Together Oprah and Obama are giving a soul to the Culture of Death

LifeSiteNews ^ | 3/13/08 | John Jalsevac

[wagglebee]

Eckhart Tolle, the New Age guru, who numbers amongst his disciples the wildly influential talk show host, Oprah Winfrey, who, in turn, is herself Barack Obama's most enthusiastic supporter, proclaims that history is at a moment of crisis. According to his theory, if humanity does not collectively achieve a state of "higher consciousness," then the race will soon violently destroy itself and the planet in a final conflagration of "egoic consciousness".

It is a little eerie to hear a man who falls so firmly on the left echoing the apocalyptic theories of the religious right, and proposing much the same solution to the problem. For what Tolle (with the accustomed linguistic obtuseness of modern self-appointed prophets) labels "egoic consciousness" is, to somewhat oversimplify, what the religious right has, since approximately the moment Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden, called "pride." And one thing on which the religious right and Eckhart Tolle agree, is that the flourishing of this egoic consciousness lies at the very heart of the malaise of the developed world, having lead to ever increasing social unrest, dissatisfaction with life, widespread violence, and a pervading selfishness, a devastating focus on the "I", the ego.

Another important thing on which Tolle and the religious right agree is that there is only one proportionate response to the problem. For, since the problem is fundamentally a problem of spirit, the response must be a response of the spirit. Pride (or egoic consciousness) is a disease of the soul that reveals itself in violence, warfare, criminal activity, depression, etc. Hence, one must strike at the heart of the problem and eliminate the disease of the soul, thereby bringing about a new order of peace and harmony - or, to use the title of Tolle's new book, which is a phrase pulled from the New Testament, "A New Earth."

For Eckhart Tolle and his disciple Oprah, as well as her most admired politician, Barack Obama - as for the religious right - it is clear that what is necessary is a spiritual revival. And indeed, these three, and especially the latter two, have assumed the role of the priests and the prophets of the emerging spiritual springtime of the left.

* * *

What chiefly distinguishes a "spiritual" man from a secular one is that a spiritual man recognizes that human beings have a soul that is the most fundamental source of all of their thoughts and actions. According to the spiritual man, therefore, the way to bring about real change (or "change you can believe in"), is to focus on changing the "within" rather than simply attempting to force change through external coercion, or the putting in place of particular social, political and economic structures. 

This distinction between change from "without" and change from "within" has recently been making some high-profile appearances in some surprising, and not-so-surprising places.

On the unsurprising end of things, in his recent encyclical, "Spe Salvi," Pope Benedict repeatedly hammers home the truth that the only meaningful change in society will come from "within" man, and not through secular and materialistic programmes of social reform. As he writes, "Jesus…brought something totally different: an encounter with the Lord of lords, an encounter with the living God and thus an encounter with a hope stronger than the sufferings of slavery, a hope which therefore transformed life and the world from within." And a little later, "Even if external structures remained unaltered, this [Christ's coming] changed society from within."

A few pages on the Pontiff criticizes the modern thinker for the error of materialism, and for his blind belief in "progress." "Man, in fact," he says, "is not merely the product of economic conditions, and it is not possible to redeem him purely from the outside by creating a favourable economic environment."

On the more surprising side, though, this distinction between change from without and change from within has made a prominent appearance both in Barack Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope", and in his campaign for the presidency. This is surprising because Democrats are not exactly known for their emphasis on a spiritual solution to society's ills, nor for their de-emphasis on the power of government programs as the panacea.

* * *

Obama's campaign for the presidency has had about it something of a quasi-religious nature. His rhetoric, with his especial emphasis on "hope" and "belief", bears a strong resemblance to that of Christian preachers, and it has been frequently said that his supporters look to him with something of the fervor that believers look to Christ as their savior.

And indeed, listen to the echoes of Pope Benedict's teaching in these words in Obama's book: "I think much of what ails the inner city involves a breakdown in culture that will not be cured by money alone, and that our values and spiritual life matter at least as much as our GDP." Or listen to this passage in which Obama relates his baptism, which evokes a comparison with other Christian  conversion stories like Augustine's "Confessions" or Merton's "Seven Story Mountain": "Kneeling beneath that cross on the South Side of Chicago, I felt God's spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth."

"You need to come to church," he writes elsewhere, "precisely because you were of this world, not apart from it; rich, poor, sinner, saved, you needed to embrace Christ precisely because you had sins to wash away - because you were human and needed an ally in your difficult journey, to make the peaks and valleys smooth and render all those crooked paths straight."

