of this kind, including Graham Harvey's study, and is a vast improvement over other, more polemical studies, such as Philip Davis's "The Goddess Unmasked." Pike's biggest challenge, and a controversial one, is to include yet separate New Age and Pagan religion from each other. Her efforts are probably more successful in this area than other attempts to either totally distinguish them or collapse them together.

What makes Pike's study different is that her goal is not to provide a comprehensive guide to traditions and practices. Rather, her work concentrates on situating the contours of these religions in an American historical context, and demonstrating their continuity, as well as divergence, from other aspects of American Religious History. As well her main areas of investigation are trends in in healing, gender/sexuality, apocalypticism/millenialism, and in the ethics or style of practice, rather than content or specific denominations. This is significant because New Age and Neopagan religions are radically decentralized movements. Lacking a single charasmatic leader, or even one authoritative organization, these movements are for the most part, difficult to study. Unlike early century or 19th century esotericisms, they lack founding texts, or single leaders.

Pike begins by spending a chapter compressing and extending, in parts, America's unchurched religious traditions, including Spiritualist trance, which she considers a significant antecedent to Pagan possession and New Age channeling. We know that Spiritualist demonstrations were attended by many, including Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and James Fenimore Cooper. One of the major ways spirits communicated in Spiritualism was by "rapping," or making noises then interpreted in a narrative fashion. As well, Spiritualist publications and proponents were widely known to engage in ethical advocacy of issues of the day, including the treatment of Amerindians, liberal causes such as death penalty reform, and wage reform, causes advocated by many (but not all) New Agers and Pagans. While discussing Neolithic and Jungian approaches in Pagan myth, Pike firmly locates these traditions as emerging from mid-20th century revivals and transformations of 19th century (and earlier modes of religious expression), even as many Pagans trace their deities directly to classical sources. Pike correctly traces the focus on personalization in this form of religion to the highly personal, ecstatic, and optimistic ways Americans have historically related to sacred power, such as reformist movements and the Great Awakenings. One debatable point is her location of the "birth" of NeoPaganism in the United States with the founding of Feraferia and the Church of All Worlds in 1967.

While many New Age practitioners and Pagans tend to pursue worship and transformation in an entirely private way, there are those who pursue a highly political and even oppositional form of public worship. In Ottawa in 2001 at the World Bank meeting protests, a Pagan group formed a "living river" as part of the protest. At the School of the Americas Protest in Columbus, Georgia, in the same month, several religious groups, including a group of Witches, conducted an "Earth-Based Blessing." Issac Bonewits has been regularly promoting the use of spellwork in encouraging people to participate in the Democratic process in the United States, calling for collective simultaneous action over the Internet, and teaching political ritual workshops at Pagan Festivals. Others take a wider view of activism beyond the nation-state. Some groups take political action in the form of ecological magic, or conducting rituals as threatened natural sites. As well, some of these sites may be contested with indigenous peoples, which adds a whole other dimension and layer of complexity to this issue. Gender activism is particularly important, given the connection to feminism which transformed the movements in the 1960's. Pike as well discusses the tensions between Goddess as mythic symbol, feminine life-force, structuring reality, and ontological literal truth, and clearly debunks much of the fantastic myths surrounding sexuality and its relationship to worship and practice.

Healing plays a central role for New Agers and Neopagans, according to Pike. The influence of wholism and health movements in the United States has a long history in religious communities as well. But its interpenetration with the New Age and Neopagan movements was key to the development of each during the 1970's. Religiously, the older inherited occult notions of correspondence and interconnectedness promote analogical healing of "macrocosm" and "microcosm." The increasing emphasis on a spiritual side to science, including Hindu and Chinese interpolations with quantum mechanics and relativity, gave weight to the increasing view that life and its environment interact at the levels of subtle threads, layers, and relationships of energy. Herbalism continues to be common, with its ties into folk medicine and vernacular lore, while auric healing and direct manipulation/transformation of subtle energies, at the other end of the spectrum, is easily as well known. Sometimes energy manipulation via earthen means combines these notions, such as in crystal healing. Deities may also be part of the healing process. Nuturing powers may be called upon, but ones of fierce defense, and regeneration, such as Kali, are commonplace as well. In any case, Pike continues to make the point that self-exploration and self-understanding are in many cases, foundational to New Age or Pagan forms of healing, both in the sense of deconstruction and regeneration.

