Read the summary and the most important questions on Religion in Modern Britain- New Spiritualities

• Religion in Modern Britain, Week 10, New Spritualities

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• Key Term- Seekers: Define (Definition and 4 elements)

  "someone acting creatively in order to construct a satisfying life" 
  
  Elements:
  * A new way of participating in the religious field.
  * Relates to the idea of multiple authorities- not bound by one group.
  * Places importance on intuition within an individual to determine how they find their own path, doing what is intuitively right for you. 
  * They are a strong agent in driving their life in the desired direction and are generally seeking answers e.g. purpose of life, love etc.

• What are the 3 qualities of Spirituality? What could be an extra discourse?

  1. Dissident: it is alternative
  2. Lay discourse: it is carried out by normal people.
  3. Functional discourse: it helps with troubles and reforms attitudes.
  
  emphasizes nature, mystical unity and the divine feminine and so it could be described as a HOLISTIC DISCOURSE as it brings everything together.  (Sutcliffe, 2003)

• Key Term- Cultic Milleu: Define

  An unorthodox, deviant belief system which combines practices, institutions and personnel in common consciousness and creates new practices. 
  
  It is united and identified by the existence of seekers and their ideologies.

• What are 4 potential causes for seekership?

  1. Seeking of a satisfying life. 
  
  2. Deprivation: Experiencing a lack and so this motivates goal orientated action for change.
  
  3. Disorientation: perhaps in aspects of life, lack of focus, lost sight of own aims and beliefs.
  
  4. Socialization: Socially orientated towards personal growth or seeking for a more social path.

• What are the two elements which make up Paganism?

  1. Constructed
  Incorporation of sci-fi and fantasy etc. 
  
  2. Re-Constructed
  Working with pre- Christian traditions. e.g. witch folklore. 

• When did Paganism emerge and what do two census' say about pagans in the UK?

  It emerged in the late 1960's in England and the US. 
  
  2001 Census: 42,000 pagans in the UK
  2011 Census: 85,000 pagans in the UK

• Name two organisations in place for Pagans in the UK and state the aim of one.

  1. Pagan Federation (1971) 
  "to support all pagans and to ensure they have the same rights as the followers of other beliefs and religions" 
  
  2. Association of Polytheist traditions (2005) 

• Talk about New Age in relation to millenialistic terms.

  * New age is a millenialistic term (1000 year period) 
  * Millenialistic movements prepare for the return of christ and the restoration of peace and justice in the millenium. 
  
  * An ideology relating to millenialism id the idea that the New Age of heightened spirituality is about to begin, a huge transofrmation is coming. 
  
  * Earlier uses of New Age (1930-1960) focus on the intervention of supernatural beings or life-forces however more recently (post 1960) it is linked to the growth and transformation at a personal level.

• How does New Age relate to a vaccuum cleaner?

  New Age all mixed together so it looks completely different and so humans hoover up whats there and out it to practical use- the idea of picking out what is true to you and using this. 
  Relates to the role of the seeker as they pick and choose intuitively what is appropriate for them and their path.

• Give a fact-file on Findhorn (7 points).

  established in early 1960's
  
  Pioneers originally set up a caravan park and then Cluny Hill Hotel was bought in 1975 as well as some other foundation properties. 
  
  The purpose: "To create a centre of service and education for the integration of spiritual principles into everyday lives" 
  
  Was known as a "New Age Centre" however more recently it is known as a spiritual community or an eco village. 
  
  It is situated near inverness. 
  
  It has hosted three generations of spiritual seekers exploring alternative spiritualities. 
  
  Most of the residents here are middle age, well educated white women.