Blood Atonement

The Mormon doctrine, first taught by Brigham Young, that for certain sins the sinnerÕs own blood must be shed to receive forgiveness. No longer taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

To this day, Utah allows condemned murders to face execution by firing squad rather than methods that do not shed the criminalÕs blood, such as lethal injection or the electric chair.

(See also: Blood Atonement , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Esoteric Astrology

The school of astrology that deals with the relations of our solar system and our planet to other solar systems, of the exchange of interstellar and interplanetary energies.

The Theosopohists say that people that got farthest in this respect were the Chaldeans of some 30 000 years ago. They further claim that in future individuals who acquired this knowledge in Chaldea will incarnate again and once more present mankind with the esoteric ÔastrologyÕ, thereby reviving the long-lost knowledge.

(See also: Esoteric Astrology , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Applied Kinesiology

A diagnostic technique sometimes called Òmuscle testing. Ó Often patients hold health care products (vitamins, herbs, etc) in their hand while the practitioner pulls or ÒtestsÓ the reciprocal strength in the finger, arm, etc. to determine the effectiveness or dosage of the remedy.

(See also: Applied Kinesiology , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Christian Science

Officially called Church of Christ, Scientist, it was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in Boston, Mass. Her teachings are heavily indebted to Phineas P. Quimby, a mesmerist. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures functions as a canon of Scripture.

 Matter is unreal; thus, so are sickness and death, which are overcome by believing that we are Mind. Christ is Òthe divine manifestation of GodÓ most fully seen in Jesus, who only seemed to die. The ÒHoly GhostÓ is Divine Science, that is, Christian Science. Many New Age ideas have historical roots in Christian Science and related New Thought groups.

(See also: Christian Science , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Christian Identity Movement

The belief that the true identity of the ten lost tribes of Israel is the white, Anglo-Saxon race. The belief is similar to but distinct from the doctrine of British Israelism.

A number of independent churches and organizations (including some militant racist groups) make up the general movement. Some teach a form of the Serpent Seed doctrine, believing that Jews are descendants of EveÕs alleged sexual relations with the serpent and are thus not fully human. Many also hold that non-Whites are descended from the union of Cain and a woman from a supposed pre-Adamite race.

(See also: Christian Identity Movement , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Applewhite, Marshall:

See: HeavenÕs Gate.

(See also: Marshall Applewhite , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Altered States of Consciousness

Trances entered through hypnosis, meditation, drugs (including hallucinogenics), visualization, etc. State of being in which one allows the subconscious to take control and guide. May heighten oneÕs vulnerability to suggestion or susceptibility to deception.

(See also: Altered States of Consciousness , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Anointing

Anointing can mean many things. From ancient times, oil has been used for healing. Among Jews annointing is used by God to appoint someone to be a priest, prophet and king.

Many Jews have looked forward to a very special Òanointed one,Ó (in Hebrew Messiah), will come to reign over Israel. Christians Have taken the Greek word (Christos, which can be used to mean the same as Messiah) and use it as a title for their savior/god Jesus.

(See also: Anointing , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Ancient Astronauts

Astronauts from other planets which allegedly visited Earth in spaceships in ancient times. This theory claims to explain Fortean mysteries and the evidence of ancient sophisticated technology, and primitive societies feats of engineering.

Ancient astronaut writers say also that Man did not evolve only from earthly beings like Adam and Eve. A misreading of Genesis leads one to believe that a second strain not from this world but from a 'heavenly source', was added to the human gene-pool (Genesis chapter

Devotees of this theory like to quote the myths and legends of ancient or primitive peoples in an attempt to justify their case. According to the folklore and mythology of many peoples, the gods gave fire and the skills of agriculture to mankind. However, this fact alone does not mean that the gods of the ancients were extraterrestrial beings, and that our ancestors were so simple minded that they could not have discovered these things by themselves.

In 1968 Erich von DŠniken published a book, Chariots of the Gods?, in which he argued the ancient astronauts theory, presenting supposedly 'proof' of his claims. Zecharia Sitchin is a more modern author who claims to translated ancient Sumerian manuscripts which tell the story of Ancient Astronauts.

(See also: Ancient Astronauts , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Aleister Crowley

(1875Ð1947) An English magician and Occultist. Crowley was known for sex magic, homosexual rituals, and a fascination with drugs, blood and torture. Headed the British branch of Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), founded the Abbey of Thelema at Cefalu in Sicily. Author of Diary of a Drug Fiend and Magick in Theory and Practice

(See also: Aleister Crowley , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Agnosticism

The claim that no one has knowledge of God or the origin of the universe. Some agnostics make the claim on a personal level, while allowing that such knowledge may exist but has never been known by themselves.

