[October's Autumn]

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I'm probably the only one ( ), but I'm not sure exactly what you mean by the first two terms. What do you see as the difference?

Obviously I can't tell you what BroRog meant but I can tell you how I understood them. New Age is pretty broad but includes ideas that come from "The Secret." I had a fellow teacher give me the DVD. I knew she would ask about it so I tortured myself into watching it. A lot of it is based in Cognitive Behavorial Psychology (which is legitimate) and explains how some of the techniques work. Some is just logical but there is an idea that the Universe gives you what you ask for (if only!)

When I hear Christianity Lite I recall the the United Methodist Church I attended for a couple of years where there was distinct breech between belief and action. People were primarily there because it was the thing to do and there was little connection between Sunday and Monday through Friday. While this particular congregation was a bit more open than some conservatives (living together before marriage was okay but homosexuality was not) there was no sense of the need for social action, etc. I saw a lot of baptisms from "new members" who never again showed their face at church. A practice I find strange.

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trying to keep the both the perspectives of compassion and of justice in sight.

Maybe that is our role. Or maybe I'm just rambling

I think you might have hit the proverbial nail on the head. I think balance is the key.

[McKenna]

October, on May 20 2007, 08:10 PM, said:

Obviously I can't tell you what BroRog meant but I can tell you how I understood them. New Age is pretty broad but includes ideas that come from "The Secret." I had a fellow teacher give me the DVD. I knew she would ask about it so I tortured myself into watching it. A lot of it is based in Cognitive Behavorial Psychology (which is legitimate) and explains how some of the techniques work. Some is just logical but there is an idea that the Universe gives you what you ask for (if only!)

Ah. I just wasn't sure how New Age had anything to do with Christianity at all. I guess the term 'New Age' makes me think of sort of neo-hippies with crystals and incense. I'm not denouncing them (it's sort of how I'd describe my stepmother, God bless her), I'm just saying that's the kind of person I think of...

October, on May 20 2007, 08:10 PM, said:

When I hear Christianity Lite I recall the the United Methodist Church I attended for a couple of years where there was distinct breech between belief and action. People were primarily there because it was the thing to do and there was little connection between Sunday and Monday through Friday. While this particular congregation was a bit more open than some conservatives (living together before marriage was okay but homosexuality was not) there was no sense of the need for social action, etc. I saw a lot of baptisms from "new members" who never again showed their face at church. A practice I find strange.

That makes sense. The term I generally hear for this is 'Sunday Christian,' but Christianity Lite makes sense too

October, on May 20 2007, 08:10 PM, said:

I think you might have hit the proverbial nail on the head. I think balance is the key.

Thanks! Glad we agree

[October's Autumn]

The crystals etc. would be part of New Age as well. I don't think most people who are New Age would consider themselves to be part or even off-shoot of Christianity. In fact I suspect they might consider themselves a spiritual alternative to Christianity.

[The Jaded Fool]

October, on May 20 2007, 11:34 PM, said:

The crystals etc. would be part of New Age as well. I don't think most people who are New Age would consider themselves to be part or even off-shoot of Christianity. In fact I suspect they might consider themselves a spiritual alternative to Christianity.

I think you are correct... that most people view it as an alternative...

One of the major differences to Progressive Christianity... for me anyways... is that I don't feel like I have all the answers... I have questions... and thats ok... I am not claiming to be the holder of ONE sacred truth... and all else is lies... there is once again a sense of wonder and awe for me... something that I have not felt in years...

Not sure if that made any sense... It was just on my heart... lol

Peace and Love

[The Jaded Fool]

Ooops... it double posted so I erased all that... =)

Heh!!

This post has been edited by The Jaded Fool: 21 May 2007 - 02:58 PM

[soma]

Jaded Fool not having the answers tells me you can ask good questions and can help many individuals to experience Christ as I feel you are on the high road close to the mountain top. Keep up the wonder. Jesus said we must become children.

[McKenna]

The Jaded Fool, on May 21 2007, 03:51 PM, said:

I think you are correct... that most people view it as an alternative...

One of the major differences to Progressive Christianity... for me anyways... is that I don't feel like I have all the answers... I have questions... and thats ok... I am not claiming to be the holder of ONE sacred truth... and all else is lies... there is once again a sense of wonder and awe for me... something that I have not felt in years...

Not sure if that made any sense... It was just on my heart... lol

Peace and Love

It made perfect sense. I keep on returning to this idea, of how we can't have all the answers, how every "answer" is inadequate but how most will at least point us in the right direction...thanks for putting it so eloquently