Could the simultaneous rise of New Age and alternative spiritual practices, alongside a decline in faith in God, play a role? We are not merely physical and emotional beings; we are spiritual beings. Scripture teaches that we were created for relationship with God, and separation from Him affects the whole person—our identity, purpose, hope, and ultimately how we understand life itself.

Scripture goes further. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Christianity teaches that our deepest need is not merely physical or psychological, but spiritual: reconciliation with the God who created us.

For instance: A large Harvard study following nearly 90,000 U.S. women found that those attending religious services once a week or more had about five times lower subsequent suicide risk than women who never attended. 

Yoga: Yoga has ancient roots in Hindu religious and philosophical traditions, with related practices also found in Buddhism and Jainism. The word “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word “yuj” (युज्), meaning “to yoke,” “to join,” or “to unite.” Saying “yoga” simply means union with a Hindu god.In 2022, 16.9% of U.S. adults—roughly 1 in 6—reported practicing yoga during the previous 12 months, according to the CDC.

Meditation: Meditation use among U.S. adults increased approximately 131% over 20 years, rising from 7.5% in 2002 to 17.3% in 2022, according to the U.S. National Health Interview Survey.

Christian Practice: In 2014, 24% of U.S. adults reported participating at least weekly in prayer groups, scripture-study groups, or religious education. In 2023–24, 13% did so. Pew found 25% of all U.S. adults attend religious services at least weekly; that figure includes non-Christian religions, so it is not precisely the percentage of practicing Christians. 

Christian Affiliation: The percentage of U.S. adults identifying as Christian has stabilized at 62%, down from 78% in 2007.

Religious Unaffiliation: Those identifying as religiously unaffiliated have plateaued at 29%.

These statistics do not suggest that everyone who attends church or studies the Bible knows God, nor that everyone who does not participate in these activities does not know God. Nor do they establish that the rise of alternative spiritual practices has caused the rise in suicide or psychological distress. Correlation is not causation. What they do reveal is a significant cultural shift: Christian identification and certain measures of traditional religious practice have declined, while practices rooted in or historically associated with non-Christian spiritual traditions—including yoga and meditation—have grown substantially. For Christians and Jews, this raises an important spiritual question. Scripture teaches that worship and spiritual devotion belong to God alone (Exodus 20:3–5; Deuteronomy 6:13–14; Matthew 4:10) and repeatedly warns God’s people against forbidden spiritual practices and seeking spiritual guidance or power apart from Him (Deuteronomy 18:10–12; 1 Corinthians 10:20–21). Not every person practicing modern yoga or meditation intends to worship another god or engage with the spiritual realm. Many participate solely for exercise, relaxation, or stress reduction. But intention does not change the historical and spiritual origins of a practice, nor does intention alone determine whether a practice is compatible with biblical Christianity or Judaism. Reformed New Agers in Christ approaches these questions from a biblical Judeo-Christian worldview and from the testimonies of people who formerly participated in New Age and other spiritual practices, including some who initially approached practices such as yoga or meditation for exercise, wellness, or stress relief. Members have reported experiences they understood as spiritual oppression, spiritual attack, and, in some cases, demonic possession. These are personal testimonies —not scientific findings—and we present them as such.

Our purpose is to encourage biblical discernment and point people toward Jesus Christ.