Others assert that such knowledge cannot be had by anyone. Agnostics avoid the charge of dogmatic atheism by acknowledging the theoretical possibility of GodÕs existence. Yet virtually all live as if the non-existence of God was an established fact, and are thus practical atheists.

(See also: Agnosticism , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Age Regression

Recalling under hypnosis or in meditation events from oneÕs present or past life.

(See also: Age Regression , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Disfellowshipping

As practiced by the Mormons and many other groups, this is a level of church discipline involving a probationary period of restricted privileges, but retaining church membership.

As practiced by the Jehovah's Witnesses, it is an alternate term for Òexcommunication,Ó being completely cut off from the church organization; see shunning.

(See also: Disfellowshipping , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Astrology

An ancient system of divination that uses the position of the planets, moon and sun in the twelve Zodiac positions at the moment of oneÕs birth to gain knowledge of the future. (See Astrology)

(See also: Astrology , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Roman Catholicism

The oldest Christian church in the world begun about 312 AD by the Roman Emperor Constantine. Because of its size and scope - both in membership (about a billion people worldwide) and geographically, the actual beliefs held by devout Catholics are widespread and eclectic. One doctrine uniting all Catholics is belief that the Pope is the supreme representative of God on Earth.

Catholicism has been influenced by liberation theology, especially in parts of South America. In Africa, the Caribbean, and elsewhere, attempts have been made to blend Catholicism with spiritism, creating a type of Catholicism with occult elements. In addition, since the 1960s there has been a small but significant element of charismatic Catholics who have been influenced by the larger charismatic movement.

A small percentage of Catholics are doctrinally evangelical, and others (such as Matthew Fox) are part of the New Age movement. As a whole, however, the differences between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism are still seen most clearly in the issues of the Reformation. The 16th century reformers distinguished themselves from Catholicism in two key ways. First, they saw the Bible as the sole foundation for authority (sola scriptura) rather than the Pope, church dogma or tradition. Second, the reformers taught salvation by Ògrace aloneÓ (sola gracia)\,not by works.

The Roman Catholic Church claimed (and still claims) to affirm sola gracia, but teaches that grace is received and maintained by a combination of faith plus works (religious rites, sacraments, or human endeavor).

(See also: Roman Catholicism , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Chandra

(Sanskrit) ¥ The Moon.

(See also: Chandra , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Acupuncture

An ancient Chinese medical system over 5000 years old, recently revived in China and becoming popular in the West.

It deals with subtle energy paths (chi) in the body related to the comic principles of Yin and Yang. The balance of these energies in the human body affects health and disease. Acupuncture therapy alters these energy flows by inserting fine needles at key pressure points, for varying periods of time. An¾sthesia for surgery can also be effected by acupuncture.

(See also: Acupuncture , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Armstrong (1892-1986)

Founder of the Worldwide Church of God (WCG). Armstrong taught British Israelism and believed that worthy humans could eventually Òbecome God as God is God. Ó

The organization taught salvation through works, the seventh day Sabbath,. tithing (20- 30%), and keeping the Old Testament feast days and dietary laws. Under the leadership of ArmstrongÕs successors, Joseph W. Tkach and his son Joe Tkach, the WCG has undergone a radical doctrinal transformation. Scores of splinter groups, such as the Global Church of God and the United Church of God, continue to teach various forms of Armstrong's philosophy.

(See also: Armstrong , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Charging

1. the act of empowering an herb, stone or other magickal object with oneÕs own energies directed toward a magical goal. Charging is synonymous with enchanting or empowerment. (CMM)
2. one of the basic processes of change in the universe (Walter Russell) (NAD)

(See also: Charging , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

At-One-ment

Term used by several New Thought religions (such as Christian Science) referring to the supposed metaphysical unity or ÒonenessÓ of human beings and God as demonstrated by Christ. Contrast the Christian term Òatonement,Ó which refers to ChristÕs death on the cross as the means by which he reconciled sinful human beings to God.

(See also: At-One-ment , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The: (Mormon) Founded in 1830 by Joseph Smith. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT: Joseph Smith claimed that the Father and Son appeared to him and called him to restore the true Church.

The Church rejects the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity. It also redefines salvation by grace to refer simply to resurrection. Almost all humans will be resurrected into one of three kingdoms of glory, the least of which is far superior to anything known in this life. Entry into the higher kingdoms, and one's rank there, depends not only upon the atonement of Christ, but also upon one's good works. Achievement of the highest potential within the highest kingdom - Godhood - requires complete Òobedience to all the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Ó

The Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and Doctrine and Covenants are all considered scripture.

(See also: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)