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Definition:
Among people who consider themselves to be adherents of the "New Age," crystals are
very, very popular. Evidently this popularity happened relatively quickly - one year hardly
anyone cared about them, but the next they were everywhere. This does not mean,
however, that their use was unheard of - various gems and stones have been thought
to have magical powers and used as amulets or for other religious uses for millennia.
It is their popularity among the masses and as part of the New Age phenomenon which
developed so quickly.
According to believers, crystals both contain and magnify/transmit energy. On the one hand, they contain energy which can be used for healing or spiritual development. On the other hand, crystals can focus and transmit a person's own energy, perhaps helping others.
Is there any basis in fact for this? Well, the popular quartz crystals do contain an active electrical element - it is this which can give them their remarkable and fascinating appearance. This does not, however, mean that it contains any actively transmissible energy or that it can focus outside energy. Some believers compare crystals to other elements, like uranium, ignoring the fact that the power of uranium has been the subject of repeated scientific testing and verification - the same can hardly be said for crystals.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Alternative Medicine?
There's an awful lot in the news and in society about "alternative medicines" these days. By some estimates, it's an industry doing between $15 and $20 billion annually - and growing! But what is alternative medicine - how does it differ from scientific medicine and why do people use it?Skepticism & Critical Thinking
This is the main index for issues dealing with skepticism, critical thinking, logic and arguments. The first section is Critical Thinking itself - how to think about claims and arguments you hear, how to critique arguments, and how to formulate your own arguments such that they are more likely to be sound and valid. The second section is about Skeptical Investigations - the practical application of the critical thinking skills covered in the first section. Here you will find critiques of things like astrology, alternative medicine, parapsychology, the New Age and more.
