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The New Age
The New Age - a multi-cultural spiritual and consciousness raising movement that has its roots in the occult, is anything but new. Over the last several decades (unnoticed by all but a very few) New Age beliefs have gradually gathered momentum over the face of the earth. Blended with mind/body self-help, much of its teaching is now appealing to the mainstream consumer who is interested in becoming not only more spiritually aware, but healthier and more successful as well.
However, it has a very dark side. It is fueled by unholy forces that oppose both God and man and shepherded by humans outside the church who have no comprehension of the dark forces they deal with and, of course, by an 'evil and adulterous generation' inside the church who so easily ignore the warnings from the God they profess to serve. Section includes Alice Bailey and the Lucis Trust, The Maitreya, Ascended Masters, The Global Alliance, Unity School of Christianity etc.
Contemplative Prayer
If you are one of the many modern Christians who stands in awe of what is commonly seen as the deep 'spirituality' and connection with the Divine that modern mystics like Thomas Keating, Henri Nouwen, and Thomas Merton claimed to have, chances are you have not taken the time to find out what is behind these practices and the people that teach it. 'Christian' centering prayer as taught and practiced in so much of the church today was learned from Eastern and Occult meditation practitioners. Any differences are superficial at best.
Alternative Medicine
Each branch of alternative medicine needs to be assessed individually to determine its effectiveness, scientific basis, mode of action, safety, underlying world view and links with the occult. For example acupuncture has its roots in Taoism, yoga in Hinduism and therapeutic touch in New Age ideology. This alone should make us suspicious. See overview plus detailed articles on Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Hypnotism, & more.
 Section includes two articles on Yoga - Are Yoga & Christianity Compatible?
and More To Yoga Than Meets The Eye simply because There is no Yoga without Hinduism.
ON THIS PAGE
Emphasis Mine In Bible Verses
An Overview
What is the Occult.. Definition & Categories, The Rise in Popularity, Sources of Power
The Bible’s Strict Prohibitions Against Any Occult Practice
Definitions of Terms used in Leviticus 19:26, 31 and Deuteronomy 18:9-14
Demons
Evidence for the Devil
"One of the reasons why confusion is spreading in the world is that we are afraid to face its real causes. We believe in a thousand evils, fear a thousand dangers, but have ceased to believe in evil and to fear the true dangers. Thus, we can suggest eight lines of reasoning to infer the possibility of a real devil and/or the reality of spiritual evil.
Do Demons Exist And If So, What Are They and How Much Influence Do They Have?
And How Should We As Mature Christians Respond To Them?
Demons have more power and influence than most people may realize. The Bible clearly teaches that if a doctrine deviates from what the Bible teaches it is inspired by unclean spirits.
Is Lucifer Another Name For Satan?
One of the most common misconceptions among Bible believers is that Lucifer is another name for Satan, based on a single occurrence of the word … the King James translation of Isaiah 14:12.
The Teachings of the Spirits
Many millions of people today believe that these spirits offer teachings that are consistent with the Bible and Christian faith. However a comparison of the spirits’ views from channeled literature with Bible teaching tells us that they are diametrically opposed. The religious teachings of the spirits are exactly what one might expect from demons.
Idol Worship
The Bible is very clear that the idols the first century Gentiles sacrificed to were demons (daimonia) not God i.e. the statue or image represented a living creature. Thus it is fair to conclude that deities such as Zeus, Amun-Ra, Demeter and Isis, were simply the classical names attributed to specific spirits.
In other words, Apollo was a real personality as was Osiris ruler of the dead. In today’s world, the Hindu gods Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer and the eight-armed demonic looking goddess Kali (depicted as holding a skull in one of her hands) are not just man made images but are the face of something far more sinister. It is no surprise therefore that the Bible strongly prohibits having anything to do with idols and that idolatry is singled out in the Bible as the most abominable of sins that brings dire consequences.
Eastern Mysticism
The Influence of Eastern Mysticism
Eastern mysticism has penetrated every area of Western society and much of the church. How did this transformation overtake a "Christian" America?
Kundalini
Kundalini, conceptualized as a coiled up serpent, is a concentrated form of prana or life force, lying dormant in our bodies. The ‘awakening’ of the Kundalini brings about an expanded states of consciousness and can be achieved through three main practices, the most effective of which are meditation and yogic postures such as those taught in Hatha Yoga or a guru or spiritual teacher conferring the spiritual "power" or awakening, often by means of a touch to the forehead. If that isn’t disturbing enough, it is worse to compare the experiences and behaviour of the people at Toronto, Brownsville and Lakeland with disciples of Hindu gurus who have had this spiritual "power" or Kundalini awakening conferred on them. The requirements for receiving are the same, The methods of transmissions are the same and the physical manifestations are the same. How then can these ’revivals’ be Christians.
What Eastern Gurus Say About Occult Practices
In short those who practice the occultism of the East also warn of its dangers. This is why those who seek the so-called "wisdom from the East" frequently get more than they bargained for.
