Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 11, No. 1, 1994, Page 77
psychology and alternative therapies, Eastern religions, Christianity, astrology, shamanism,
and ufology.
Chapter 3 mentions the influences of certain scientific theories on the New Age movement—
ranging from positive (the movement‟s concern for the environment and the planet Earth)
to negative and dangerous (their belief in the individual being almighty)—which often result
in utter narcissism, selfishness, insensitivity, and psychotic crises. Silletta also points to
what he perceives as the parallelism between Nazism and the New Age, including allowing
feelings and intuition to dominate the intellect, or the irrational to control the rational.
The fourth and final chapter gives the lowdown on Argentina‟s entertainment paparazzi and
prominent public figures who have been victimized by the latest fads in mind-altering
techniques. Like their U.S. counterparts, they too have become the movement‟s perhaps
cheapest and most effective way to advertise.
At the conclusion of his book, Silletta laments how the New Age movement attempts to find
a common denominator to both science and religion, reason and magic, East and West,
minimizing world problems as “states of mind” easily resolved once humanity awakens to
New Age consciousness. Silletta criticizes the movement‟s emphasis on sending telepathic
messages or channeling the advice of extraterrestrial beings to improve the world, instead
of acting to bring about change.
The New Age in Argentina is a very practical quick-reference guide for the person with
background knowledge of the New Age movement, as well as a useful overview for the
reader who is exploring for the first time the main characteristics of the movement. The
book‟s brevity, unfortunately, is also its major disadvantage. The book is condensed and
abbreviated in character Silletta simplifies his arguments, thus shortchanging certain topics
and assuming too great a familiarity on the part of the reader. The book, nonetheless,
highlights the positive and negative aspects of the New Age movement, thus whetting the
reader‟s appetite for further research.
Gladys Martin
Berea, Ohio
These reviews are is an electronic version originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1994, Volume 11, Number
1, pages 118-127. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the bound
volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
psychology and alternative therapies, Eastern religions, Christianity, astrology, shamanism,
and ufology.
Chapter 3 mentions the influences of certain scientific theories on the New Age movement—
ranging from positive (the movement‟s concern for the environment and the planet Earth)
to negative and dangerous (their belief in the individual being almighty)—which often result
in utter narcissism, selfishness, insensitivity, and psychotic crises. Silletta also points to
what he perceives as the parallelism between Nazism and the New Age, including allowing
feelings and intuition to dominate the intellect, or the irrational to control the rational.
The fourth and final chapter gives the lowdown on Argentina‟s entertainment paparazzi and
prominent public figures who have been victimized by the latest fads in mind-altering
techniques. Like their U.S. counterparts, they too have become the movement‟s perhaps
cheapest and most effective way to advertise.
At the conclusion of his book, Silletta laments how the New Age movement attempts to find
a common denominator to both science and religion, reason and magic, East and West,
minimizing world problems as “states of mind” easily resolved once humanity awakens to
New Age consciousness. Silletta criticizes the movement‟s emphasis on sending telepathic
messages or channeling the advice of extraterrestrial beings to improve the world, instead
of acting to bring about change.
The New Age in Argentina is a very practical quick-reference guide for the person with
background knowledge of the New Age movement, as well as a useful overview for the
reader who is exploring for the first time the main characteristics of the movement. The
book‟s brevity, unfortunately, is also its major disadvantage. The book is condensed and
abbreviated in character Silletta simplifies his arguments, thus shortchanging certain topics
and assuming too great a familiarity on the part of the reader. The book, nonetheless,
highlights the positive and negative aspects of the New Age movement, thus whetting the
reader‟s appetite for further research.
Gladys Martin
Berea, Ohio
These reviews are is an electronic version originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1994, Volume 11, Number
1, pages 118-127. Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the bound
volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write.
