Vol. 7, No. 7, 1990

Articles on the New Age

Tom Forehand

A course in "meditation" is being taught in your local school. You feel that this is part of a "religious" practice (similar to the New Age eastern practice of meditation). You also feel that this is a violation of the establishment clause of the Constitution (a violation of church/state relations).

What can you do?

Do your research extensively. If you are going to be able to substantiate a complaint of the violation of church/state relations, you are probably going to have to have more than evidence of the practice of meditation - that is, according to the Supreme Court.

There are many meditation practices which are similar to those used by the practitioners of "Transcendental Meditation" popularized by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It was Maharishi M. Yogi's brand of "meditation" which was barred by Federal courts from the New Jersey public schools in the late 1970's (440 Federal Supplement, 1284, 1977)

Although many Christians see the "religious" (New Age eastern thought) nature of many versions of "meditation" and thus are quick to classify them as "religious practices," the Supreme Court does not hold to such a simple definition of religion (thus determining any associated practice as "religious").

The U.S. Supreme Court stated in the TM case that religious trappings are only "helpful" in determining whether a group is actually a religion and thus could be propagating a religious practice.

"A third element to consider in ascertaining whether a set of ideas should be classified as a religion is any formal, external, or surface signs that may be analogized to accepted religions. Such signs might include formal services, ceremonial functions, the existence of clergy, structure and organization, efforts at propagation, observations of holidays and other similar manifestations associated with the traditional religions.

"Of course, a religion may exist without any of these signs, so they are not determinative, at least by their absence, in resolving a question of definition. But they can be helpful in supporting a conclusion of religious status, given the important role such ceremonies play in religious life... they may be useful signs that a group or belief system is religious.

"Although these indicia will be helpful, they should not be thought of as a final `test' for religion. Defining religion is a sensitive and important legal duty...," (592, 2d 197, 1979, pp. 209-210).

So, it seems that the practice or technique itself (meditation) is not necessarily indicative of a "religious" practice according to the Supreme Court.

However, the Supreme Court also urges two other tests to help determine if a practice is "religious" or part of a "religion." Both of these tests could be lumped together in answer to the question: "What is the doctrine of the group behind the practice?" (Does the group teach a comprehensive system of ideas and beliefs and does it answer the ultimate questions in life - which may include the view of an ultimate or supreme being?) (Ibid, pp. 208-209).

If the group or individual propagating the questionable practice is also propagating a system of ideas answering the ultimate questions, particularly with an ultimate-type deity, then this will be very convincing, according to the Supreme Court, that an actual religion is involved.

What does this mean for the concerned Christian? Before complaining, he should try to secure any textbook, teaching notes, teaching outlines, tapes connected with the questionable activity.

It seems that the key evidence which the court system had in solidly affirming that Maharishi M. Yogi's group was propagating a religious practice was Yogi's textbook which accompanied the meditation course with all of the doctrine of this group spelled out.

The lower court, in its decision, referred to Yogi's textbook scores and scores of times. Because the textbook was there and in front of them, they were easily able to see the "religious doctrine" of the group and thus stamp it as a religion; and therefore, bar its version of "TM."