New age movement

Question 1

When did the new age movement start?

Answer 1

1980’s

Question 2

What sort of practices does it include?

Answer 2

A range of unconventional spiritual and therapeutic practices

Question 3

Examples of what it is based on?

Answer 3

Magic, Buddhism, tarot, psychology, psycho-therapy

Question 4

‘spiritual supermarket’

Answer 4

Individuals are free to pick and mix from a range of spiritual beliefs and practices that allow them to reach their potential

Question 5

Examples of their beliefs

Answer 5

aliens, fate, that nature is sacred,

Question 6

Anthony giddens

Answer 6

detraditionalisation

Question 7

detraditionalisation (Anthony Giddens)

Answer 7

new agers do not accept the authority of traditional religions , they look to themselves

Question 8

belief in ‘holism’

Answer 8

There is more behind what we can perceive with our senses

Question 9

How do they focus on self-improvement?

Answer 9

practices such as meditation and exercise

Question 10

Steve Bruce

Answer 10

• new age appeals more to highly educated , middle class individuals , especially those working in the creative and expressive professions
• It fits the individualistic nature of late modern societies as there is no requirement to make any drastic life- changes and doesn’t require a significant level of self discipline

Question 11

Paul heela

Answer 11

Identified reasons why it has grown in population:
- enables people to construct a secure identity
- offers people freedom with structure that they construct
- due to a lack of traditional religion, there is little alternatives
- find satisfaction with the products and services which they consume