In recent times, we've witnessed the rise of a dogmatic neo-Christian movement that labels anything not in line with their literal interpretation of the Bible as "demonic" or "satanic." Instead of spreading love and understanding, this movement brings division and condemnation.
More precisely, it views anything not aligned with their subjective and often literal [misguided] interpretation of the Bible as "demonic/satanic," believing that anyone who doesn't accept Jesus as their "savior" will end up in "hell."
Many of them exhibit a missionary complex, provoking people on social media with messages like "Accept Jesus as your savior!" "Jesus is the only way!", excessively wielding the Bible as a tool, or even considering themselves superior to those who haven't "found/accepted" Jesus Christ.
The concept of the "New Age" also falls victim to this fundamentalist approach, as various spiritual practices are broadly classified as "New Age" and automatically deemed "demonic." Such generalizations not only create confusion but also foster a sense of superiority over those who do not share the same beliefs.
It's inevitable to mention the attitude towards cultures and spiritual teachings/practices (such as the Vedas) that have existed for thousands of years, superficially labeled as "New Age" or "demonized."
A good example is yoga. Many adherents of fundamentalist Christianity (of all denominations) consider yoga "demonic" and reject it as something incompatible with their interpretation of Christian teachings. However, the truth is that yoga has a long history and is used as a path to spiritual awakening and connecting with inner truth. Ignoring and rejecting such practices only perpetuates further division and limits spiritual development.
"Wetiko"* and the irony in action: The dogmatic neo-Christian movement adopts qualities of demonic forces they claim stand behind yoga.
Another problem is that many of them fail to distinguish their ordinary egoic sense from the deeper "Self" or soul. This means people feel bad about something within themselves, but instead of confronting that feeling, they seek solace in intense religious fervor. This means they feel better by intensely focusing on religion, but it doesn't resolve their real inner issues. Instead, these people often project their inner feelings onto others, creating a negative atmosphere and further tensions among people.
On the other hand, the internal mystical practice of embodying "Christ consciousness" involves connecting with the heart and expressing the true "Self" (soul). It has nothing to do with "accepting Jesus as your savior" (and there's no need for that). Christ consciousness (expressed through devotion to the Sacred Heart of Christ) reflects the embodiment of LOVE as a higher state of consciousness, acting from that inner alignment, and ultimately elevating spiritual life and body.
The irony lies in the fact that this movement, claiming to fight against "demonic forces," actually manipulates the same forces or reflects what that concept signifies. This underscores the need for introspection and critical reflection on one's own beliefs and actions.
True spiritual practice, on the contrary, is based on inner work, connecting with love and the Divine, and transcending the limitations of the mind and intellect. Instead of imposing their beliefs on others, genuine spirituality fosters understanding, compassion, and openness to different paths of spiritual development.
Therefore, it's important to be aware of the dangers of exclusivity and fundamentalism in religious movements and to promote openness, dialogue, and mutual respect as key values of the spiritual journey. Only then can we avoid divisions and create a community where everyone can freely explore and grow according to their own beliefs and truth.
Read more in the original article HERE.
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(*) "Wetiko" is a term used in a spiritual and psychological context to denote the phenomenon of collective madness, injustice, and destructive tendencies that can manifest in society or individuals. It describes a mental and emotional phenomenon that fosters egoism, selfishness, greed, and environmental destruction. In the context of this article, it is used to describe adverse forces or influences that have taken over the dogmatic neo-Christian movement, even though they claim these forces are present in the practice of yoga.
