New Age in Norway

This volume investigates “alternative” spiritualities that increasingly cater for the mainstream within the secularized society of Norway, making Norwegian-based research available to international scholarship. It looks at New Age both in a restricted (sensu stricto) and a wide sense (sensu lato), focusing mainly on the period from the mid-1990s and onwards, with a particular emphasis on developments after the turn of the century. Few, if any, of the ideas and practices discussed in this book are homegrown or uniquely Norwegian, but local soil and climate still matters, as habitats for particular growths and developments. Globalizing currents are here shaped and molded by local religious history and contemporary religio-political systems, along with random incidences, such as the setting up of an angel-business by the princess Martha Louise. The position of Lutheran Protestantism as “national religion” particularly impacts on the development and perception of religious competitors.

This volume investigates “alternative” spiritualities that increasingly cater for the mainstream within the secularized society of Norway, making Norwegian-based research available to international scholarship. It looks at New Age both in a restricted (sensu stricto) and a wide sense (sensu lato), focusing mainly on the period from the mid-1990s and onwards, with a particular emphasis on developments after the turn of the century. Few, if any, of the ideas and practices discussed in this book are homegrown or uniquely Norwegian, but local soil and climate still matters, as habitats for particular growths and developments. Globalizing currents are here shaped and molded by local religious history and contemporary religio-political systems, along with random incidences, such as the setting up of an angel-business by the princess Martha Louise. The position of Lutheran Protestantism as “national religion” particularly impacts on the development and perception of religious competitors.

1. Church Religion and New Age: An Encounter between Rivals? Lisbeth Mikaelsson, University of Bergen 2. From 'Network' to 'Visions': The Role of the Umbrella Organisation VisionWorks in the Norwegian Alternative Movement Margrethe Loov, University of Bergen 3. Bad, Banal and Basic. New Age in the Norwegian News Press and Entertainment Media Siv Ellen Kraft 4. Spiritual Tourism Torunn Selberg, University of Bergen 5. New Age in Norwegian Religion Education: An Analysis of Development in Curricula and Textbooks for RE in Secondary and Upper-secondary Education 1996-2008. Bengt-Ove Andreassen, University of Tromso 6. Alternative Medicine: Health-oriented Spiritual Practices in Norway Anne Kalvig, University of Stavanger 7. Angels: Between Secularization and Re-enchantment Ingvild SAelid Gilhus 8. New Age and Norwegian 'Conspirituality' Asbjorn Dyrendal, Norwegian University of Science and Technology 9. Contemporary Spiritualism in Norway: Faith Assemblies and Market Products Anne Kalvig 10. Sami-shamanism in Norway: A Patchwork of Traditions and Organizations Trude Fonneland, University of Tromso 11. Hindu-inspired Meditation Movements in Norway: TM, Acem and the Art of Living Foundation Inga Bardsen Tollefsen, University of Tromso 12. "Bumper Car Ride Through a Maze of Spiritual Trips": Multiple Involvements, Changes across Time, and Deep Structure in the Alternative Spiritual Milieu James R. Lewis and Oscar-Torjus Utaaker, PhD candidate, University of Tromso Afterword: New Age in Sweden: A Comparison with Norway Liselotte Frisk, Hogskolan Dalarna University, Sweden Afterword: New Religions and "New Religiosity" in Denmark: A Very Brief Subjective Note Mikael Rothstein, University of Copenhagen

• Edited by Ingvild Gilhus
• Edited by Siv Ellen Kraft
• Edited by James R Lewis

". . . what we find is a selection of texts that covers a wide range of topics, making for a rewarding reading experience."--Swartz, Karen, International Journal for the Study of New Religions 10.1 (2019) "New Age in Norway has two objectives: 1) to make research on New Age spirituality in Norway available to the international research community; and 2) to help develop what the editors call a third wave of New Age studies that takes seriously the theoretical potential of New Age for general studies of religion (p. 5). . . . The book succeeds in both of its aims. . . . New Age in Norway is a commendably well-edited anthology, with a clear red thread, balanced in scope, methods, and theoretical perspectives, and offering a coherent view of the subject matter. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in contemporary religiosity in the Scandinavian countries, and required reading for scholars wishing to follow the research trends on New Age and NRMs globally." --Egil Asprem, Stockholm University, Aries Journal for the Study of Western Esotericism 20 (2020) 273-302 "This book will be of interest and use to scholars of religion, particularly those specializing in New Age or alternative religions, and also to a general readership curious about what religion is in a contemporary, secularized society." --Susannah Crockford, London School of Economics, Nova Religio
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