Since the ultimate goal of a New Ager is to find the inner divinity, and because the theological framework of New Age spirituality is monism, there is only one religion.
New Agers tend to believe that all of the religions and denominations in the world are simply different paths to the same ultimate reality. The universal religion of the New Ager is often viewed as a mountain, with many spiritual paths to the summit. Some paths are hard, while others are easy, but there is no one correct path.
Rather than trying to please God or to live according to rules set down in Scripture or dictated by the church, the New Ager strives to become Godlike in his attitudes and behaviors, and to view concepts of heaven or hell as metaphors rather than actual places. Instead of looking to Jesus for salvation, the New Ager find salvation in learning to be more self-aware, responsible, and forgiving.
New Agers believe that they are able to transcend the limited and outdated scope of the world religions, viewing established religions as being dependent upon creeds, language, and cognition, preferring to experience spirituality than to practice a religion.
While a New Ager may consider himself to be a Christian, and to consider certain Christian practices to be a better way, he does not consider it to be the only way, and recognizes that what may be better for him might be prohibitive to another. Given that there are many trails up the mountain, some difficult, others easier, in the end, each trail will reach the same place.
New Agers often consider themselves to be spiritual, but not religious.
Common among New Agers is the willingness to blame many of the ills of the world on organized religion, while recognizing a need for spirituality.
For the most part, New Age spirituality is built on the back of Christianity, while rejecting the organized church and replacing many of its tenets with various Eastern or Native American traditions, occultism, and secular humanism.
Many early New Age leaders were part of the "God is Dead" movement of the 1970s, who later found that they needed spirituality in their lives.
Seeing all religions as ultimately one, and envisioning a peaceful union as the major religions of the world come to recognize their essential oneness, is a significant New Age premise. In pursuit of this, many New Agers are actively involved in various movements to bring denominations and religions together. This may be done through adopting leadership roles in various established churches, through the United Nations, political machinations, or through other means, such as breaking down the organizational structures of mainstream churches in various ways.
Clearly, not all New Agers are actively engaged in a conspiracy to bring about a one-world religion. Those with a grasp of global politics might view the idea as being unlikely, or they may view the religions of the world as being too fundamentally different for a peaceful union between them to be achievable, but it is probably fair to say that most New Agers would view a universal religion as a good thing.
Sites discussing a universal religion, a one-world religion, or other attempts by New Agers to bring unity between the churches of the world are appropriate topics for this category.
Recommended Resources
The CSS seeks to demonstrate that the world's major religious traditions share an esoteric truth testified to by their mystics, and to help develop a new worldview in which these truths and the those of modern science can be understood as being compatible, as well as to maintain a community of spiritual practitioners who wish to follow the teachings and practices of the mystics of all the great traditions.
http://www.centerforsacredsciences.org/
With members in more than a hundred countries, Happy Science is a spiritual movement founded by Ryuho Okawa in Japan, which teaches the universal Truth about oneself, of life, the world, and the universe, in order to discover the infinite paths to happiness. The Truths are defined, along with information on several other topics related to its teachings, membership options, and contacts. A fourfold path to modern enlightenment is put forth.
https://happyscience-na.org/
Interfaith Community Sanctuary
Located in a circa 1890 church building in the Ballard neighborhood (then a city) of Seattle, Washington, purchased by the New Age Christian Church in 1973, and now home to the Interfaith Community Sanctuary. The ICS considers all faith traditions to be valid paths toward One God. A history of the church and building are put forth, and its ministers, associate ministers, and the United Religions Initiative, which it is a part of, are defined. Its partnerships are acknowledged.
http://interfaithcommunitysanctuary.org/
Based in Lynnwood, Washington, Interfaith embraces the teachings of all religions and spiritual paths that lead to compassionate actions. The registered non-profit religious organization is introduced, including the church's foundational documents, an annual schedule, and an overview of its practices and programs. Other resources include podcasts, sermons, newsletters, and a blog, as well as its educational curriculum, and administrative contacts.
http://www.livinginterfaith.org/
TIO is an independent monthly online publication for those who have an interest in advancing understanding and cooperation between religions. Its goals and values are outlined, along with its contributors and supporting partners, advisory board, and administrative contacts. Its longterm goal is to advance connections between large interfaith ventures, its stakeholders, and the rest of humanity. Journal issues are available online.
http://www.theinterfaithobserver.org/
The URI is an interfaith network for peace and justice that encourages people to bridge religious and cultural differences in order to work together for the good of the world. Its cooperation circles, trustees, and boards are highlighted, along with an overview of its organizational structure, charter, action areas, and global programs. Its regions and partnerships are defined, and its publications may be purchased or downloaded from the site.
http://www.uri.org/
A program of the United Religions Initiative, URI Multiregion was created to promote interfaith cooperation, end religiously motivated violence, and to create a culture of peace, justice, and healing for the earth and all living things. Its multi-regions site discusses projects that span more than one continent or region of the world. Seventy of its cooperation circles are defined, with links, and its leadership personnel are introduced.
https://urimulti.org/
The United Religions Initiative is an interfaith peace building network that cultivates stakeholders from multiple religious, cultural, and geographic boundaries, building onto shared values and interests. The North American branch of URI includes more than a hundred cooperation circle and affiliate members in the United States and Canada, partnered with the United Nations and several interfaith organizations, which are highlighted here.
https://urinorthamerica.org/
Based on a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly for a worldwide week of interfaith harmony, the World Interfaith Harmony Week falls on the first week of February each year, promoting harmony between people of all faiths. Its aims and objectives, origins, and the text of the UN resolution are included, along with a calendar of events, reports on past events, prizes, video messages, and informational articles.
https://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/
