<P> New Age is a term applied to a range of spiritual or religious beliefs and practices that developed in Western nations during the 1970s . Precise scholarly definitions of the New Age differ in their emphasis, largely as a result of its highly eclectic structure . Although analytically often considered to be religious, those involved in it typically prefer the designation of spiritual or Mind, Body, Spirit and rarely use the term "New Age" themselves . Many scholars of the subject refer to it as the New Age movement, although others contest this term and suggest that it is better seen as a milieu or zeitgeist . </P> <P> As a form of Western esotericism, the New Age drew heavily upon a number of older esoteric traditions, in particular those that emerged from the occultist current that developed in the eighteenth century . Such prominent occult influences include the work of Emanuel Swedenborg and Franz Mesmer, as well as the ideas of Spiritualism, New Thought, and Theosophy . A number of mid-twentieth century influences, such as the UFO religions of the 1950s, the Counterculture of the 1960s, and the Human Potential Movement, also exerted a strong influence on the early development of the New Age . The exact origins of the phenomenon remain contested, but there is general agreement that it developed in the 1970s, at which time it was centred largely in the United Kingdom . It expanded and grew largely in the 1980s and 1990s, in particular within the United States . By the start of the 21st century, the term "New Age" was increasingly rejected within this milieu, with some scholars arguing that the New Age phenomenon had ended . </P> <P> Despite its highly eclectic nature, a number of beliefs commonly found within the New Age have been identified . Theologically, the New Age typically adopts a belief in a holistic form of divinity that imbues all of the universe, including human beings themselves . There is thus a strong emphasis on the spiritual authority of the self . This is accompanied by a common belief in a wide variety of semi-divine non-human entities, such as angels and masters, with whom humans can communicate, particularly through the form of channeling . Typically viewing human history as being divided into a series of distinct ages, a common New Age belief is that whereas once humanity lived in an age of great technological advancement and spiritual wisdom, it has entered a period of spiritual degeneracy, which will be remedied through the establishment of a coming Age of Aquarius, from which the milieu gets its name . There is also a strong focus on healing, particularly using forms of alternative medicine, and an emphasis on a New Age "science" that seeks to unite science and spirituality . </P> <P> Centred primarily in Western countries, those involved in the New Age have been primarily from middle and upper - middle - class backgrounds . The degree to which New Agers are involved in the milieu varied considerably, from those who adopted a number of New Age ideas and practices to those who fully embraced and dedicated their lives to it . The New Age has generated criticism from established Christian organisations as well as modern Pagan and indigenous communities . From the 1990s onward, the New Age became the subject of research by academic scholars of religious studies . </P>

What is a central belief of the new age movement
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