In the 1980s, actress Shirley MacLaine’s autobiographical books and television mini- series (Out on a Limb) gave the NAM more popular exposure and momentum. In his book, Understanding the New Age, Russell Chandler states that due to its increasing popularity, “the New Age influence touches virtually every area of life, and thousands of New Age activists seek to transform society through New Age precepts.” Chandler further contends that “the insidious danger of the New Age is its view of the nature of reality, which admits to no absolutes.”
Unlike many critics of the NAM, Dr. Robin Harfouche has personally been involved –– and engulfed –– in the New Age wave. As one of Hollywood’s most sought after dance choreographers in the 1980s, and a victim of child abuse, Robin found herself turning to the movement for wholeness. “Like many people in the world, I was raised in a dysfunctional home,” 
Robin reflects. “I was a victim of sexual child abuse as early as I could remember, until I ran away from home at age 13. Because of this trauma, I became a victim in my mind.” Robin continues. In her search for personal fulfillment, she embraced the New Age Movement. “Like many people, I was searching for truth,” Robin shares. “I was afraid. I felt betrayed. I wanted peace and positivity. The New Age Movement offered all of these things without accountability.”
Robin Harfouche cautions Christians to see the New Age Movement for what it is: spiritual deception. “We are dealing with a seductive counterfeit to the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” Robin warns. “The New Age is a spirit that comes upon certain individuals, in dwells them, and speaks through them. The Pentecostal phrase ‘channels by the Holy Spirit’ or ‘possessed by the Holy Spirit,’ has been taken by New Agers. They have made it their own. They are using terminology that is similar to Christian terminology. Like born- again believers, New Agers believe in ‘gifts of healing.’ They call it ‘white light healing.’ Christians need to be careful. So many of us have been drawn into the New Age wave. ‘Self-help’ is not Christianity. Although it has its benefits (such as teaching us how to balance our budgets and organize our lives), ‘self help’ is not our power source. Our power comes from Jesus Christ, not from ‘self.’”
The most powerful tenet of the New Age Movement is the notion that we are the center of our universe. This is in direct opposition to the Christian belief that God is supreme; not man. New Agers teach that man is a spiritual being and God is merely an energy force. They contend that man and God are one. New Age philosopher Benjamin Creme (in his book The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom) points out that "in a sense there is no such thing as God, God does not exist. [...] All is God. And because all is God, there is no God."
