Ralph Waldo Emerson, (1803-1882) Father of Transcendentalism
These days, many people think being “spiritual” rather than “religious” is the progressive way to be – but what most of them probably don’t know is that this trend is hardly new and has been around for centuries. It’s called transcendentalism.
JL writes: “I recently read that Meghan Markle is involved in something called ancestral healing. Is this something Catholics can do?”
GLM writes: “I have been doing block therapy for a while and it’s really helping me but some of the meditation seems New Age to me. Can you check this out and write something about it?”
Prince Harry’s recent confession about the use of EMDR therapy has spawned a rush of interest in this therapy as well as many questions about its roots and whether or not it’s suitable for Christians.
CC asks: “Can you explain what theosophy is and why Catholics can’t engage in it?”
ND writes: “I have heard that there is a phony version of the miraculous medal circulating that has a star at the top which is a symbol of Lucifer. When I looked at my medal, it has this star and I’m afraid to wear it now. What should I do?”
ST writes: “Why can’t we regard God as an ‘energy force’? If He’s pure spirit, then wouldn’t He be more of a force than a Person?”
JM writes: “Where does Gregorian Chant come from? Someone recently told me that it has roots in the New Age and occult. Is this true?”
ML writes: “Someone just told me that you can lay on the grave of a saint to receive their anointing. They said it’s the same as what Catholics do with their relics. Is this true?”
DJV writes: “I received a 10″ Gazing Globe as gift. This gazing globe is hand blown glass and is to be set outside to look at. When I typed in gazing globe new age movement in my search engine, many articles came up about evil practices and gazing globes. Is this a new age product? If so, do I return it to the store for a refund or do I destroy it so no one else buys it? On Catholic radio the other night, the host told a caller in her question of whether to donate books that she found to be evil or to destroy them, the host said to destroy them. I really appreciate your answer.”