Transcendental Meditation (TM)
The promoters of Transcendental Meditation or TM present it as a "scientific" practice based on biological and psychological laws. They repeatedly declare that it is a non religious activity in which men of all faiths may participate with great benefit. However, an in-depth study of Transcendental Meditation reveals that not all of its story appears on the surface.
The Goddesses Are Alive and Well
Goddess Worship [Section]
Reverence for the goddess is becoming prevalent in our day. The goddess is embraced by witchcraft, radical feminism, the occult, and the liberal church. Christians must be aware that when the moon is full, writers, teachers, nurses, computer programmers, artists, lawyers, poets, plumbers, and auto mechanics—women and men from varied backgrounds - gather on hilltops, beaches, in open fields, and in ordinary houses to invoke the mother goddess and her consort, the “Horned One,” by their varied names... Ultimately though, it doesn’t really matter if "she" is called Sophia, Isis, Diana, Virtus, Cybele, Rhea, or Mother Mary, the concept is always the same–the lifting up of a pagan goddess as a replacement for the true God.
Apparitions of The Virgin Mary
The Bible warns that we will see counterfeit miracles, strange sights in the heavens, false prophets, so much so that "even the very elect might be deceived." When one analyzes many of the alleged miracles that accompany Marian apparitions, they seem to be of a different kind than those found in Scripture. Biblical miracles had a strong practical aspect. Many of the miracles associated with Marian apparitions seem dramatic and sensational.. the kind of miracles that Jesus consistently refused to perform (Matt. 12:38-39). There is little doubt that these are "miracles," but they are performed by the prince of darkness.
Wicca
Wicca... the name for a contemporary pagan revival of witchcraft is growing very fast in America. Some witches do not call themselves witches, but refer to themselves as Wiccans, white witches, or pagans. Wicca is supposedly an old English term for witch and is used by some as an alternate name for witch. Article includes their fundamental doctrines and a Biblical critique of those doctrines.
Angels
Angels, Angels, Everywhere
The spiritism that has been making its way into the American mainstream for the past 25 years has simply been repackaged in a more benevolent light. Put another way, the recent angel craze is simply occultism with a divine twist marketed under new management, so to speak.
Evaluating Today's Angel Craze
There was a time when angels were mainly relegated to Christmas cards. But not anymore. Angels have infiltrated the popular culture - big time. Indeed, interest in angels is virtually soaring across the religious spectrum in North America - from mainline Christians to New Agers who seek comfort from these heavenly helpers in a troubled and often chaotic world
Miscellaneous
Reincarnation
Today’s religious syncretism not only accepts reincarnation as one of its basic doctrines but also tries to prove that it can be found in the Bible and in the history of the Church.
Visualization
"Imaging" and "Visualization" are increasingly appearing as Christian meditation, "mind-stretchers," or a consciousness-awakening experience in Christian workshops, and you'd better believe that visualization as a cultivated exercise comes with all sorts of metaphysical and spiritual baggage in tow. Frankly, some of these bags desperately need to be opened up before being admitted into Christian territory.
Channeling
Modern-day psychics or mediums, who transmit information from highly evolved spirit non-physical entities, are called channelers. In other words, they become the 'channel' through which the spirit world communicates with ours, often using the medium's vocal cords to do so. Other forms of channeling include automatic writing, narrated visions, and inner voice dictation all of which are claimed to greatly benefit individuals and mankind as a whole. The problem is channeled spirits (usually considered ‘good’) claim that what the Bible teaches is false - Important Christian doctrines are usually contradicted or denied. So who are they?
Astrology An Overview
Part One.. Introduction And Influence, Basic Terms And Concepts, Part Two.. Difficulties In Chart Interpretation,
Part Three.. Alleged Biblical Evidence for Astrology
Part Four.. Astrology and the Occult, Astrology and Spiritism
The Dangers of Astrology -- Part One And Two
Astrology - Do the Heavens Declare the Destiny of Man?
Estimates indicate that anywhere from ten to thirty percent of those claiming to be "born again" Christians entertain some belief that astrology is true, yet astrology is more than the horoscope columns in the newspapers and in magazines and an innocent pastime. It is an occult practice. If spiritistic power is the real force behind legitimate astrological disclosures, then the acceptance of astrology is opening the door to the spirit world.
Edgar Cayce
Was perhaps the most dangerous of the modern day psychics simply because he taught Sunday school and claimed to be a Christian. But was he?
The Bible’s Strict Prohibitions Against Any Occult Practice
'You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor practice divination or soothsaying. (Leviticus 19:26 NASB)
Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:31 NASB)
When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. "For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you. "You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 18:9-13 NASB)
As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people. (Leviticus 20:6 NASB)
So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord, because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep; and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it, (1 Chronicles 10:13 NASB)
You are wearied with your many counsels; Let now the astrologers, Those who prophesy by the stars, Those who predict by the new moons, Stand up and save you from what will come upon you. "Behold, they have become like stubble, Fire burns them; They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame; There will be no coal to warm by Nor a fire to sit before! (Isaiah 47:13-14 NASB)
Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. (Revelation 22:15 NASB)
But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8 NASB)
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