From: ed_l1@verifone.com
Newsgroups: talk.religion.newage
Subject: Re: New Age/Christian Survey -Reply
Date: 8 Apr 92 11:33:07 HST
Organization: VeriFone Inc., Honolulu HI

Posted here just in case anyone else is interested.  I noted the
similarity between my responses and another's and decided I should
post as well.

Alike, but different.  One but individual.  
Cooperation is a key to the doors of the New Age.
=========================
Subj:	Survey response

*1.  What makes a person a Christian?

An acceptance of the principles espoused by Jesus of Nazerath, or a
statement of belief in various ideas or participation in some rituals.

*2.  What makes a person a follower of the New Age?

An acceptance of the idea that we are entering a time period in which
our way of viewing life will change significantly, hopefully for the
better.  BTW, we are not "followers,"  we have no leaders, we are
our own gurus.  We are "participants."

There is therein a commonality of ideas, but no dogma across the board.

*3.  What do you think of evangelical-fundamentalist-charismatic--
pentecostal Christians?

Some of them are very nice and Christian, others are not.  They are
people, doing what they have to do.

*4.  What do you think of mainline Protestant Christianity (i.e.,
Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, etc.)

All part of the Piscean Age, they will linger, they are not invalid,
hopefully they will join us without abandoning the values they have
built for 2000 years.

*5.  What do you think of Catholics?

A fine political organization, they are changing for the New Age.
A Polish Pope was a good start.

*6.  What do you think of channeling?  

Some may be valid, many are deluded.

*meditation?  

Like prayer, meditation is a valuable technique for discovery of the
spiritual realm.

*pyramids?  

Part of the Arian Age, I believe.

*Tarot cards?  

They work, they are a tool.

*astrology?  

It works, it is a tool.

*crystals?  

Very pretty.  Their energy may have more scientific application than
spiritual application.  They are a great way for people to get rich
by proclaiming that they are "New Age."
Without crystals, we wouldn't have radio!

*UFO's?

Something is out there, and it is yet unidentified.

*7.  Who or what is God?  

An all-encompassing spirit/energy.

*Who is/was Jesus?  

A manifestation of something that it is beyond me to describe.

*Who or what is the Holy Spirit?  

Not sure.  Perhaps our own souls.... which are a part of the "one."

*Do you think the literal Resurrection of Jesus literally took place?  

Who cares?

*What do you think is the meaning of the resurrection?

Our bodies are not the real us.  We will be reborn of spirit.

*8.  Do you think Jesus will come again?  

Depends on his schedule.  He may be among us now.  He may have
come again shortly after the initial resurrection and they knew him
not.

*What do you think of the Bible?

I have often consulted it as a source, but since men had a hand in writing
it, I take what it says with caution.

*9.  Why do you consider yourself a follower of the New Age?  

I'm not.  I'm a participant in the New Age.  Some of us are charged
with work that has to be done during the transition.  The New Age
is coming, whether you believe so or not.

*What do you think is (are) the central tenets of your beliefs?  

Peace, acceptance, cooperation, acknowledgement of our living
spiritual selves without waiting for "death," recognition of our
personal oneness with divinity and with each other.

*How did you come to hold these beliefs?  

Personal experience and revelation after years of study, meditation
and contemplation.

*Are you a member of any formal religious group(s)?  Which ones?

No.
                               
*10. What is your age?  
*sex?  
*Occupation?  
*[Optional, for statistical use only:  are you single-married-divorced-widowed-
*living with someone-under a vow of celibacy?  hetero-homo-bisexual? 
*What race do you describe yourself as?]

[personal replies deleted]

 I am part of the "human" race: we are ONE.

*11. [More optional questions:  What happens to us when we die? 

We leave the body and go back to where we came from.  The true reality.
We are part of the all, part of god.

*What makes an individual good or bad?  

Society's decisions as to what is good or bad.

*Do you think that there is an absolute standard of right and wrong?  

No, just productive and non-productive.

*What do you think are the central problems of American and World society?  

Conflict rather than cooperation.

*How does your faith address these problems, if at all?  

We cooperate, and try to get others to cooperate as well.

*Do you think that your faith is the only way to salvation or self-fulfillment?

No.

*Is it the best way?

Time will tell that, not I.

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||   Anthropologist, Writer, Editor    -*-     IN%"Ed_L1@VeriFone.Com"   ||
||   Opinions Copyright (c) 1992 Ed L'Esperance.  All Rights Reserved    ||
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