And, unsurprisingly, the left is responding to Obama's spiritual politics, for they are starved for it. Obama does not, as so many of his political compatriots have done, preach the cold, lifeless doctrine that government programs alone will renew America. Instead he challenges each person to do their own part to renew, in the first place, their own selves, and then through their self-renewal, to change their country for the better. Hence, Obama is being received as the savior who was to come.

* * *

It is also unsurprising, therefore, that Oprah, who is perhaps the most well-known adherent of new age spirituality, has thrown the full weight of her support behind Obama. In fact, this is the first time in her life that she has officially endorsed a political candidate. And so enthusiastic is she about Obama that she personally took to the road for him, speaking on his behalf at various campaign stops this past December. If Obama is the savior of the left, then Oprah is his John the Baptist, making "straight the way," preparing her millions of avid fans for his ascent to the presidency.

Both Oprah and Obama claim to be Christians. But in both cases this is a farce, for neither of them believes that Christ is the incarnate God (except, perhaps, in the sense that we are all in some way God), and neither of them believes that there is an objective, external truth to which they must wholly submit.

The official slogan for Oprah's online class on Tolle's book is "prepare to be awakened." Compare this idea with this passage from Obama's book, in which he describes the "spirituality" of his mother, a woman of no professed religion, who would (as Obama proudly tells us) alternately attend Christian churches, Buddhist temples, Chinese New Year celebrations, Shinto shrines, and ancient Hawaiian burial sites. "For all her professed secularism," writes Obama, "my mother was in many ways the most spiritually awakened person that I've ever know."

An even cursory reading of the chapter on his Christian faith in Obama's book demonstrates that Obama has never seriously attempted to submit to the doctrines of Christianity, but rather chose to embrace the religion largely for utilitarian reasons, and as but one way amongst many to quench his thirst for some form of a spiritual life. Oprah, on the other hand, has explicitly stated that Christianity is but one way amongst many, presumably equal ways to God.

Instead of professing a true Christianity, therefore, Obama and Oprah are simply capitalizing on the possibilities of using the Christian name, and the name of Christ Himself, to further their political and social agenda and their own brand of spirituality. And theirs is a spirituality that eschews all definitions, all notions of an objective truth, and all submission to a higher authority.

Most importantly, theirs is a spirituality that, because of its intrinsic ambiguity, can be used by them to inspire in their followers a passion and fervor for their political and social causes that no pure, irreligious secularist could ever do.

In essence this spirituality without definitions or doctrines is a blank check that Obama or Oprah can cash in for whatever their cause of the day is.  We have already seen Obama use his "religion" to justify supporting legally recognized homosexual unions, for did not Christ preach tolerance in his Sermon on the Mount? And he has used his spirituality to justify many other things besides - his radical support for abortion, for euthanasia, for infanticide, and so much else that is completely antithetical to even the most liberal reading of Christian moral teaching. And while Oprah has maintained a surprisingly low profile on many of the most contentious social issues (abortion, euthanasia, same-sex "marriage", etc.), her head-over-heels enthusiasm for Obama, one of the most liberal politicians in recent memory, reveals her true heart. And this comes as no surprise to those who know enough to see through her infatuation with the vapid new age "spirituality."

Obama's spirituality is deeply convincing to those who have nothing deeper to hold on too. So too is Oprah's. And hence the two of them are together filling a void, a thirst among the liberal establishment for a spirituality. At last count, well over a million and half people around the world have downloaded and viewed Oprah's first class with Eckhart Tolle from a week and a half ago. And Obama, the political neophyte, has defied all predictions about an early demise, proving a formidable opponent even against the juggernaut of the Clinton name.

There is, indeed, a spiritual springtime of the Left, and Obama and Oprah are leading the way. But their spirituality without definitions is much more frightening than their greatest fear - a religion with doctrines. For their ambiguous "spirituality" captures all the spiritual energy and enthusiasm of its followers and puts it all at the service of a lie, or, what is even worse, of nothing at all. Together Oprah and Obama are giving a soul to the Culture of Death.

