Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 8, No. 1, 1991, Page 58
The New Age Rage. Karen Hoyt and the Spiritual Counterfeits Project. Fleming H.
Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, 1987, 263 pages.
Karen Hoyt, executive director of Spiritual Counterfeits Project, a Christian nonprofit
corporation, has an M.A. in clinical psychology and works as a therapist in the San Francisco
Bay area. She has, along with several contributors who are extremely well-versed in the
"new age movement," written a book that does an outstanding job of exploring the impact
of that movement.
The New Age Rage traces the development of the various philosophies and doctrines of the
new age‟s historical predecessors and attempts to catalogue the good (true) and the bad
(false) doctrines of the "movement." Some readers might be disconcerted by the authors‟
listing of areas about which Christians and members of new age groups can or should be in
agreement. Most readers familiar with Judeo-Christian philosophies and the processes of the
East, however, know that new age groups borrow heavily from both in order to make their
philosophies saleable and palatable.
Readers will find an overview of most new age groups sufficient to aid them in making
knowledgeable decisions about the extent of their affiliation or lack thereof. While this
reviewer is not suggesting that the authors‟ total answer to the new age movement is
simply being “born again,” the book is not replete with instruction for those adversely
affected by new age groups if they are not ready to be “born again.”
For the reader interested in understanding the nature and quality of the new age movement
the book is almost encyclopedic. The contributors have more than done their homework and
their input provides a simplified (not simplistic) overview of the how, why, and when of new
age growth. Among the new age groups, there is something for every appetite: personal
responsibility or lack of it world conspiracy to explain away individual failure reincarnation
for today‟s failure (to have another chance in another life) spirits who guide and those who
channel, and so on, ad infinitum.
Regardless of the reader‟s religious orientation, the book is eminently readable and well-
organized. In contrast to some new age psychobabble, these authors straightforwardly
analyze new age theory and beliefs and compare them to more traditional belief systems.
Considering the religious orientation of the author and her contributors from the Spiritual
Counterfeits Project, one might expect a lack of objectivity however, the reader will be
pleased at the almost total avoidance by the authors of partiality and/or subjectivity.
The authors are astute enough to point out that in most new age activities there is some
good to be gained, while participants must maintain their vigilance and decide for
themselves the extent of affiliation.
It is possible that the authors make the new age movement‟s philosophies seem too benign
and harmless. The unspoken suggestion is that affiliation with a new age group can be
voided or reversed by a little contact with the teachings of Jesus or some “born again”
contact. While not every book should include a chapter on the logical nexus between
involvement in the new age movement and the transition to cultic groups and the problems
to be encountered there, this particular book might be enhanced by such a chapter. Just as
some “social” drug users venture a step too far, so do some new-age-movement dabblers.
Finally, the book reads well. And, with a little work on your part, you can become the center
of attention if you memorize and then mention the founder of each “movement” when the
subject comes up, as it invariably does, at weekend cocktail parties. Most important, the
book is informative.
Lawrence Levy, Esq.
Sherman Oaks, California
The New Age Rage. Karen Hoyt and the Spiritual Counterfeits Project. Fleming H.
Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, 1987, 263 pages.
Karen Hoyt, executive director of Spiritual Counterfeits Project, a Christian nonprofit
corporation, has an M.A. in clinical psychology and works as a therapist in the San Francisco
Bay area. She has, along with several contributors who are extremely well-versed in the
"new age movement," written a book that does an outstanding job of exploring the impact
of that movement.
The New Age Rage traces the development of the various philosophies and doctrines of the
new age‟s historical predecessors and attempts to catalogue the good (true) and the bad
(false) doctrines of the "movement." Some readers might be disconcerted by the authors‟
listing of areas about which Christians and members of new age groups can or should be in
agreement. Most readers familiar with Judeo-Christian philosophies and the processes of the
East, however, know that new age groups borrow heavily from both in order to make their
philosophies saleable and palatable.
Readers will find an overview of most new age groups sufficient to aid them in making
knowledgeable decisions about the extent of their affiliation or lack thereof. While this
reviewer is not suggesting that the authors‟ total answer to the new age movement is
simply being “born again,” the book is not replete with instruction for those adversely
affected by new age groups if they are not ready to be “born again.”
For the reader interested in understanding the nature and quality of the new age movement
the book is almost encyclopedic. The contributors have more than done their homework and
their input provides a simplified (not simplistic) overview of the how, why, and when of new
age growth. Among the new age groups, there is something for every appetite: personal
responsibility or lack of it world conspiracy to explain away individual failure reincarnation
for today‟s failure (to have another chance in another life) spirits who guide and those who
channel, and so on, ad infinitum.
Regardless of the reader‟s religious orientation, the book is eminently readable and well-
organized. In contrast to some new age psychobabble, these authors straightforwardly
analyze new age theory and beliefs and compare them to more traditional belief systems.
Considering the religious orientation of the author and her contributors from the Spiritual
Counterfeits Project, one might expect a lack of objectivity however, the reader will be
pleased at the almost total avoidance by the authors of partiality and/or subjectivity.
The authors are astute enough to point out that in most new age activities there is some
good to be gained, while participants must maintain their vigilance and decide for
themselves the extent of affiliation.
It is possible that the authors make the new age movement‟s philosophies seem too benign
and harmless. The unspoken suggestion is that affiliation with a new age group can be
voided or reversed by a little contact with the teachings of Jesus or some “born again”
contact. While not every book should include a chapter on the logical nexus between
involvement in the new age movement and the transition to cultic groups and the problems
to be encountered there, this particular book might be enhanced by such a chapter. Just as
some “social” drug users venture a step too far, so do some new-age-movement dabblers.
Finally, the book reads well. And, with a little work on your part, you can become the center
of attention if you memorize and then mention the founder of each “movement” when the
subject comes up, as it invariably does, at weekend cocktail parties. Most important, the
book is informative.
Lawrence Levy, Esq.
Sherman Oaks, California