Apocalyticism is treated by Pike in a single chapter. The scope of the spectrum she explores again ranges from a totalistic immediate shift in the physical environment to personal transformation. There is more than some elitism among New Age practictioners and Neopagans who see themselves as part of a vanguard that will help usher in the elite, and a corresponding underlying concern that those dragging their feet, so to speak, may not end up with a share in this future world, or paradigm. Pike locates much of her discussion of Pagan Sacred Geography, or dedicated sacred lands, to this topic.

Highly recommended for the student, general reader, or historian of American Religion. Advanced practitioners may find much of the non-historical material redundant. Pike includes a resource guide for those interested in continuing their study in this area, either in terms of scholarship or practice. ... Read more

Product Description
In his groundbreaking work, Paul Heelas traces the growth and development of the New Age Movement, identifies some of its key characteristics, and provides a critical perspective. This unique and extensively documented volume provides a balanced treatment of New Age "celebration of the self", and situates it within the broader cultural context for the first time.It shows how the New Age is ambivalently related to modernity, offering both a radical spiritual alternative to the mainstream and a celebration of some of the characteristic features of modern life. Heelas thus views the New Age both as an alternative counter-cultural movement and as a spirituality of our times. The volume, with its clarity of form and its critique of conventional opinion, serves as an excellent starting point and mature contribution to the study of contemporary spirituality. This will be a core text for courses on the Sociology of Religion, and should be of enormous interest to all those concerned with the study of culture and the utopian anthropologists of modernity, historians of oppositional movements, theology students, clergy, and New Age activists alike. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Still the Best Scholarly Book on the Matter

It is surprising that after after so many years since its publication, this excellent book hasn't had a review at Amazon yet. Paul Heelas is a top scholar on the subject New Age, and has been studying the phenomenon - objectively and rigorously - for over 20 years. In a field dominated by biased anti-New Age and pro-New Age authors, Heelas' summary account on the origins and nature of the movement is certainly a much needed necessity for those who are looking for an impartial introduction to the matter.

Yet, much has happened with the New Age since this book's publication in 1996. The New Age has been transformed, either co-opted into media and business devices, neutralized into "feel good" commodities available at holistic shops and resorts, or, still, it has become part of a new environmental religion, often associated with new artistic and ecological experiments.

For updated accounts on the New Age, Heelas' new book "Spiritualities of Life" should not be missed. Other references include Graham St John's "Rave Culture and Religion" showing how music and spirituality come together in youth subcultures of self-transformation. Another interesting read is Anthony D'Andrea's "Global Nomads", an anthropological study on the globalization of New Age lifestyles, expanding from marginal expatriates subcultures into the mainstream of media and tourism.
... Read more

Product Description
In the late 1980s, the New Age movement became the focus of both media attention and widespread ridicule as some of the more outlandish aspects of the movement, such as channeling, briefly piqued the public's curiosity. While the movement was at its height, scholars of religion generally ignored what was perceived to be a shallow craze. Professor James R. Lewis was among the first to examine this growing religious phenomenon scientifically. In previous books, he has investigated the New Age as the most visible manifestation of a significant spiritual subculture, the roots of which reach back to Theosophy, Spiritualism, and New Thought. The present collection pursues this theme, bringing together some of the best recent scholarship on new religions.

Since the height of its popular influence New Age has declined in strength but has given rise to a plethora of new denominations. Reflecting the emergence of this new denominational structure, the core chapters of this book focus on specific groups. Other chapters examine the movement's historical roots. A unique feature of Dr. Lewis's work is his inclination of extensive selections from New Age literature, thus allowing readers to experience firsthand the unusual perspectives of the various groups.