See related LifeSiteNews.com stories

The World's "Most Dangerous" Spiritual Guru: Oprah Begins 10-Week Online New Age Class
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/mar/08030701.html

Editorial: The Hope of a Sophist: The Rhetoric of Barack Obama
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/mar/08030507.html

"Philosopher of Abortion Movement" Says Obama A Better Choice than Hillary
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/feb/08021910.html

Obama: "Biggest Mistake" Was Vote to Help Terri Schiavo
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/feb/08022805.html

Obama Supports Sex-Education in Kindergarten, Romney Strikes Back
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jul/07072005.html

Catholic Priest Has Only Glowing Praise for Pro-Abortion, Pro-Homosexual Marriage Candidate Barack Obama
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/jan/07011804.html

[wagglebee]

But their spirituality without definitions is much more frightening than their greatest fear - a religion with doctrines. For their ambiguous "spirituality" captures all the spiritual energy and enthusiasm of its followers and puts it all at the service of a lie, or, what is even worse, of nothing at all. Together Oprah and Obama are giving a soul to the Culture of Death.

Very true.

[wagglebee]

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[LiteKeeper]

read later

[JavaJumpy]

Since when is partial birth abortion - supported by Obama - spiritual in a positive way?

[Godwin1]

Well said. In his term in the Illinois Senate, Obama proved a pro-abortion extremist. He endorses partial birth abortion and opposes parental notification for girls of any age. Singlehandedly, he bottled up and kept from a vote the Illinois Born Alive Protection Act. This Act was drafted after whistlblowers at a major Chicago area hospital revealed that infant survivors of botched abortions were delivered and allowed to die without medical attention in the operating room. Audacity of Hope,indeed.
Some irony here. Obama’s Pastor claims—to the general applause of his ignorant/racist congregation—that America invented AIDS to keep the number of Black people down. But the unrestricted abortion license—endorsed by Pastor Wright and Obama—has killed many more Black Americans than AIDS. With about 12 percent of the population, Blacks account for about 35 percent of abortions.

[newheart]

Obama and the Oprahcle

[Emmett McCarthy]

They market it as “spirituality” but I think a more accurate word is “spiritism”. It is the very same lie the serpent brought into the garden in the beginning. And, yes, it embraces whatever it pleases. One delusional adherent once told me, “The only thing that is ‘wrong’ is saying something is ‘wrong’”. Obama’s unmitigated and unqualified support for the “barbaric sacrament” of abortion and infanticide makes his devotion to the god Molech clear enough to me. Of course, Oprah’s empty-headed enough to willingly serve as “Prophetess” for this guy.

[baa39]

“Patriotism” was the theme of a Fulton Sheen show last night on EWTN, probably made about 50 years ago. It could have been recorded today! Many of the themes here were explained by Sheen. Patriotism comes from “pietas” which means love of God, neighbor and country, and that all three are exercised by the reasonable person; it’s a virtue.

Sheen said in America there is a trend toward violence and immorality that is “down” on everything, but yet doesn’t have belief in anything. Down on morality, church, police, government, authority, etc. They don’t realize that the ultimate authority comes from God, as do our “inalienable rights,” not from the State.

3 characteristics make up these people:

“Elitism” - the group considers its ideas superior to the rest, and feels entitled to enforce those ideas with any means necessary, including lies or violence.

“Mysticism” - true religious mysticism (St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa, etc) is replaced with “political mysticism” that instead of seeking union with God, causes the person to identify their entire life with political ideas.

“Satanism” - although they may not realized they are being used by Satan, the ideology of the anti-patriotic elite plays into the hands of the devil, as it is ultimately not constructive, not creating anything good for society, but destroying society. The end result ultimately is anarchy.

[baa39]

I don’t know what in your post is the most shocking, that people are ignorant enough to believe the US Govt invented AIDS (hmmm, that must be why Bush gave that $20 billion to Africa), or the horrible abortion facts.

I have heard the term “black genocide” in reference to the high number of blacks getting abortions, and also that the clinics seemed to be located in minority neighborhoods.

What is the real motive of sick people like this pastor? If he really cared about blacks, wouldn’t he encourage black men to MARRY the women they impregnate, and for the women to have their babies and bring them up as responsible citizens?

So it seems his interest, and Obama’s, while ostensibly rascist, is not really pro-black. Do you think they capitalize on the fears of the ignorant to increase their own power? Or do they really believe what they are saying? This is really sick.

[hosepipe]

Obviously, Oprah is a lemming..
Leading a whole train of female lemmings off the cliff..

The boy doan care eitha.. Him got Moonbats danceing in his head..

[Noumenon]

I thnik that there's another perspective on all of this - that of the Left's drive towards the complete secularization of Western culture. The great irony here is that the Left at this, the third and final stage of Gramsci's 'long march through the institutions,' has come full circle back to what it purports to be its spiritual roots.

