Trendy New Age Spiritualism breeds unhappiness
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Perilous Times
Trendy New Age Spiritualism breeds unhappiness*
By Tamara McLean
January 18, 2008 02:48pm
Article from: AAP
YOUNG people who embrace trendy, New Age self-focused spiritualism are
more anxious and depressed than those who believe in God or reject
religion altogether, a survey shows.
A major Queensland study of 21-year olds suggests that the shift away
from traditional religious beliefs to new-age religions is not making
young adults happier.
The survey quizzed 3705 people on their beliefs in God, higher powers
other than God, as well as their church-going habits and other behaviours.
Young adults with a belief in a spiritual or higher power other than God
were at more risk of poorer mental health and deviant social behaviour
than those who rejected these beliefs, said study author Dr Rosemary
Aird, a population health researcher at the University of Queensland.
Young men who held non-traditional religious views were at twice the
risk of being more anxious and depressed than those with traditional
beliefs.
"This study suggests that new forms of religiosity demand further
research attention to understand the extent that religious change is
linked to population mental health and social behaviour among younger
generations," Dr Aird said.
The research is believed to be the first in Australia to examine young
adults' religious and spiritual thoughts, behaviour and feelings.
Dr Aird found only 8 per cent of young adults attended church once a
week, a trend linked to lower rates of antisocial behaviour among young
men but not women.
She said individualism was the common thread in the shift away from
traditional religious thoughts to non-religious spirituality.
"This focus on self fulfillment and improvement over others' wellbeing
could undermine a person's mental health with many people feeling more
isolated, less healthy and having poorer relationships," Dr Aird said.
She said so-called new spirituality promoted the idea that
self-transformation would lead to a positive and constructive change in
self and society.
"But there is a contradiction," Dr Aird said.
"How can one change society if one is focused on oneself?"
Related Link:
Revealing The New Age Movement