This is a fascinating examination of a significant and persistent religious and social phenomenon. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is intended to help people follow a significant part of what Jesus considered the greatest commandment. ... Read more

Product Description
Based on the late Elie Kedourie's lectures at the London School of Economics, this is an introduction to the often difficult, sometimes opaque writings of Hegel and Marx. Kedourie provides an exposition of the contributions made by these two thinkers shaping the foundations of contemporary political philosophy. ... Read more

Product Description
This fifth volume of the "Religion Today" series explores "religions" or forms of spirituality that tend to be marginal to the mainstream of British and North American religious expression. The book examines how alternative spiritualities traditionally classed as "New Age" or new religious movements have grown exponentially in recent years. It progresses to detailed examination of Paganism, Celtic spirituality, Wicca, witchcraft, North American indigenous religion and New Age, considering the impact of the rise of science on religion and the emergence of new categories of spirituality. The authors explore why these forms of spirituality are so popular in the contemporary UK and USA, and how they impact on mainstream traditions. ... Read more

Product Description
This a collection of writings on a variety of topics by the renowned and prolific writer Swami Kriyananda. Essays range from a description of the New Age to insights on September 11. Swami Kriyananda's view of life is thought-provoking and points the reader toward greater awareness, self-honesty, and hope. The fascinating essays touch on a wealth of subjects-spiritual, political, social, and personal-including Henry I, how to understand people, the importance of truthfulness, and much more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Expansive, Interesting, Life-Changing
I just finished reading "Religion in the New Age and Other Essays for the Spiritual Seeker," written by Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters), written 2008 and released in 2009.

I am offering this review simply because the book meant so much to me. It is isn't often, in my experience, that I find a book that can stir my rather sautern heart to soar with joy; and in a few pages stamp my intellectually-puffed ego into the ground and leave me begging for more.

Actually, I avoided this book for a little while, because of the title, which insinuates that the book is about religion, which I found rather off-putting. But alas; I was guilty of the "judging the book by the cover" syndrome. I read it, cover to cover and mauled the pages with my highlighter, notes, underlines, boxes and a word list in the back. In other words, I befriended this book.

Sri Kriyananda starts by clarifying what is happening, why things are changing so rapidly, and why it is that the human expression of community seems to be dividing itself almost like a cell. To simplify his astoundingly accessible interpretation of Swami Sri Yukteshwar Giri's book The Holy Science - we are moving into a planetary shift in which humanity is once again being exposed to a very positive change in which the general upliftment into hope and light are inevitable events. This change will, as usual in the course of events, engender two extreme camps, and an infinite number of in-betweens: There will be those who search for meaning in the old rules and the old way of doing things, and those who eagerly move with the fluid changes in which we find ourselves daily. Not only are the bases for these patterns explained for the average reader, but the practical meanings are also explained. In other words, knowledge is great and good, but what does it mean to me, now? Be prepared for the introduction of some Sanskrit terms, one of which the reader should know right away: Dwapara Yuga. This is the arc of time and spiritual development in which we find ourselves, collectively, at the beginning of now in 2009 (or, 309 Dwapara).

Swami Kriyananda's book addresses the effects of this dispensation on what we believe, how we can square what we seek spiritually with what religion (and religionists) have taught us. He explains that the current trends we can plainly see around us of people being Spiritual without belonging to a set religion is predictable and what it means. There is, after all, hope for those of us who are searching for a Truth in which we can live and move and love. Kriyananda gives concrete evidence and guidelines for learning to love God as God needs to be for us as individuals; then God in ourselves, and from this basis, how to reach out to others as individuals, groups, and the world. In Kriyananda's interpretation of the teachings brought by Sri Sri Paramhansa Yogananda (an Indian mystic who came to America in 1920 to teach the congruity of the original Christianity with the teachings of Sri Krishna), it is not only possible but highly desirable for a modern spiritual seeker to learn to live a life in which trust, love, high thinking and right living are evident in daily life, and not packed nicely away for Sundays or Sabbaths.

This book includes observations from decades of service and teaching on behalf of the late Yogananda. Swami Kriyananda's lifelong duties also included establishing communities around the world, in which people who live out these teachings actually live and thrive together. This is the ultimate test of the teachings, in my regard - that people and families can live out their ideals and values.

There are plentiful instructions and stories on money and how to handle it, how to get along with others, how to love others, and how to behave as a responsible adult. Kriyananda has analyzed business models, leadership, management styles and suggested ways that the order of management within organizations can keep pace with the changes in expectations of people in Dwapara Yuga within the business environment. At one point, the author went into great details in describing how a hierarchy can be ruined quite innocently and without meaning by ineffective leaders, creating workers that do not know to whom they should report, muddled lines of communication, wrecked human relations, and leadership that still must do all the work and is left wondering why. I had to put the book down and read this section again after I digested it, as I had lived this sad story. Years later, I still had no idea what happened - but I will tell you this: it is as if the author had been watching through a magic telescope the goings-on at a certain company in a high-rise building in downtown Seattle. I lived this story and he captured and analyzed it. There's no blame to be had or placed, but the explanation of how businesses can fail with fractured human relations was a joy to my heart.