But nothing could be farther from the truth. Paul Johnson, in his Modern Times had this to say:

Of the trio of great German imaginative scholars who offer explanations of human behavior in the nineteenth century, and whose corpus of thought the post-1918 world inherited, only two so far have been mentioned. Marx described a world in which the central dynamic was economic interest. To Freud, the principal thrust was sexual. Both assumed that religion, the old impulse that moved men and masses, was a fantasy and always had been. Friedrich Nietzsche, the third of the trio, was also an atheist. But he saw God not as an invention, but as a casualty, and His demise as in some important sense an historical event which would have dramatic consequences. He wrote in 1886: "The greatest event in in recent times - that 'God is Dead,' that the belief in the Christian God is no longer tenable - is beginning to cast its first shadows upon Europe." Among the advanced races, the decline and ultimately the collapse of the religious impulse would leave a huge vacuum. The history of modern times is in great part the history how that vacuum came to be filled. Nietzsche rightly perceived that the most likely candidate would be what he called the 'Will to Power,' which offered a far more comprehensive and in the end more plausible explanation of human behavior than Marx or Freud. In place of religious belief, there would be secular ideology. Those who had once filled the ranks of the totalitarian clergy would become totalitarian politicians. And above all the Will to Power would produce a new kind of messiah, uninhibited by any religious sanctions whatsoever, and with an unappeasable appetite for controlling mankind."

If that doesn't send a shiver rruniing up your spine, I don't know what would. That's the thing, you know: the demon of the Will to Power is what now dances upon the empty altars of the Left. History tells that we will ALL pay a terrible price for that "unappeasable appetite for controlling mankind."

[Noumenon]

Yes, they really believe what they are saying. And they are beyond sick. They are evil.

[Christian4Bush]

mark

[Twinkie]

The idea that man is going to create his own Utopia, his own Millenium Kingdom, his own Perfection sounds good, but is a lie.

[Lizavetta]

Here's Oprah praying that the world doesn't find out how much SHE'S donated to Rev. Wright's church.

[wintertime]

Oprah and Obama have the beliefs that are being preached in our government schools. It is the religion held by the majority of teens graduating from our government schools. It is NOT Christianity. It is " Moralistic Therapeutic Deism".

The following is from: Will Your Kids be Christian?

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48001

Recently George Barna reported that only 4 percent of our teens can be considered evangelical Christians, down from 10 percent in 1995. To be sure, an overwhelming majority of teens say they are "Christian," but their responses to a few simple questions concerning biblical doctrine clearly demonstrate that, despite what our children say, they are not. These findings aren't unique to Barna. The Nehemiah Institute's worldview surveys of Christian children, for example, have resulted in similar findings.

Similarly, Dr. Christian Smith, the lead researcher for the National Study of Youth and Religion, a large sociological survey of the religious beliefs of teens between 13 and 17, reaches many of the same conclusions regarding the religious life of teens. According to Dr. Smith, no matter what religion the surveyed youth professed, in general their actual religious outlook was what Dr. Smith characterizes as "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism." This is a religious worldview featuring an undemanding, distant god, whose only commandment is to be "nice," and who doesn't become involved in anyone's life except when he is needed to take care of a problem. This religion, according to Smith, conceives of its god as "... a combination of a divine butler and a cosmic therapist." Rather than being commanded to take up his cross and follow Christ, the Moralistic Therapeutic Deist believes that "... the central goal in life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself." Unfortunately, this is not merely a problem with teens ? increasing numbers of ostensibly Christian adults and some pastors hold these views in whole or in part.

[cpforlife.org]

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[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

"But their spirituality without definitions is much more frightening than their greatest fear - a religion with doctrines. For their ambiguous "spirituality" captures all the spiritual energy and enthusiasm of its followers and puts it all at the service of a lie, or, what is even worse, of nothing at all. Together Oprah and Obama are giving a soul to the Culture of Death. Very true." 1 posted on 03/15/2008 1:58:09 PM EDT by wagglebee

What they demand is submission to Oprah and Obama. Because they are forbidden from learning about true Christianity in the nation's schools, they and their followers are too stupid to understand the difference.

There is another aspect to Obama's theology that is disturbing - that it doesn't matter what the preacher says or teaches.

This weird cult should be opposed and rejected by all thinking Americans.

[narses]

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"But their spirituality without definitions is much more frightening than their greatest fear - a religion with doctrines. For their ambiguous "spirituality" captures all the spiritual energy and enthusiasm of its followers and puts it all at the service of a lie, or, what is even worse, of nothing at all. Together Oprah and Obama are giving a soul to the Culture of Death. Very true." 1 posted on 03/15/2008 1:58:09 PM EDT by wagglebee