In short, this book touches broadly on just about every area of life in which one could find himself engaged.And yet, I found very specific examples, stories, and facts to support the living out of the ideals affirmed by this author.I would highly recommend this book for those curious about how metaphysical influences, the teachings of Lord Krishna, business ethics, money handling, developing self-confidence and Original Christianity (as opposed to "churchianity") all come together to support a person who wishes to explore an authentic and congruent life. ... Read more

Product Description
New globalised religions take two forms. Unlike new religions such as Transcendental Meditation, the former Unification Church and The Family, which are just a few of the recent religions to form networks of essentially identical communities around the world, the New Age beliefs discussed in this volume have spread without the benefit of any organisation or unified culture, and their more diffuse nature resists easy categorisation. While some of the chapters in this publication consider aspects of the general nature of New Age religion, the remaining chapters are case studies which examine particular New Age beliefs, including the healing movement, the spiritualisation of money and the UFO, gnostic and goddess myths. ... Read more

Product Description
Many philosophies and religions believe that each individual living being has a unique inner essence, a unique personality, known as the soul. This belief dates back to Ancient Egypt, to at least about 3150 B.C. Many cultures also believe that the soul is immortal. Spiritualists have this same belief; we call this unique inner essence spirit.

Spiritualism is the belief that the body dies but the soul lives on as a spirit. It is the belief that the living can communicate with those who have passed. In this book, you will learn about different ways to communicate with those in spirit. You will learn about Spiritual gifts and how to discover and use your gifts. You will learn about the power of the mind, that thoughts are things, and that we create and destroy with our minds and our mouths. You will learn about Numerology, that numbers have meaning.

Through Spiritualism, you will learn to understand Natural Law, that what you give out comes back to you, that if you plant roses, you do not get carnations. Natural Law is very specific. You harvest what you plant. You reap what you sow. The Bible tells us; Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

At Memorial Spiritual Christian Church we make Spiritualism a religion. To that end I have included Bible verses as they relate to the topics discussed. If you have never been a fan of the Bible, please do not be put off by them. I was never a fan, but in writing this book I found that the Bible is full of wondrous stories, bits of wisdom, poetry and songs. The Bible verses shown, unless noted, are from the King James Version.

This book is about Spiritualism as Reverend Karen Hill teaches it at Memorial Spiritual Christian Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

Our church is a memorial to the Collinwood School Fire of 1908, a fire that took the lives of 172 children and 3 adults. The parents of one of the children lost in the fire donated the land for our church. This is the story of how their donation has changed the course of history for many people. Every one of us who worships regularly at Memorial Spiritual Christian Church will tell you how our lives have changed because of what we have learned here. ... Read more

Product Description
Christianity and the New Age Religion was an attempt tocreate peace between church Christianity and New Age Christianity. Itsmajor effect has been to teach those who were staying in the churchout of fear that they had to in order to love the Christ, that theycould leave the church and feel even more of Christ's love. It hascaused many people to leave the church with its dogmas and restrictiveteachings, and to go out to where the Christ truly is. The Christ theyhave found is closer, more personal, more loving and more real tothem. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life, published by Institute on Religion and Public Life on November 1, 1999. The length of the article is 4119 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: The dangers of paganism and New Age religious mentalities are discussed, focusing on how pagan beliefs have developed over the centuries and damaged the purpose of Judeo- Christian thought. Topics include the primitive fears of paganism, the religious corruption of Nazism, and Communism.

Citation Details
Title: Return of the Gods.(dangers of paganism and New Age religions)
Author: Hannes Stein
Publication: First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life (Refereed)
Date: November 1, 1999
Publisher: Institute on Religion and Public Life
Page: 34

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
This book provides a new sociological account of contemporary religious phenomena such as channelling, holistic healing, meditation and divination, which are usually classed as part of a New Age Movement. Drawing on his extensive ethnography carried out in the UK, alongside comparative studies in America and Europe, Matthew Wood criticises the view that such phenomena represent spirituality in which self-authority is paramount. Instead, he emphasises the role of social authority and the centrality of spirit possession and links these to participants' class positions and experiences of secularisation. Informed by sociological and anthropological approaches to social power and practice, especially the work of Pierre Bourdieu and Michel Foucault, Wood explores what he calls 'nonformative religion' and charts similarities and differences with pagan, spiritualist and Theosophical religious traditions. ... Read more

Product Description
The Secret Unraveled is a simple yet comprehensive 'how to' handbook for applying the Law of Attraction to create the life you desire.This book shows why eliminating emotional obstacles from the past, limiting beliefs, and internal conflicts are necessary, if you want to realize your full potential and create the future you want.You are the sum of your past experiences which are actually attracting both what you do and don't want and preventing you from having the future you want.The Secret Unraveled shows the reader how to heal the past which sets the stage for a transformed future.Transforming your future is accomplished by following a set of simple step by step processes for applying the Law of Attraction.If you know that you can achieve more, but haven't reached the future you want, The Secret Unraveled shows the reasons why, how to overcome them, and how to create the future that you have always desired. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Looking for Change - Here it is!!!Read this book!!!
I was introduced to the movie the "Secret" about 6 months ago and wonderedhow I could ever get it to work for me.I had looked around for answers and didn't find any that worked.Then I was given a wonderful opportunity to read the book - The Secret Unraveled-Once and for All!!
The authors Fred and Leigh help you interpret the writings of the Secret and understand them to apply them to your life.
The book, with its many tools, has given me the ability to change my life in a most positive way. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in changing their life for the better and knowing the "Secret" of living life to the fullest. - Ruth Ann E.- Casselberry,

Why I like this book!
I lead a discussion group called "The Secret and Much More". This group was started because so many people who read "The Secret" or watched the movie were both incredibly inspired, and a bit confused. I will never criticize "The Secret" because it has introduced so many people to the Law of Attraction, (including myself). However, due to the ninety minute restrictions of a movie, it was not possible for the author to go into depth about certain steps and concepts that are vital in making this Law work for you. Fred and Leigh have done a masterful job of picking up where the movie left off. Although taking their class is probably the best way to go through the material, I'm sure, because of the straight forwardness of their 'manual', that reading this book (you'll want to do that more than once) will enable you to put into practice what "The Secret" inspired you to do.

I have become personal friends with both Fred and Leigh, and have found them to be the most sincere, delightful, and giving people I have ever met. Their reason for offering this book is not for monetary gain, but because they genuinely want to help others have the wonderful life they both enjoy. I thank them for that, and can honestly say that my life has changed for the better, not just by reading this book, but by having been graced by their friendship.

A very interesting book!
I have the pleasure to live close to Fred and Leigh and to know them in person. They are very knowledgeable about EFT and NLP techniques and it is wonderful that they share their knowledge now with a larger audience. I highly recommend this book to all life coaches and psychologists who want to give their work a new twist. I am a life coach myself with a background in psychology and I see a nice complementarity between this book and my own interests in the domain of positive psychology.
I like how Fred and Leigh give their own ideas and criticism about the book The Secret. You can literally read their comments to certain paragraphs of the book. Although I like the book The Secret, I thought there were some flaws and I enjoyed that Fred and Leigh recognize these too and add some important elements that were missing: e.g. how to deal with negative issues. They integrated the EFT technique (emotional freedom technique) in their book to give the reader an option about how to deal with negative issues. I attended their seminars in Orlando where Fred showed us how to deal with phobia issues using the EFT technique. It seemed to be very powerful.

Maddy Swinnen
Executive and Life Coach
www.HappineX.org
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Product Description
The problems of faith, religion, and God bothered me.¿ I have seen wars start, marriages end, teenagers commit suicide, parents die, and one of my friends overdose.¿ I have watched as murderers have walked¿free, children are beaten, and as clergy are unmasked as¿pedophiles.Considering the world we live in, could there really be a God?I began to study all of the worlds major religions from Evolution to Buddhism to Satanism to Catholicism, with the hope of finding meaning within reason, of finding the truth.¿ Through interviews, rationality, commonsense, and study I began to see the world unfold to me as it really is.This book is the compilation of the notes that led me to a new beginning through the End of Religion. ... Read more